1x12 cab - open back or closed back?

[xk49w]

I am starting a 15W wreck style to be used with a 1x12. I've heard clips and seen the pics of TWs on Marshall 4x12 bottoms - sort of a definitive TW setup. 1x12 combos though are usually open, one reason because there are tubes in there that need cooling air. Assuming I am not building a combo I could go either way - and it would be easy to switch by changing the back.

In general though, what is the difference in sound that could be expected between the open and closed back? I have the following drivers at the moment - P12N, P12P.

[billyz]

I know the P12N sounds good in an open back cab. you could do a cab back with a removable panel too. Cab material makes a difference too. For a 15 watter I would tend to go with 5/8" solid pine and 1/2" ply baffle and back. That is if you value the sound that a good sounding cabinet can contribute.
The other way would be, high quality ply all the way around, 3/4 maybe. Less cab sound coloration perhaps.

[xk49w]

For a 15 watter I would tend to go with 5/8" solid pine and 1/2" ply baffle and back. That is if you value the sound that a good sounding cabinet can contribute.

Yeah. I've done some more searching of this site and others. Open back is more airy, chimey-er. Easier to hear on stage if you aren't right in front of it. Closed back has more thump, tighter bass, better for OD sounds. Closed - think SRV, Hendrix. Open - think AC/DC, Clapton.

I'm going to have to make it a convertible cab just to try it out.

[RHGraham]

I am starting a 15W wreck style to be used with a 1x12. I've heard clips and seen the pics of TWs on Marshall 4x12 bottoms - sort of a definitive TW setup. 1x12 combos though are usually open, one reason because there are tubes in there that need cooling air. Assuming I am not building a combo I could go either way - and it would be easy to switch by changing the back.

In general though, what is the difference in sound that could be expected between the open and closed back? I have the following drivers at the moment - P12N, P12P.

I find smaller cabs such as for 1X12" size don't offer that much with a closed back, the volume just isn't there to make it work, but, I've found some to sound really cool with fairly narrow openings, almost ported per se.
It's something that's easy enough to play around with, as you already mentioned.

I think it takes a fairly large 2X12 and on up to 4X10/4X12 sizes before there is enogh volume to get a benifit from a closed back cab.
YMMV