GK 212MBE delivered today !

I am stoked to get home and hear it
Got it in 8 ohms through RMC, as well as an MB500.
I haven't been able to try out the newer 500's since they never have'em at the two GC's nearest to me. but liked the orig 500 when I tried it in store a few years ago.
I also thought the MB212 sounded very big when I roadtested it last year for a few gigs, but I prefer the separates option and versatility.
I've been a long time user of the ol 400RB and 410 B cabs (but 70 lbs a bit much), then recently a 700RB and NEO212I, i can't imagine ever needing to be louder than that rig, I actually think it "breathes" better at an outdoor gig, sounded almost too much for a medium/biggish room.
So I can't wait to roadtest it at the next gig this weekend !

 

Biggest difference I noticed right away and at rehearsal last night is the cab(&MB500) is more mid present than the MB212.
Not sure if it has anything to do with it being an 8ohm cab , but I kinda doubt that.
I can actually dial in contour to 9 or 10 o'clock with out losing too much mid....whereas with the MB212 and 700/212Neo rigs I needed to keep the contour off or down completely.
I was actually expecting to have to dial back the bass knob a bit on the eq (based on memory of the orig 500 and neo410 I tried in the store a few years ago, but the eq straight up with a bit of contour was getting it done nicely.Another rehearsal wed nt and the gig this weekend will tell me more...but this pairing has way more mid bark than I was expecting...and that's a good thing for me

 

I was expecting the same sound as the combo also. I wonder if the revisions in eq of the 500 is involved ?
I am also anxious to A/B the 212MBE and 212NEO, and swap between M500 and 700RB. I am expecting the 212Neo to have the bigger sound, but it's strange because I am fairly certain that I read the speakers in the two cabs are the same.
When I get a bit of time to play around I'll know more.
btw and fwiw, i don't see any insulation inside this cab, and it sounds great so far but it has a few gigs to do to before we'll know for sure
I still think it would be a stretch to expect much of a tone difference between the 4 and 8 ohm cabs...but I like the 8 ohm since I'll be able to add the 212NEO for an outdoor thing in a couple of weeks

 

I do not have a vt pedal, no.
Another rehearsal last night. I am overall very impressed with the low end (but not too "big") and especially the lo mids.
I have been eq'ing in/out contour (off or 9 or 10 oclock), and switching between boost and not, maybe adding a notch or two of hi mids for some upper end grind.
Don't think the tweeter is adding much but I didn't expect it to.

 

After a couple of gigs this weekend and having a friend sit in for a few tunes late last night on us ri p/j bass the lo mid presence was noticeable and appreciated out in the dance floor area. And the upper end came through much clearer than I was expecting based on standing in front of it.
Settings input gain 9-10 oclock, eq @ noon except hi mid @ 2 oclock, contour @ 10 oclock master A @ noon, but kept the boost on 99% of the time (just sounded too good) boost @ 2 oclock master B @ 10 oclock.
The "smaller" and "less extended" low end (as compared to the700RB/212Neo) really lets the rock tones come through nicely.
And still surprising (to me) that the top end for slapping and popping was very present and clear.
so far so good !

 

The only 212 I have experienced is the GK Neo I.

And after some A/B'ing last night, I was actually a bit surprised (although I think I remember reading something to this effect from Tom Bowlus ?) the bigger low end sound is not necessarily the bigger cab as I was expecting....the 700RB just seems to have more of that at it's flat setting, whereas the 500 has much more presence up top. Although the eq's can get either one where you need it.

But between these two 212's at least, almost exactly as
Bob G. described, the 212MBE sounds smaller than the 212Neo...but it still had plenty of low end for me at the gig.

And I also tried a couple of 5's passive jazz and sr5.
JB sounded great , but the sr5 really made the top end presence known.

And REALLY leaning on the low end of the B string notes hard (and louder than I play at rock gigs) is the only time I would say the 700 212Neo has an edge....but for the size and weight (and price) of this set up, I think it is very hard to beat!

 

Thanks