I thought I'd start a thread on the newer Eminence speaker models - Patriot and Red Coat series. It is my understanding that Patriot models are based on Fender-ish speakers while Red Coat is based on Celestions, so I presume most of us around here would be mostly interested in the Patriot models (though I think I remember some people here using some Red Coat models, too).

The only model I have experience with is the Patriot Swamp Thang, and I have two of those. I used one to replace a stock Jensen in my Deluxe Reverb RI, but ultimately concluded that it's not a happy match with a DR. It sounded kinda hollow, thuddy, unresponsive and piercing. The other Swamp Thang I have is in a small extension cab and it sounds amazing coupled with either my Showman or Bandmaster. Different speakers for different amps, I guess..... It's got a huge power handling (150W), it's very loud (sensitivity of 102 db), and it's got a sound definitely on the dark side ("something, something, something, Dark Side...." :D), a perfect match if you have a very bright sounding Showman, Twin Reverb or Bandmaster. It's also got oodles of bottom end. Overall, my experience with the speaker is mixed - not a good replacement in a DR, but really great paired up with a Showman or a Bandmaster.

I'd love to hear about people's experiences with other Patriot or Red Coat models.

Ivan
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I have the Ragin' Cajun (Patriot model) 10" speakers installed in my Vibroverb reissue. I bought these speakers to increase the headroom of that amp so that it could stand up a bit better in a surf situation: Enough clean volume. These are 75watt speakers. I had read very positive reviews from players such as Jimmy Wilsey, so I decided to give them a try.

I'm very happy so far with these speakers. They have definitely given this amp a new lease on life as far as gigging goes. On a volume of 4.5-5, these speakers make this amp really sing.

These speakers have fantastic low end for 10" speakers. They are very clear and articulate without being sterile. Most players don't use 10" speakers for a surf application, but frankly, this setup sounds much better than my Showman with JBLs at the lower to mid volumes. These speakers allow the amp to compress without falling to pieces.

Both my Jazzmaster and Stratocaster sound very good through these speakers. With the Jazzmaster, the low end is very rich and all pickup combinations sound fantastic. With the Stratocaster, there is enough compression going on to really bring out the best in that guitar, which is something that I really struggle with my Showman/JBL setup. In that application, the amp has to be just cranked for my strat to come alive, which is almost impossible to do in most gigging situations.

At our gig this past weekend, Rick Johnson (Superwave, Halibuts) mentioned that when he was standing in the back of the room, he could have sworn that I was playing through a Showman. I think much of that is due to these speakers. They are an excellent choice for a surf application in 10" combo amps.

Ryan
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I've mentioned this before, but I pretty much fell ass backwards into Eminence speakers - they came in a cabinet that I bought just for the cabinet, the speakers were a bonus, and I figured I'd sell them and get some Webers.

I've got two sets of Eminence Patriots, a pair of 12" Screamin' Eagles, and a 12" pair of Cannabis Rex. Both sets are in closed back Fender cabs. Both sets sound great, I can't decide which I like better, and I don't know that I want to decide. The Screamin' Eagles have more treble, but still plenty of low end. The Cannabis Rex have more bass, and less treble, but not much.

I hooked both up to the same Bandmaster amp using an "AB" switch, and I can hear differences, but they both sound great to me. The sound I've been looking for.

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

It seems pretty unanimous that everybody loves their Eminence Patriot speakers, no matter what model. Many of you also used various Weber speakers - do you all agree that the Eminences are better than the Webers you've used?

Ivan
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IvanP
It seems pretty unanimous that everybody loves their Eminence Patriot speakers, no matter what model. Many of you also used various Weber speakers - do you all agree that the Eminences are better than the Webers you've used?

I would say that for my tastes and based on the models I have owned, yes. On the Weber side, I have used the California and 12F150T models. On the Eminence side, I own the Ragin' Cajun and the Legend 1258 (though I've only used these very minimally.)

I find that Eminence speakers are (generally, not in all cases) warmer, and less shrill. They also don't take nearly as long to break in as Webers do (do Webers ever break in!?). I know there are a lot of people who absolutely love Weber speakers, so all this stuff is pretty subjective. I also find Weber speakers a bit overpriced.

I'm still a big fan of JBL speakers and am convinced that there is no new speaker in production that can come close to that sound. But for all other applications, I'd probably just go with one of the many Eminence models.

Ryan
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IvanP
I used 2 12" California alnico in my Dual Pro, and in retrospect I don't think they sounded all that good. I listen to the recordings we made while I was using those speakers, and my guitar sound is kinda piercing and a bit on the thin side. But then, it could have been the amp. Or maybe it just wasn't a good match between amp and speakers given my playing style. So many variables....

Ivan, my experience with the California speaker is the same. Mine were muddy, sounded muffled, and need to be played through an amp on the verge of explosion before they sounded otherwise. Mine were also incredibly piercing. The aluminum dome on those speakers is overwhelming.

Ryan
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Ruhar

IvanP
I used 2 12" California alnico in my Dual Pro, and in retrospect I don't think they sounded all that good. I listen to the recordings we made while I was using those speakers, and my guitar sound is kinda piercing and a bit on the thin side. But then, it could have been the amp. Or maybe it just wasn't a good match between amp and speakers given my playing style. So many variables....

Ivan, my experience with the California speaker is the same. Mine were muddy, sounded muffled, and need to be played through an amp on the verge of explosion before they sounded otherwise. Mine were also incredibly piercing. The aluminum dome on those speakers is overwhelming.

I agree - I had a Weber 15" Cali Ceramic for a while, and it was muffled - sounded like a blanket was over it.

I have a Weber 12F150 in a '66 Princeton Reverb that sounds great - but I don't play much real surf with it.

I've owned several (3) D130F speakers, only one was an original cone, and it was the only one that sounded good to me. I had it re-coned when it went bad, and it came back as a different speaker, not as nice as it was. Sold them all.

Ivan, speaking of JBL's, how did you think you sounded at the HB Pier show in Aug, '08? I don't know if those were original cone D130F's or not. The video sounds great, I think. What speakers do you have in your Surfer?

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

I am using Eminence Copperheads both in my Princeton Reverb and in my VRRI. Great 10 inch speaker. I am surprised that I do not hear about more people using them.

I had a Carr Mercury amp with the Eminence Red White & Blues 12 inch speaker. I sold the amp because it was really more geared for distortion. However, the RWB speaker was very nice, with a good bottom end, highs that were not shrill, and a full round tone. I wouldn't mind having that speaker again in a different amp.

Paul

Paul

Nice thread! Eminence are cheap and really great speakers!

Always wanted to try Eminence 15" Big Ben... anyone got any experience?

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