my Mark IV has been put on a neodymium diet

[markwayne]

Let me start by saying that I love the sound of an EVM12L as much or more than the next guy. However, the last few gigs have shown me that, if I'm not careful, my back is going to become a problem for me in a few years and I play out a lot and don't plan on slowing down. (Even though I'm . . . um . . . age-challenged.)

On top of the weight issue, I have never felt an open-back cab was the best match for the EV, I love this speaker in a proper, tuned cab. Open-back cabs seem to create so much phase cancellation in the low end that I often end up with this impenetrable wall of midrange anywhere within twenty feet of the amp on stage. (Of course, it still always seems to sound delicious out front.) I have thought about just getting a head shell for my combo, but I really like the convenience of just rolling the amp in and playing. I used racks of stuff for so many years that I just find it refreshing to have nothing to patch when I get to the gig.

So I've been looking at various neodymium speakers with the idea of shaving about 15 pounds off the Mark IV. Last night, I finally pulled the old EV out and put in an Emi 'Lil Texas.

First impressions: Well, the amp is way easier to lift now! It's amazing how just over a dozen pounds puts it back into a manageable range. So far at low up to moderate volumes, I'm also impressed with the tone. It is a very different animal than the EV and, obviously, requires some major changes in EQ and even the gain structure, but, after some tweaking, I'm pretty happy. I no longer have any need to boost the upper mids and highs at all! That much is certain! This is supposed to be in the Emi Patriot line but I swear it sounds much more British to me. Cleans are still nice and R2 seems to even have grown a touch (don't get too excited, it's pretty subtle) of Plexi in it now. Lead now sounds better without the EQ. This should be very nice live as I can use the EQ strictly as a boost for all channels. Finally, I can't seem to hear any major phase/open-back issues at these levels. (Of course, I've never heard this speaker in a tuned or sealed cab.)

I have some pretty loud gigs coming up this week so I'll report back how I feel after pushing the old girl a bit. So far, it looks like this may be a go for the next years.

Wayne

 

[scottcrud]

I'm considering the Emi Lil' Texas, how do they sound in the lowend bass side? I'm going to be getting two for an X pattern in 1 of my 4x12's. I already have the Celestion Century neo's in an x pattern with Emi Red Ryders and they sound fantastic. I just can't justify getting another pair of Ceturys when the Emi Neo's are less than half the price.

 

[markwayne]

I am really surprised how much low end this speaker has. I guess my old-school, thinking just can't get over a speaker that weighs this little sounding this heavy. The resonance is up around 75hZ and I have generally preferred a lower cone resonance in the past. (My first guitar amp - Standel Super Artist - had 15" speakers and that love of low end has stuck with me.) However, a quick thump on the cone before I put it in the Mark IV put me at ease a bit. It has a stiffer-feeling cone but not as tight and damped as the EVM. This seems to make it feel louder and more aggressive at lower frequencies even though the specs say it can't be.

I have not had a chance to crank it yet. My weekend gig is at an upscale, jazz/dinner club. However, this Wednesday night is my regular, weekly, loud, rawk gig (for fun more than for the money) so we'll see how it handles low end at high decibels then.

So far, I'm a neodymium believer.

 

[markwayne]

Thought I'd post a quick update. Last night I got a chance to really uncork the Mark IV with this speaker for the first time. Overall, I still like it. However, I'm probably going to end up adding the EV underneath in a tuned cab for some girth and to take some of the load off the Emi. Unfortunately, everything that the 'Lil Texas adds to R2 it takes away from the lead channel. I just about had everything tweaked with my master at 4 and then things (drummer and bass player) got louder and the lead tone started to fall apart again at about 5.5. It's hard to put into words and was as much about the feel as the tone. The speaker seemed to lose focus at high levels. Anyway, it's rare I have to play that loud and the speaker is not broken in yet. (Although last night I certainly put some miles on it.)