Markbass 104HF or Gallien Krueger Neo 410

Hi all,
Just wondering which is better, the Markbass 104HF or Gallien Krueger Neo 410.
Which is louder, better sound quality, better low frequency response?
Which has bettter Xmax?
The Gallien Krueger is cheaper, the Markbass is lighter.
Genres are Funk, Jazz, Blues, Reggae etc.
Thanks
 
I can't help you with the speaker specs, but since you're buying an already designed, full rate production item in either case I would focus more on how it sounds to you if you can audition both. Given your wide range of musical genres I would say a proper audition with your bass and preferred amp would be the best way to decide if you can get what the sounds you want/need.

It's been a while since I heard that particular MB 410, but as I recall it was one of their better sounding cabs especially if you like a darker, deeper tone. However, all the MB stuff had a an okay kind of sound to me personally - it just didn't grab me as a must buy and then sell my other gear (Mesa, Bergantino, GK and Eden) type of deal. Please note that we're talking purely personal taste at this point, not quality or specs.

The GK Neo 410 I heard punched pretty hard with a very full bottom end and bit of sparkle up top without getting overly brittle. It also spoke nicely in the mid-range and I would say it could hold its own against some of the high end 410's out there. In my head, all that makes it a great value given its price point. I own GK Neo 112 II's and find the 12 inch loaded cabs to be my favorite in the GK Neo Line. It's not a 10, 12 or 15 thing for me, it's just the way GK seemed to have voiced the speakers/cabs with those particular speaker diameters.

At the end of the day, for my taste, if I were replacing my Mesa PH 410 with one of these two I would likely choose the GK. On the other hand, I have gravitated towards almost all 112 and 212 cabs and find I like them easily as much or more than my 410. I attribute this not to speaker diameter directly, but to the way companies seem to be voicing their cabs with 12 inch speakers. In fact I'm betting you'll find a number of players who when asked what their favorite 410 cab is will answer, a 212. YMMV! Good luck with your search.
 
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Hi all,
Just wondering which is better, the Markbass 104HF or Gallien Krueger Neo 410.
Which is louder, better sound quality, better low frequency response?
Which has bettter Xmax?
The Gallien Krueger is cheaper, the Markbass is lighter.
Genres are Funk, Jazz, Blues, Reggae etc.
Thanks

If you want stupid low end Markbass isn't the best brand. They use a low-mid bump that cannot be ignored. It helps cut through the mix like a knife but it doesn't serve deep bass well. I loved mine, it paired greatly with a mid-heavy fretless jazz, but I wouldn't recommend it for reggae or anything.
 
I have not played much less heard the GK. I have heard and played the 104HF.

It was a very frustrating cab. It has scary Xmax. You see it. But you don't really hear it, because like every other Markbass speaker, it has a huge bump in the lower-mids that cuts through all mixes and buries everything else coming out of the speaker. It sounds great in a band context. Carries most halls effortlessly. But I couldn't even stand to practice with it at home, the tone could best be described as "dull and thuddy", which is the opposite of what I'm going for. And there was simply no way I'd ever record with that cab.

The one good thing about that cab - besides my ability to return it to Guitar Center, which I did - was the weight. It's a legit one-arm 4x10, they claim 48 pounds and that's in the ballpark for certain. But I could not make peace with the tone.

I'm hoping to try the GK 410 Neo soon. I run two SWR neo 15s which I love, but would really like a nice light 410 and SWR, who would have been my go-to manufacturer for this, got bought by Fender who did nothing save for promptly put them out of business.

Gibson killed my #1 bass, Fender my #1 amp. Thanks, guys, I won't forget.