PHIL JONES BASS COMPACT PLUS DELIVERS MORE BASS/LESS WEIGHT

#61
Just to add, I often use the BG400 by itself, with no extension cab. This works perfectly fine in rehearsals, even when the BG400 needs to stand out in a mix with trumpets, various sax, trombones, piano, drums, guitar -- the whole big band. The combo gets loud, and it sounds clear.
 
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#62
RobertAuCoin said:
I suspect the “thin” bass sound from the 4 x 5 array onboard is just a consequence of the very compact size of the combo itself. “Compact” is in the name. It’s only a 1 ft. cube.
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^This explanation gets my vote. I used to have 3 PJB Compact 2 cabinets. One of them lacked bottom. Two together was starting to get there. Three sounded like a decent 12" cab.

I think there is also an inherent voice (or lack of voice) in PJB amplifiers that some may not like. I have owned a PJB Bighead and PJB Bass Buddy. Not a fan of the tone on either of them. I recognize these are not PJB amplifier heads, but I get the feeling I would not enjoy them based on the descriptions I have heard. Most mention transparency. I want color. My main head at this point is an Ampeg PF50T. It sits on top of two PJB Compact 8 cabinets. Plenty of low end coming out of that setup.
 
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#63
ahadl2500 said:
^This explanation gets my vote. I used to have 3 PJB Compact 2 cabinets. One of them lacked bottom. Two together was starting to get there. Three sounded like a decent 12" cab.

I think there is also an inherent voice (or lack of voice) in PJB amplifiers that some may not like. I have owned a PJB Bighead and PJB Bass Buddy. Not a fan of the tone on either of them. I recognize these are not PJB amplifier heads, but I get the feeling I would not enjoy them based on the descriptions I have heard. Most mention transparency. I want color. My main head at this point is an Ampeg PF50T. It sits on top of two PJB Compact 8 cabinets. Plenty of low end coming out of that setup.
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I think that's it right there - PJB gear always seems to invite divisiveness but it seems to me that their gear is trying to be unopinionated with regards to frequency response and coloration, and high signal-to-noise ratio. In an interview I've heard PJB amps described as "bass amps that don't know they're bass amps," which might seem silly for people who want something that amplifies bass instruments. However for people who are looking for just cleanliness, it really does the trick.
 
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#66
I have the BG 100 Cub. It is the best practice amp I have ever used, but I can’t see me ever using it on a gig. There is just no way 5” drivers are ever going to move air the way 10s, 12s and 15s do. I’d be interested in a BG 450, but probably only for quiet rehearsals or jazz gigs.

another big difference with the BG 450 vs the BG 400, is that it has no built in compressor, which on my BG 100 is very good.

If anyone is looking for small bass amps with a high quality and big sound, AER is probably the way to go, they are not cheap though. Check these out, Ed Friedland has some good reviews of them on Youtube.
AER - The Acoustic People - The reference class acoustic amplifiers
 
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#67
ScotJam Bassie said:
another big difference with the BG 450 vs the BG 400, is that it has no built in compressor, which on my BG 100 is very good.
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Given the number of really excellent compressor pedals available to bassists these days, I think the value of an onboard compressor is questionable. I thought the Mesa M9 Carbine had a good one, the Eden Navigator was decent as well, but people who do use compressors tend to get very specific with their wants. It could be that the product feedback they've been getting indicated that a significant number of people were not using that feature enough to justify the expense, and the 5-band eq was a higher priority design element.
 
#71
So I just spent a weekend with the amp and I love it. Best upright amp I've had (I've owned an Acoustic Image Contra, a MarkBass 212, and an Aguilar Tonehammer with a 112 cab). Out of the box, this things was incredible. I plugged in my upright and right off I noticed it sounded exactly like my bass but louder. I was taught to dial in my upright tone by starting really low and gradually adjust the EQ to recreate the sound of my bass. All the knobs were straight up and it was perfect. I didn't have to do anything to the EQ to get the tone of my bass. The attack was clear, the tone was full and deep, and there was a a good growl on the low strings. I spent a little time exploring what the EQ could do, but straight up was fine for me.
Upright tone grade: A+

It was time to go, so it was bass on my shoulder, amp in the other hand. Easy to carry and lift into my car with one hand.
Schlep grade: A+

When I got to the gig I actually had to turn the bass down (elevated wood stage). The drummer, before knowing I had a new amp, told me my bass sounded better than ever. The band was three horns, guitar, drums, and me, so there was a good amount of volume to compete with. This amp has plenty of power, so there was no problem being heard across the stage or in the room. However, what I liked more than that was how easy it was to hear myself. I've played this room several times and always had a tough time hearing myself, but the immediacy and fullness of this amp eliminated that problem. It wasn't that I was loud, it was just clear and full. It's also smaller than other amps I've used, so it was easy to find a spot to place the amp.
On the gig grade: A+

The controls are easy to see and use. I like that there's a mute switch (three-way passive, active, mute). The input volume is easy to get to and so is the master. I mention that because I know I've gotten "lost" on stage trying to adjust things. Also, the display is easy to read. The knobs have a catch at straight up, so if you have to adjust on the fly, you'd have a good reference. They also have a good weight and are easy to adjust.
Control grade: A+

With my electric (P and J basses) it sounds fantastic. Again, it gives you full and deep tone and it was really easy to adjust the EQ a bit more to get what I like. I like an old school tone, and I got it . . . so I cranked it: lots of volume with the same tone I dialed in at a lower volume. (I don't slap, so I can't tell you about that. There's an unboxing video where they guy does.) One caveat: I haven't used this amp on electric with a band yet, so I don't know how it will function. However, I imagine this combo alone will work great and adding another cabinet to it would make it massive. With electric, I'll use this for rehearsals and small gigs. It's small but full and powerful.
Electric grade: A . . . but only because I haven't played with a full band yet and I love my other rig.

Randomly, I love that it comes in a color other than black.
Grade for the fact that it comes in a color other than black: A+

I bought this to see if it would work with my upright. Like I said before, it is the best upright amp I've had, so mission accomplished. With electric, it will certainly get the job done.
Overall grade: A+

I hope this is helpful.
 
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#72
tyler_smith said:
So I just spent a weekend with the amp and I love it. Best upright amp I've had (I've owned an Acoustic Image Contra, a MarkBass 212, and an Aguilar Tonehammer with a 112 cab). Out of the box, this things was incredible. I plugged in my upright and right off I noticed it sounded exactly like my bass but louder. I was taught to dial in my upright tone by starting really low and gradually adjust the EQ to recreate the sound of my bass. All the knobs were straight up and it was perfect. I didn't have to do anything to the EQ to get the tone of my bass. The attack was clear, the tone was full and deep, and there was a a good growl on the low strings. I spent a little time exploring what the EQ could do, but straight up was fine for me.
Upright tone grade: A+

It was time to go, so it was bass on my shoulder, amp in the other hand. Easy to carry and lift into my car with one hand.
Schlep grade: A+

When I got to the gig I actually had to turn the bass down (elevated wood stage). The drummer, before knowing I had a new amp, told me my bass sounded better than ever. The band was three horns, guitar, drums, and me, so there was a good amount of volume to compete with. This amp has plenty of power, so there was no problem being heard across the stage or in the room. However, what I liked more than that was how easy it was to hear myself. I've played this room several times and always had a tough time hearing myself, but the immediacy and fullness of this amp eliminated that problem. It wasn't that I was loud, it was just clear and full. It's also smaller than other amps I've used, so it was easy to find a spot to place the amp.
On the gig grade: A+

The controls are easy to see and use. I like that there's a mute switch (three-way passive, active, mute). The input volume is easy to get to and so is the master. I mention that because I know I've gotten "lost" on stage trying to adjust things. Also, the display is easy to read. The knobs have a catch at straight up, so if you have to adjust on the fly, you'd have a good reference. They also have a good weight and are easy to adjust.
Control grade: A+

With my electric (P and J basses) it sounds fantastic. Again, it gives you full and deep tone and it was really easy to adjust the EQ a bit more to get what I like. I like an old school tone, and I got it . . . so I cranked it: lots of volume with the same tone I dialed in at a lower volume. (I don't slap, so I can't tell you about that. There's an unboxing video where they guy does.) One caveat: I haven't used this amp on electric with a band yet, so I don't know how it will function. However, I imagine this combo alone will work great and adding another cabinet to it would make it massive. With electric, I'll use this for rehearsals and small gigs. It's small but full and powerful.
Electric grade: A . . . but only because I haven't played with a full band yet and I love my other rig.

Randomly, I love that it comes in a color other than black.
Grade for the fact that it comes in a color other than black: A+

I bought this to see if it would work with my upright. Like I said before, it is the best upright amp I've had, so mission accomplished. With electric, it will certainly get the job done.
Overall grade: A+

I hope this is helpful.
Click to expand...

Hi, Any chance you have tried electric bass with a full band yet? Interested in getting one of these but read reviews they lack the power. Cheers
 
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