GK Neo 112 Stack vs GK Neo 410: Opinions?

Several years ago, I owned a Gallien-Krueger Neo 212 (first gen) that I used for rock and metal gigs. Eventually, I traded it for a Neo 410, finding it to be a bit more suited to my style with its rounder sound. I've been using the 410 ever since, primarily with a GK MB Fusion. I love the combo.

Presently, I'm in an odd dilemma. I've been considering a Neo 112-II to pair with my GK MB Fusion as a portable practice/gig rig. It had me thinking: what if, instead of just one, I get a pair and replace my Neo 410 altogether? It would give me modular flexibility for home and the stage. Music-wise, I'm still playing progressive rock, metal, post-punk/new wave, etc. - usually with one or two guitarists, multiple vocalists, a drummer, and a few less conventional instruments (cello, keys, hand percussion, etc.).

I'm wondering if anyone has made a switch like this and what they thought of it.

I'm particularly interested in the volume/headroom comparison, as well as low end (if prior experience serves me right, my old Neo 212 had a more prominent midrange than the 410, but I don't know how a pair of 1x12s will compare in terms of low end). Power-wise, a 112 stack seems better matched to my head, too - 250W per 300W cab instead of 350W for an 800W 4x10.

Ideally, I'd like to maintain a similar potential of volume, clarity, and low end when I use the stack. Am I being unrealistic, or will these two independently boxed 12" speakers compare favorably in this way to their 4x10 cousin?

 

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

I figured it would come down to tone more than any other factor, and that's rather reassuring. Now I just need to track down at least one Neo 112-II to demo. I haven't played through 12" speakers in a few years, and my ears could use a refresher.

 

I will be skipping the "demo" phase - sort of. I just scored an excellent deal on a Neo 112-II. If I like it enough, a second one is in my future.

 

Update - after a few weeks of my new Neo 112-II being confined to an apartment at extremely low volume use (a genuine challenge when you're driving it with an MB Fusion), I finally had a chance to test it at rehearsal volumes in a folk metal setting.

My tiny little rig was up against:

• One guitarist with an elevated Mesa combo and Line 6 effects rack
• One miked vocalist
• One miked acoustic mandolin (played by the vocalist)
• One hand drummer with miked drums
• One kit drummer

The Neo 112-II held its own without needing to crank the amp.

I should be receiving my second Neo 112-II next Monday, and running the stack for rehearsal that Wednesday.

 

Awwww yeah.



Lefty EBMM StingRay, GK MB Fusion, and a stack of Neo 112-II cabs (the second one arrived last night).

 

I haven't had an opportunity to test this stack in a rehearsal setting just yet, but I have quite a bit of gig experience with the first-gen Neo 212 and Neo 410. I owned both simultaneously at one point.

Generally, the Neo 410 has less midrange presence and greater lower frequency depth than the Neo 212. Sometimes it delivered a bit too much low end; in certain venues, I found myself rolling back the bass more than usual to avoid unwanted boom. Still, it was easily managed, and it remained my cab of choice for the last 6 years or so.

The Neo 212, by comparison, was more balanced - more in the midrange, a bit tighter in the lows, not as deep. The Neo 112-II seems very similar to its bigger brother so far, which is what I was hoping for.

I'll have a better idea of how this stack compares performance-wise in the next few weeks, with rehearsals and a gig coming up soon. So far a single Neo 112-II held up nicely for rehearsal. I look forward to pushing things harder with a pair of them.

 

Rehearsal report: I played with the full band lineup last night, which was the same as the last one plus our bagpipe/flute player (who doubles as a supporting vocalist). Six musicians in a folk metal setting.

I brought my MB Fusion and the pair of Neo 112 cabs, stacking them vertically for the sake of clarity. I had a nice full tone and plenty of volume on tap, especially when I engaged the second channel for some overdriven grind.

My rig quest has concluded once more... for now. Now I can return to shopping for basses.