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The one thing that winds me up more than any other design 'feature' on lots of combo amps, and some heads now, is the placement of the controls facing upwards at the back of the amp. Think Peavey Classic, Fender Hotrod & Bassbreaker and you'll know what I mean.
I get that it's a convenient way to build the amp and thus saves the buyer some money at point of purchase, and that historically it was a good place when players would sit/stand behind their amps, but in the modern day a totally useless place to put them.
Difficult to see and adjust, especially in dim light which kind of describes most venues you're likely to play and you can't stack other amps/cabs/equipment on top easily and still have access to tweak settings, not that access is great anyway. And should you use a tilt back amp stand then it just gets worse.
I can almost excuse the fact that combo amps are built like that, but when that design makes its way to a head it's a bit of a WTF moment. Again, I get that it's easy for mass production as the chassis doesn't have to be any different to the combo version but I think I'd rather pay a bit more to have the dials on the front face of the amp where I can see and adjust them better.
I guess you could flip the head version over so the dials are forward facing but might not do much to prevent overheating.
Lunchtime rant over.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
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"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Ok, looking into this I've seen the Boss Katana and a Weird Fender Deluxe Head.
A combo is acceptable, but on a head is another level of stupid.
As I mentioned in the Marshall CODE thread, Marshall has been sensible with top panels on combo's only, but side panels on the CODE 100 head.
I appreciate that some folk prefer side panel controls on all amps - but at least Marshall's approach is logical and evidences some thought. I prefer side-panelled combo's for two reasons. First, I have limited space at home and I need to stack amps. Second, assuming there are no top vents, if someone spills beer over your amp the chances are you'll be able to wipe it off with no damage to your amp - with a top panel, if a spillage doesn't blow your amp your controls will likely be gummed up at the very least.
Combos: there are arguments for and against either so personal preference.
I can understand it with small combos that are designed for home use, when the amp will quite likely be on the floor. For a gigging amp when it shouldn't be, and is more likely to be raised up or tilted back, it's really daft - and it also exposes the amp to the risk of drinks getting spilled into it. And for a head, it's even more so.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Trading feedback here
Some of the late 90s Laney Combos had a decent compromise with the controls mounted on the front at about a 45 degree angle - makes for great viewing/twiddling whether stood up, sat down, amp on the floor or amp stood off the floor.
They also did some of the back/upwards mounted too mind you
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
But Laney isn't unique re the 'angled' fascia - My Marshall Valvestate 80VR '8080' has it too.