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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 12, 2006 8:17:42 GMT -7
I've been using a Celestion Blue/Emi Tonker in an open back 2x12 with my Stingray for about six weeks. I wanted a bit more punch than the Blue was giving me, so I swapped it out for an Emi Wizard. It isn't broken in yet (2 hours maybe), but I love what I hear so far. It is surprisingly tonally similar to the Blue....chimey top end & open mids. The Blue is a little fuller in the lower mids and is slightly more 3D. The Blue unexpectedly has more low end, but I expect that to change with break in. Having a ceramic magnet, it is punchier and a little tighter than the Blue. I really hope the bass increases as the cone loosens up. Even though it is rated at 103 db sensitivity, it is only a hair louder than the Blue rated at 100 db. The Wizard is supposedly Emi's knock off of the Celestion G12H. IMHO, it sounds better, as the G12H can get a little honky in the mids.
For the money, the Wizard is outstanding and I think I paid around $70.00 shipped from Avatar. Anybody who is thinking about buying a G12H should give the Wizard a listen. If you don't need the Alnico compression, it gives the Celestion Blue a run for the money!
Steve
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Post by texblooz on Jul 12, 2006 10:10:27 GMT -7
+1 on the Wizards. I have em in my 2x12 box and it sounds great with the Junior.
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 12, 2006 12:02:18 GMT -7
+1 on the Wizards. I have em in my 2x12 box and it sounds great with the Junior. That's good to hear Texblooz. This is the first time I have seen anyone on this forum even mention the Wizard. It's a very unknown & underrated speaker. I read some positive comments about it on the gearpage, so I gave one a shot. Glad I did!
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Post by hdahs143 on Jul 12, 2006 14:47:55 GMT -7
Glad you're diggin it Steve. I've been liking the G12/Blue combo, but sometimes the Blue is harsh sounding to me at ear level, especially with dirt pedals. But I do like the compression thing. I've been wanting to give the Weber 30w Alnico Blue Dog a try for a while anyway, so I'm going to order one. I know the Celestion Blue is legendary, but I don't think it is going to be a permanent part of my arsenal.
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Post by Curt on Jul 12, 2006 17:20:27 GMT -7
Get the Alnico Weber Blue Dog !! The ceramic is very BRIGHT !!!!!
Curt
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Post by real.sladdi on Jul 13, 2006 1:13:59 GMT -7
I used to have the Wizard and a Tonker for a while in one of my 2x12 cabs. Both are very good speakers but together in one cab I didn't like it that much. The Tonker is IMO the more dominant one of the couple. So now I have the Tonker in a 1x12 and the Wizard and a Governor in the 2x12 - good combination! But my favourite combo is still the G12H/ Red Fang combo. I think the Red Fang should be a perfect companion for the Wizard too...
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 13, 2006 7:01:51 GMT -7
Glad you're diggin it Steve. I've been liking the G12/Blue combo, but sometimes the Blue is harsh sounding to me at ear level, especially with dirt pedals. But I do like the compression thing. I've been wanting to give the Weber 30w Alnico Blue Dog a try for a while anyway, so I'm going to order one. I know the Celestion Blue is legendary, but I don't think it is going to be a permanent part of my arsenal. I agree hdahs143. If I just played clean, I'd be pretty happy with the Blue, but they do sound buzzy with distortion. The Wizard sounds really good with distortion. It's clear, yet it doesn't get buzzy.
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 13, 2006 7:04:42 GMT -7
I used to have the Wizard and a Tonker for a while in one of my 2x12 cabs. Both are very good speakers but together in one cab I didn't like it that much. The Tonker is IMO the more dominant one of the couple. So now I have the Tonker in a 1x12 and the Wizard and a Governor in the 2x12 - good combination! But my favourite combo is still the G12H/ Red Fang combo. I think the Red Fang should be a perfect companion for the Wizard too... I'm glad you're liking the Wizard/Governor combo. I've never checked out a Governor, but would like to. I did have a Red Fang about 2 years ago in a Top Hat Ambassador, but I didn't like it with that amp, so I sent it back. I'd love to hear one with the Stingray though.
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 13, 2006 7:06:18 GMT -7
Get the Alnico Weber Blue Dog !! The ceramic is very BRIGHT !!!!! Curt Curt, I had a ceramic Blue Dog 30 watt, lightly doped with my Carmen Ghia and yes, it was a little too bright for me also.
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Post by greenmachine on Aug 23, 2006 19:48:38 GMT -7
I have a wizard in my 1x12 avatar cab. I am very pleased with it so far, nice break up characteristics.
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jbro
Full Member
Posts: 123
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Post by jbro on Sept 1, 2006 23:03:39 GMT -7
I have a Wizard and a G12H30, and I definitely prefer the G12 in my Mazerati combo. The G12 is smoother/less harsh up top, bigger bottom, and more balanced with no upper mid emphasis like I hear in the Wizard. The Wizard seems like it's somewhere between a G12H30 and a V30, but closer to the V30. Just me.
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Post by backwardsman on Sept 3, 2006 15:40:53 GMT -7
I have a Governor in an Avatar 1x12 cab. I really like the sound now that it's broken in. It's not as harsh as my Vintage 30--but when I put the two of them together, it really has a nice balance.
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 4, 2006 8:17:45 GMT -7
Backwardsman, what kind of music do you play and what is your primary guitar? I am interested in trying out some Emi speakers and need some ideas. Thanks!
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Post by backwardsman on Sept 4, 2006 14:55:25 GMT -7
With the band, it's classic rock and usually I use my strat. But I've also used my Gretsch with the Governor (and the Maz 38) with some great results. I set it up for a clean/punchy sound using a barber tone press for compression. With that rig, I'm playing more roots/country style music.
I have to say, it took longer to break in the Governor than I expected, but I am very pleased with it.
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rgb
Full Member
Posts: 158
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Post by rgb on Sept 6, 2006 5:38:21 GMT -7
Just put a (well broken-in), Wizard in a closed back, front ported 1x12 and I really like it. It has a great KRRRRAAANNNGGGGG factor. Very articulate and nice clean as well as driven. I prefer it to the chinese G12H30, by far.
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Post by billyguitar on Sept 6, 2006 10:47:35 GMT -7
I read an interview with the owner of Avatar speakers. He said soundwise there is no real difference between the chinese Celestions and the English ones. the only difference is the normal unit to unit variation which he said is very little.
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Post by guitarstan on Sept 6, 2006 12:11:56 GMT -7
interesting. You know given that almost nothing is hand made anymore especially speakers, I wouldn't expect there to be much difference. Mechanization has narrowed the tolerances to levels humans cannot detect. The biggest variable is the quality of the materials used. As long as quality materials are being used the results should be the "same" regardless of what robotic manufacturer made it. And since China is somewhat new at all this they likely have the latest and newest technology at their disposal along with new facilities. That is pure speculation on my part as I have never and will never visit China. In fact I am not likely to visit anywhere where Americans are not liked. Think I'll just stay home ;D.
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