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Post subject: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:31 pm
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I've always liked the low-end thump a closed back cab cab give and I'm wondering what the sonic difference would be? And yes, I know I would have to re-EQ my presets. ;)

Probably go with a 3/4 closed back, to leave some air to vent, but it's not tube-hot back there.

I did a 3/4 closed back on my Spider Valve I amp, and really liked the difference in tone.

thoughts?


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 2:34 pm
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You might be on to something. I'm already planning on swapping out the speaker with something much more luxurious like EV 12L, Emi Delta Pro 12a, etc...
You might end up losing just a little of the Fender "sparkle" from those blackface models (my favorite in the amp by far) but maybe the closed back would help the overall modeling, should also help any British or higher gain stuff (which I have not experimented with as of yet).


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:30 pm
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I have thought of a partial closure on it but have tried it on other amps, not this one yet.

The III I got does soooo much with the built in features it is going to take me a while to see what I get from the open cab possibilities. I am really lovin the Deluxe Reverb and 57 clean sounds I have found with my Tele.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:50 pm
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agreed, I'd have to consider the difference in tone with the Fender amps, as they are clearly the best amps of the bunch with this modeler. I was thinking/hoping a 3/4 closed back would help the higher gain amp models, as some of them have an unpleasant "digitalness" to them.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 4:58 am
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I was considering getting one, and I was disappointed it was not a closed back. Can anyone tell me if the IV is closed back? I always close off any of my combo amps.....i just prefer the sound that way.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:22 am
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I'm planning on getting the IV. I have only seen one pic of the back, and it is open.

I prefer a closed back as well. I have an open back Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with a Vintage 30" and I must say I love the tones I get out of it.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:43 am
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Fender Combos have traditionally had open backs - Twin, Deluxe, etc., especially the tweed and classic blackface.
The Head/Cabinet setup - Showman, Bandmaster, Bassman had the closed backs for the Cabinet.

I suspect it came about for a couple of reasons.
1 - Tone; the "Infinite Baffle" just worked better overall in the smaller combo setup
2 - Heat; tubes got hot - AC30's are known for tube failures due to the poor ventilation, Fenders were all about not failing so Leo kept his combos open to better cool the insides.
3 - Servicing; it's a pain to change tubes when you have to always remove the back. Also it's a lot easier to check that your tubes are snug in the socket before you turn it on it you just have to reach in and push them in - cheaper than adding tube restraints.

I think Fender has kept with what works. I'd like to see an internal/external speaker switch and jack for the MUSTANG III ( or a small head) to try it out with a 4 10" bottom or a closed 12 cab.

Also, some speakers work better in an open cabinet and would sound crappy in a closed cabinet - many, even guitar speakers, aren't universal.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:49 am
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I would look at the speaker type / model in the amp and go to the manfacturers site to look up the specs.
See if it is designed to work in a closed cab, and what the displacement needs to be to keep the speaker happy.

Speakers in closed back cabs usually have design requirements for the volume of air the cab contains to make them work properly.

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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:52 am
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I did an apples to pears comparison last weekend between my open-back M III and my Spider Valve MKii, which has a 3/4 closed back.

Granted, we're talking two different modeling technologies and throwing tubes into the equation, but at the end of the day, it's all about what the ears hear! ;)

And to my ears, I very much prefer the 3/4 closed back sound.

I've done some open-back combo mods before where I've either 3/4 closed the back, or made a hinged-back, which allowed me the option to have either open or closed back.

I think for my MIII, I'm totally going to add a 3/4 hinged back, giving me options to get Fender open cab tones, or some dirtier closed back tones.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:30 pm
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So what happened? I need more whomp from mine for most clubs we play in, interested in your results. Thanks!!

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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:38 pm
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Hey Rick, sorry I never posted the results before. ;)

I DID in fact 3/4 close the back, and I totally dig the extra whoomp I get. Mind you, it's not the same as 4x12 cab, but for this little combo, it definitely made a positive difference.

I went to my local home improvement store, had them cut some pine to fit the shape of the opening of the back of the amp, and also picked up some 3/4" weatherstripping. I then lined the back edge of the amp with the weatherstripping, and was then able to wedge in the piece of pine, so in the event I wanted a more open combo sound, I could just pop the pine board out. If you want a more permanent solution, you could always use hinges (again, to give you the option to open or close the back) or just glue in the pine board.

Hope this help!


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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:15 am
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Cool, thanks. Headed to the orange store now.

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Post subject: Re: Anybody closed the back of their Mustang III?
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:22 pm
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cool, let us know how it sounds/works!


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