Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New GK Neo Cabs
- Thread starter ozrider
- Start date
If you think those Neos sound good right out of the box,wait until they break in a bit. I bought an Eminence DeltaLite II 2512 for a cab. I read a few places that there's a tone improvement after break in. I thought ,well I'll never notice. But, wow! Did it ever smooth out. That stiff, slight raspiness cleared up and the depth improved.
I don't know if GK does a break-in period with their drivers. But there may be even better tone to come.
I don't know if GK does a break-in period with their drivers. But there may be even better tone to come.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
To be honest, no, I really can't help too much, there. Those are both great options, IME/IMHO, and it will come down to personal preference. I will throw a couple of random thoughts out there for you, though.
If you go the RB700II route, I would definitely get the Neo212II to keep it all GK and allow you to take advantage of the bi-amp system. I always thought that it was a pretty cool features, but didn't really appreciate it until I started playing through some all-GK rigs. If you like to push your amp and get some grit/growl, it's a very nice thing to keep that out of the tweeter, but let the cones do their thing. I also like the ability to further fine-tune the balance of highs to lows.
The LMIII/PH212 is likely to be the more full/warm/round of the two, and the GK stack is likely to be a bit more crisp and detailed. That doesn't mean the LMIII/PH212 rig wouldn't be clear, and it doesn't mean the GK rig wouldn't be full, though.
Again, I think that those are roughly equivalent setups, and I think either would hold up well. It really comes down to personal preference.
Tom.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I'll say it again, but my MTDs really seemed to bring the best out my GK rigs, and vice versa. GK and MTD is an exceedingly good combination, IME/IMHO.
Tom.
- May 19, 2008
- 312
- 15
- Disclosures
- endorsing artistlakland+gk+d'addario+eventide+pigtronix+digitech
I used the 212 s with my fusion 550 last night - so far it sounds heavenly, though I didn't get the same feedback when I switched on my distortion... I think it's because I was unaccustomed to the absolutely clear sound, so I turned down too much! I'm gonna work on that at sound check today...
Nice! Loving my Fusion too! Nice to have a whole channel to play with for overdrive. I'm sure you will find what you're looking for!
If you think those Neos sound good right out of the box,wait until they break in a bit. I bought an Eminence DeltaLite II 2512 for a cab. I read a few places that there's a tone improvement after break in. I thought ,well I'll never notice. But, wow! Did it ever smooth out. That stiff, slight raspiness cleared up and the depth improved.
I don't know if GK does a break-in period with their drivers. But there may be even better tone to come.
Yes, they do break in. I almost returned my first G-K Neo112 for a harsh, almost brittle tone. But after a few days, it warmed up and sounded fantastic. I couldn't believe the transformation.
I'm using the 700rbii head and have been wanting neo cabs to go with it. would like a 412 but like the variety of having 112-212. What would i be givig up volume or tone wise to go the modular route as to the bigger cab 412 route?
I think any volume loss is really negated by the shear versatility of the rig. And really, the 700rbII with the 112 and 212 is monster sounding! Tonewise, it sounds fantastic!
Just ended months of agonizing with placing an order for the 700RB-II and the GK Neo 212. Tom, this is the place where you tell me I will be very happy indeed.
I went with GK for the sound shape I was hearing in the store. I went with the GK Neo 212 vs the Mesa PH212 to be in sync with bi-amp, but that PH212 is a sweetie...just a little too heavy and pricey in the comparison with GK.
The LMIII was really nice, too, but for weight, price, compatibility and the sound I heard, my applause meter tilted ever so slightly to the GK setup.
Have a gig on 11/5...had to make a choice.
Just ended months of agonizing with placing an order for the 700RB-II and the GK Neo 212. Tom, this is the place where you tell me I will be very happy indeed.
I went with GK for the sound shape I was hearing in the store. I went with the GK Neo 212 vs the Mesa PH212 to be in sync with bi-amp, but that PH212 is a sweetie...just a little too heavy and pricey in the comparison with GK.
The LMIII was really nice, too, but for weight, price, compatibility and the sound I heard, my applause meter tilted ever so slightly to the GK setup.
Have a gig on 11/5...had to make a choice.
Congrats and welcome to GK! I have said this repeatedly, but I will say it again: I feel no need to use any other amp!
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,954
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I'm very happy, except for one thing.
My Neo 212-II is three weeks old. I waz playing and had an extremely loud futuristic high-pitched squeal from my tweeter. I thought it was a BASS cabinet! This hurt my ears extremely bad. I was playing at bedroom volume.
Im pretty sure my tweeter's dead, but I'm turning it low from now on anyways. I think it did some damage to my ear and the cab.
My Neo 212-II is three weeks old. I waz playing and had an extremely loud futuristic high-pitched squeal from my tweeter. I thought it was a BASS cabinet! This hurt my ears extremely bad. I was playing at bedroom volume.
Im pretty sure my tweeter's dead, but I'm turning it low from now on anyways. I think it did some damage to my ear and the cab.
Oh no!!! ^Please see a doctor if hearing discomfort persists after a day or two!
Are the pickups in your bass microphonic?
Tweeters are tweeters whether they're in bass cabs or PA cabs--and they can be DANGEROUS at close range!
One band leader I once worked for used to test the tweets in our Peavey PA cabs during a sound check by waving a live mic in front of them.
Once he did this to one cab while I was carrying some gear by the other...
Just ended months of agonizing with placing an order for the 700RB-II and the GK Neo 212. Tom, this is the place where you tell me I will be very happy indeed.
I went with GK for the sound shape I was hearing in the store. I went with the GK Neo 212 vs the Mesa PH212 to be in sync with bi-amp, but that PH212 is a sweetie...just a little too heavy and pricey in the comparison with GK.
The LMIII was really nice, too, but for weight, price, compatibility and the sound I heard, my applause meter tilted ever so slightly to the GK setup.
Have a gig on 11/5...had to make a choice.
You will be very happy! It's a killer rig. Add another 112 later for a bit of versatility. I love walking in to rehearsal or a gig with the head in bag on one shoulder, bass in bag on the other, and the 112 in hand. The 212 is a great cabinet.... I have yet to play in a club where it's just not enough. If I should run into that, then I'll just bring the 112 as well (I've done that for several outside venues, and it kills).
If asked even 5 years ago about 12's, I would have snickered.... I had never played a 12 that I liked. I was bulled over when I heard the gk 212 a couple of years ago. Now, for me, there is nothing better for club gigging than 12's, and they do pretty darned good on the bigger stages I've played as well.
Ljazz
Will my GK Neo 1x12 handle the 350w of the MB2-500 (at 8ohms) at low to medium levels with out risk of damage?
the Cab handling is 300w, think it will squeeze the other 50w? I can't really afford another cab now, but I love the sound.
the Cab handling is 300w, think it will squeeze the other 50w? I can't really afford another cab now, but I love the sound.
Yes, a 350 watt head into a 300 watt speaker will work if you play with care and understand how easily you can destroy speakers.
In most cases, speakers are damaged due to abuse and and not excessive power ratings as long as the speaker holds together as designed.
Uncontrolled peaks/spikes in the power flowing into the speaker will cause violent movement of the cone that can tear the suspension, fold the cone, or burnout the voice coil from excessive excursion.
I certainly would not turn up a head with a greater watt rating to 10 just to test the speaker.
You can also destroy a 400 watt speaker with a 100 watt amp.
For example: I am powering a 400 watt 15" with a 100 watt amp. If I max the gain, master, and all of the frequencies, I would have a violent, clipping tone that would ruin my brand new speaker in a short time. Is the lack of control within the magnetic motor of the speaker that causes overpowered distortion to rip the speaker apart.
It's not unlike trying to get a car out of a snowbank by quickly jamming it in forward and reverse and flooring the gas in each direction with out even pressing the brake.
Your speaker is built to drive fast but everything needs control or you will lose it.
As you increase the master volume, if the distortion is coming from the speaker when the amp should be a clean tone, then you know you have that bad kind of distortion. Just back off any excessive frequencies and reduce the input gain and bass slightly to see if it clears up.
In most cases, speakers are damaged due to abuse and and not excessive power ratings as long as the speaker holds together as designed.
Uncontrolled peaks/spikes in the power flowing into the speaker will cause violent movement of the cone that can tear the suspension, fold the cone, or burnout the voice coil from excessive excursion.
I certainly would not turn up a head with a greater watt rating to 10 just to test the speaker.
You can also destroy a 400 watt speaker with a 100 watt amp.
For example: I am powering a 400 watt 15" with a 100 watt amp. If I max the gain, master, and all of the frequencies, I would have a violent, clipping tone that would ruin my brand new speaker in a short time. Is the lack of control within the magnetic motor of the speaker that causes overpowered distortion to rip the speaker apart.
It's not unlike trying to get a car out of a snowbank by quickly jamming it in forward and reverse and flooring the gas in each direction with out even pressing the brake.
Your speaker is built to drive fast but everything needs control or you will lose it.
As you increase the master volume, if the distortion is coming from the speaker when the amp should be a clean tone, then you know you have that bad kind of distortion. Just back off any excessive frequencies and reduce the input gain and bass slightly to see if it clears up.
I am rebuilding my stack after selling my SWR rig.
After listening to most everything out there, I decided that GK is what I need. A 1001rbII and some 12s and 15s are what I need to get the job done.
To hold me over, I bought the MB150s which is an amazing little amp.
The speaker has a wonderful tone but since the design is a very portable, small, and sealed cabinet, it sacrifices a bit of volume for it's wonderful sound.
Therefore, I decided to buy the GK Neo 115 III as my extension cabinet in order to play with a drummer.
IMO, the MB150s works best with either the internal 12" or the Neo 115, not both together. I don't really even know what the two speakers together sound like but the 400watt Neo 15 is muuuuuch more efficient than the 100 watt 12".
If I spread the speakers 15' apart with them pointing at each other and 75 watts at 8 ohms going into each from the MB150S which puts out 150 watts at 4 ohms, something unique happens.
The volume is there but sounds a little thin and blaring. The Neo 15 is basically so loud that I cannot hear the 12" at all unless my ear is less than 3 feet away from it.
Solution is to use either the internal 12" or the Neo 115 alone and not together. Together the sound is blah. If you use each speaker alone, you get two different but very sweet and awesome speakers.
My brand new Neo 115 III is awesome and will work fine with a drummer using my MB150s.
My next purchase will without a doubt be another Neo 115 III and the 1001rbII. And thats a stack for now and only 102 pounds for everything. The GK is half of what my SWR Super Redhead and the Big Bertha 2x15 cabinet weighed and the GK is more modular.
Only negative is the new oval GK logo buzzes horribly starting at medium volume. If I cannot isolate it by jamming pieces of paper or rubber bands under it, then I'll have to remove it and that doesn't look easy without breaking it or taking the grill off ectt...
Peace,
B
After listening to most everything out there, I decided that GK is what I need. A 1001rbII and some 12s and 15s are what I need to get the job done.
To hold me over, I bought the MB150s which is an amazing little amp.
The speaker has a wonderful tone but since the design is a very portable, small, and sealed cabinet, it sacrifices a bit of volume for it's wonderful sound.
Therefore, I decided to buy the GK Neo 115 III as my extension cabinet in order to play with a drummer.
IMO, the MB150s works best with either the internal 12" or the Neo 115, not both together. I don't really even know what the two speakers together sound like but the 400watt Neo 15 is muuuuuch more efficient than the 100 watt 12".
If I spread the speakers 15' apart with them pointing at each other and 75 watts at 8 ohms going into each from the MB150S which puts out 150 watts at 4 ohms, something unique happens.
The volume is there but sounds a little thin and blaring. The Neo 15 is basically so loud that I cannot hear the 12" at all unless my ear is less than 3 feet away from it.
Solution is to use either the internal 12" or the Neo 115 alone and not together. Together the sound is blah. If you use each speaker alone, you get two different but very sweet and awesome speakers.
My brand new Neo 115 III is awesome and will work fine with a drummer using my MB150s.
My next purchase will without a doubt be another Neo 115 III and the 1001rbII. And thats a stack for now and only 102 pounds for everything. The GK is half of what my SWR Super Redhead and the Big Bertha 2x15 cabinet weighed and the GK is more modular.
Only negative is the new oval GK logo buzzes horribly starting at medium volume. If I cannot isolate it by jamming pieces of paper or rubber bands under it, then I'll have to remove it and that doesn't look easy without breaking it or taking the grill off ectt...
Peace,
B
Sounds like you might have an 'out of phase' issue. Another TBer recently ran across this with his MB150s. It seems that at least some of the MB150 amps have the speaker terminal hookups reversed, which means that if you hook up another 'correctly wired' cab as an external speaker, you will actually lose low end and absolute volume.
You won't notice this at all when each speaker is used by itself. You might want to change one of your speakers +/- wiring. My guess is, as was the case with the other TBer, you will get a wonderful, fat, punchy tone when using that combo with that 15.
Edit: Regarding you logo buzzing, a couple drops of super glue will fix that.
