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Post subject: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:11 am
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Title says it all. Those of you who have switched would you do it again for the new higher price? Is it really that much better?

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:32 pm
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one just sold for $80 on ebay be patient. It makes a big difference, but thats half the price of the amp.
Also check craigslist, you'll find one at a decent price sooner or later. I had a Governor in mine before I got my hands on a Tonkerlite for <$90.
Good luck


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:37 pm
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I emailed eminence and the guy told me that China is restricting the sale of the materials they need to make the speaker which is causing the speaker price to go way up. I am not in a hurry, but living in Hawaii, my local options are limited. I might try ebay but they are the same higher price now.

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:02 pm
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Many of us have swapped in the Cannabis Rex instead - running between $85 - $95. Might be a slightly cheaper option and the difference in tone compared to the stock speaker is dramatic (in a good way!).


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:09 pm
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Have you given the stock a chance to break in? I find it has great bottom and good definition on top without being too bright. I would think you would get more out of the software cabinet switching that changing the speaker designed for the model algorithms.


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:13 am
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Put a Weber Silver Bell in mine, recommend it wholeheartedly. The Celestion is a good speaker, but voiced a bit too "rawk" i.e. midrangey for my tastes. As mentioned, the Celestion, like all speakers, sounded better after the break in period.

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:42 am
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I would say that I have about 30 or so hours playing time in it now. I think it sounds good. A bit of fiz if you get close but I will update the drivers and see if that goes away. I just was enticed by the reports of folks really liking the speaker swaps with the tonkerlite.

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:30 am
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tkdunn17 wrote:
Many of us have swapped in the Cannabis Rex instead - running between $85 - $95. Might be a slightly cheaper option and the difference in tone compared to the stock speaker is dramatic (in a good way!).



Upon reading one of the few negative reviews on this speaker they state it has a "Smokey" tone to it.
A. What exactly is a smokey tone?
B. Does this speaker have a good Clean tone?
C. Does it work well for a tube amp overdriven (Bluesy tone)?
D. Is it louder than the stock 12" Celestion and produce smooth highs and good low end also.

If you guys could answer these questions I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Gary

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:16 am
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LoveThatBass wrote:
Upon reading one of the few negative reviews on this speaker they state it has a "Smokey" tone to it.
A. What exactly is a smokey tone?
B. Does this speaker have a good Clean tone?
C. Does it work well for a tube amp overdriven (Bluesy tone)?
D. Is it louder than the stock 12" Celestion and produce smooth highs and good low end also.

If you guys could answer these questions I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Gary

Smokey tone to me implies some of the high-end rolled off - beyond that, I'm not really sure. I A/B'd a bunch of speakers at a local shop that has a whole wall of different speakers that you can tryout with *your* amp. I sat there for over an hour trying numerous Celestion and Eminence models. Celestions didn't really impress me when compared head-to-head with the Eminence models. Tried both the Tonker and TonkerLite, but I still preferred the Governor and Cannabis Rex models. Of course, tone is subjective, but I found the Gov and Cannabis had a bit more "punch" and sounded better with both clean & overdriven tones. Of these two models, the Cannabis models have a more "crisp" high end with more chime - Gov'nor is tad bit darker, but certainly a more meaty tone. I ended up buying 3 speakers - two Cannabis models for my 2x12 cab (Mustang V) and the Gov'nor for my Mustang III. I use the Mustang V for classic rock and R&B/Dance stuff (plexi tones and lots of Fender clean tones). I use the Mustang III for rehearsals (for everything), but I gig with it for a little jazz quartet I play in - the Governor is perfect for those woody, slighty dark clean tones (think Montgomery or Benson).

So in summary, CRs are great for clean tones and moderately overdriven tones too (blues to classic rock, not metal). Not sure the CRs or Gov'nor are appreciably louder than the stock Celestion, but the tone is infinitely better. CRs is the best balance (to my ear) between low and high end - Gov'nor has more thump on the low end, but gives up a bit of chime. Overall, both are great speakers.


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:43 am
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tkdunn17 wrote:
LoveThatBass wrote:
Upon reading one of the few negative reviews on this speaker they state it has a "Smokey" tone to it.
A. What exactly is a smokey tone?
B. Does this speaker have a good Clean tone?
C. Does it work well for a tube amp overdriven (Bluesy tone)?
D. Is it louder than the stock 12" Celestion and produce smooth highs and good low end also.

If you guys could answer these questions I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Gary

Smokey tone to me implies some of the high-end rolled off - beyond that, I'm not really sure. I A/B'd a bunch of speakers at a local shop that has a whole wall of different speakers that you can tryout with *your* amp. I sat there for over an hour trying numerous Celestion and Eminence models. Celestions didn't really impress me when compared head-to-head with the Eminence models. Tried both the Tonker and TonkerLite, but I still preferred the Governor and Cannabis Rex models. Of course, tone is subjective, but I found the Gov and Cannabis had a bit more "punch" and sounded better with both clean & overdriven tones. Of these two models, the Cannabis models have a more "crisp" high end with more chime - Gov'nor is tad bit darker, but certainly a more meaty tone. I ended up buying 3 speakers - two Cannabis models for my 2x12 cab (Mustang V) and the Gov'nor for my Mustang III. I use the Mustang V for classic rock and R&B/Dance stuff (plexi tones and lots of Fender clean tones). I use the Mustang III for rehearsals (for everything), but I gig with it for a little jazz quartet I play in - the Governor is perfect for those woody, slighty dark clean tones (think Montgomery or Benson).

So in summary, CRs are great for clean tones and moderately overdriven tones too (blues to classic rock, not metal). Not sure the CRs or Gov'nor are appreciably louder than the stock Celestion, but the tone is infinitely better. CRs is the best balance (to my ear) between low and high end - Gov'nor has more thump on the low end, but gives up a bit of chime. Overall, both are great speakers.


Wow, you answered my questions really well. I will probably go for the Cannabus Rex as I don't do Jazz much but like clean tone that has chimey sparkling highs and big low end. I also like a realistic overdriven tube amp tone and not distorted fuzz and buzz. With help from this forum and some presets you guys have made plus tweeking I think the little Mustang II will be the best $90 (used) I have ever spent. That is so cool that you actually got to test all the speakers you were wanting to compare. I wish we had that in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas area.
I have spent so much time and money in the past with guitar and bass speakers having to purchase, try and sell those I didn't like. You are truly one lucky individual and thank you for taking the time to write such a good review

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:51 am
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Last month I emailed Eminence and asked their opinion on replacing a Mustang III speaker with a Cannabis Rex. The guy that replied (don't remember his name) said he would not put the CR in the MIII due to the amp having 100W power and the CR rated at 50W.

I only use my MIII in a bedroom size room and for me to have the amp cranked up and get anywhere close to a 50W output should be difficult - but - on the other hand what if?

Any thoughts ?


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:22 pm
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McChesney wrote:
Last month I emailed Eminence and asked their opinion on replacing a Mustang III speaker with a Cannabis Rex. The guy that replied (don't remember his name) said he would not put the CR in the MIII due to the amp having 100W power and the CR rated at 50W.

Any thoughts ?
Technically, Fender support is right, but I would *never* play loud enough to blow this speaker. More importantly, I know "watts" are supposed to be "watts", but tube watts don't equate well to "solid state" watts in my experience. Personally, I think a 22 watt Fender Deluxe would blow the doors off my 100 watt Mustang III in terms of sheer volume. I've never had by Mustang III Master Volume above 4, so I think I'm pretty safe...


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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:24 pm
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Ordered a Cannabis Rex 8 ohm speaker for my Mustang II today. I will probably use a bass guitar set to a moderate level and tone controls to 5. How long did it take to break this speaker in?

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Post subject: Re: Tonkerlite swap for MIII Worth $163?
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:19 am
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I really love the stock G12T-100 that comes with the MIII. Until it broke in I was very unhappy--boomy and low-midrangy. Then after a while the sweet highs and upper midrange started to come through in force. I tried it out in my Laney LC-30 (30 watts, EL84's) and it's the best speaker I've ever heard in there--and I've tried a lot. A great bass response that I can roll down if I need to, and sparkling highs that you can turn on and off with pick attack. I'm searching ebay for another one to keep in there permanently.


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