What 212 cab should I get???

[definenredefine]

I've had a GK800RB (200 watts/8 ohms) for...decades. Love it. I've always played it through an Ampeg 1510HE (175 watts RMS/8 ohms) that I also love. Recently, I picked up a GK MB500 (350 watts/8 ohms). The MB makes the cab rattle like crazy even though I haven't taken the volume past noon, so I'm a little concerned I'm gonna blow the damn thing.

I played a Hartke 112 recently at a show, and...well, I loved the tone, but not the lack of volume. So I was thinking - maybe it's time I get myself a 212? Or maybe 2 112s? Any suggestions??? I've looked through various threads on TB and the only consistent opinion I've found is that people LOVE their 212s.

HALP!!!

 

[gtirard]

i would recommend Barefaced for the quality, power / weight ratio, and dispersion, but Mesa get lots of love from the community

212 or 2 x 112 is a matter of modilarity

 

[definenredefine]

I'll keep eyes open for those. Thank you!

 

[pepj]

212. Aguilar DB best I had.

 

[Jaco who?]

The new series IV GK might be worth a look.

 

[Lammchop93]

The best 212’s I’ve played are the Genzler Magellan and the Barefaced Super Twin.

I’ve heard the Mesa subway’s are good, but I’ve never played one

 

[definenredefine]

The new series IV GK might be worth a look.

Is there any advantage of the IV compared with the II? The II is substantially cheaper, so....

 

[Aloe]

well, the 1510HE is 96lbs, right? you can get a nice 212 in like half of that weight.

do you need it modular (2 112s instead of 212)? up to you. clearly, a 112 has like twice less speaker area than a 115+110 (as in your ampeg), so it will be quieter. generally, a 300W 112 is enough for stage monitoring unless you have volume wars on stage and/or if you direct cab to your ears (elevate it, tilt it or whatever), but if you don't have such use cases or think that you can lug a 45lbs cab, it's safe to get a 212, not two 112s.

 

[definenredefine]

well, the 1510HE is 96lbs, right? you can get a nice 212 in like half of that weight.

do you need it modular (2 112s instead of 212)? up to you. clearly, a 112 has like twice less speaker area than a 115+110 (as in your ampeg), so it will be quieter. generally, a 300W 112 is enough for stage monitoring unless you have volume wars on stage and/or if you direct cab to your ears (elevate it, tilt it or whatever), but if you don't have such use cases or think that you can lug a 45lbs cab, it's safe to get a 212, not two 112s.

This is a very thoughtful answer. Thank you!

I guess I must deal in volume wars on stage because the Hartke 112 I played through that one time didn't really give me enough stage volume. It was on a bar stool (so about shoulder level) so I don't think elevation was a problem. I was also afraid I was gonna blow it (although it's rated for 300 watts so that's probably not true.) On the other hand, two single 12s would probably fit in the trunk better than a 212...

As for weight, yeah the 1510 is a beast but that's never really been a problem for me. That said, having a cab that weighs around half of that thing would be pretty nice...

 

[scottfeldstein]

I love my GK Neo 112 stack. They have a nice uncolored range of response and they get pretty loud. Of course I stack them vertically. And they're very light. And although they aren't exactly free, they aren't boutique prices, either.

 

[definenredefine]

I love my GK Neo 112 stack. They have a nice uncolored range of response and they get pretty loud. Of course I stack them vertically. And they're very light. And although they aren't exactly free, they aren't boutique prices, either.

View attachment 4644266

The GKs are very competitively priced new and pretty decently priced used. And I love the GK heads I've used so...more of a good thing, I suppose...

 

[Lo-E]

I’ve only heard Avatar’s 12/6 neo cab once. To me it didn’t sound as good as some more boutique options but it still sounded pretty good and it was considerably cheaper than the boutique options. Just another thing to consider.

Personally, I really liked the DNA and LDS 1x12s that I’ve heard.

If weight is really an issue the Aguilar SL112 is crazy light (26lbs) and sounds really good if you like more of an old-school, classic kinda sound. Pricey, though.

I commute by subway whenever possible so modular and weight are concerns for me and I gravitate towards two small cabs over one big’un. My experience with 212s is pretty limited so I can’t offer much advice there.

 

[jivetkr]

I’ve got a mesa subway 212. Great cabinet.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

If budget isn't a issue the gk mb 2x12 markIV, Mesa Subway 2x12, Bergantino Nxt 2x12, Schroeder 2x12pl, and Gr bass Areotech 2x12 standard or slim are all killer 2x12's. I'm sure theres a few others from overseas I'm missing from the list but those are the main ones I'd be looking at.

 

[scottfeldstein]

If weight is really an issue the Aguilar SL112 is crazy light (26lbs) and sounds really good if you like more of an old-school, classic kinda sound. Pricey, though.

Yeah, I would have gone that route except for the nosebleed prices. That's why I finally pulled the trigger on the GKs. Anything less and I would have been unhappy and the price was something I could live with. In fact, I think all 112 cabs are pricier than they should be. My theory on this is that a lot of players are getting older and they're looking for lightweight cabs that still sound good. The 112 cabs do that trick very well.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I’ve only heard Avatar’s 12/6 neo cab once. To me it didn’t sound as good as some more boutique options but it still sounded pretty good and it was considerably cheaper than the boutique options. Just another thing to consider.

Personally, I really liked the DNA and LDS 1x12s that I’ve heard.

If weight is really an issue the Aguilar SL112 is crazy light (26lbs) and sounds really good if you like more of an old-school, classic kinda sound. Pricey, though.

I commute by subway whenever possible so modular and weight are concerns for me and I gravitate towards two small cabs over one big’un. My experience with 212s is pretty limited so I can’t offer much advice there.

The Gr bass Aerotech 2x12 slim cab only weighs 28 lbs hard to top that.

 

[socialleper]

Another vote for Barefaced. Loud, light, and neutral.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

If price is an issue but weight isn’t as much, the Aguilar GS112 are fantastic and usually not too much used. I have heard that the Genzler NC212 is a great cab as well, and you might be able to find a used one (or two NC112).

 

[MTN.bass72]

I've had a GK800RB (200 watts/8 ohms) for...decades. Love it. I've always played it through an Ampeg 1510HE (175 watts RMS/8 ohms) that I also love. Recently, I picked up a GK MB500 (350 watts/8 ohms). The MB makes the cab rattle like crazy even though I haven't taken the volume past noon, so I'm a little concerned I'm gonna blow the damn thing.

I played a Hartke 112 recently at a show, and...well, I loved the tone, but not the lack of volume. So I was thinking - maybe it's time I get myself a 212? Or maybe 2 112s? Any suggestions??? I've looked through various threads on TB and the only consistent opinion I've found is that people LOVE their 212s.

HALP!!!

Have a Fearless F112 built. Smaller, lighter, and as loud as a 212, possibly louder

 

[Shlabotnik]

I can't claim to have done a lot of comparisons but I picked up a Darkglass 212N(E) about a year ago and it's freaking fabulous!!!