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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

#7,101
Oneud said:
Hey guys, currently in the market for a new cab and was hoping you guys could help me out a bit. Currently cab-less, but my old rig was a GK MB800 into a GK Neo 212. The GK 212 really covered my sonic needs perfectly for my fairly loud rock 3-piece, but I need something lighter/easier to carry as I have permanent back issues that made it a real pain to move around.

For my next cab, I'd prefer to stay under 40lbs and the Hathor 1505 has my eye, although I just wasn't sure if the 1x15 would be enough... So, I guess my question is: if I was happy with my GK Neo 212, do you think the Hathor 1505 would cover my needs as well?

Another option would be a pair of Hathor 1203s, but I'd really like to keep it to just one cab, if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
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First off, let me say that the Neo212-II is one of my favorite GK cabs. It is fairly well balanced, and has a very nice mix of fullness and clarity. For those who've suffered through my cab ramblings before, you may recognize that I tend to favor cabs which are fairly well balanced from top to bottom, and which can be clear, but still nicely "full" sounding. This is why I am such a big fan of Duke's cabs. If you like the Neo212-II, then I think you would also be quite happy with pretty much any of Duke's cabs (the differences amongst the various AudioKinesis models have been discussed pretty well, here, but the GK Neo212-II is going to be closer, overall, to a Hathor cab than to a Thunderchild).

With regard to the gigability of one of Duke's 1x15's, I have not gigged with a 1505 or 1533, but my TC115AF gets louder than I will ever need to be on stage (and I play in some bands which are fairly loud). So, IME/IMHO, a 1505 should be fine (though I will say that I definitely prefer a pair of 1203's to just one).

Hope this helps, Tom.
 
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#7,102
Kreken said:
I had pretty much decided on the C115, but after reading some posts about the C112 having better vertical dispersion, I'm having a real hard time deciding between a C115 and a C112T. I have paid the desposit, but still have a few more days to make up my mind.

I will be using a few different amps. A Trickfish Bullhead 1k, an Ampeg V-4B and a 1964 Ampeg B-15N (head only) among others. All of my gigs are with PA support, so the cab is mostly for stage sound (will be miked as well). Most of the time I could get away with one of my two Ampeg PF-112HLF's, but for some gigs I'll need both or my Berg CN212. I'm going to keep one of the two (2x Ampeg or Berg) in addition to my AK, until I at some point will probably buy a second AK 112 or 115 variant. :)

Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!
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Variations in vertical dispersion aside (and I will leave it to Duke or to those who've played a 1533 and a 1203 or their Changeling variants to comment on this), I would lean toward the 15, primarily because it's as efficient as two 12s and will make the most of your tube amps (especially the B-15) and assure you of enough volume, if you sometimes find yourself in need of two twelves with your current setup.

The Changeling 115 is only available, as far as I know, in 4 Ohms, though. If you are considering adding a second cab later, that might be a consideration. On the other hand, you might not need a second cab -- or, if you do get one, you might find yourself using the small cab for some gigs, the bigger one for others. With two 8 Ohm twelves, you'd have a modular setup.

The V4B might sit better atop the 15, if that's an issue.

You might be happy with the C 112T, and it might cover everything you need it to (especially if you can mic the B-15), but those are the tradeoffs as I see them.
 
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#7,103
Kreken said:
I had pretty much decided on the C115, but after reading some posts about the C112 having better vertical dispersion, I'm having a real hard time deciding between a C115 and a C112T. I have paid the desposit, but still have a few more days to make up my mind.

I will be using a few different amps. A Trickfish Bullhead 1k, an Ampeg V-4B and a 1964 Ampeg B-15N (head only) among others. All of my gigs are with PA support, so the cab is mostly for stage sound (will be miked as well). Most of the time I could get away with one of my two Ampeg PF-112HLF's, but for some gigs I'll need both or my Berg CN212. I'm going to keep one of the two (2x Ampeg or Berg) in addition to my AK, until I at some point will probably buy a second AK 112 or 115 variant. :)

Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!
Click to expand...
IMO the Berg is the the keeper. My CN212 is a great sounding cab with every head I've paired it with. As with all Berg cabs it's well balanced and has an unusually seamless transition between upper mids and highs. I thought the C112T I played was equally well balanced tonally, but a little more versatile in voicing options. I could do most everything with just those two cabs alone.

In fairness I have no experience with those Ampeg cabs, but Berg and AK always feel like a league of their own to me when compared to most anything else. One exception to that would be the Mesa SW115 which easily competes on the same level IME.
 
#7,105
Oneud said:
Thanks for all of your replies to my question. I decided to place my order for the 1505. I think the pair of 1203s would be a great option(especially for my back), but most of my gigs involve carpooling in a very packed car, so I had to go for the space-saving option of 1 cab.

Can't wait! :D
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I think you are going to love the 1505! :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :thumbsup:
 
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#7,106
tombowlus said:
First off, let me say that the Neo212-II is one of my favorite GK cabs. It is fairly well balanced, and has a very nice mix of fullness and clarity. For those who've suffered through my cab ramblings before, you may recognize that I tend to favor cabs which are fairly well balanced from top to bottom, and which can be clear, but still nicely "full" sounding. This is why I am such a big fan of Duke's cabs. If you like the Neo212-II, then I think you would also be quite happy with pretty much any of Duke's cabs (the differences amongst the various AudioKinesis models have been discussed pretty well, here, but the GK Neo212-II is going to be closer, overall, to a Hathor cab than to a Thunderchild).

With regard to the gigability of one of Duke's 1x15's, I have not gigged with a 1505 or 1533, but my TC115AF gets louder than I will ever need to be on stage (and I play in some bands which are fairly loud). So, IME/IMHO, a 1505 should be fine (though I will say that I definitely prefer a pair of 1203's to just one).

Hope this helps, Tom.
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hi, Tom. yeah, when i jones for another AK it's the 1505, if for no other reason than they seem under-represented in the community here. i have this feeling it will be the puurrfect 4 string rock tool.
 
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#7,108
slagheap said:
hi, Tom. yeah, when i jones for another AK it's the 1505, if for no other reason than they seem under-represented in the community here. i have this feeling it will be the puurrfect 4 string rock tool.
Click to expand...
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#7,109
TomB said:
If you really always have PA support for larger venues, then an AK 112 is a good place to start. I find I only really "need" my TC115 for non-PA support gigs in bigger rooms and outdoors. Of course, your band's overall volume fits into the calculation here, and my situation may be quieter than yours - hard to say. In any case, you won't go wrong!
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I have an TCw115 and I have played some loud gigs. I mean not against duo Marshall stacks, but a fairly loud situation and it held its own. Its hard to believe a 15/horn can do that but the design is just amazing that it can get loud yet clean.
 
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#7,110
tc112v1 strutting its stuff. 6-string bass tuned low A to Bb (flatwounds). a few effects. kinda spacey to noisy free improv (not for everyone). imho, shows off how well the cab handles low notes and up, different timbres and articulations, dynamics, etc. caveat is that i'm sometimes too loud . . . (and i don't normally play a pick this much . . )

 
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#7,111
steubig said:
tc112v1 strutting its stuff. 6-string bass tuned low A to Bb (flatwounds). a few effects. kinda spacey to noisy free improv (not for everyone). imho, shows off how well the cab handles low notes and up, different timbres and articulations, dynamics, etc. caveat is that i'm sometimes too loud . . . (and i don't normally play a pick this much . . )
Click to expand...

Did I miss a link?
 
#7,113
Hey Steubig, have you ever heard The Bill Frisell Quartet album "Where in the World?" If not, I bet you could relate to it. That was a cool video; thanks for posting it.

What is going on with that mic array on the pole in front of the stage? Is that a mid-side arrangement?
 
#7,116
super nice dude.

earlier he played with paul motian, john zorn, marc johnson.

the thing we did was not formally recorded. we did do a live tv festival in yugoslavia, but i have a feeling that the video got destroyed in the civil war. too bad. killer band that flatout roared (julius hemphil, leader/saxphone; bill frisell and nels cline, guitars; alex cline (nels' twin bro), drums; jumma santos percussion; yours truly, bass)
 
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#7,117
steubig said:
tc112v1 strutting its stuff. 6-string bass tuned low A to Bb (flatwounds). a few effects. kinda spacey to noisy free improv (not for everyone). imho, shows off how well the cab handles low notes and up, different timbres and articulations, dynamics, etc. caveat is that i'm sometimes too loud . . . (and i don't normally play a pick this much . . )

Click to expand...

I'm only about five minutes in but, so far, I dig it.
 
#7,118
steubig said:
super nice dude.

earlier he played with paul motian, john zorn, marc johnson.

the thing we did was not formally recorded. we did do a live tv festival in yugoslavia, but i have a feeling that the video got destroyed in the cival war. too bad. killer band that flatout roared (julius hemphil, leader/saxphone; bill frisell and nels cline, guitars; alex cline (nels' twin bro), drums; jumma santos percussion; yours truly, bass)
Click to expand...

Cool (not the lost tape part, but the rest). I don't know all the names, but those I recognize, I recognize as heavy hitters. Cool that you got to travel the world and play with them. I suspect you've got some stories -- or at least vivid memories!
 
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#7,119
I know all those names and just WOW @steubig , Very, very impressed. A drummer friend here I grew up with, has played with John Zorn many times. I've been into this stuff since I was a kid. I got to hang around the AEC for a couple of weeks, when they stayed with my friend. I was also privileged to take lessons from Malachi Favors during their stay. Oops derail, sorry.

So back OT, I read a couple of pages back, something about a 4/8 ohm switch, is that available on the 15 based cabs? I know for me that would be a pretty big plus. Even though I have an amp that's capable of driving two four ohm loads. Also do the Changling cabs have the top vents or rear firing mid or both?
 

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