Gk Neo 112 II

bass4u · #1 08-15-2010, 08:28 PM

Anyone have any experience with a this cabinet? I'm thinking of getting 2 of these to use with my new GK MB500 head. Right now I'm using a Markbass CMD 121P and a Markbass NYC 121 and this combination has worked pretty good for me so far. I'm looking for just a different sound and I'm really liking the GK amp. I play in 3 different bands, one band is original alt rock, one is a punk/garage and last band is a drum and bass/electronica. I've been playing the GK head through the Markbass speakers and the sound is good but I can't get used to rear ported cabinets. The Markbass equipment is the first rear ported speakers I've used in 20 years of playing. Maybe it's all in my head but I want to go back to front ported cabinets. The Markbass gear will be for sale shortly in the classifieds as soon as I get some new speakers. Weight and size is a HUGE factor. Most of the stages I play on are small clubs in DC and Baltimore where space is a premium. TIA

Wes Whitmore · #2 08-16-2010, 07:38 AM

I use a 212 with a MB500 on some gigs. It's been really great so far. The cab is just so easy to move around, sounds good, and is super loud. I don't think you could go wrong getting a single 112 and see if you dig it, then getting a 2nd if you need a little more volume. If you have PA support at these clubs, then you might only need the one.

rappa29 · #3 08-16-2010, 07:45 AM

I use 2 Series I NEO 112 cabs with a 700RBII. They are definitely easy on the load in\load out, sound good and can get loud. I've only used them on their own at 1 outdoor gig and it was less then ideal conditions (no FOH, no soundman, makeshift PA), but they held up pretty well. Most of the places we play are small\med and usually have FOH and a soundman, so I haven't had to push them on their own except that one time.

tombowlus · #4 08-16-2010, 07:59 AM

These are some seriously nice cabs, IME/IMHO.

woody357 · #5 08-16-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

I use a 212 with a MB500 on some gigs. It's been really great so far. The cab is just so easy to move around, sounds good, and is super loud. I don't think you could go wrong getting a single 112 and see if you dig it, then getting a 2nd if you need a little more volume. If you have PA support at these clubs, then you might only need the one.

I tried to tell someone the same thing on another thread, but they thought I was crazy. One good 1x12 cabinet will be fine if you have pa support. I'm looking at getting 2 GK Neo 112 cabinets also. Loading in and out of gigs will be so much easier.

bass4u · #6 08-16-2010, 08:53 PM

I ordered two of the GK NEO 112 II cabinets today.

Wes Whitmore · #7 08-17-2010, 05:42 AM

Make sure you get some covers for it...The ones right from GK are decent for the money.

Nedmundo · #8 08-17-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

I don't think you could go wrong getting a single 112 and see if you dig it, then getting a 2nd if you need a little more volume. If you have PA support at these clubs, then you might only need the one.

I have two of the Series I cabs, and playing rock in small clubs, I've been fine using one, often without PA support. In fact, I've been told to turn down a couple of times. We're not playing at ear-splitting volumes, but it is rock, and I'm going up against two all tube 2x12" guitar amps and a heavy-handed drummer. This also says a lot about the G-K 700RB-II head, which is a monster and helps the cabs reach their potential. With a little compression for additional headroom, I've been amazed how loud it gets. I recently bought an MB-500 head, but haven't tried it on stage yet.

I would like the thicker tone from two cabs, but the easy load-in with one is tough to resist.

bass4u · #9 08-19-2010, 06:08 PM

UPS delivered my two GK Neo 112 II cabinets today (they left them in the driveway....idiots). I must say they have a very nice fit and finish to them.The cabinets are light weight and feel the same weight as my Markbass NYC 121 cabinets. I haven't plugged the Gk's in yet. I'm uncertain as whether to use the Speakon cable that is supplied with each cabinet. The supplied cable is a 4-conductor cable.The GK manual states "You may use a 2-conductor Speakon cable for full range operation". The impression I get from the manual is to ONLY use the 4-conductor Speakon cable if you are using the cabinet in the bi-amp mode.
I only plan on using these cabinets in full range mode. At the moment I'm using a Markbass LMII which of course is not bi-ampable and am wondering if it is ok to use the GK Speakon cable with this head. Or, how would you convert a 4-conductor speakon cable to a 2-conductor cable. I assume just remove two of the wires form the Speakon connector. But which ones? TIA

I Forget · #10 08-19-2010, 06:23 PM

It's fine to use the GK cable, the extra pair of wires (2+/-) just don't get used.

Plug them in and let us know what you think.

RHCP250 · #11 08-19-2010, 06:30 PM

From what I understand is sending the extra two wires to a non bi-amp cab is where you encounter problems.

lbwdog · #12 08-19-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Forget

It's fine to use the GK cable, the extra pair of wires (2+/-) just don't get used.

Plug them in and let us know what you think.

+1
You're fine with the 4 conductor cable. Just flip the switch on the cab to full-range. The internal crossover will then be activated, and the second pair of conductors are dormant.

I still can't understand how some of you guys can play rock, punk, whatever with one 12" cabinet though.

lbwdog · #13 08-19-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHCP250

From what I understand is sending the extra two wires to a non bi-amp cab is where you encounter problems.

Not necessarily a problem....... and only an issue if the amp head has some type of bi-amp feature. If the head is in the bi-amp mode the highs will be sent down the 2+/2- conductors, so if the cab is a full-range only cab, the HF signal will terminate into.....nothing, and you will only hear the frequencies below the amp's crossover point.

Now bridging.....that's a whole 'nother thing. I've seen several different conductor layouts for bridging, so you should study the amp's manual very carefully to do it properly. I'm not well versed on this subject, as my amps always have enough power without having to bridge them.

bass4u · #14 08-19-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I still can't understand how some of you guys can play rock, punk, whatever with one 12" cabinet though.

That's why I've been using two 12" cabinets.

Thanks to all for the replies.

bass4u · #15 08-20-2010, 08:42 PM

I've been breaking in my new GK Neo 112 cabinets and they are starting to sound great. I really like the grille's on the GK's. The Markbass yellow speakers never bothered me, with the yellow you can see how really far the speaker cone moves and it looks pretty cool. A/B-ing against my Markbass speakers there is definitely a tone difference. It wouldn't be fair to give my final opinion between the two cabinets until the GK's have had a little more play time but here are my observations so far. It looks like the MarKbass voice coils are larger than the GK's. The real difference in these cabinets for me is where the ports are. The Markbass are rear ported and appear louder because it turns a whole wall into a conductor for the low end, I mean SERIOUS low end. The GK's I prefer because I feel the cabinet appears more directional. They also have more pronounced upper mids and smoother highs. Both brand cabinets produce an extreme quality tone. The Markbass cabinets do seem louder though. Maybe it's my imagination? One thing about the Markbass speakers is they DON'T fart out using a 5 string no matter where the volume or bass knob is. I don't want to push the GK's too hard yet and hope they can achieve the same depth of low end and non-farting volume as the Markbass 12's. FWIW the Markbass 12's are rated at 400 watts each and I believe it. Both Brand of cabinets weigh almost exactly the same. Since the GK cabinets are larger I would assume the reason for the same weight is the Markbass speakers probably have larger magnet structures to be able to produce more watts. I don't know I've never inspected the actual speakers. The Gk's are rated at 300 watts. The Markbass rig will be for sale shortly if anyone is interested.

rag · #16 08-21-2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass4u

I've been breaking in my new GK Neo 112 cabinets and they are starting to sound great. I really like the grille's on the GK's. The Markbass yellow speakers never bothered me, with the yellow you can see how really far the speaker cone moves and it looks pretty cool. A/B-ing against my Markbass speakers there is definitely a tone difference. It wouldn't be fair to give my final opinion between the two cabinets until the GK's have had a little more play time but here are my observations so far. It looks like the MarKbass voice coils are larger than the GK's. The real difference in these cabinets for me is where the ports are. The Markbass are rear ported and appear louder because it turns a whole wall into a conductor for the low end, I mean SERIOUS low end. The GK's I prefer because I feel the cabinet appears more directional. They also have more pronounced upper mids and smoother highs. Both brand cabinets produce an extreme quality tone. The Markbass cabinets do seem louder though. Maybe it's my imagination? One thing about the Markbass speakers is they DON'T fart out using a 5 string no matter where the volume or bass knob is. I don't want to push the GK's too hard yet and hope they can achieve the same depth of low end and non-farting volume as the Markbass 12's. FWIW the Markbass 12's are rated at 400 watts each and I believe it. Both Brand of cabinets weigh almost exactly the same. Since the GK cabinets are larger I would assume the reason for the same weight is the Markbass speakers probably have larger magnet structures to be able to produce more watts. I don't know I've never inspected the actual speakers. The Gk's are rated at 300 watts. The Markbass rig will be for sale shortly if anyone is interested.

The size of the dust cap has nothing to do with the size of the voice coil.
Bob

bass4u · #17 08-21-2010, 02:08 AM

Thanks. Learn something new everyday.

lbwdog · #18 08-22-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag

The size of the dust cap has nothing to do with the size of the voice coil.
Bob

Exactly what I was going to say. I've often wondered if that's a marketing ploy designed to make someone think there's a large VC under there?????

bass4u · #19 08-22-2010, 08:57 AM

wonder what the size of the GK 12" speaker voice coil is?

BrentSimons · #20 08-22-2010, 09:05 AM

Hi There,
I have 2 of the 112 II's. They sound great! I'm using them with a GK 400RBIV and a SWR 350X. I find that I need to cut more than boost.I still haven't had a chance to find a tone I really like with the SWR. I need to play around with it a little more. I bought my GK's through Musicians Friend on sale with some coupons and using Ebates as well, INSANE deal!
Brent