Post by JChance on Mar 7, 2007 8:34:49 GMT -7
So after listening to Bluzsteel's raves about the Eminence Tonker, I decided to try one in my new Dr. Z 1 12" cab.
After doing a few sound clips and a couple of gigs, I think I have a pretty good handle on what the speaker's capabilities are.
First of all, let me say that the tone of this speaker is excellent. It really is a "roots" style player's dream, especially with a Strat. In the out of phase positions, especially with the amp set for a standard "clean" sound, it's got a near perfect balance of quack, clarity, but also warmth. Bluzsteel's description of the speaker being "piano-like" in it's note definition is dead-on. VERY articulate speaker, but not in any type of harsh way at all.
The low end in this speaker is TREMENDOUS, not muddy but just thick and fat. The Tonker is also VERY efficient, so headroom should never be an issue. Again, not in a harsh way, but totally "in your face."
Now we get to my concerns about it, and where it might fit in with your own personal setup-
After using it on two gigs, I've come to the conclusion that it's just too efficient for me. At least in a medium power amp like a MAZ 38 or Route 66.... When playing with a band, I was gradually turning down the entire gig because I was killing everybody on stage. And this was a five piece band gig with loud keyboards, drums and acoustic guitar. Bass player was pretty loud as well...
But when I finally got my MAZ 38 low enough to blend and not kill the singers, I wasn't getting the tone from the amp I wanted.
Where I think this speaker would really shine would be in one of the 18 watt amps, like a MAZ 18 or Ghia. That is, if you are playing a regular club gig. With an 18 watt'er, you'd still have plenty of headroom with a loud band if you used the Tonker.
In my opinion, if you are using it in a louder amp like a MAZ 38, Mazerati, Prescription, etc..... then you either need to be prepared to a) live with a pretty clean tone in a club, or b) be playing larger clubs or outdoor gigs where you can take advantage of it's bold low end.
So as it turns out, the Tonker isn't going to work for my applications. Problem is, I LOVE the way this speaker is voiced. The tone is wonderful, and pretty much voiced EXACTLY how I'd want a speaker to be voiced. Sounds absolutely perfect with single coil guitars, and I just know it would stomp arse with 'buckers.
For my personal tastes, I just wish it wasn't quite as efficient. If there was a version of the Tonker that wasn't quite as sensitive, I'd be all over it.
So, sadly I'm going to take it back to the dealer and swap it out with a little lower powered speaker. Probably going to look at the Texas Heat, or something along those lines.
So, GET the Tonker if:
1) You need plenty of headroom. I'd say if you were using an amp like a MAZ 38 with a Tonker, you'd have similar headroom to someone using a Vibroverb with a D130. And yes, I really do think the 12" Tonker has as much low-end girth as a 15" D130... I'm serious!
2) or, you want to use your lower-powered amp in situations where you can hang with a loud band. I do think that the next "small" amp I get, like a MAZ 18 head or Ghia, I will probably get another Tonker and it will be perfect
3) or, you like your tone really clean & pure with a medium powered amp. I bet the Tonker would work great for jazz with something like a MAZ 38. WOuld probably also be great if you were playing really clean, traditional Telecaster stuff like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, etc.
If you are a player who likes the idea of a loud speaker like a JBL or EV, but want a little more "Brit" flavor, the Tonker is for you. Kind of like the old Fanes.....
DON'T get the Tonker if:
You want to be able to push your amp and want a "softer" speaker. I know I just couldn't get my 38 to break up like I wanted it to since I was having to run it so low.
I mean, I like to be loud & proud, and definitely want to be able to get up over a loud band during solos, etc. But again, this thing was just TOO much of a good thing.
Thanks, Bluzsteel for a great suggestion. Killer speaker for sure. I just gotta find something a little more "polite." ;D
After doing a few sound clips and a couple of gigs, I think I have a pretty good handle on what the speaker's capabilities are.
First of all, let me say that the tone of this speaker is excellent. It really is a "roots" style player's dream, especially with a Strat. In the out of phase positions, especially with the amp set for a standard "clean" sound, it's got a near perfect balance of quack, clarity, but also warmth. Bluzsteel's description of the speaker being "piano-like" in it's note definition is dead-on. VERY articulate speaker, but not in any type of harsh way at all.
The low end in this speaker is TREMENDOUS, not muddy but just thick and fat. The Tonker is also VERY efficient, so headroom should never be an issue. Again, not in a harsh way, but totally "in your face."
Now we get to my concerns about it, and where it might fit in with your own personal setup-
After using it on two gigs, I've come to the conclusion that it's just too efficient for me. At least in a medium power amp like a MAZ 38 or Route 66.... When playing with a band, I was gradually turning down the entire gig because I was killing everybody on stage. And this was a five piece band gig with loud keyboards, drums and acoustic guitar. Bass player was pretty loud as well...
But when I finally got my MAZ 38 low enough to blend and not kill the singers, I wasn't getting the tone from the amp I wanted.
Where I think this speaker would really shine would be in one of the 18 watt amps, like a MAZ 18 or Ghia. That is, if you are playing a regular club gig. With an 18 watt'er, you'd still have plenty of headroom with a loud band if you used the Tonker.
In my opinion, if you are using it in a louder amp like a MAZ 38, Mazerati, Prescription, etc..... then you either need to be prepared to a) live with a pretty clean tone in a club, or b) be playing larger clubs or outdoor gigs where you can take advantage of it's bold low end.
So as it turns out, the Tonker isn't going to work for my applications. Problem is, I LOVE the way this speaker is voiced. The tone is wonderful, and pretty much voiced EXACTLY how I'd want a speaker to be voiced. Sounds absolutely perfect with single coil guitars, and I just know it would stomp arse with 'buckers.
For my personal tastes, I just wish it wasn't quite as efficient. If there was a version of the Tonker that wasn't quite as sensitive, I'd be all over it.
So, sadly I'm going to take it back to the dealer and swap it out with a little lower powered speaker. Probably going to look at the Texas Heat, or something along those lines.
So, GET the Tonker if:
1) You need plenty of headroom. I'd say if you were using an amp like a MAZ 38 with a Tonker, you'd have similar headroom to someone using a Vibroverb with a D130. And yes, I really do think the 12" Tonker has as much low-end girth as a 15" D130... I'm serious!
2) or, you want to use your lower-powered amp in situations where you can hang with a loud band. I do think that the next "small" amp I get, like a MAZ 18 head or Ghia, I will probably get another Tonker and it will be perfect
3) or, you like your tone really clean & pure with a medium powered amp. I bet the Tonker would work great for jazz with something like a MAZ 38. WOuld probably also be great if you were playing really clean, traditional Telecaster stuff like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, etc.
If you are a player who likes the idea of a loud speaker like a JBL or EV, but want a little more "Brit" flavor, the Tonker is for you. Kind of like the old Fanes.....
DON'T get the Tonker if:
You want to be able to push your amp and want a "softer" speaker. I know I just couldn't get my 38 to break up like I wanted it to since I was having to run it so low.
I mean, I like to be loud & proud, and definitely want to be able to get up over a loud band during solos, etc. But again, this thing was just TOO much of a good thing.
Thanks, Bluzsteel for a great suggestion. Killer speaker for sure. I just gotta find something a little more "polite." ;D
