open back / closed back

Michaell · May 14th, 2008, 09:18 AM

All I own and use are combos with open backs. Never owned a closed back cab.

Any thoughts or preference?

EMan · May 14th, 2008, 09:48 AM

My 1X12 cab is convertable, meaning that the back panel is in 2 sections. The top panel is about 1/4 of the total rear area, and comes off.

I like using it closed in conjunction with the open back Princeton.

CatfishStudios · May 14th, 2008, 10:11 AM

Guitar combos, open back...but for Bass combo amps...gotta be closed back..

studio1087 · May 14th, 2008, 11:14 AM

I like closed backs because they are punchier. I like the percussive quality, it emphasizes the pop and twang.

6942 · May 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM

I prefer open backed cabs.....nice airy sound.

Steve

Wally · May 14th, 2008, 11:50 AM

Eman's use of both is an interesting way to go with it. I built up a cab for a customer once with 2X10 and a 1/3 opening on one side. The center board was sealed so that the two compartments were totally separate sonically. I installed a rotary switch so that either speaker could be used alone or both together.
The closed back side by itself was tighter and more focussed. The open back side was looser and bigger sounding. Both together yielded a large 3-dimensional sonic pattern and created some high harmonics that were not present with either speaker alone. Very lively.

Murphy Slaw · May 14th, 2008, 07:18 PM

I prefer open back combos for small (100/300 seat) clubs. The stage sound is better. But, having said that.......

A decade ago I played with a Country/Classic Rock band that insisted on miking everything, and putting everything back into monitors, even in small clubs. With my open back combo next to the drummer he (was a picky s.o.b.) was forever blitchin' about too much guitar. I started bringing a Marshall JCM900 1/2 stack (swear to God) because it was closed back, and therefore he couldn't hear anything except what went back through the monitors.

I didn't give a damn, I bought the Marshall to look cool, but felt pretty stupid using it in small clubs, and didn't like the tones.

I left that band!

I use a Mesa Blue Angel 1;12 open back on a flight case most of the time now. Tone to die for. Rarely miked, I prefer to open her up.

Best of luck.

Murph.

Michaell · May 14th, 2008, 09:16 PM

thanks!

woodman · May 14th, 2008, 11:03 PM

i like open-backs, because they give kind of a natural reverb. both my gigging amps (tweed Deluxe for small rooms, brown Pro for bigger stages) are open-back, but neither has reverb. but if you can get your backblast reflecting off the wall behind the stage, you don't need no steenkin' reverb!

closed cabs have always seemed a little "in-your-face" for me, except for big-stage outdoor venues.

May 14th, 2008, 09:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Michaell Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on the bus Posts: 592	open back / closed back All I own and use are combos with open backs. Never owned a closed back cab. Any thoughts or preference? __________________ WWLD

May 14th, 2008, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 32 Posts: 651	Guitar combos, open back...but for Bass combo amps...gotta be closed back.. __________________ “Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”-Jerry Garcia

May 14th, 2008, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,168 33 Photos	I like closed backs because they are punchier. I like the percussive quality, it emphasizes the pop and twang. __________________ JLG Carry On

May 14th, 2008, 09:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Michaell Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on the bus Posts: 592	thanks! __________________ WWLD

May 14th, 2008, 11:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,222	i like open-backs, because they give kind of a natural reverb. both my gigging amps (tweed Deluxe for small rooms, brown Pro for bigger stages) are open-back, but neither has reverb. but if you can get your backblast reflecting off the wall behind the stage, you don't need no steenkin' reverb! closed cabs have always seemed a little "in-your-face" for me, except for big-stage outdoor venues. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 14th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	My 1X12 cab is convertable, meaning that the back panel is in 2 sections. The top panel is about 1/4 of the total rear area, and comes off. I like using it closed in conjunction with the open back Princeton.

May 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,297	I prefer open backed cabs.....nice airy sound. Steve

May 14th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,447	Eman's use of both is an interesting way to go with it. I built up a cab for a customer once with 2X10 and a 1/3 opening on one side. The center board was sealed so that the two compartments were totally separate sonically. I installed a rotary switch so that either speaker could be used alone or both together. The closed back side by itself was tighter and more focussed. The open back side was looser and bigger sounding. Both together yielded a large 3-dimensional sonic pattern and created some high harmonics that were not present with either speaker alone. Very lively.

May 14th, 2008, 07:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Murphy Slaw Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Joppa, Il. Age: 50 Posts: 439	I prefer open back combos for small (100/300 seat) clubs. The stage sound is better. But, having said that....... A decade ago I played with a Country/Classic Rock band that insisted on miking everything, and putting everything back into monitors, even in small clubs. With my open back combo next to the drummer he (was a picky s.o.b.) was forever blitchin' about too much guitar. I started bringing a Marshall JCM900 1/2 stack (swear to God) because it was closed back, and therefore he couldn't hear anything except what went back through the monitors. I didn't give a damn, I bought the Marshall to look cool, but felt pretty stupid using it in small clubs, and didn't like the tones. I left that band! I use a Mesa Blue Angel 1;12 open back on a flight case most of the time now. Tone to die for. Rarely miked, I prefer to open her up. Best of luck. Murph.