I just picked up a '66 Bandmaster head and cab with the original Jensen 12s. (Ain't it cool - real '60's vibe).  The cab is closed back.  When I opened it up to check it out, I found what looks like pieces of insulation stuffing inside.  This is my first old Fender closed-back.  Is the stuffing stock?  What does it do?  I suspect I should remove it.  Any info, thoughts, suggestions appreciated.  Especially if you know something about old Fender cabs.
 
Thanks,  Bill, tgo  
 

Love the paisley Bill.  I've never experienced a closed back instrument speaker, but the sound generated by the back of the speaker cone has nowhere to go so needs to be absorbed; hence the stuffing.  So I'd leave it there:  I would imagine it'll be less efficient (quieter!) than an open backed cabinet.
 
Mark

The stuffing makes it act like a larger box.  It may need to be replaced if it's falling apart, or you might want to even add a little.
 
Awesome amp, by the way!
 
John

Now that is one COOL amp Bill.
 
OO

I am in awe of the extreme grooviness of that rig!  What a find! A physical & emotional match for Woody, Irv OR the '61 Strat, I would think.  Should you ever want to unload it..... And yes, every closed-back cab I've ever opened had the insulation - leave it.
 
Peter

Am I the only one who gets annoyed with most cab makers for almost always making cabs slightly smaller than your normal rack/head unit?  Does it have something to do with the # of cuts out of a standard sheet of ply and not wanting to waste wood/maximize profit?
 
Cool stack Bill- sorry for the anal retentive hijack, but it's always bugged me and around here somebody ALWAYS has the answer!

Well in this case Toby it is the owner of the equipment that has created the mismatch. :-)  
 
This cabinet was intended to be used with the speakers set horizontally. I've see this occur with other brands also where the owner sets the cabinet vertically.  
 
Keith

Bill, its an off white/yellow fiberglass style insulation right?  
 
last time I opened mine, that's what was in there....

Yup, off white/yellow fiberglassish.  Each speaker has 4 pieces, about 12-14 x 6, just laid across the back of the speaker.  I've been poking around the net and have seen some suggest that the foam should be mounted on 3 continuous surfaces.  Is this preferable, or is is just as effective to leave it covering the speaker backs?
 
Bill, tgo

Were you seeing the paisley before you touched the mysterious cabinet stuffing, or did it appear shortly thereafter??!
 
Larry

What paisley?
 
 
hehehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

I've never seen the insulation laid on the speakers - always attached to the sides & back.
 
Peter