Open or Closed
Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:00
Hi Skip, can you tell me if the 10" Eminence Blue Frame reisue used in the early Bassman Reissues, would sound better in a open back or a closed back cabinet. Or does that speaker have to go in a open back cab. I am going to build a cabinet for one 10'' blue frame, for a VHT Special 6 and want to make sure I have the right knowledge before I start. Thanks in advance
Hello Bluez- Every popular vintage harp amp I can think of used an open-back cabinet. However, I think the main reason they were open-back is that Leo Fender wanted to have a place for the power cord and and all the rest of the junk people throw in the back of their amp! In other words, open-back was just the more convenient design, not any attempt at better sound.
BUT closed-back cabinets offer better bass for their size and in my opinion have real potential for harp. Rick Estrin has a large closed-back cab with a big single 12 and it sounds really good.
You're on the cutting-edge now! Experiment and report back to BH.