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Is a 212 the best one-size-fits-most cab?
- Thread starter DoctorZee
- Start date
this is hilarious! quick, somebody post something stupid and/or contrarian before this thread wins the "most common sense" award. I'm thinking something like, "only an 8x10 will work for the OP's needs"...
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,942
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
My main cab is a GK Neo 212. That comes however with a caveat.
I have 2 Carvin 1X15 cabs that are my speakers of choice. They can handle anything, and give me anything/everything I ever wanted. They came from my downsizing from Bergantino NV610. I'm just as happy with the 2X15s as the the 610, though the 610 obviously had some advantages.
RE the Geo 212, its my main cabinet now because I'm one of the super lucky people to have roadies with my band, and I leave that cab with them. I'm happy using it because my band uses IEMs, and our amps are used just for a little stage volume and to put sound out for those standing closer to us than the PA.
That being said, and this is something I always felt -- the 2X12s sound AWESOME at low to medium volumes. Throw a really loud drummer and large room into the mix, and its over. Its like the cab goes to a certain point, and then becomes utterly useless (and that's with a 700 watt head). It starts farting a bit at a certain point, and then just doesn't cut it any more.
That's my experience. Most don't share that experience from what I've read on TB, my best guess is that their bands aren't as loud as some of the bands I've played in.
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Downsizing to one cab that can do as much as possible?
Look no further than barefaced. Their 12" cabinets are what you're looking for.
No Tweeter? Super Compact
As small as possible, with a little tweeter? Super Midget
No compromise, full frequency range? Big Baby II.
All of these do as much as a good 212 will do, is what they claim.
I A/B tested the Super Compact against a Aguilar GS212 cab and found they were well matched - it was hard to tell whether or not one of them was weaker. The GS has a tweeter and was able to produce more high end sparkle, but when I maxed out the amp and got into uncomfortable loudness terrain, the Aguilar felt like it was pushing the mids because the lows did not quite keep up while the Super Compact showed no such behaviour.
This was by no means a scientific test. The cabs were standing side by side on the floor in a large room, being fed by a power amp.
It was, however, hard to believe that a 20lbs 112 cabinet can hold its own against a 70lbs 212 cabinet.
Look no further than barefaced. Their 12" cabinets are what you're looking for.
No Tweeter? Super Compact
As small as possible, with a little tweeter? Super Midget
No compromise, full frequency range? Big Baby II.
All of these do as much as a good 212 will do, is what they claim.
I A/B tested the Super Compact against a Aguilar GS212 cab and found they were well matched - it was hard to tell whether or not one of them was weaker. The GS has a tweeter and was able to produce more high end sparkle, but when I maxed out the amp and got into uncomfortable loudness terrain, the Aguilar felt like it was pushing the mids because the lows did not quite keep up while the Super Compact showed no such behaviour.
This was by no means a scientific test. The cabs were standing side by side on the floor in a large room, being fed by a power amp.
It was, however, hard to believe that a 20lbs 112 cabinet can hold its own against a 70lbs 212 cabinet.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,942
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
This is sensible and something that is definitely on my mind. I think part of my interest in 12s is that I haven't had them before. Curiosity factor, and they seem to be very popular here.
That's really interesting. Can't say I've heard that about the GK Neo before, but I believe you.
In the grand scheme of everyone, it could be. Personally a good 112 like the mesa subway is a better option for me since it will handle 99% of what I do. For me, anything requiring more than a 112 has PA support. For the 1%, I'd just add another 112. That obviously wouldn't work for everyone.
I used to have a Markbass 1x12 combo + 1x12 extension speaker that was modular, portable and had good power. After I received my new uke bass I bought a GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim and have been very pleased with it. Deep crystal clear uncolored sound, beefy bottom, great volume that really lets the sound of the bass come thru. At rehearsals I am powering it with a Quilter BB800, so everything is small, powerful and light so I can carry the whole rig by hand in one trip. I was thinking about getting a 1x15 cab, but after taking price into consideration I would get another 2x12 Slim.
I just ordered 2 1-12s mostly due to weight and size. Got tird of tweaking my back moving a 4 10 around.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,942
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
All these Kappalite "super" 2x12s are the stuff. I have the amazing but off the market Audiokinesis Hathor 2x12. Barefaced, Mesa Subway and the like put out these high performance 2x12 cabs that just pump. Punchy metal? Beefy Dub? Smooth yacht rock? No problem. Just make sure your head has some juice on tap, and you can blow it up for about 50lbs. My previous 2 rigs were a fridge and a Mesa Powerhouse 2 4x10 stack, if that gives you an idea of my volume requirements.
That just might be the coolest looking bass I've ever seen.
What is it?
Ken Bebensee Baruke bass finally complete! (:^D
I use a GK MBE212-II and it is pretty much the most audible and portable cab I've ever owned. Got 2 of them now, which also makes them the LOUDEST!
aside from being heavy and stuff, my old 2x12 handled *everything*
huge clubs, outdoor festivals, you name it!
two 1x12" cabinets is really the way to go. i can use one, or two, or with a 2ohm head you could add a 3rd if that suits your fancy.
i've always felt the 2x12" can't be beat. it has all the "oomph," ideal punch, volume, everything. that was my experience, hundreds of gigs and years of trying new things. nowadays i almost always use one or two 1x12" cabs, i still have the old 2x12 but... ouch is that thing heavy.
huge clubs, outdoor festivals, you name it!
two 1x12" cabinets is really the way to go. i can use one, or two, or with a 2ohm head you could add a 3rd if that suits your fancy.
i've always felt the 2x12" can't be beat. it has all the "oomph," ideal punch, volume, everything. that was my experience, hundreds of gigs and years of trying new things. nowadays i almost always use one or two 1x12" cabs, i still have the old 2x12 but... ouch is that thing heavy.
You're wrong!
Not sure about what exactly, but I'm sure it's something you hold dear; I'll get back to you on that.
Does that help?
A 212AV works great for me. There are probably better cabs out there, but this one works fine. I'd like to build a 212 that would be a visual miniature sort of Sunn 215 replica.
