turtle Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 hey everyone. does anyone know the difference between a closed back cabinet and an open back as far as sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarooster52 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm no amp expert but I happened to have both in the room behind me right now. The closed back seems to have more bottom rumble and the open back is airier if that's a word. The '65 Deluxe Reverb is an open back, and it seems to highlight the high frequencies. When I hooked up the Deluxe to my semi closed back Traynor cab, the sound was warmer and darker...more vintage. When I hooked up the Traynor to the 65 Deluxe cab, it was brighter and more open. In other words I switched the tube section to the other's cab and the sound more or less followed the cab. Of course there is a difference in the speaker used as well and frankly I can't say how much was the speaker as apposed to the cab. The Traynor uses a Celestion Vintage 30, and the Deluxe uses a Jensen C12K. I hope somebody who knows what he's talking about can explain this better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 This will be as bad as "pickguard / no pickguard" As a gigging "BAR" musician for some 30+ years I don't like closed back cabs. 1; If you're in a small club and not miking everything and sending separate monitor mixes to everybody (and spending an hour mixing freaking monitors) the drummer can't hear you. Period. He's behind a closed cab. Small 150/250 seat clubs are where a lot of musicians work. A 30 watt combo is all it takes. 2; Closed cabs will trick you. A Marshall 1960A (what I had for many years) sounds totally different from where you are, compaired to 25/30 feet in front of it. When I got a cordless rig back in the 90's and walked out in front of my Marshall 1/2 stack I was shocked at how crappy it sounded. Sounded good right in front of it. Sounded good miked, but we didn't mike it in smaller clubs. I prefer combos and gig a Mesa Boogie Blue Angel 1;12 miked "a little". And cranked a little. When I walk out 20/30 feet, I like what I hear, and the sound is good on stage. The smaller tube amps sound better cranked than a high powered tube amp with pre gain going on, and the master down. Whatever you choose, make it a point to get out front and hear the real picture, "LIVE AS YOU'RE GIGGING". Don't EVER take anybodys word about "How you sound".................... God Bless. Best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 You got it Murph. I always have the Bass Player nail a few chords on my rig while I stand out and about. During soundcheck. For bigger venues a closed back cab with the amp breathing hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I always preferred closed back cabs, but an open back can be useful for storing cords during transportation/gigging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I preffer open backs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thermionik Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 If you want the science of why they sound different and how - PM me, can't be arsed to post it publicly for all the flack with the 'the covers of your book are too far apart' crap. It is relatively straight foward though: Closed = less efficient / more bass / flatter response Open = more efficient / less bass / more resonances .....assuming the same driver and the same timber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I like the thump in the gut that a closed back will give you. I guess it depends on the style of music youre playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I especially like the closed backs for playing Zeppelin/Hendrix/SRV. Open backs would be better for AC/DC or Clapton, but closed backs work fine for my style of music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I'm on a mission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossington88 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 A Good example is the southern rock groups Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band. Lynyrd Skynyrd tends to have more of an "In you face" type of tone, they used closed backs. The Allman Brothers Band had a great, cleaner and more defined tone. Granted they used diferent brands and speakers, I prefer the sound of Skynyrd which is why I use closed back. If you want the Allman sound, use EV Speakers, cut a 4" by 4" hole in the back of the cab and face the cab backwards on stage (Marshall Head). Hope that Helped ya out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Umph ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 It depends on what I want to hear coming from the front. I do prefer a closed back for my personal sound.Umph and tight bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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