Is a 212 the best one-size-fits-most cab?

[Al Kraft]

It may not be the best for everyone, but with how most of the 212 cabs are voiced these days (nicely balanced, good punch, and able to deliver serious volume) I find that in general the 212 format offers a satisfying compromise between performance and convenience.

 

[chris_b]

Thank you for your insight response into my question. I know usually a 210 (outside paired with another 210) often is paired with a 115 as well and it generally sounds pretty good. I was just curious about instead of a 115 how a 112 would stack up. Smaller and lighter cabs which make for a lighter rig for sure at least

The days of needing a 115 for the low end and a 210 for the mids and high end are gone. While some cabs still fit that description, the good ones are much better than that. There are 10's and 12's that go far lower than some 15's. I like a big low end with no boom, lots of mid punch and nice top end. The Berg AE210's gave me that and the AE112's did too, but with a little extra body/warmth/fullness. I now use Barefaced 112's and they give me a bigger, fuller punchier sound than I ever got with my 115/210 stack for 80% less weight.

 

[klejst]

The days of needing a 115 for the low end and a 210 for the mids and high end are gone. While some cabs still fit that description, the good ones are much better than that. There are 10's and 12's that go far lower than some 15's. I like a big low end with no boom, lots of mid punch and nice top end. The Berg AE210's gave me that and the AE112's did too, but with a little extra body/warmth/fullness. I now use Barefaced 112's and they give me a bigger, fuller punchier sound than I ever got with my 115/210 stack for 80% less weight.

Thanks for the insight. I have more and more looked at picking up either a GK 112 or 212 neo cab to serve as an extension to my 210 combo or use on it's own. I love 10's but am also a big fan of 12's as well. My GK 210 combo does me good for most of what I do and need however I heard of 210 and 115 cab mixes but always had me curious with replacing the 115 with a 12('s) and what that could/would be like so I asked.

 

[chris_b]

Thanks for the insight. I have more and more looked at picking up either a GK 112 or 212 neo cab to serve as an extension to my 210 combo or use on it's own. I love 10's but am also a big fan of 12's as well. My GK 210 combo does me good for most of what I do and need however I heard of 210 and 115 cab mixes but always had me curious with replacing the 115 with a 12('s) and what that could/would be like so I asked.

Sometimes mixing speakers sizes doesn't work as well as you might expect. Bergantino and Mesa Boogie Subway cabs can be mixed because that is the way they were designed, but other makes might not be. Try emailing GK to find out what their official position is. An extension 210 might be a better prospect.

 

[klejst]

Sometimes mixing speakers sizes doesn't work as well as you might expect. Bergantino and Mesa Boogie Subway cabs can be mixed because that is the way they were designed, but other makes might not be. Try emailing GK to find out what their official position is. An extension 210 might be a better prospect.

For sure, I was just merely interested in feedback regarding a general consensus of mixing 10's with 12's.

 

[dasherf17]

I've been wondering if I could get away with downsizing my total equipment by finding one cabinet that I could use for (basically) everything: rehearsals, small clubs, large clubs, outdoor with PA support, etc. I've never had anything with 12s before, but based on specs and research, I'm starting to think a single 212 could do the job, while having a decent enough form factor that I don't mind lugging it everywhere.

My current arsenal is a 1x15 and a 4x10 which I use interchangeably or (rarely) stacked. It works, but I often feel like the 15 is not quite enough, but the 410 is overkill. Of course I've considered a pair of 12s but I doubt I'd use a single 12 often enough to warrant having separates.

Any thoughts? Anyone doing the one-cab-to-rule-them-all approach?

(I'll mention that the GK Neo 212 or Ampeg 212AV are the ones that catch my eye as seeming to hit the right size, weight, quality, tone, and price for me.)

The DA returns...each setup has its own voice, right? If it was just me, I would have one of each for certain gigs or take all three wired to a splitter of some sort for different songs (umm, I do that...)...

 

[dfloresjr]

I haven't read all the posts so if this has been mentioned already sorry for the overlap. Check out Boom Bass Cabinets. Small enclosure fits in a front facing speaker and tweeter and a down firing ported speaker as well. Many combinations; I play the 12x15, but I will try to download a picture of their 12x12. Very high quality and compact. Now available on Sweetwater as well as other places.

 

[BruceG63]

You all know you can go to Lowes and they can precut wood panels for you to size.I built a pair of 210 cabs a few years back when I thought all the decent ones on the market were not that great.You can buy world class drivers and all the hardware you need like handles,corners,casters,grills etc from Parts Express.If you buy an $800 cabinet from a retailer they had to mark it up make a living.The same with the company that made it and so on.So in the end you paid $800 for a $400 cabinet.Why not let that be your labor and put the difference into better drivers and parts.I have gotten many comments over the years on my sound from people that have spent more and got less.It isn't that hard to do.

 

[AdamR]

because there lot more to building a good cab then just making a box.

 

[BruceG63]

because there lot more to building a good cab then just making a box.

Yes And if you do a little bit of research on your own Parts Express will tell you how big of ports and how long they should be,what your 3db down points will be etc.I made my pair of 210 cabs out of cabinet grade red oak put together using Kreg joints and Titebond 3 adhesive and used high end cast frame drivers with very respectable xmax and specs.The cabs are 98 db sens each making them 101 db sens when stacked on top each other and handles a 1000 watts.I drive them with a 94 Mesa Bass 400+ and it sounds awesome.I have about $700 into the pair of cabs and I haven't heard anything yet that compares to them.That includes playing at multi band gigs where other bass players were using Bergantino,GK,Fender,Ampeg etc where I have gotten many positive comments.If you would rather line someones pocket over better sound though be my guest.

 

[GtenderG]

My GK 210 combo does me good for most of what I do and need however I heard of 210 and 115 cab mixes but always had me curious with replacing the 115 with a 12('s) and what that could/would be like so I asked.

12s would work I suspect but I've used the MB210 and the Neo 115 quite a few times on small to mid sized gigs. The MB210 by itself is fine for rehearsals and it has a good DI, but after I added the 115 and now it's a proper rig...Now I just need some gigs.
My OCD made me paint the grill...

 

[klejst]

12s would work I suspect but I've used the MB210 and the Neo 115 quite a few times on small to mid sized gigs. The MB210 by itself is fine for rehearsals and it has a good DI, but after I added the 115 and now it's a proper rig...Now I just need some gigs.
My OCD made me paint the grill...
View attachment 4269908

Very nice rig and thanks for your chime in on my inquiry.

 

[Funk With Me]

Not to/meaning to jack this thread, however I'm very curious for some feedback - has anyone ever used a 1x12 and/or 2x12 cab along with a 2x10 cab? Thoughts?

Yes, with great results. In this case a separate power amp powers 2x10 giving me a separate volume control. This rig has a notey, punchy, organic sound, with pleasant bottom, which means thick and clear. It sounds like whatever bass you plug into it. The 2x10 adds punch and definition.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Since topic is askew..best 212 is a 310.

 

[jdthebassman]

I would go with an audiokinesis 1506 nothing else comes close