Is this from the past times, when lot stages didn´t have PA? Or whyy
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On your amp they are. On all my amps they are the correct way round - either upright (when the controls are on the front or back) or facing forward (when on top.) It's nothing to do with history, and far more to do with which way round the amp module is fitted into the cabinet.– Doktor Mayhem ♦Commented Jan 4, 2017 at 12:07
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@DrMayhem - although the manufactures should have thought about that when deciding which way the amp fitted into the cab...– TimCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 12:18
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It´s not just the only one.. Some Fender amps and other have it too, but nobody can´t answer me why is that..– SadloslavCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 12:23
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2 Answers
I think (for what it's worth) that in the late 50s/early60s, amps were placed at the front of the stage. At least that's what we did! With open back cabs like the pictured one, it wasn't a problem, as the sound came out of the back.Also, it was slightly better for on-stage noise, as there wasn't too much of it. So, we could see and operate the controls.But soon after, everything was turned up to 11, so looking wasn't a problem either. Things changed with closed backed cabs, and, let's face it (or not) a wall of 4x12s in front of the players wouldn't look that good!
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great answer as always Tim, really glad to see this question go from being downvoted to being answered well. Unfortunately though the original asker seems to have been scared off. I hope he comes back to give you your well earned tick!– Some_GuyCommented Jan 6, 2017 at 10:24
Some amps are intended to be heard by performers; others are intended to be heard by the audience. If a performer is using an amp along with a PA system, then it should generally be placed for the performer's benefit. If the performer is using the amp as the PA system, however, it may be more helpful to have the amp between the performer and the audience, facing the latter.
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@Tim: Unless a performer is wearing hearing protection, sound that is quiet enough not to blast the performer will be too quiet for even a moderate-sized audience to hear.– supercatCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 16:02
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1Often, with the amp behind, the sound goes past the performer's legs, and hits the audience hard. The guitarist is often unaware of his volume being too loud. I'm saying that if the amp is the only sound system, and it's between audience and guitarist, using an open back works far better than using a closed back, when the sound heard by the performer is often that reflected from somewhere in the autitorium.– TimCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 16:07
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@Tim: A closed-back system would need some form of volume monitoring, but if the performer's instrument provides some sound itself (e.g. an acoustic guitar with a pickup), the volume monitoring could be as simple as someone sitting with the audience who can signal the performer to turn the volume up or down. For something like an amplified acoustic guitar, the performer may want headphones or a monitor speaker directed at his ears, but sound directed toward the guitar would cause feedback.– supercatCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 16:57
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Yes, that works, but for an electric player, probably not. So players tend to use their body as a foil when the amp's behind, and basically it's found that a backline amp is preferrable. Although it shouldn't be on the floor, but up, playing into the players back of neck. No feedback like there would be with a mic.– TimCommented Jan 4, 2017 at 17:00