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Just opened up my 210MBE...

Couple things I forgot to ask just out of curiosity. Is this a cab or combo? Thought I saw wires running into the cutout where the amp would sit.

And, is that a factory cover on the cutout where the tweeter would go? Or a later add-on from removing the tweeter?

It's the MB210 combo. That is the factory tweeter.

I was told this one was purchased new in January.
 
A local music store near me has a NEO 2x12 in great shape for 350.00....I think I will give it a try...

The NEO's get very good reviews. I've never heard them. But I recall Bowlus comparing them very favorably with Bergs.

That dome looking thing is a tweeter...or some kind of cover over the tweeter? Are there a capacitor inline with it? Could be an unfiltered piezo if it sounds harsh, but that would at least need a resistor.

It's a cover for the tweeter. I think it is piezo. The green and white wires go to it. I didn't pay much attention to it. I leave it off. When on it produces a fair amount of hiss and doesn't really add much to the overall sound. IMHO, YMMV no need for the GK tweeter defenders pounce.:)
 
I had all the materials except the batting so it was $6 bucks and a couple of hours. There was a learning curve and numerous interruptions that come when you have 3 children ages 10-12.

I tried an Arnopol crazy 88 in the attempt to get a small rig anticipating PA support for anything that needed bigger. I discovered my needs could be met with the much less expensive MB210. But in the side by side comparison the 88, though lacking in fullness, had a much richer sound with more character in each note.

That's what I feel I'm hearing now from the GK. More detail in the notes than before.

I've done two gigs with the MB, one with PA and one without. It did the job both times with no trouble. The one without PA was in a difficult L shaped room, hardwood floors and tall ceilings. Very boomy. But it did very well.

What got me started was getting ready for tomorrow's gig. I talked with the sound guy and got the impression he may not be providing much bass to the stage. I was worried about the 210 not being enough and started reading up on the 210MBE. Can't find one but started reading about the bracing/dampening.

When you don't know much about this stuff it's difficult to know which direction to take when different knowledgeable, credible sources disagree. So I had some time today and took a shot. Didn't mean to stir the argument. But just seeing that the build has changed in the last couple of years makes it a worthwhile post whether you think it needs dampening or not.

Thanks for the input, and thanks Rpsands, BFM, rag and others. For me it was a great learning experience. It's a great little combo, super easy to carry and easy to dial in a good sound. Now it's a little better IMHO. Still not delighted with the tweeter, but I just leave it off.:)
Interesting... especially the notes on the Crazy 88.

If you ever have the inclination to move to something else, you may want to consider building a 12/6. It sounds like it would fit your needs well. Since you have the tools it might be a good option for you.
 
Interesting... especially the notes on the Crazy 88.

If you ever have the inclination to move to something else, you may want to consider building a 12/6. It sounds like it would fit your needs well. Since you have the tools it might be a good option for you.

I had an LDS 12/6. It was great. But between that and the amp I had about $1200 tied up. And now I'm almost always in a PA except for smaller stuff. This is easier to carry and setup. I really don't need a rig that can really push high volume and massive low end. At least I think I don't. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.:)


Ya'll got busy for a while there.:D

Proof that I did it more than once.:hyper:
 
I had an LDS 12/6. It was great. But between that and the amp I had about $1200 tied up. And now I'm almost always in a PA except for smaller stuff. This is easier to carry and setup. I really don't need a rig that can really push high volume and massive low end. At least I think I don't. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.:)




Proof that I did it more than once.:hyper:
Cool. I hear ya on the money thing, but I just can't help myself. :ninja:

I was actually thinking of buying a gk mbe 115 or mbe 210 and adding the bracing/batting, but I have decided to go ahead and build a fEARful 12sub. Going to build it super light and with a telescopic handle/ wheels for the ultimate rehearsal cab. I figure its a better way to go for me since I can use it as a sub for my band (when needed) or to add to my 15/6 for really big gigs.

At any rate I think you did this right. Bought a budget cab and modded it so the tone transcends 'budget'.
 
Cool. I hear ya on the money thing, but I just can't help myself. :ninja:

I was actually thinking of buying a gk mbe 115 or mbe 210 and adding the bracing/batting, but I have decided to go ahead and build a fEARful 12sub. Going to build it super light and with a telescopic handle/ wheels for the ultimate rehearsal cab. I figure its a better way to go for me since I can use it as a sub for my band (when needed) or to add to my 15/6 for really big gigs.

At any rate I think you did this right. Bought a budget cab and modded it so the tone transcends 'budget'.

I'm still thinking of some sort of small PA and using the fearful subs is an option. Maybe with some small powered 10s or 12s as tops. Doing this projects has encouraged me to give it a try.

The little combo did fine yesterday. No bass in the monitors and it handled the stage fine. This was the first time I've played with this band. A well paying gig at a swanky country club. The various members were requesting more/less/EQ for keyboards, guitar and vocals but no one said anything about the bass. I put the cab in the corner that was had the wall and had master and boost about 12 and the low and hi mids boosted a bit.

I was very encouraged by the bands approach to sound. Dominant vocals, the guitar had the bass EQ'd out and the keyboard player stays on the right side. No competition for sonic space. We're playing dance/party music. Not trying to blow everybody out.

ddb609e8.jpg


Guitar player had a thermometer on the stage. 105 in the shade. The news said it was the hottest day on record in Chattanooga.
 
I'm still thinking of some sort of small PA and using the fearful subs is an option. Maybe with some small powered 10s or 12s as tops. Doing this projects has encouraged me to give it a try.

The little combo did fine yesterday. No bass in the monitors and it handled the stage fine. This was the first time I've played with this band. A well paying gig at a swanky country club. The various members were requesting more/less/EQ for keyboards, guitar and vocals but no one said anything about the bass. I put the cab in the corner that was had the wall and had master and boost about 12 and the low and hi mids boosted a bit.

I was very encouraged by the bands approach to sound. Dominant vocals, the guitar had the bass EQ'd out and the keyboard player stays on the right side. No competition for sonic space. We're playing dance/party music. Not trying to blow everybody out.

ddb609e8.jpg


Guitar player had a thermometer on the stage. 105 in the shade. The news said it was the hottest day on record in Chattanooga.
Glad it worked out for you. :)
 
Just peeked inside my 210MBE that I got a few months ago to go along with my MB210. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have added bracing to it. As previously mentioned, it makes me question RAG's response of "the cabs are built that way for a reason and that's they way they are supposed to be" (paraphrasing obviously) only to see that they are now bracing their items. If you make a mistake, just say "sorry, you guys have a good point and we will look into that for the next line of cabs and combo amps" or something like that.
 
Hmm... Now I'll have to have a look inside my 212MBE i received April 6th to see what the bracing looks like. So far I've had no reason to pop it open - but there is a stripped screw on the jack plate I should "fix". It is a bit midrangey (AKA "modern sounding") and I suspect I'd personally like it better with some batting installed but not so "bad" that I'm in any rush to do that...
 
Exactly! Don't want to void the warranty just yet. So I have my mb210 which has better bracing and is covered in batting and then under it the 210mbe which has a little bracing (from GK) and no batting.

Mostly I'm just hearing the top 210s anyway and I fully customized them to my liking.
 
OK, after reading this, I just had to open up my MB150 combo. No bracing, no batting. Cab still seemed fairly stiff (epoxy oozing out of every seam) so I decided to forgo adding bracing at this point. I certainly respect RAG's opinion, but as I had a spare mattress topper in "inventory" decided to see if damping would yield any noticable results. I must say I am pretty pleased! Lows, which weren't too muddy before, def. tightened up a bit. Worth the effort right there! But the BIG bonus was in the upper mids, which I'd always been fighting to get right. They "thickened up", especially on the D and G, where it was most needed. I'm now getting a tone closer to my ideal, and using less EQ as well. I mostly use a Schecter 5'er w/EMGHZ's, and am running it close to flat as well. Could be my imagination, but she seems a bit louder/punchier as well. Just thought I'd share my non-scientific opinion. Keep on thumpin'! Thanks for the thread!!! TB rocks!
 
If it were me, I'd add the bracing at some point. The tone will likely improve further. You can get some ideas for bracing here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Bracing could be plywood strips cut 1.5 inches by whatever would suit the inner dimensions of your cab.

Make a + on the sides back and top. If you have the ends of the bracing meet I think it will be a smidge better/more rigid. Use PL adhesive for a very strong brace. I use drywall screws with a washer as a way of clamping the brace onto the cab while the PL dries (about 24hrs). Be sure to make sure you measure the screws/brace properly so you dont end up putting screws thru the wall of your cab.

Just a thought.
 

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