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Me, too. I’ve tried GK over and over again since the '80 and have never been able to get on board. Maybe I have some sort repetitive stress disorder from all the midrange-heavy, round-wound, chiming chorus when GK became popular. But for whatever reason, I can’t recommend the GK.
I have loved every SWR cabinet I’ve used over the years. Still have a Bass Monitor 12, but it has a Bag End in it, so a different (awesome) animal.
This. Not on your list, but worth seeing if you can find. I picked one up on a lark at $110 last summer and love it. Smooth, and the fullest sounding of the “budget” 1 12s I've tried.
IMO I'd get the GK. All good pieces of kit, but sight alone GK is a good brand name and not defunct in any way.
SellerMay have swapped out the speakers but I doubt it . The speakers were the stock speakers used by DR Bass. Not here to argue what might have Happened or did not . Just warning someone to check things out before they buy. And my Experience with cabs from that company.
I have Gotten some very good sounds out of the NEO GK speakers I have had in the past ( Neo 412, Neo 212, Neo 410) the other GK speakers were not so warm and punchy sounding even with tube heads. Just to clear up Previous post about DR Bass cabs. I am not saying they did not sound good or they did not work as they did sound decent in a modern sound kind of way. I am just saying make sure of what you are getting Because as was pointed out in response to My Post the speakers could have been swapped out in the past.
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- Oct 18, 2012
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I believe those were the upgrade but others that still have theirs may be able to shed more light on that subject.
Sight unseen, I believe the GK stuff would be your safest bet. At 8 ohms you could pair one of them with your Rumble Cab (if you are keeping it) if you needed extra volume.
One of the best small cabs ive ever owned. Was 4ohms only which made me sell both of mine. But a single 10.2 is killer and handles some big gigs on its own. Try to get one from the earlier production runs with the better neo speakers.
It’s a gk head, but yeah. I’m leaning towards the gk cabs simply because I can readily get a second.
OP says he plays rock, I wouldn't use a single 12 in that situation. I have the GK15, GK12, and GK2x12. The 15 is fantastic for stage monitoring, plenty of punchy mids, but does not do full, deep bottom end. The 12 is great, but I only use it for low volume practices as it can't handle enough of my 700rb2 to be used with a drummer. The 2x12 is awesome, plenty loud and plenty deep.
All that being said if the Dr Bass is in good shape it's your best option of the four you listed.
All that being said if the Dr Bass is in good shape it's your best option of the four you listed.
I actually love my Backline 115, I just don't like the NEO series cabs. They are much loved here, but to me they are just shrill.
I think they did/do still have a ceramic driver line or two, you might like that a bit better. One engineering advantage to neo drivers is getting a higher power handling or motor strength with a smaller voice coil, meaning a lower inductance and therefore slightly higher cut off point. This can make neo drivers a bit bright for some tastes, even with equivalent low end power handling.
Yeah, I'm sure they make a cab or two that I'd own. Not trying to knock on them hard, just the NEO series was really not my cup of tea. I am pretty happy with other lightweight cabs, like my Schroeder, so I think it's as much to do with the design as it is to do with the driver.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
For maximum gig ability I would say go at the doctor bass 115 as it is a 4-ohm cab and will pull more watts out of your amp. You just have to be careful not to overdo it on the master volume.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
My second choice would be the GK 115 Neo. I think the 15's give you more options in terms of live performance.
Edit: I should also add that I have played through one of these cabinets before and they have a great, clear well-defined sound with a fat low end. So if you want to have a cab you that you can add to easily later without changing getting a 2 ohm capable amp, then this would be the way to go for me. I wouldn't call the tone of this cab modern by any stroke, especially if you roll off the Tweeter. What you're left with is a good quality 15 inch speaker cabinet that puts out a healthy bottom end with a well-defined sound.
Edit: I should also add that I have played through one of these cabinets before and they have a great, clear well-defined sound with a fat low end. So if you want to have a cab you that you can add to easily later without changing getting a 2 ohm capable amp, then this would be the way to go for me. I wouldn't call the tone of this cab modern by any stroke, especially if you roll off the Tweeter. What you're left with is a good quality 15 inch speaker cabinet that puts out a healthy bottom end with a well-defined sound.
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Not a fan of the rumble cabs at all. IMHO I know there is a great filling for them. But they sound very 1 dimensional to me.
I would go with the neo cab if it has to be one of those. However it is not a 15, by generic 15 standards.
You can always add the neo212 and it will be a great rig for ya. Loud enough for most venues. The 212 on the bottom and the 15 on top. Great punch and a good well rounded sound.
I would go with the neo cab if it has to be one of those. However it is not a 15, by generic 15 standards.
You can always add the neo212 and it will be a great rig for ya. Loud enough for most venues. The 212 on the bottom and the 15 on top. Great punch and a good well rounded sound.