GK MB212 vs. Mesa PH 212..!!

suraj · #1 03-28-2010, 04:19 PM

Lets have a little competition here

So what sounds like what..?? And what styles of music is each better for..??
Is the Mesa worth paying so much more for..??

Ok just tell me which one has more low end

And whats with people instantaneously jumping over used PH212's in no time

tallboybass · #2 03-28-2010, 09:44 PM

One is a combo (MB212) the other is a cab (PH212). Do you mean the MBE212? It's not out yet.

suraj · #3 03-29-2010, 01:55 AM

Oh sorry im not so familiar with GK products...
I meant to compare GK's 212 cab with Mesa's 212 cab..

Mike Shevlin · #4 03-29-2010, 02:02 AM

The Mesa 212 is really darned good.

PSPookie · #5 03-29-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

The Mesa 212 is really darned good.

+1

But, IMO the Genz Benz Uber 212 is better

chiplexic · #6 03-29-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suraj

Oh sorry im not so familiar with GK products...
I meant to compare GK's 212 cab with Mesa's 212 cab..

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_neo_series.html
That would be the GK Neo212-II.
The Mesa cab is nice. A bit of a heavy weight (ala Mesa).
It is an agressive tone. With a raspy low mid bark the isn't removed with EQ. imo. Good cab for rock n' roll or more agressive music.

liam_g · #7 03-29-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiplexic

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_neo_series.html
That would be the GK Neo212-II.

He might also mean the about-to-be-released 212MBE:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....orn?sku=423666

Cheers,
Liam

tallboybass · #8 03-29-2010, 10:59 AM

I'm a big fan of the Genz NeoX-212T!!

Rshafer · #9 03-29-2010, 02:41 PM

I currently own both. They are both 4 ohm, so I am just running each them by themselves.
I use them with either a Mesa walkabout head or a GK MB500.

They are quite different.
The PH212 has an overall bigger and deeper sound than the GK neo212. The weight and dimensions of the cab, it's almost 6 inches deeper than the GK, which gives it an inherent deepness that lays more of a pillowy bass tone under the band than cutting through like the GK. I have found that I like the mesa a bit more with my current guitarist with a Marshall half stack. While the GK is plenty loud and sounds cool, something about the larger deeper sound of the mesa matches better with his marshall cab sound. Those Marshall 412's can get plenty bassy on a guitars E string.

Mesa however, has it's own unique sound that I can only describe as 'woody' versus the GK's more cutting metalic edginess. The earlier post described it as growly.

Both can be used for any kind of music, but the GK is more punchy, 'hifi' and modern of the two for lack of a better term.

With the walkabout and mesa, it can get old school sounding, and the GK rig is totally the opposite being very modern.
I've been starting to like to swap the heads, GK head and mesa cab and walkabout with GK to still have a warm round sound but quick response.

The Mesa is heavy and large for a 212. Almost 80Ibs versus the GK at just under 50Ibs. After lugging the Mesa up and down stairs, the GK feels like nothing. The GK is now my easy transport cab.

Hope this helps at least try to describe the differences.

I do not plan to get rid of either one right now, they each serve a purpose. The Mesa is expensive, the GK I think is a really good all around cab for the money.

Chowowbus · #10 03-29-2010, 04:20 PM

I am chomping at the bit to get the MBE 212.

RickenBoogie · #11 03-29-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

+1

But, IMO the Genz Benz Uber 212 is better

+1 to this +1. GB Uber 212 just might be the "best" 2x12 of them all.

Krügmeister · #12 03-29-2010, 05:24 PM

Honestly it really depends on which amp your pushing it with.
I can personally vouch that Mesa builds thier cabs with the strenth of thier amplifiers voicing.
That's not to say that mesa cabs don't sound good with other amps, I'm just saying all Mesa cabs I played seemed a little more "dialed in" with a Mesa amp. YMMV

Matt Dean · #13 03-29-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krügmeister

Honestly it really depends on which amp your pushing it with.
I can personally vouch that Mesa builds thier cabs with the strenth of thier amplifiers voicing.
That's not to say that mesa cabs don't sound good with other amps, I'm just saying all Mesa cabs I played seemed a little more "dialed in" with a Mesa amp. YMMV

This...

Everyone (that has one) loves the Ubber 212; I have a Powerhouse 212 that I drive with a M-Pulse 600 and I think it sounds pretty darn good.

In the final analysis, I think that Mesa and Genz both make great gear that maybe are marginally difference in terms of what's best... depending on amp and ears.

PSPookie · #14 03-29-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

This...

Everyone (that has one) loves the Ubber 212; I have a Powerhouse 212 that I drive with a M-Pulse 600 and I think it sounds pretty darn good.

In the final analysis, I think that Mesa and Genz both make great gear that maybe are marginally difference in terms of what's best... depending on amp and ears.

Emphatic +1

suraj · #15 03-30-2010, 03:00 AM

I thought the Mesa had a modern deep bottom with a steely top but yet smooth top..!!

Justin Chancellor uses the 4x12 and his tone is nowhere near "woody"

So whats louder between the Genz, Mesa, and GK..??
Im not too worried about the top end, i need deep round rumbly lows and cutting high mids which are not too harsh..

I have a Mesa Bass 400 to drive any of the cabs. A ~200 watt tube amp.

Krügmeister · #16 03-30-2010, 06:55 AM

I know that there are alot of nice cabinets that you can use with the 400.
Out of all of them I preferred the Mesa/Boogie 215 and Diesel series cabinets and the Bergantino NV series... they all respond well to tube amps.
The Uber series get great reviews here but I haven't had alot of time to mess with them

Rshafer · #17 03-30-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suraj

I thought the Mesa had a modern deep bottom with a steely top but yet smooth top..!!

Justin Chancellor uses the 4x12 and his tone is nowhere near "woody"

So whats louder between the Genz, Mesa, and GK..??
Im not too worried about the top end, i need deep round rumbly lows and cutting high mids which are not too harsh..

I have a Mesa Bass 400 to drive any of the cabs. A ~200 watt tube amp.

It's difficult to put into words, but Mesa has a unique coloring of sound all to it's own. Justin's Wal bass and effects have a lot to do with his cutting mid range.

Based on that you would like rumbling lows, the mesa or Genz would probably be better for you over the GK212. The GK has a more compressed bottom end. The mesa's high mids are smoother than the GK.

woody357 · #18 03-30-2010, 12:53 PM

Well seeing that Mesa, and Genz are in a different price range, what would be equal to the GK neo 212, the Avatar neo 212?

suraj · #19 03-31-2010, 12:37 AM

Im just really really confused now..!! I want a really sensitive, loud 212 with thick and deep and round lows and unharsh cutting high mids..!!

Using a Mesa Bass 400.

Confused between Aguilar GS212, Mesa PH212, GB Uber 212T

nemo · #20 03-31-2010, 02:35 AM

I did the A/B comparison between GS212 and Uber 212T in the shop driven by Walkabout head and Mesa M6.
Of the two, the Aguilar was thicker in the lows and rounder on the top, Uber was tighter on the bottom and more present on the top. Also Uber was little bit louder.