Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 ER

**wizard3739** · 11-20-2009, 12:56 PM

I just received the first half of my favorite jazz amp combination. I bought a used Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 ER. I am going to buy (got to save my gig money) a used Acoustic Image Clarus 2 series lll amp head to go with the RE enclosure. I tried out the RE Stealth with my Polytone Mini-Brute IV (ext speaker connection) and was very pleased with the result.

The first thing I noticed was an improvement in the mid-range and low range output. I think the notes from chords are clearer and maybe a bit more robust. I have always loved the tones and warmth I can get from my Polytone but I think the new combo will be even better than my Polytone.

Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 ER-raezers-edge-12-er-jpg

Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 ER-raezers-edge-12-er-jpg

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-20-2009, 01:08 PM

Very interesting. I think Mr. Beaumont was thinking of converting a Polytone into a head and driving his Redstone cabinet, which is similar to the RE.

I always think of the Mini Brute as being a very warm amp (for SS). You mentioned the RE is clearer, does that imply it's a little cooler (less warm)? I know these are vague terms, but I'm wondering... By the way, is your Polytone a 12" or a 15"?

Thanks,
BDLH

**carlescountry** · 11-20-2009, 01:42 PM

I use the AI Clarus 2R with RE 12ER and the sound is fantastic, very impresive. I've never played a Polytone, but the combination AI + ER seems unbeatable. Clear but warm sound, excellent definition in the notes of the chords. I think it's ideal for archtops and semiwollows. Besides opening the RE is perferct for acoustic guitars or with nylon strings. A perfect choice.

I think the combination is more versatile than a Polytone, keeping the warmth in the sound.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-20-2009, 01:50 PM

Thanks for your opinion, but if you've never played a Polytone, how can you compare them or say one is better?

**wizard3739** · 11-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Big Daddy, My Polytone is a 15" circa 1978. It has never let me down but it is getting pretty old and I really needed a backup. A good friend (John Cotter) let me try out his AI/RE combo and , much to my surprise, I liked it better than my Polytone. As a result, I chose to buy the AI/RE combo for my backup. Also, the AI/RE combo gives me a good mic input and also an input for BIAB thru the effects section. This will allow me to leave the PA at home when my wife & I do a duo gig.

wiz

**carlescountry** · 11-20-2009, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Thanks for your opinion, but if you've never played a Polytone, how can you compare them or say one is better?

I have not played but I've heard the Polytone many times. I'm not saying the AI+ER is better (maybe the fault is my bad english), but I think it's more versatile, among other things for what wizard3739 says

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-20-2009, 03:39 PM

I see what you mean. The old Polytones were one trick ponies (one sound) but I've been wanting to try the new Mini Brute V's. Two channels (bridgeable) and a tweeter. I think they're more adjustable than the classic Polytones of the 70s and 80s.

**GodinFan** · 11-20-2009, 08:09 PM

Best sounding jazz cab I've ever tried - a Raezer's Edge NY Twin 8 lightweight.

**riovine** · 11-20-2009, 09:56 PM

Did you ever compare your cab to any of their standard 2x8 cabs. They've had a blurb on their website for a while about their lightweight 2x8, but still no pictures, they even have a picture of their new 1x10, but not the lightweight.

**GodinFan** · 11-21-2009, 01:07 AM

I played the twin 8 and the lightweight version side by side. I liked the lightweight better.

There's also still no news about the Nighthawk cab on their site. ER 10"...

**riovine** · 11-22-2009, 11:22 AM

That's great you got to try them side-by-side, how would you characterize the difference between the two. What kind of guitar(s) were you using for your test (i.e. archtop, semi, solid, floating pickup etc).

I have a friend who has the Clarus with the 2x8 and it sounds amazing, very warm & smooth, and very even in tonal qualities esp when pushing the volume. It sounded great with my Campellone with a floating pickup. I've read the the LW 2x8 had a little brighter sound than the standard 2x8. I know from my experience speakers with neodymium magnets tend to be a little harsher.

**GodinFan** · 11-22-2009, 01:02 PM

I was playing a Godin Summit CT solidbody. The lightweight cab had a better bloom to the sound. I thought the regular 2x8 sounded a bit boxy. YMMV.

I'd love to go back and try them with my new Aria FA-71. (big hollow body, floating p/u.)

**riovine** · 11-22-2009, 01:09 PM

So I take it you didn't actually but one of the LW 2x8 cabs. If you ever get a chance to a/b them w/your big hollowbody, I'd like to know your impressions.

BTW, what kind of head were you using?

I have an Evans RE200, which I really love, but when I play my friends Clarus/RE2x8, I like it even better, I think it is less midrangy and is more even at higher volumes.

**GodinFan** · 11-22-2009, 02:30 PM

I tried it out with a Clarus head.

I ended up buying a Traynor TC112 cab. It's an extended range, neo speaker bass cab which weighs 24 lbs, and sounds really good. I needed something I can use for guitar or bass.

It was also about half the price of the RE.

**Fritzjazz** · 11-23-2009, 10:03 AM

I use the Acoustic Image Clarus 2 series III with either a Raezer's Edge Twin 8 (the original type, not the light weight), a RE NY8 or a Redstone audio RS-12 vented with dual cones (whatever that means).

I find the RE Twin 8 to be the "warmest" with a very round jazz tone. It is also very efficient at 4 ohms. The RS-12 is very nice also, typical of a 12 inch speaker for guitar. I sometimes use both the RS-12 & the RE NY8 together (the Claus amp allows this).

However, most often I use the Clarus and just the Single RE-NY8 cause the set-up is just so lightweight and convenient (the NY8 got its name from being small enough to fit on NY subways for the Mass Transit riding guitarist). It sounds just fine too.

I use these amp/speakers with an L-5CES, Johnny Smith and an ES-165. You know what? to my ears the ES-165 with its plywood construction and routed in pickup sounds best (I realise tone is subjective). Its more comfortable to play too.

Fritzjazz

**riovine** · 11-23-2009, 12:09 PM

Just curious, if your 2x8 weighed the same as your NY8, do you think you would still use your NY8 much. I guess at that point the only issue would be a smaller size vs a (possibly) better sound. It looks like the new 2x8 LW is rated at the same weight as the NY8 (at least until they come out with a NY8 LW).

**Fritzjazz** · 11-23-2009, 03:32 PM

Oh the RE Twin 8 definately sounds better, but the NY8 has a size advantage-I can carry a guitar, AI Clarus in its own gig bag and a RE NY8 all comfortably in 1 trip, nicely balanced weight with hands free to open door etc.

Anybody who is thinking of the RE cabs, try the Redstones too.

Fritzjazz