GK Neo IV cabs

[rag]

Hi there,

So I just ordered a Fusion S 800 head and a neo iv 212. It's my first ever big amp and cab buy so I'm excited. But I also wonder if I made a mistake? It seems like I could have bought a fusion combo for a LOT less $$, and had from what I can tell basically the same thing?

Someone please tell me how my new rig will be better, I need help lol.

A combo is less expensive, and until this series came out playing gig levels through a combo was really not practical. The advantage to a head/cabinet is flexibility, for example you may only need the head for some gigs.
RAG

 

[rag]

I preordered a Neo IV 112 extension for my new Fusion 112 combo amp earlier this month from Sweetwater and was told end of the month for ETA. Got a few hours of July left I suppose but not holding my breath not in a rush, whenever it shows I’ll try and remember to post an update.

FWIW, that Fusion combo - *chef’s kiss*…I’m in love.

We are making Neo410/IV right now, the 112 and 115 will follow later this week.
RAG

 

[booka-p3]

A combo is less expensive, and until this series came out playing gig levels through a combo was really not practical. The advantage to a head/cabinet is flexibility, for example you may only need the head for some gigs.
RAG

Thanks for the transparency. The portability of the head alone is huge. The 212 combo is really aggressively priced though - only $250 more than the head alone. When the cab goes for $899 it means you're paying an extra $650 for the said convenience.

 

[Jek Porkins]

Hi there,

So I just ordered a Fusion S 800 head and a neo iv 212. It's my first ever big amp and cab buy so I'm excited. But I also wonder if I made a mistake? It seems like I could have bought a fusion combo for a LOT less $$, and had from what I can tell basically the same thing?

Someone please tell me how my new rig will be better, I need help lol.

The bad thing about a large combo is if it needs to be sent in to get fixed... it will be a huge pain. Also having the flexibility to choose your cab size to suite your sound needs is important. I love combos but only only in the single 12 inch speaker type.

 

[jeff7bass]

The bad thing about a large combo is if it needs to be sent in to get fixed... it will be a huge pain. Also having the flexibility to choose your cab size to suite your sound needs is important. I love combos but only only in the single 12 inch speaker type.

I have an authorized dealer 15 minutes away. They're all over the place. Plus cabs may need to be fixed also, granted you might be able to fix it yourself.

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Just got word that my Neo IV 112 extension I ordered in July is ready to ship from Sweetwater… Excited to get it in, will post a pic of the stack w/ my Fusion 800 112 combo when it lands, hopefully early next week!

 

[Al Kraft]

Any experience here to match GK Neo cabs (of any generation) with other brand head (e.g. Aguilar TH/AG, Mesa Subway, etc.)? Some recommendations?

IME GK products in general pair well with other brand products I've used them with. My current GK gear includes two NEO 112II cabs and all three of the GK MB heads, although I have a lot of time on RB heads. I especially like Mesa and GK pairings as they really work well together. My Aguilar TH500 and SWR SM400S also sound great through the GK cabs.

While I would say it's a given that GK heads and cabs work well together, I simply see GK products as state of the art designs that work well with any cab or head. Now within the older NEO line-up (and this would probably continue to the new generation) each cab had some specific characteristics voicing-wise that would be worth considering relative to your tone goals. Personally I like having that variety to choose from.

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Heavy rigs are for suckers… Smöl stack smashes. Top is a Fusion 800 combo, bottom is a NEO IV 112 extension. Love it, and can’t picture a scenario where this pair doesn’t do the trick. Can’t say enough nice things about build quality in these new NEOs from initial impressions, we’ll see how they hold up longer term when they need to do some real travel but I’m optimistic.

 

[jeff7bass]

Heavy rigs are for suckers… Smöl stack smashes. Top is a Fusion 800 combo, bottom is a NEO IV 112 extension. Love it, and can’t picture a scenario where this pair doesn’t do the trick. Can’t say enough nice things about build quality in these new NEOs from initial impressions, we’ll see how they hold up longer term when they need to do some real travel but I’m optimistic.

Outstanding rig, enough for any gig!

 

[5StringPocket]

I watched the video and like all the improvements that have been included in the Neo IV cabs. The one thing that concerns me is feedback comments from Sweetwater customers about sloppy resin drips/blobs on the cabinet surface. Is this coating difficult to apply or is there a quality control issue trying to rush these out the door?
(Hoping these reports are outliers and not common)

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Coating application is fine on mine, but also what I consider “good enough” for cosmetics in a cab may be different than others…I’m not precious with looks on cabs, but given the cost I’m not shocked that folks get fussy. The coating isn’t the prettiest up close but it seems burly and durable.

FWIW, I believe the new combos use the same cabs and I don’t see any negative feedback RE: their fit/finish, just those onesie twosie reviews for extension cabs. N=1 but my ext cab looks just as good as my combo.

I watched the video and like all the improvements that have been included in the Neo IV cabs. The one thing that concerns me is feedback comments from Sweetwater customers about sloppy resin drips/blobs on the cabinet surface. Is this coating difficult to apply or is there a quality control issue trying to rush these out the door?
(Hoping these reports are outliers and not common)

 

[jeff7bass]

Coating application is fine on mine, but also what I consider “good enough” for cosmetics in a cab may be different than others…I’m not precious with looks on cabs, but given the cost I’m not shocked that folks get fussy. The coating isn’t the prettiest up close but it seems burly and durable.

FWIW, I believe the new combos use the same cabs and I don’t see any negative feedback RE: their fit/finish, just those onesie twosie reviews for extension cabs. N=1 but my ext cab looks just as good as my combo.

"The coating isn’t the prettiest up close but it seems burly and durable." That's more important.

 

[5StringPocket]

+1 I use Duratex on my projects. I’m not OCD about cosmetic perfection, just look for a thick even coating with no obvious runs, gobs, or ridges.

 

[TNCreature]

@rag Bob, can you please direct to me to exactly which speaker cable to purchase for the GK NEO IV 2x12 cabinet (4 ohm)?
I have 2 heads, so I need a:
Nuertik/Speakon to 1/4 (my head has the 1/4" out only) .
Also need a Nuertik/Speakon to Nuertik/Speakon for my other head.
I keep buying the wrong connector!

Then I would LOVE to review it for everyone!

Thank you much!

 

[5StringPocket]

The 4-ohm Neo-IV 2x12 seems to be in short supply. Sweetwater was out for a couple months, got a lot of 6 and they are sold out again.

 

[5StringPocket]

I was able to acquire one of the 4-ohm Neo212-IV cabs from Sweetwater. I usually design and build my own bass cabs, but after watching the video describing all the improvements in the Neo-IV series and listening to the audio demos, I wanted to try the 212. Mine arrived in good shape with no blemishes. I like the compact size, tough finish, and steel grill. It's built like a tank with a solid, punchy tone, good mids, and lots of booty. Mine weighs 48.0 lbs which is almost 4 lbs more than advertised but still under 50 lbs and easy to move. In the practice room I set the tweeter at -2dB to get the tone I like. The voicing is even and natural, one of the best I've heard. I haven't been able to really open it up but have heard enough to know this cab could handle a lot of power and get very loud and full if needed. I think this one is a keeper. Along with a photo of the cab I also took a frequency response snapshot with a pink noise RTA and ran an impedance scan. It seems to be tuned quite a bit higher than I would have thought but it sounds great with my 5-string basses.

 

[rag]

I was able to acquire one of the 4-ohm Neo212-IV cabs from Sweetwater. I usually design and build my own bass cabs, but after watching the video describing all the improvements in the Neo-IV series and listening to the audio demos, I wanted to try the 212. Mine arrived in good shape with no blemishes. I like the compact size, tough finish, and steel grill. It's built like a tank with a solid, punchy tone, good mids, and lots of booty. Mine weighs 48.0 lbs which is almost 4 lbs more than advertised but still under 50 lbs and easy to move. In the practice room I set the tweeter at -2dB to get the tone I like. The voicing is even and natural, one of the best I've heard. I haven't been able to really open it up but have heard enough to know this cab could handle a lot of power and get very loud and full if needed. I think this one is a keeper. Along with a photo of the cab I also took a frequency response snapshot with a pink noise RTA and ran an impedance scan. It seems to be tuned quite a bit higher than I would have thought but it sounds great with my 5-string basses.
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Nice work!
RAG

 

[landry.bass]

I'm loving my new CX cab, but I gotta admit, those Neos look real bitchin.

 

[MCR0426]

Anyone have or try a 1x15? Trying to decide if I should order a 1x12 or 1x15 to pair with a 2x10. Not able to find any videos or threads. Thanks, Michael

 

[El Apestoso]

Anyone have or try a 1x15? Trying to decide if I should order a 1x12 or 1x15 to pair with a 2x10. Not able to find any videos or threads. Thanks, Michael

Try this video. If you want to skip the talking, jump to 5:20 and 7:00.