Double Bass Neo 12" speaker recommendation

[LarryR]

My situation:
Gotta an old GK MB200 combo with a blown speaker.
Gotta GK 112MBX extension cab which together with my Phil Jones D-200 head is my mini-rig at 14.5lbs.

I'm thinking of replacing the blown 12 in the combo with the 112MBX 12, and getting a neo for the 112MBX cab to further reduce the weight of mini rig.

Will this eminence neo work?
http://eminence.com/bassguitar_speaker_detail.asp?model=BASSLITES2012&speaker_size=12&SUB_CAT_ID=5

If not, any ideas? Thanks guys...

 

[Mark Carlsen]

Not sure if they make these in a 12" but a friend of mine recently replaced a 10" in a GK backline w. a Neo that had a Hemp cone instead of paper. The sound was great for upright....

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Generally, a speaker and cabinet are matched using the "thiel-small parameters" of the driver. You should find someone knowledgeable in this are to help you choose a replacement driver; otherwise it's just a crapshoot as to whether it will sound ok.

jd

 

[robgrow]

I have an Eminence S2012 in a substantially larger cabinet than the 112MBX, and it sounds very thin and bright and nothing like the woofer that GK uses in the Micro Bass series.

I think you would be disappointed if you tried using a different speaker in the GK 200MB or the 112MBX, since the stock speakers are specifically designed to be used in tiny sealed cabinets.

Personally, I haven't heard a neo speaker yet that I've really liked the sound of. It's worth it to me to carry around a little extra weight to have a sound I like.

 

[Ric Vice]

I think you would be disappointed if you tried using a different speaker in the GK 200MB or the 112MBX, since the stock speakers are specifically designed to be used in tiny sealed cabinets.

+1 I think that speaker design is unique to the GK microbass, the first ones were designed by Pyle for the 200MB's and they were known for auto stereo speakers that have to function within the small confines of automobile doors.


Ric

 

[Mike Arnopol]

You have to use the same speaker. It has a foam surround and is designed for an essentially way to small sealed enclosure. (that sounds surprisingly good for its size)Anything else will sound terrible.

 

[fdeck]

+1 to Ric and Mike. The speaker in the Micro Bass cabs is truly unique. It's too bad that GK hasn't switched that design over to a switchmode amp and neo magnet.

What's wrong with the GK speaker? The foam surround can rot away. If that's the only problem, there are kits at Parts Express for re-foaming speakers. I have used those kits on smaller drivers, using the method where you don't cut away the dust cap.

 

[LarryR]

Thanks gents. I *do* remember conversation/s about the unique characterisitics of this cab and drivers. I've no interest in experimenting with speakers so I'll just repair the blown driver. Fdeck, hopefully the only issue is (as you say) blown out foam surround which occurred after i hit a few choice low notes:

Couple things:
1 - how do I get the grill off? I only see the 4 screws at the bottom. I presume I need to take the top cover off to get at a few more at the top of grill??!
2 - how would I know if the damage is solely the foam?

Found GK's replacement. $ 110 bucks pre-freight:
Link Removed

 

[jrlynch]

simplyspeakers.com offers re-foaming kits, but also offer refoaming services, that's very fairly priced. great work, fast turnaround.

 

[fdeck]

On my MB150 combo, there are 4 screws on either side of the grill. Once those screws are out, it takes a bit of pulling, because there is a black rubbery gasket material between all of the seams of the cabinet. After that, the driver should be held down by 8 screws.

If it's an older GK, the driver may be rear-mounted (as on the old GK 250ML guitar amp that I am fixing for my brother in law). In that case, taking off one of the sides of the amp might be the best way to get access.

It should be possible to push in on the dust cap and move the cone in and out without hearing any rubbing. Also, you should get a nice "click" if you connect a 9-V battery to the speaker terminals. Those would be indications that the speaker is basically OK except for the surround.

Be very careful when re-assembling not to strip the threads of those screws.

 

[Ric Vice]

+1 to Ric and Mike. The speaker in the Micro Bass cabs is truly unique. It's too bad that GK hasn't switched that design over to a switchmode amp and neo magnet.

This is really interesting. I guess because I always equated small amps to Class D, I assumed that the MBS and MBE were switchmode amps. How wrong I was. It's a Class H, just a variation on the the traditional Class A/B stuff thats been around for years. That must be one tiny analog power supply.

Ric

 

[LarryR]

On my MB150 combo, there are 4 screws on either side of the grill. Once those screws are out, it takes a bit of pulling, because there is a black rubbery gasket material between all of the seams of the cabinet. After that, the driver should be held down by 8 screws.

If it's an older GK, the driver may be rear-mounted (as on the old GK 250ML guitar amp that I am fixing for my brother in law). In that case, taking off one of the sides of the amp might be the best way to get access.

It should be possible to push in on the dust cap and move the cone in and out without hearing any rubbing. Also, you should get a nice "click" if you connect a 9-V battery to the speaker terminals. Those would be indications that the speaker is basically OK except for the surround.

Be very careful when re-assembling not to strip the threads of those screws.

Thanks for the info. Forgot about the 9V battery test. Speaker's ok, just the surround blew. And yes, it's an older 200MB / rear-mounted.

Thank you all for your input and assistance.