GK SBX-II Series Cabs

[jwtjr999]

Anyone know why GK discontinued the SBX-II series cabs? I have a 210 SBX-II loaded with heavy duty Eminence speakers that kicks serious ass with my 1001 RB-II. I was hoping to cop a good deal on either another 210 SBX-II, or preferably a 115 SBX-II, but now it has been discontinued. As for the used market, it seems the people who have them are hanging onto them, which makes me wonder why this model was discontinued.

So, is there some issue with this model cab, or just another example of a company fixing something that ain't broke? I'd really like to know. I'd love to find a 115 SBX-II with a blown speaker that I could pick up on the cheap.

Thanks.

[jwtjr999]

Dey don't nobody know?

[buttercup]

@jwtjr999

:-)
I agree with you absolutley!

I purchased one of the last remaining, (retail) SBX210-II boxes in 2007.
I use the bi-amp/speakon configuration through a 700RB-II.

This system and configuration has NEVER come close to threshold and has performed without any issues or problems. I play 4s Stingray's, 5s MVPedulla Thunderbass & 4s J's.

I suppose the decision, as often is the case, was made based on market saturation/consumer demand metrics.

I know of and have seen VERY few bassist using non-ported cabs of any configuration or from any manufacturer. And the 210 rig setup is percieved as insufficient perhaps?

The "industry standard" for live situations also, (seems to be) biased towards the 4x10 configuration.

I don't have a bias towards ANY manufacturer. I'll play anything that articulates the sounds I'm hearing in my head. Saying that, I've NEVER heard ANY OTHER SYSTEM that even closely approximates the
GK SBX 210-II/700RB-II rig that I'm currently using.

I also own an Eden Traveler WT-405/Eden D210XST that's an extraordinary system...that I never play because I'm rocking my GK rig!

In conversations that I've had with every bassist I met over the years, I've found VERY few who have actively AND objectively play/tested the systems that they've purchased PRIOR to buying them. Most players with whom I've spoken are pre-biased towards specific manufactures because their favorite professional players are playing that given system.

This is of course my personal opinion and hopefully does'nt start a thread flame...that's not my intent.

Respect and Regards~

[jwtjr999]

Thanks for your input, buttercup. I agree; most guys I see around my neck of the woods are using ported cabs, but for my taste, that tight, punchy sound you get from a non-ported cab with sufficient power is the ticket. Even with my GK 1001RB-II, I would agree that my single 210 SBX-II would probably not cut it in a big room with a loud band, and that the bias seems to be toward 410 cabs.

But! 2 - 210 SBX-II's will move the same amount of air as a 410, and are considerably more portable. That setup will also give you a 4 ohm load to let the amp do all it's capable of. I bought mine with the intention of adding a 115 SBX-II (or another 210 SBX-II), but they are out of production and very hard to find used. I'm not in a hurry; I'll score one eventually...

It seems to be such a great cab design, I really wondered if there were some issue with them that led GK to discontinue production. I certainly can't find any issues with mine, and the fact that people who have them seem to want to hang on to them leads me to believe that discontinuation was sort of a misguided "continuous improvement" thing. Sort of like Fender did in the early 70's with their guitar amps...

Thanks again for your thoughts on the matter.