New speaker for an old polytone - wisdom appreciated

edham · #1 08-14-2011, 10:28 PM

Gents,

I have an old polytone with a dead speaker.
Coincidentally the speaker blew right about when I didn't really need it anymore - so it has sat in my closet for a awefully long time.
Was thinking of selling it but not really worth anything without a working speaker - and then I thought ......

Time to resurrect the polytone and give him a speaker he deserves.

Question is - in now - 2011 - what's the best options for it?

Light weight would be cool.
Tone is everything.

What do you recommend?

It's been so long since I've paid attention to the latest and greatest in speakers.
thanks in advance for the pointers.

billfitzmaurice · #2 08-15-2011, 06:30 AM

Contact Polytone.

BurningSkies · #3 08-15-2011, 06:39 AM

They're gone now, aren't they? No contacts anymore.

staindbass · #4 08-15-2011, 06:54 AM

buy an original replacement from ebay? cant go wrong with that.

billfitzmaurice · #5 08-15-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

They're gone now, aren't they? No contacts anymore.

Website is still up.

chetmz · #6 08-15-2011, 08:01 AM

I just had a reliable repair shop try and fix my old MB III (15" speaker). Although the amp needs a discontinued IC (which I am searching for), he said that they are still operating on a very limited basis with just a few employees. This would certainly go with all of the complaints about the terrible service.

There may be newer, louder, better designs out there like the new Carvin Micro Bass or GK, but there really is nothing like that Polytone sound. I have used it for small gigs since 1977 and miss it.
I agree, try the factory or ebay.

edham · #7 08-15-2011, 12:45 PM

Thanks gents,

I was hoping one of you geniuses had found the perfect lightweight neo for it.
But I guess things have moved on a lot in bass land.

Now I'm wondering if it really sounded as good as I think it did - or is my brain swiss cheese these days?

billfitzmaurice · #8 08-15-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edham

Thanks gents,

I was hoping one of you geniuses had found the perfect lightweight neo for it.

One could only know what to replace it with by knowing the T/S specs on the original driver. That information isn't available, which leaves either getting an original driver or completely reverse-engineering it as the only options.

Low Class · #9 08-15-2011, 01:03 PM

I've owned a bunch of Polytones. This will be closest to OEM that you will find:

Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker

btw, I'm assuming you have something like a Mini Brute III which requires a 4 ohm 15. If you have anything different you need to let us know.

Also consider the Eminence Legend CA154.

Ben Esparza · #10 08-15-2011, 01:18 PM

edham,

Find a reputable speaker reconer in your area and have the original repaired. No toss of the dice as to whether a replacement speaker will work or not. Repair is usually cheaper than a replacement. If a replacement is cheaper, it's probably inferior. You get the speaker that was designed for the cab and a new lease on the life of the speaker.

Jazzdogg · #11 08-15-2011, 03:16 PM

My exerience dealing with Polytone tells me to communicate by phone (they're really spotty at responding via internet) and be patient.

BassmanPaul · #12 08-15-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Esparza

edham,

Find a reputable speaker reconer in your area and have the original repaired. No toss of the dice as to whether a replacement speaker will work or not. Repair is usually cheaper than a replacement. If a replacement is cheaper, it's probably inferior. You get the speaker that was designed for the cab and a new lease on the life of the speaker.

The problem I see in this route is that the driver would only be identical if a proper cone kit is available for that driver.