Robben Ford Discussion

Phil T · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:25 pm Post subject: combo amp

Any idea what speaker is currently in the Dumble combo amp, anyone?
Still the Eminence?
Just thought maybe someone peeked around the back at the last clinic
Question

jazzyblues · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2004 9:16 am Post subject:

What Eminence speaker does the Dumble use? I'm in the market for a speaker -
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Aeolian · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:49 pm Post subject:

Don't remember seeing any stickers on it when I looked. It could be anything that Alexander and Eminence thought up.

Eminence has apparently sucessfully cloned the Celestion 65's that Robben has in his Deluxe and 2-12 tweed cab, but they don't sell them, they are OEM'd to Two Rock, who I believe will sell them to you.

There are a number of threads over on the Gear Page about the new line of Eminence speakers. I happen to really like one called The Tonker. I have one in a 1-12 cab I use regularly, and am planning to yank the C65's out of one of my 2-12 cabs and replace them with a pair of Tonkers. I really like the response these get.

Daved, you mentioned at one point that you, Robben and Alexander were trying different things in the combo. Assuming there is some familial resemblence between the Dumble combo, my Fuchs and the more direct TR clones like the Custom, the couple of minutes I played though the combo at the clinic, it had a more closed off sound than the larger cabinet or the Deluxe (with the Celestions in them), or the clones with different speakers in them. I imagine it stays really thick when turned up, but if Robben would like it to be a bit more open, the Tonker would be a really great thing to try. Especially for someone who is as dynamic with their hands as Robben is.

Please don't anyone take this as my complaining about the sound of the combo. I really got that the sound I was frustrated with was mostly due to sitting there listening to Robben at the same time. It's just my opinion that the Tonker would suit him really well.
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jazzyblues · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

Hey Aeolian,
I emailed Eminence and told them what I was looking for (the "Robben" tone). They said the same thing - the Tonker. I have a 212 cab with a Weber California in it already. So I'm thinking the Tonker would be a good match with it. The Weber has a bit more highs. So along with the Tonker, it would give me the clear highs and a nice fat bottom. Very Happy

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midc74 · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject:

hmmm.. sounds interesting.

What are The Tonker's rated? How about price?

Patrick

jazzyblues · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:38 pm Post subject:

Hi Patrick -
Here's the info on the Tonkers.

Power handling: 150 watts RMS/300 watts max
* VCdia: 2"
* Impedance: 8 ohms
* Frequency Range: 70-5,500 Hz
* SPL: 102 dB

Most places sell them for about $90.
Here they are for $80.
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43375&item=2368167054
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juspasinby2003 · Senior Member Joined: 18 Dec 2003 Posts: 255

Great thread and responses!

Does anyone happen to know the weight of the speaker? I would guess it is rather heavy with that kind of power rating.

jazzyblues · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:56 am Post subject:

Aeolian · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:22 am Post subject:

It's not like a cast frame EV. About the same as the G12H I replaced with it. Or a C65. Power rating comes from the strurdiness of the cone, and thermal dissapation capability. I think this has a Kapton former. I think the thing with the G12H is a thin a wimpy cone. Great sound, but you can't push it. There's an art to distributing the paper thickness around different parts of the cone.
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juspasinby2003 · Senior Member Joined: 18 Dec 2003 Posts: 255

jazzyblues,
Thank you much. That doesn't sound too bad at all. Even a wimp like me can handle that.

Aeolian,
I did not know that. Thanks. Is there any advantage to heavy, cast frames like EV's? I love the tone I get from EVs, especially at higher volume levels, but my body refuses to go along with my "tone-to-die-for" battle cry anymore

Sounds like the "Tonkers" could be the answer to my prayers.

Aeolian · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:35 am Post subject:

JPB, The heavy cast frame of an EV is just there for rigidity and roadworthyness. It doesn't really do that much for the sound. EV's are kind of odd in that they have a really hi-fi sound at home volumes but roll off the highs at stage volumes. If you like this softening of sound, and the absolute clarity of EV's at loud stage volumes, the lighter weight speakers won't do this. The large magnet and heavy stiff cone won't break up at high volumes and they create a mechanical series inductance that accounts for the high end roll off. Thanks to Bruce Zinky for explaining this to me. The Tonker can go pretty loud and hold up well, but it won't stay clean as long as an EV. It also retains the high end sparkle when turned up. Thinks of a warmer, more colorful EV at home volumes, that stays that way at gig volumes. Also a bit more dynamic pop. This is why I think Robben would like them. Poping a string on the Tele really jumps.
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