GK Neo Bass Cabinets

[Amajew]

I own 2 of the Neo 212's... they are fairly easy to carry and put into a sedan back seat. they almost feel lighter than carrying a single Aguilar Db112 because of the cabinet shape. Grab the handles, lift it and put the top of the cab against your chest.

the Neo 212 is 50 lbs... an Aguilar Db112 is 45 lbs FWIW

 

[andres3195]

Not to hijack but I just picked up an mb500 and haven’t decided on a cab yet. What do people like of the cx line best? 210 or 115? The 210 looks for efficient but not as responsive on the low end?
Would eventually buy a duplicate cab.

I have an MB200 and just bought a Cx 2x10 yesterday. Let me say it's a great little cab. If you find it in your local store try it and decide for yourself. I personally really like it!

 

[MobileHolmes]

Short version- My main rig is an MB500 through 2 Neo 112s stacked vertically and I think it's great.

Longer version- I was always skeptical of 12 inch speakers for bass. When I was growing up, 12s were either guitar speakers, or in the step up practice amp that still sucked. For years, I gigged a 410/115 combination. But as I've hit middle age, I decided I wanted less crap to move around, and started trying out 112 cabs, and was just blown away. Punchy, with plenty of low end and a nice high end snap. They also make a shocking amount of volume. and I can carry them with one hand. I ended up with the GKs as a sort of price/performance trade off. They really hit the sweet spot for me. Bergantino's are a little nicer sounding (can't put my finger on it) but just shy of twice the price.

There is alot of subjectivity on tone. The Neo 112s are definitely in the modern camp with kind of tight lows and a lot of sparkle in the highs. While that is pretty much my sound, I find that I like them with the tweeter attenuated a little bit. I think if you already have and like GK gear, you'd really like these (whereas if you were looking for more of an ampeg sound, they'd be a pretty bad choice). I think each is rated at 350 watts, and your MB500 is only putting out about that at 8ohms, so you should be safe (you could also run a large amp, just don't dime the thing). I am using 2 cabs because I think they are a little fuller sounding, but one was still plenty loud, and would be more than enough for any scenario where you have FOH support.

 

[eriky4003]

I own the same amp and have 3 other GK speakers so I am a fan but if they don't have the gear you want, you may want to check out another supplier. Unless the aesthetic is important to you.
Lots of love for the Neo112 in this thread, let alone in this forum. Probably two of them would be the best.
Of the other suppliers, already mentioned is the Revsound would be the one to check out. Lightweight, reasonably priced and most of those cabs will take 350 watts at 8 ohms if not the full 500 watts at 4.

 

[bass40hz]

NEO 212 and NEO 115...the 15 is a mid-range monster, all mids, the 212 is very hi-fi and can get as low and high as you need it to, not to mention as loud as you need it to at 600w @ 8ohms, depending on your tonal tastes/requirements, I can HIGHLY recommend both.
Your mb500 will be fine with either, it pushes out about 350 watts into 8ohms so it would effectively drive either cab quite well. You wont ever be disappointed with GK...ever.

 

[pigpen1]

Hello. I am new to Talk Bass.com. I play through a Gallien-Kruger MB500 with a GK 4x10" Neo cabinet. I am considering a smaller cabinet because I usually play smaller venues now. GK makes bass cabinets with a choice of either 2x10" single 12" or single 15" neo speaker options. What is your opinion on which would be the best cabinet for a smaller cabinet choice? Also, would it be OK to use my 500 watt amp with these cabinets (they are 300-400 watt cabinets). I may be playing at a place that has a second story and stairs. I am retired with a spine disease and weight of my equipment is becoming an important consideration.

Based on health issues I think going as modular as possible would be better. So maybe 2 single 12's.

Personally I don't know how anyone get's by with just one 12, outside of certain quieter genres. I've yet to play with a drummer/guitar player combo where a 112 would be audible.

 

[MobileHolmes]

Based on health issues I think going as modular as possible would be better. So maybe 2 single 12's.

Personally I don't know how anyone get's by with just one 12, outside of certain quieter genres. I've yet to play with a drummer/guitar player combo where a 112 would be audible.

I'm doing a quieter thing (Piano/bass/drums) and the 112 was plenty unsupported for rehearsal, but yeah, it probably wouldn't keep up with a JCM 800 or something. That said, If I were playing somewhere with decent FOH support, performance wise, I'd happily play pretty much anything with just one of them (though two looks cooler, so I'd probably bring a pair)

 

[ELG60]

did you mean the 2x10" I am not sure GK makes a 2x12" option with the Neo speakers.

They definitely do. I was considering one in the recent past and saw several for sale used, both here and on Craigslist for about $400 apiece or thereabouts.

 

[pigpen1]

I'm doing a quieter thing (Piano/bass/drums) and the 112 was plenty unsupported for rehearsal, but yeah, it probably wouldn't keep up with a JCM 800 or something. That said, If I were playing somewhere with decent FOH support, performance wise, I'd happily play pretty much anything with just one of them (though two looks cooler, so I'd probably bring a pair)

I agree for the most part for that kind of scenario.

But just in my experience, a single 12 can't keep up with a drum kit, un-mic'd even, unless the drummer plays insanely light, or you are willing to murder your speaker.

 

[WillieB]

OP I feel for ya ... I have issues with my back as well. degenerative L4,5.

I use a GK setup ... the Neo 210 cab with the MB800 head. I used to use two of the 210's stacked
vertically for bigger gigs ... loved it. Most of the gigs now are three piece so I just use the single cab.
I raise it up off the ground to help with hearing and an easier reach to the amp.

I have the original Neo version of the 210 believe it is rated at 400watts and 33lbs. I think
they changed them slightly since I bought.

Good luck.


Bill

 

[Gyver]

did you mean the 2x10" I am not sure GK makes a 2x12" option with the Neo speakers.

They do, I have one, it is awesome.

 

[biggredd]

Since this is a GK neo topic, does anyone know if there is insulation inside the neo cabinets? I purchased a used 412 and it doesn't have any. It sounds kind of "open" if that makes sense. I'm wondering if insulation/padding might help with that.

 

[eriky4003]

There was a GK Neo 210 but was discontinued around 2012/2013. I bought mine just before they were pulled. It is a slant-backed cabinet and weighs in at 40 lbs (based on their literature).

 

[AddBass]

Since this is a GK neo topic, does anyone know if there is insulation inside the neo cabinets? I purchased a used 412 and it doesn't have any. It sounds kind of "open" if that makes sense. I'm wondering if insulation/padding might help with that.

I have a 112 and there is no insulation in it, I was sort of wondering the same thing.

 

[bwoodman]

Get a pair of the 112’s IMO

 

[Al Kraft]

I have a 112 and there is no insulation in it, I was sort of wondering the same thing.

The two I own (Neo 112 II's from a few years back) have no insulation inside. I read something that Bob Gallien was responding to (here on TB I think) where he said that they tried the cab with and without insulation and the consensus of the testers was that it sounded better without insulation/batting. He also said the cost of the material was so small as to be insignificant to him relative to pricing and that it was totally a voicing decision.

We all listen for different things, but I never heard any obvious problem with my cabs that led me to believe I should second guess the designer. I've read that some folks installed insulation and liked it better...who knows...there are many tricks of the trade to fine tune a cab's voicing and you do what you think you need to to achieve your tone goals.

 

[JimiLL]

This is very true. Humans typically perceive a louder sound as being better. I know too many bassists who downsized rigs and improved their tone IMO. Because perception is reality though, they abandoned the smaller cabs and went back to whatever they used previously.

So I guess their tone improving is your opinion and not theirs?

 

[blubass]

So I guess their tone improving is your opinion and not theirs?

I can't speak for them. Everything I say is in my opinion. Likewise, anything anyone says is in their own opinion. If it were someone else's words, you'd see quotation marks. If I were in a particularly scholarly mood, I may even provide a citation. If I say something I believe is fact, I may even provide a source trying to bolster my claims. What's your point?

 

[pigpen1]

In my opinion, the current trend in voicing is for high end and upper mid clarify over low end. Some will like it, some won't

 

[JimiLL]

I can't speak for them. Everything I say is in my opinion. Likewise, anything anyone says is in their own opinion. If it were someone else's words, you'd see quotation marks. If I were in a particularly scholarly mood, I may even provide a citation. If I say something I believe is fact, I may even provide a source trying to bolster my claims. What's your point?

My point is maybe you thought it sounded better to support your preconceived notion that smaller rigs sound better.

A typical person, after spending such and such money on a new setup is more inclined to see it as better than what it is. The “honeymoon” effect, so to speak. The fact they did not and went back to an old setup says to me, it really wasn’t better.

Just tweaking your nipple some