GK MBE 212 Cabinet

evil-g · #1 03-06-2011, 11:09 AM

Does anyone use this cabinet at all? I searched and can not find much information on this particular cabinet but there is not much about it (real world experience). There is plenty on the Neo ll series. I saw Guitar Center had it for $399.00 and pulled the trigger. It is the 4 ohm version. I figure the worse that could happen is I send it back if I don't like it. Trying to use it for smaller gigs and for my double bass.

Thanks

evil-g · #2 03-06-2011, 05:51 PM

Bump. I looked through the entire GK thread, there is almost nothing on the MBE 212.

ThisisCraigP · #3 03-06-2011, 08:39 PM

Read up on the MB212 combo. The MBEs are the same thing sans head.

evil-g · #4 03-06-2011, 10:09 PM

I guess I was concerned about the cabinet having no damping or bracing (someone said it was boomy). I also meant as a stand alone cab. I'm telling ya, I can not find an answer and I
have read so many posts. Push come to shove I could put some damping material in or just send it back. I won't be until Wednesday though.

Thanks for the input.

garagebassman · #5 03-07-2011, 12:04 PM

Not sure what type of head you'll use with it or what type of sound(s) you're after....but I (posted after first getting it), have an 8 ohm I use with an MB500.....extremely loud. I don't find it boomy at all.
I also had an MB212 prior to the separate MBE cabs availabilty....and found the combo to be very full on bottom....definitley needed low end roll off (could be considered boomy by some i'm certain).
the mB500 at 350w @ 8 ohms has never come close to running out of headroom for me (fairly loud bands w/o pa support, med/lrg rooms).
And yes, my guitar players are jealous as it weighs about the same as a single 12" guitar ext cab. I have the lightest easiest load in/out by quite a bit.
You can always add some damping if you feel the need.....i haven't. this rig is very full , bright and "mid-present" sounding to me . ( i also have a 700rb & 212neo that don' t see much use currently)

evil-g · #6 03-07-2011, 12:37 PM

Perfect, just what I was looking for. I use a Carvin BX 500 head.

Thanks

garagebassman · #7 03-07-2011, 01:51 PM

Hope it works out well....let us know

ulynch · #8 03-07-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil-g

Does anyone use this cabinet at all?

I do, and also with a Carvin BX500. I don't find it boomy at all, and it's a very loud combination. Two of these stacked vertically would be awesome, but it stands up surprisingly well against two loud guitar half-stacks and a loud hard-hitting drummer.

My sound emphasizes mids and high-end, and I roll off a bit of bass. I'm going for a bit of Eddie Jackson / Rachel Bolan sound and since I don't use a pick, this is what works for me.

I don't believe there's any damping inside, but it's well-braced. IIRC, Bob G dropped in the other thread to say that it uses the same speakers as the NEO series. IMO, the handle should be on the side, not the end.

Sten · #9 03-08-2011, 01:29 AM

The fact that they left out damping was entirely because they thought it sounded better without, since it hardly would have changed their cost price.

greenboy · #10 03-08-2011, 01:33 AM

JimmyM · #11 03-08-2011, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

The fact that they left out damping was entirely because they thought it sounded better without, since it hardly would have changed their cost price.

it's still a cost, and when you make amps by the thousands, every little cost adds up to money. but i remember a big discussion about this, and some folks had tried lining the cab with bedding foam, and they said it sounded better with it.

knappymer · #12 03-08-2011, 03:08 AM

Sorry if I'm not using proper etiquette by not checking the other threads, but does anyone know what type of ply-wood these are made of? Hopefully void-free and no MDF.

JimmyM · #13 03-08-2011, 03:16 AM

void free plywood. i don't think you could build a cab that light and that big without it.

knappymer · #14 03-08-2011, 03:42 AM

Good point. Probably helps resonance control too, considering the lack of batting material used. Glad they didn't skimp there like some other companies. I think I'm going to call sam ash and see if they have any in stock for me to try out. I'll let y'all know what I come up with too.

:thumbs:

Sten · #15 03-09-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

it's still a cost, and when you make amps by the thousands, every little cost adds up to money. but i remember a big discussion about this, and some folks had tried lining the cab with bedding foam, and they said it sounded better with it.

Of course, I agree with you. On the other hand, I'm sure there are people who say the cab sounds better if you put a carpet over it. Not to think little of the people who do like the foam, I may even very well agree with them (haven't heard the damped one), but if the un-damped one would have sounded noticably worse, I think G-K would not have made that small cost cut to leave it out.

I have only tried this cab in a store with low volume and not in a band setting, so my opinion is still very much based on what I have read. But this is the number 1 cab in my watch list.

evil-g · #16 03-09-2011, 04:25 PM

I just picked up a GK MBE 212 Neo Cabinet.My first thought was wow, this cabinet is loud. I used my Carvin BX500 which I bought to GC to try it out (if I did not like it could go right back). The cab came home with me. As I stated before this is one loud cabinet. The lows were even and the cab handled the low B well (no fart outs at all) Mids were fairly pronounced and highs were crystal clear. GC also had the 410 MBE so I had a chance to A/B both cabs. While the 410 produced a little more bottom the 212 is in my opinion the hands up winner. Granted I never turned the rig past 4.5 but it was shaking the walls. I won't have a chance to gig with until Saturday but that's layed back standards gig on upright. I will really be able to give it a workout on Monday night. I will have an update.

I tried it with the horn and without. With the horn is is my preference even though it did have a little hiss but that went away. I tried many EQ settings which I don't remember and the cab responded well. Seems to be a keeper.

Hope this helps.

knappymer · #17 03-10-2011, 02:01 AM

Evil-g, you said the 212 was pretty loud, but would you say the 410 was just as loud? I'm guessing the 212 was more pronounced in the low mids while the 410 had the bottom rounded out, correct?

evil-g · #18 03-11-2011, 10:16 AM

With the BX500 master at five and the the drive at 2 the 212 seemed to be just as loud but I would say the 410 seemed more even.

knappymer · #19 03-12-2011, 02:26 AM

Thank you good sir. I appreciate the help.

solarplexus · #20 03-21-2011, 07:09 PM

so, have you gigged with the cab? If yes, what are the results? I have the BX500 as well and ordered the 212MBE. Wondering if it's working out for you