Emi Ragin Cajun vs Tonker

**Tom Painter** · 08-19-2014, 11:39 AM

Looking for a new speaker for my Henriksen 112. I don't dislike the Beta speaker but it is rather dark sounding....looking for something a bit brighter.

I used to have a 110 w/ a Ragin Cajun that had a brighter, punchier tone...dare I say Fendery?

Is the Tonker similar to the RC? I'd go with another RC but they don't make a 12" version apparently...

**jorgemg1984** · 08-19-2014, 11:54 AM

EV if you don't mind the weight / price.

**LtKojak** · 08-19-2014, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Painter

Looking for a new speaker for my Henriksen 112. I don't dislike the Beta speaker but it is rather dark sounding....looking for something a bit brighter.

I used to have a 110 w/ a Ragin Cajun that had a brighter, punchier tone...dare I say Fendery?

Is the Tonker similar to the RC? I'd go with another RC but they don't make a 12" version apparently...

Both the Tonker and the Tonker lite will fill the bill. Both are heavily inspired of my favorite, the G12-65.

The difference is less weight and slightly less "wood" in the tone of the Tonker Lite. If not, they're pretty much the same.

HTH,

**Jazz_175** · 08-19-2014, 12:42 PM

You might go with the Eminence Legend 1258 that Henriksen puts in the BluesAmp 112.
I've read someone found good results with Jensen Tornado.

**Tom Karol** · 08-20-2014, 11:17 AM

Hi Tom,

I'm in the same boat, and I've posted about this in a number of threads over the past year or so.

I replaced the Beta 10A in my 110 with a Ragin Cajun and liked it but inadvertently blew it. I now have a Weber California 10 (ceramic magnet, paper dustcap) in the 110 and I am extremely pleased with it.

I also don't dislike the Beta 12A in my 112, but am considering something brighter to make the amp more versatile.

Adding weight to the amp is NOT an option, so I think I'm going to try an Eminence Lil' Texas (rather than the Tonkerlite).

~ Tom

**Tom Painter** · 08-20-2014, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Hi Tom,

I'm in the same boat, and I've posted about this in a number of threads over the past year or so.

I replaced the Beta 10A in my 110 with a Ragin Cajun and liked it but inadvertently blew it. I now have a Weber California 10 (ceramic magnet, paper dustcap) in the 110 and I am extremely pleased with it.

I also don't dislike the Beta 12A in my 112, but am considering something brighter to make the amp more versatile.

Adding weight to the amp is NOT an option, so I think I'm going to try an Eminence Lil' Texas (rather than the Tonkerlite).

~ Tom

There is such a thing as too many choices

Good thing speakers aren't very expensive!

**Encinitastubes** · 08-20-2014, 06:35 PM

I've been going through a whole bunch of 12" speakers for jazz. One speaker that I absolutely love is the Cannabis Rex (it's got a hemp cone). It can be bright and punchy, but it has a real warm low end and compresses the highs a bit in a very musical way. That would be my recommendation.

**Jazz_175** · 08-21-2014, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by Encinitastubes

...... Cannabis Rex ......That would be my recommendation.

The Cannabis Rex has a power Rating of 50W. There is great mismatch with Henriksen rms power which is 120W into 8Ohm. So would it be a good choice?

**krusty** · 08-22-2014, 08:44 AM

If it's a slightly enhanced treble you're after, the Eminence Private Jack sounds very nice with a jazz amp.

**Tom Karol** · 08-22-2014, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by krusty

If it's a slightly enhanced treble you're after, the Eminence Private Jack sounds very nice with a jazz amp.

Again, only a 50W power rating.

**DRS** · 08-22-2014, 02:15 PM

I have a Emi Private Jack in an open back cabinet and, to me, it sounds a bit heavy on the mid-range. So it is OK for the smokier, over-driven jazz tone but not so good for more acoustic tone.

**Longways to Go** · 08-25-2014, 10:49 PM

I have a Henriksen 110ER. I tried the Ragin Cajun speaker substitution, mainly because I had one sitting around from another amp and I got curious, but I went back to the original Beta speaker pretty quickly. The Ragin Cajun was thick & murky compared to the Beta IMO. Sounded pretty good for solo practice, but lost out big time in combo situation -- I missed the clarity. So I'm back to the Beta & happy about it!

**Tom Karol** · 08-26-2014, 09:25 AM

Wow, my experience when comparing those two speakers in a 110 was exactly the opposite - go figure!

**Tom Painter** · 08-26-2014, 10:27 AM

I have a tonker coming...I'll let you know what I think.

**Jazz_175** · 08-26-2014, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

I have a Henriksen 110ER. I tried the Ragin Cajun speaker substitution, mainly because I had one sitting around from another amp and I got curious, but I went back to the original Beta speaker pretty quickly. The Ragin Cajun was thick & murky compared to the Beta IMO. Sounded pretty good for solo practice, but lost out big time in combo situation -- I missed the clarity. So I'm back to the Beta & happy about it!

mmhh...I have a Henriksen Bluesamp 110 and had a recent gig in a trio setting with drums and bass and was very happy. I used a 335, and two pedals in front: Hall of Fame reverb and Wample Black 65.
Here for a thread about Henriksen 110 with Rajin Cajun speaker:
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...placement.html

**Woody Sound** · 08-26-2014, 10:55 AM

I have found this site to be great for comparing/buying speakers. And they were very helpful on the phone, so I am a satisfied customer, no other connection.

US SPEAKER Home Page Menu - Speaker Cabinets, Guitar & amp; Bass Amps, upgrades and custom design. The world’s widest choice of speaker parts. “If you have listened to live music, you have almost certainly listened to Eminence”

**Jazz_175** · 09-22-2014, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Painter

I have a tonker coming...I'll let you know what I think.

Did you eventually install the new speaker? If so what are your impressions, or did you post them elsewhere?
thanks

**Tom Painter** · 09-22-2014, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Did you eventually install the new speaker? If so what are your impressions, or did you post them elsewhere?
thanks

Yes, I did install the Tonker. It's what I thought it would be...brighter & more open sounding.

The Beta is darker and deeper in the bass but a little "boxy" sounding to me.

The Tonker is significantly heavier in weight.

**Longways to Go** · 09-22-2014, 11:12 PM

So I'm curious whether the Tonker speaker change sounds "better" to you or not?

Personally, I'm a beta fan (in the Henriksen 110er anyway). Has anyone else noticed that the Henriksen website no longer has the bluesamp listed as an option? makes me wonder why? Doesn't the Mambo amp come with a beta too? just sayin . . why no love for the beta out there? Amp designers use it, but players hate it? what gives . . .

**Franz 1997** · 09-23-2014, 05:29 AM

Beta is very popular with makers because of the power handling..225 watts I think..and moderate weight. And maybe modest cost?

**Jazz_175** · 09-23-2014, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Franz 1997

Beta is very popular with makers because of the power handling..225 watts I think..and moderate weight. And maybe modest cost?

I think you are right. It represents some sort of compromise among various factors.
Given that there are no strict rules to follow in choosing the appropriate gear, however it should be noticed that, if it were such a great speaker for guitar in general, why is it not listed under Guitars on the Eminence website?
It is in another category and recommended for bass guitar, subwoofer etc...
But, of course, if someone loves to play jazz guitar with a thick-dark sound, then it can be adapted for that purpose.