Help me decide on a GK

[trackskinz]

Looking around 500W (typical rock cover band, me, one guitar and drums), Fender Jazz w/ DiMarzio 123's and flatwounds.

I am looking at GK 500w rigs, mostly combos.

How would you guys rate the 212 vs the 410?

Open to any advice here!

Price matters, but I don't want to get something I will later be unhappy with.

[cableguy]

I know you said mostly combos but......

GK700RB-II is bullet-proof and great sounding for rock. Not too heavy and pair it with the cab of your choice. They're around $300 used if you look around. By a used cab and your set for around $600.

[bassgod0dmw]

I can also vouch for the MB500. I use it as my main gigging map now and it kills. I know it's not a combo either, but you can use whichever cabs you want.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I can also vouch for the MB500. I use it as my main gigging map now and it kills. I know it's not a combo either, but you can use whichever cabs you want.

Another vote for the MB500, its a wolf in sheep's clothing. They can be had for around half price if your patient and shop used. The Backline 600 is a good head, under the power rating you want, but you can find them for $150ish all day long and beat on em.



What are you using now, how loud is your Band and do you typically have PA support?

[trackskinz]

Originally Posted by Lowactnsatsfctn

Another vote for the MB500, its a wolf in sheep's clothing. They can be had for around half price if your patient and shop used. The Backline 600 is a good head, under the power rating you want, but you can find them for $150ish all day long and beat on em.



What are you using now, how loud is your Band and do you typically have PA support?

Right now I have a Yorkville BM200, no PA support. It's farting out anywhere over 55% volume, and I need around 70% to carry my load sonically.

[bassgod0dmw]

Gk heads get stupid loud depending on the cab used.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by trackskinz

Right now I have a Yorkville BM200, no PA support. It's farting out anywhere over 55% volume, and I need around 70% to carry my load sonically.

Then decent power and a good 212 would probably get you where you want to be. 2 115 cabs would be a good modular set up if you can swing it pricewise. Once you get over a few hundred watts, Power doesn't make much difference. Its Speaker Cone that you need for volume

Since there is an external speaker jack on that combo, and the minimum impedance is 2 ohms, Im gonna guess your getting roughly 140 watts to 115. (just rough estimates)

Budget is the next factor, We can list all types of possible combinations, but need to know what to keep the price under.

Tempting as the price is, Id still avoid the Backline cabs

[trackskinz]

Originally Posted by Lowactnsatsfctn

Then decent power and a good 212 would probably get you where you want to be. 2 115 cabs would be a good modular set up if you can swing it pricewise. Once you get over a few hundred watts, Power doesn't make much difference. Its Speaker Cone that you need for volume

Since there is an external speaker jack on that combo, and the minimum impedance is 2 ohms, Im gonna guess your getting roughly 140 watts to 115. (just rough estimates)

Budget is the next factor, We can list all types of possible combinations, but need to know what to keep the price under.

Tempting as the price is, Id still avoid the Backline cabs

I was initially thinking I could get what I needed from adding an extension cab, and maybe that being a 2x10 for some punch, but was advised against mixing speaker sizes. It would certainly save me some $ to just add a cab. Thoughts?

[IPYF]

The 700rb is the obvious goer. You can get an RB combo but I've not tried one so I'm unsure what quality you're getting on the cones.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by trackskinz

I was initially thinking I could get what I needed from adding an extension cab, and maybe that being a 2x10 for some punch, but was advised against mixing speaker sizes. It would certainly save me some $ to just add a cab. Thoughts?

Adding a cab could very well get you the volume you need if your happy with the tone you're getting.

However, The thing with mixing cabs is the results are very unpredictable. Its been done with good results and its been done with horrible results. Eden has an 810 that is the combination of 2 different 410 cabs. (not that you need an 810) and people blow 115's trying to get them to keep up with 410's.

If the extension cab is voiced similarly, and the sensitivity of the speaker is close, it could work well. If they are both far off, its probably not going to sound good because when you try to get them to sound how you want, one will be over EQ'ed leaving you with a very uneven tone and one cab will be louder than the other.

If you want to go that route, bring your current setup and test it out. Taking some one who doesn't care if you buy it or not never hurts.

[ncapone]

The MB212 is all I will ever need. It gets pretty loud, even for 500w.

[Versatek6]

The Neo 410 is going to have a strong bottom end. 800 watts, 64 pounds.

The Neo 212 is a very evenly balanced sound. 600 watts, 50 pounds.

Paired with an RB-series head, you also get the horn management system; separate dedicated 50 watt amp just for the HF horn, adjustable from the front panel.

The MB heads don't have this, but the 500 only weighs four pounds.

My gig doesn't need the volume of yours, so I am very happy with an MB200 and two 112-II Neo cabinets. Buying used, I am right at $600 for all.

Good luck!

[TC.65]

IMO you can't go wrong with the 700RB-II. It will sound good with most any cab you pair it with. I used to run it through the 212 Neo and it sounded great and had plenty of volume. IMO it's the best head that GK makes.

[trackskinz]

How about the 800rb?

[mystic38]

cant agree with the combo idea...

one sizeable head : agree with tc.65 you cant go wrong with a 700rb-ii or mb500 as otherwise stated.
then 112 for practice and then an efficient 115, 212 or 410, for out... for one guitar and nonPA drums that should be good imuo