GK cabinet sounds like a tin can

slaphappywoman · #1 02-03-2011, 08:27 AM

O.k. so I bought the GK MB 500 head. Last week I added the GK new lightweight 4X10 MBE cab. (I am also using an Acoustic 15). The new GK cab sounds like I am playing out of a piece of tin. It sounds: horrible. I can't get a good sound out of it no matter what I do.

I was not able to try it out in advance because no place in my state carries it. I am going to send it back. I am thinking that maybe because they cut down on the weight that is why the tin sound? Anyone else notice this? And what should I buy to match the GK head when I return it? I like to have matching brand Heads and Cabs. The guitar center here doesn't really carry much to try out so I'm flying blind here. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

**mikeddd** · #2 02-03-2011, 08:30 AM

The new Avatar TB153 is quite nice. You may wait a couple of weeks for it, but it's worth it. There's a big thread on this cab right here in the Amps forum.

skruch · #3 02-03-2011, 08:38 AM

You might be playing thru the horn only. Double check your settings / connections. The leads to the 10's might have come loose in shipping. I would open the cab and check before shipping it anywhere.

slaphappywoman · #4 02-03-2011, 08:41 AM

I have the horn turned off. It sounds worse with it on.

chad.planet · #5 02-03-2011, 09:05 AM

I have the BLX 410 and 210, and they are good cabs, my 210 started crapping out recently though, they just aren't the best quality. But maybe I want more lows and sub frequencies than They can deliver. But yeah, IMO I wouldn't recommend GK products to anyone. I went through 3 of the 600rb heads. they suck my weiner

tombowlus · #6 02-03-2011, 09:08 AM

I have not tried that particular cab, but I can say that the MB500 with any of the Neo series GK cabs sounds very nice and very full. The Neo212-II is an especially good pairing (or two Neo112-II's).

slaphappywoman · #7 02-03-2011, 09:27 AM

What about an SVT 4X10 with this GK head? I'm a small woman so I was trying to go with light weight. The SVT'S weigh more then I Do!!!!! But maybe that is what I need to do. I have a permanent roadie (my husband)

Bassdirty · #8 02-03-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappywoman

... I am thinking that maybe because they cut down on the weight that is why the tin sound? Anyone else notice this?

I am not a fan of the MBE cabinets (I've tried the 410 as well as the 15- I tried them with a GK backline 600, and with a mesa M6 carbine). I couldnt seem to get any decent "lows" out of them.Very treble-y.

NOW, I have tried the GK NEO 210s, (With the GK MB500 head) And that setup sounded VERY nice.Not to be confused with the MBE series which also seem to have a neo speaker of sorts....There seems to be a BIG difference between the MBE series, and the "NEO series"..I think the price reflects that as well.

I'll hafta admit, I was kinda confused by the different series in the beginning, But I think I got a handle on it now.

BUT, theres actually an MBX series too...so...

All I know is the ones I like are Called "NEO Series"...NOT MBE or MBX..or anythin else.

Hope that helps.

.

slaphappywoman · #9 02-03-2011, 09:38 AM

I also bought a new bass a month ago and its' the Ibanez SR with the Bartaloni pickups. They are loud as hell and I have to turn the bridge one completly off to play of this cabinet or the sound is unbearably blaring. It's not as bad with my Yamaha basses but still sounds horrible. Blah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

I am not a fan of the MBE cabinets (I've tried the 410 as well as the 15- I tried them with a GK backline 600, and with a mesa M6 carbine). I couldnt seem to get any decent "lows" out of them.Very treble-y.

NOW, I have tried the GK NEO 210s, (With the GK MB500 head) And that setup sounded VERY nice.Not to be confused with the MBE series which also seem to have a neo speaker of sorts....There seems to be a BIG difference between the MBE series, and the "NEO series"..I think the price reflects that as well.

I'll hafta admit, I was kinda confused by the different series in the beginning, But I think I got a handle on it now.

BUT, theres actually an MBX series too...so...

All I know is the ones I like are Called "NEO Series"...NOT MBE or MBX..or anythin else.

Hope that helps.

.

basss · #10 02-03-2011, 09:54 AM

Maybe the speakers are wired out of phase with each other? I'm not sure if this can happen inside a cabinet with multiple speakers after the input but speakers that are out of phase with each other can sound tin canish.

slaphappywoman · #11 02-03-2011, 10:02 AM

What about Carvin cabs? Anyone have experience with those?

impactwrench · #12 02-03-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

NOW, I have tried the GK NEO 210s, (With the GK MB500 head) And that setup sounded VERY nice.Not to be confused with the MBE series which also seem to have a neo speaker of sorts....There seems to be a BIG difference between the MBE series, and the "NEO series"..I think the price reflects that as well.

.

The speakers are the same in the neo and MBE cabs, it's the cab design that varies greatly. Neither is lined. I had a 210MBE and wasnt happy with the sound either. It wasnt nearly as punchy or defined as my Avatar B210.

Hutzbordello · #13 02-03-2011, 11:41 AM

i just ordered one i hope it turns out i like it!

BigOldHarry · #14 02-03-2011, 11:44 AM

I've never liked GK Cabs. I do like their amps (I have one as a backup) but their cabs - not so much.

I'd mate that head with what I use - an Epifany NYC 2x10 and I assure you, it would sound *right*. A buddy of mine has an MB fusion (the 500 with a tube preamp) and uses a Berg 2x10 - it sounds *great*.

DWBass · #15 02-03-2011, 11:50 AM

I bought 2 Neo112's mainly for the portability and on the recomendation of TB forum members. I have not gigged them (as a pair) yet. I have used 1 for a couple of rehearsals and for such small cabs, they put out! I use either a Markbass LMIII or a GB Shuttle 6. I'm hoping they give me what I want. Definitely not tinny though. Something must be going on with your rig somewhere along the chain.

MysticMichael · #16 02-03-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappywoman

What about an SVT 4X10 with this GK head? I'm a small woman so I was trying to go with light weight. The SVT'S weigh more then I Do!!!!! But maybe that is what I need to do. I have a permanent roadie (my husband)

I recommend you take Tom's suggestion. Get a pair of GK Neo 112-II cabs. They weigh only 30 pounds each - about as light and easy a schlep as you're likely to find in the bass world...

MM

jeff7bass · #17 02-03-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

The new Avatar TB153 is quite nice. You may wait a couple of weeks for it, but it's worth it. There's a big thread on this cab right here in the Amps forum.

What he said. Send it back and get the TB153.

pedulla1 · #18 02-04-2011, 12:59 PM

Give the speakers time to break in. At first my gk210 neos sounded like u describe but after a few hours play time they warmed right up and sounded huge! How much playing time?

Wes Whitmore · #19 02-04-2011, 02:21 PM

So do you like the Acoustic 15 with the MB500 head? You are just using one cab, or the other, right?
Wes

willsellout · #20 02-04-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappywoman

I also bought a new bass a month ago and its' the Ibanez SR with the Bartaloni pickups. They are loud as hell and I have to turn the bridge one completly off to play of this cabinet or the sound is unbearably blaring. It's not as bad with my Yamaha basses but still sounds horrible. Blah!

This is kind of sounding like an EQ issue to me. How much experience do you have? I think we should get a handle on exactly how much you know before we start suggesting switching cabinets or anything else. I don't mean to sound like a jerk, I just don't want you wasting time and money switching stuff around when it might be a simple problem, ya know?