• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Your experience with GK NEO

Just want to say - for GK stuff call RMC Audio Direct for the best prices. I recently bought a MB500 from them and have a Neo 112-II on order (they said backorder until May 27). No affiliation, just a happy customer.

I just got my used 112-II on Tuesday. I had to pull the grill and tighten the tweeter and main driver mounting screws a little to eliminate a buzz on certain notes (mainly F) - but once I got that sorted it sounds great. I have (had) several GK heads (old 400RB back in the day, MB Fusion 500, MB500, MB200) but never their speakers, so can't comment on how it compares to other GK stuff. Gonna use the single 112 at a gig this Sat - I'm on in-ears with PA support so one will be plenty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stevorebob
I find that the 1001rb classic @ 540 watts has enormous power with plenty of headroom for my needs. Would love to hear it through a 4x12 Neo...someday, someday...lol
Right, 540 is plenty.
That's why I went with the 700 RBII, 480 is pretty loud.
And the NEO 412 is so efficient, I've never needed the volume past 10 o'clock.
:thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gospel Bass Player
I bought a pair of Neo 112-II cabs about eight or nine months ago. They're great cabinets, but I was expecting more volume out of them than what I got, and as such they'll be on the block as soon as I can find the time. They're incredibly open, clear, and balanced (at least more so than my Ampeg cabs) across their entire frequency range, they put out a lot of sound for just two speakers, and they're well built. No issues with their tone or their build quality either; well made and really nice cabs.
 
Here's my take on the 410 NEO. I hope this helps the OP.

I purchased my 8 ohm 410 NEO three years ago and it's been a good addition to my rig with its low weight (yes!) and very nice, clear sound. I had one speaker go out with voice coil rubbing just after the warranty expired (GK absolutely kills you on 10" 32 ohm speaker prices!) but since then I've had no problems with the speakers. I've read reviews, however in which several folks have complained about the durability of the speakers but as I said, aside from the first one I've had no further trouble in that department.

I play an Ampeg PF800 through it and the cab has handled that without issue as long as I don't get stupid with it. I mostly play clubs and bars without PA support and it does well in that role. It can really hit the low notes and it does agressive very well and it fills the hell out of a room. You won't have any trouble being heard with this guy. The cab supports bi-amping if you have a GK head and the special SpeakOn cable, but since I have an Ampeg head I keep it in full range mode and after monkeying with every position on the tweeter volume knob, I now keep it at 12 o'clock.

I will say that as I've developed an ear for what I like, I've struggled to find something that satisfies me with this cab. I play in a band that does 50's through 90's music and I've come to prefer an old-school, vintage thump and I've been inconsistent in getting a tone that works well for me in every situation. I can certainly accept that it's mostly my fault, but the cab isn't making it as easy as it might be for me to learn how to get there either. To my ear it seems to have been engineered for a specific range of sounds rather than to be a jack of all trades, but it's possible that says a lot more about me and my ear than it does about GK.

It's a reasonably well-constructed cab of around 48 pounds so aside from the bulk of the box, it's easily transported. It's not what I would call extremely durable. It has been gigged moderately in a moderate volume classic rock cover band, perhaps two to three times a month but even at that moderate pace it's showing some wear and tear. The handle plates on the sides are not the strongest metal and after repeated use have bent a little. The casters (a fantastic feature) don't roll as smoothly as they did when it was new but they haven't broken either.

These issues don't affect the sound at all but I expected a bit more robust construction for the upper mid-range pricing on these cabinets. All that said, I don't doubt that the GK offering is on par with other manufacturer's cabs in this price range, but at pretty close to $800 retail, who can blame me for expecting a little more?

If I were looking to buy again today I'd probably take a much harder look at Ampeg's line of cabs to get the vintage vibe I'm seeking. I had a Rumble 410 (V2) cabinet before this one and the GK cab is much superior to it, but I haven't compared it to the new line yet. I'll probably be replacing it sometime this year, and I hope my current cab finds a good home that appreciates what it offers much more than I do.
 
I have two 112-II Neo cabs which sound great when stacked. I rarely use them together though, cause I'm lazy to carry them off the stairs unless it's really needed. Unfortunately the single 112 speaker can be a bit of a struggle for monitoring on some venues; correct placing makes a big difference. I think I'll replace one of them with a Neo 212.
Also, GK raised it's Neo cab prices quite a bit in the last 5 years.
 
Unfortunately the single 112 speaker can be a bit of a struggle for monitoring on some venues; correct placing makes a big difference. I think I'll replace one of them with a Neo 212.

I know you noted single 112, but monitoring was actually one of the biggest reasons for my choosing the Neo 112-ii pair over other offerings, including the 212. Obviously they needed to sound good, but beyond that, for monitoring purposes specifically, when stacked vertically I think these cabs make one of the most economical and lightest options to get power up towards ear-level withought resorting to risers.
 
I know you noted single 112, but monitoring was actually one of the biggest reasons for my choosing the Neo 112-ii pair over other offerings, including the 212. Obviously they needed to sound good, but beyond that, for monitoring purposes specifically, when stacked vertically I think these cabs make one of the most economical and lightest options to get power up towards ear-level withought resorting to risers.

Sure, the stacked couple is fine for that, since the upper speaker is directed at ear level. Lately I've been experimenting using a single 112 in front of me or on one side of the stage, flipped at 45° degrees. I think most of the time, if you ain't got no riser, placing it on the floor on the backside can be a waste of power.
 
I've never played through the 115, but I see no reason why it wouldn't be. If you were comfortable with one 12, a single 15 shouldn't be too much different in this case, just be ready for it to have a bit more mids as that seems to be the agreed upon sonic profile for the 15 relative to the rest of the GK Neo line.

Now you aren't talking pure apples to apples.
On Musician's Friend it looks like the 115 is $500 and the 212 is $600. The 115 is 400w and the 212 is 600w. If that's your choice I'd take the 212 in a heart beat. More watts and two 12" drivers will give you a fuller tone. I run a pair of 112s so 1.) I can stack them vertically; 2.) Being modular makes moving them around easier for me. The down side is you spend more ($450 a piece; they were $400 when I bought mine.)
With unlimited funds, a giant vehicle, and a 24/7 roadie, I'd prefer an 810, but my 2x112s have worked well for me, and I would consider a pair of 212s.

I just bought a MBE-II 115. Tried the Neo 115 and didn't like it. Then, I tried the one I bought and the Neo 410, but it was too much for me.
 
Has anyone ever stacked a 410 and a 212. I know that most of the time we try not to mix cabs but my car simply can't fit two 410s. Does the NEO 410 play well with the 212?

My immediate thought is, are you certain that you'll be able to fit the 212 and 410 together if there isn't room for the two 410s?

The 212 is smaller, yes, but only by 2" on the height (corrected) and depth axes. Maybe that's enough, maybe not. Just making certain.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: yakmastermax
I've got the 410 and am perfectly happy with it. Goes very well with my 700RB. Very full-range and well balanced for my needs. I was thinking of getting a 115 for smaller gigs and sessions, as it can be a bit of a pain to drag around, but that's more to do with it being a 410 than anything else. As 410s go this is one of the lighter ones and the casters make life a LOT easier. It's currently in my band's rehearsal space and is brought out for gigs.
 
I've got the 410 and am perfectly happy with it. Goes very well with my 700RB. Very full-range and well balanced for my needs. I was thinking of getting a 115 for smaller gigs and sessions, as it can be a bit of a pain to drag around, but that's more to do with it being a 410 than anything else. As 410s go this is one of the lighter ones and the casters make life a LOT easier. It's currently in my band's rehearsal space and is brought out for gigs.
The Neo 115 is a great cab, but it's nothing like the Neo 410. It's mid-forward and has an "airy" quality, while the 410 is tuned lower and packs far more punch. Closer, but still not a tonal match, would be a 112.

Also, if you're thinking of running the two together, let me share that -- for me -- they don't play well together. More of the worst of the two rather than the best of the combination. Muddy and indistinct is what I ended up with. YMMV. Others will disagree and will say this is a great combination.