GK Loyal… Maybe Converting to Ampeg

Chico16

Chico16

Apr 2, 2012
457
35
4,551
Yuma, Az
#1
I’ll try to keep this short… my all time dream setup was a GK 1001rb-II through a GK NEO 412 due to the back line I used at my very first ever gig (my rookie ears were blown away). I bought the 412 about 10 years ago, and bought a used 700rb-II barely a year or two ago. GK is the only “good” gear I’ve ever owned.

I gig much much more often now, and venues are small-medium so I rarely bring the 412 out. I bought a used GK NEO 210 with the goal of buying a NEO 212, and selling the 412. Recently the 700rb-II started failing on me (I think it’s only biamp mode that’s affected), so for “backup” I bought a used Ampeg PF500.

Man, I was blown away since I first plugged in the PF500. I know the GKs are generally upper mid-heavy and I’ve always looked for a thick, warm, rumbling tone. I can get the sound out of GK by messing with the EQ, but the Ampeg flat just immediately had that tone (or at least close enough/closer than the GK). Apparently I’m a “vintage” tone guy but I’ve been playing through a “modern” rig this whole time.

I have a PF800 on back-order now :bassist: and the GK NEO 212 was on back order so just shipped. I had planned to use the 212 standalone or paired with the 210 when needed (will sell the 412 and most likely the 700rb-II as well). Now the reason I’m posting here is because I’m conflicted on my cab choice now. I have a bad back, so I’m not down for a 410HLF or similar, but the Ampeg 212AV has really caught my eye. That cab is 4ohms though, so I wouldn’t be able to pair it with anything else - which kinda defeats all the investing I’ve done in GK lol.

I’m considering returning the NEO 212 when it arrives and purchasing a 212AV instead. The NEO 210 could be my back up. I’ve never played through an Ampeg cab, I went to 3 Guitar Centers and they only had the Rocket Bass combos. I didn’t like them, but I generally don’t like combos. Any thoughts about this “problem” I have?


TLDR: Recently found out I’m an Ampeg tone guy, but I’ve only ever used GK gear. Should I stay in the middle and use Ampeg head with GK NEO cabs, or go full traitor and use full Ampeg rigs? Also bad back, not down for 80-100lbs cabs anymore.
 
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#3
Ampeg + GK + Fender = tone bliss for me !!
:cool:
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#5
I have a GK Neo 212 and the cab is fantastic, but I don't use Ampeg. I'd say if you like Ampeg+GK then stick with it, if not then change it up. Only you know what your tone wants and needs are.
 
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#6
Chico16 said:
I’ll try to keep this short… my all time dream setup was a GK 1001rb-II through a GK NEO 412 due to the back line I used at my very first ever gig (my rookie ears were blown away). I bought the 412 about 10 years ago, and bought a used 700rb-II barely a year or two ago. GK is the only “good” gear I’ve ever owned.

I gig much much more often now, and venues are small-medium so I rarely bring the 412 out. I bought a used GK NEO 210 with the goal of buying a NEO 212, and selling the 412. Recently the 700rb-II started failing on me (I think it’s only biamp mode that’s affected), so for “backup” I bought a used Ampeg PF500.

Man, I was blown away since I first plugged in the PF500. I know the GKs are generally upper mid-heavy and I’ve always looked for a thick, warm, rumbling tone. I can get the sound out of GK by messing with the EQ, but the Ampeg flat just immediately had that tone (or at least close enough/closer than the GK). Apparently I’m a “vintage” tone guy but I’ve been playing through a “modern” rig this whole time.

I have a PF800 on back-order now :bassist: and the GK NEO 212 was on back order so just shipped. I had planned to use the 212 standalone or paired with the 210 when needed (will sell the 412 and most likely the 700rb-II as well). Now the reason I’m posting here is because I’m conflicted on my cab choice now. I have a bad back, so I’m not down for a 410HLF or similar, but the Ampeg 212AV has really caught my eye. That cab is 4ohms though, so I wouldn’t be able to pair it with anything else - which kinda defeats all the investing I’ve done in GK lol.

I’m considering returning the NEO 212 when it arrives and purchasing a 212AV instead. The NEO 210 could be my back up. I’ve never played through an Ampeg cab, I went to 3 Guitar Centers and they only had the Rocket Bass combos. I didn’t like them, but I generally don’t like combos. Any thoughts about this “problem” I have?


TLDR: Recently found out I’m an Ampeg tone guy, but I’ve only ever used GK gear. Should I stay in the middle and use Ampeg head with GK NEO cabs, or go full traitor and use full Ampeg rigs? Also bad back, not down for 80-100lbs cabs anymore.
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Im in with Ampeg and GK. Most of the time I use the 700 rb II with Ampeg cab, 8 or 4 x 10’s.
I played GK RBH cabs too. I’m still a big cab player tho. I to would like the Ampeg 2x12AV to be 8 ohm. So if I ever got them I’d have to use my CL. I would like to own a 4x12 GK.
 
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#8
Dave W said:
Hmm, tough choice. I've always loved both Ampeg and GK.
I'd say if you dig the tone of the PF into the GK cab, stick with it. Unless you really want to get another cab as well :)
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That’s a good point, thanks! I like the sound through the NEO 210 so far. The NEO 212 is here now but I haven’t had a chance to play around with it as much. I guess the “what if” is what’s killing me since I’ve never played through an Ampeg cab lol
 
#10
Thanks for the replies so far! The NEO 212 was just delivered today so I haven’t really had a chance to mess with it. I played it for less than 5 minutes, using the same EQ settings I use with the NEO 210, and the most noticeable thing right away is that the 212 is much more mid-heavy. I checked the specs and it turns out the 210 actually goes lower than the 212 (surprising to me). I know I’ll have to dial back the mids with the 212 but I haven’t had a chance to experiment much with it. I’ll make sure to post an update here!

I think I was giving up on the GK 212 without giving it a fair shot first. I will say though if the Ampeg SVT212av was 8ohms like Doug P mentioned it would’ve been a no brainer for me. :bassist:

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#12
Chico16 said:
Oh man that’s a beautiful rig!! Not sure how much difference there is other than cosmetic,
but the 212 I ordered is the Series II which still has the silver grille.
Those Series IV look so good but so expensive! I bet they’re worth it though :hyper:
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it came new with a silver grille , i just painted it with flat black .
:thumbsup::cool:
 
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#14
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#15
Quick update here: I played the NEO 212-II with the Ampeg head for about an hour last night, and the whole time I just wasn’t happy with the sound. It’s LOUD, but the tone just doesn’t sit well with me yet. I still plan on going back and mess with the EQ more. The upper mids / highs are really nice don’t get me wrong, very clear and honestly quite beautiful even, but that’s just not the sound I’m looking for. What’s baffling to me is that I can get a great sound out of the NEO 210, and the NEO 412 is one of the easiest cabs I’ve ever had to EQ to, so I thought the 212 would be exactly what I was looking for. So far, I’m not a fan of the Mid-heavy tuning it has compared to those other cabs.

I’m very close to asking about returning the cab. If I have to pay the shipping though, I’ll probably just keep it since it’ll be expensive to ship. I still want to like it lol so I hope I can find some time to play it again tonight. Granted, this has all been in the bedroom - I haven’t had a chance to play in an actual practice yet.
 
#17
Chico16 said:
Quick update here: I played the NEO 212-II with the Ampeg head for about an hour last night, and the whole time I just wasn’t happy with the sound. It’s LOUD, but the tone just doesn’t sit well with me yet. I still plan on going back and mess with the EQ more. The upper mids / highs are really nice don’t get me wrong, very clear and honestly quite beautiful even, but that’s just not the sound I’m looking for. What’s baffling to me is that I can get a great sound out of the NEO 210, and the NEO 412 is one of the easiest cabs I’ve ever had to EQ to, so I thought the 212 would be exactly what I was looking for. So far, I’m not a fan of the Mid-heavy tuning it has compared to those other cabs.

I’m very close to asking about returning the cab. If I have to pay the shipping though, I’ll probably just keep it since it’ll be expensive to ship. I still want to like it lol so I hope I can find some time to play it again tonight. Granted, this has all been in the bedroom - I haven’t had a chance to play in an actual practice yet.
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Yeah, bedroom tone can be deceiving. As far as the mid's, did you try the mid frequency adjustment on the Ampeg? You'd think that would allow you to tame or emphasize the mid's you want.
 
#18
2saddleslab said:
Yeah, bedroom tone can be deceiving. As far as the mid's, did you try the mid frequency adjustment on the Ampeg? You'd think that would allow you to tame or emphasize the mid's you want.
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Not yet - but you’re right! A little before I stopped playing last night I toggled on the “Ultra Lo” switch. I tend to not use this, but normally if I ever use it I pair it with a boost to 3 o’clock on the “3” mid frequency to make up a little for the mid cut the Ultra Lo brings. Last night this sounded a little better, but with the mid dial staying at noon (normally this would sound really scooped but with this cab it still sounded full). I’m intrigued now lol. Next step is messing with cutting the different mid frequencies with and without the Ultra Lo to see if I can get closer to the sound I’m looking for.
 
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#19
More than a year later, but posting an update here in case anyone runs into something similar of their own in the future.

I ended up returning the GK 212, the tone didn’t fully convince me, and when it arrived the tolex was peeling in the back a bit. I figured for the money I should have something that I am 100% on. I then traded the GK 412 for an Avatar NEO 212 + NEO 210. Although I miss that 412, I fully stand by these Avatar cabs. Love the tone and the portability of them. They are rat fur, instead of tolex, but they clean up nice with a vacuum. This did leave me with 3 cabs, so I sold the GK 210. Now running the Ampeg 500/800 with the Avatar 210 at practice/home, and the 212 at gigs. Sometimes both together :bassist:
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