Subject
Tonker vs. EV12L
By: Pullstring from New Orleans, Ashton1958@aol.com
Submitted: 6/17/2011
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
This is a quality speaker. I would recommend Red Coat Tonkers without reservations. I have an ancient Emi steel guitar "eclipse" speaker that I have abused and tortured for years...never a problem. Eminence makes good stuff.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Have not had the raw frame speakers long enough to tell. I would imagine that they are bullet proof from the evident production quality.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
This is an excellent speaker for a vintage or reissue Fender Twin Reverb. I know this is heresy, but I perfer The Tonker over the OEM mint condition EV12Ls I used for years. EVLs are also excellent, but are a neutral speaker and add little tone coloration. The Tonker is a bit lighter as well, and has all the head room and punch of the Electro Voice.
Playability and Feel
How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing?
Tone
Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin?
These speakers sound great in a Fender Twin with a Telecaster. I use a Wampler Compressor and a Sex Drive clean boost with excellent effect. They do offer a certain amount of coloration, but it is a positive not a negative.
Finish
How did the stain or paint job look?
Comes with a snazzy hot red paint job with a cool rubber boot on the magnet housing.
Action
How was the action out of the box?