Got to Spend Some Quality Time with a PJB Rig This Afternoon

[T. Alan Smith]

The Phil Jones M-300 & 8B neo cab.
This was my 2nd encounter with this setup, but this time I searched here and read what I could to better prepare myself. For starters, I cranked the master vol as recommended by posters here, and adjusted the gain accordingly. I still thought the rig was a bit short on headroom and the cab a bit power hungry. That said, it did get surprisingly loud with a EBMM Big Al into it(active mode). I tried a Sterling 5HS and a 6 string Warrior thru it as well, and really REALLY liked how it sounded with each. While a buddy tried the Warrior, I played with the EQ a bit and dialed in some hefty low end w/o loosing much headroom. So I'm not sure what the naysayers are hearing to that regard. I should have been giving 450W to that cab, and it sure sounded like it ...in a good way! I can't help but wonder how perfect their M-500 would sound with that cab with the additional headroom and all. The rig I played would easily keep up with any smaller scale situation. I definitely preferred it to any other 2x10 rig I've heard in recent memory. I'd like to see how the M-500 with the 8B would keep up with a 2x12" or 1x15" rig.

[T. Alan Smith]

...yyyaaawwwnnn...

[tombowlus]

That's a killer rig! I'm glad you liked it. FWIW, I always use the passive input on mine, even with active basses. IME, this allows you to get even more headroom/volume out of the amp.

[BassIan]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

The Phil Jones M-300 & 8B neo cab.
This was my 2nd encounter with this setup, but this time I searched here and read what I could to better prepare myself. For starters, I cranked the master vol as recommended by posters here, and adjusted the gain accordingly. I still thought the rig was a bit short on headroom and the cab a bit power hungry. That said, it did get surprisingly loud with a EBMM Big Al into it(active mode). I tried a Sterling 5HS and a 6 string Warrior thru it as well, and really REALLY liked how it sounded with each. While a buddy tried the Warrior, I played with the EQ a bit and dialed in some hefty low end w/o loosing much headroom. So I'm not sure what the naysayers are hearing to that regard. I should have been giving 450W to that cab, and it sure sounded like it ...in a good way! I can't help but wonder how perfect their M-500 would sound with that cab with the additional headroom and all. The rig I played would easily keep up with any smaller scale situation. I definitely preferred it to any other 2x10 rig I've heard in recent memory. I'd like to see how the M-500 with the 8B would keep up with a 2x12" or 1x15" rig.

Cool that you got to try and be impressed by such a rig!

Just a note that you might get better results without diming the Master volume. You don't have to have the Master at 10 to get your full volume, and you'll get a quieter signal if you have reasonable gain staging.

[Jim Nazium]

Cool. I'm considering getting a neo 8b cab, unfortunately I don't have a local dealer where I can demo it. I have the PJB Super Flightcase combo and like the sound of it a lot, but sometimes I need a bit more headroom.

The other cabs I'm considering are the Acme Low B-2 (2x10) and the Accugroove Tri 112 (1x12), both of which are 3-way. It seems like the 3-way cabs should have flatter response, but the PJB cab might be cleaner and more efficient due to the absence of a crossover.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

That's a killer rig! I'm glad you liked it. FWIW, I always use the passive input on mine, even with active basses. IME, this allows you to get even more headroom/volume out of the amp.

Thanks for the tip on that. Next time I go to the shop(Flores in Peoria), I'll make sure to try that.

Originally Posted by BassIan

Cool that you got to try and be impressed by such a rig!

Just a note that you might get better results without diming the Master volume. You don't have to have the Master at 10 to get your full volume, and you'll get a quieter signal if you have reasonable gain staging.

Yeah, I didn't care for the noise I got with the master on full, so I tried lowering the master and making up with the gain and still seemed to get plenty of volume. Maybe the naysayers were expecting half stack performance?

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Cool. I'm considering getting a neo 8b cab, unfortunately I don't have a local dealer where I can demo it. I have the PJB Super Flightcase combo and like the sound of it a lot, but sometimes I need a bit more headroom.

The other cabs I'm considering are the Acme Low B-2 (2x10) and the Accugroove Tri 112 (1x12), both of which are 3-way. It seems like the 3-way cabs should have flatter response, but the PJB cab might be cleaner and more efficient due to the absence of a crossover.

Anyone have any thoughts?

The 8B neo doesn't have a tweeter or a horn, but there are plenty of highs for me, and I prefer a hi fi cab. Nor did I have to touch the EQ to get present /sweet highs ...but this is all subjective. YMMV. As mentioned- the cab sucks up a lotta juice. If I go this route, I plan on getting the M-500 head. That said, the Low B2's are REALLY impressive as well. If your looking for flatter response, you can't go wrong there.

[KJung]

Make sure you try the M500 before you buy. I owned one for a short while. The good news... uber quality. The bad news, it weighed a TON, and the output was unimpressive at 4ohms, and REALLY unimpressive at 8ohms. IMO and IME.

Those neo cabs look pretty cool.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by KJung

Make sure you try the M500 before you buy. I owned one for a short while. The good news... uber quality. The bad news, it weighed a TON, and the output was unimpressive at 4ohms, and REALLY unimpressive at 8ohms. IMO and IME.

Those neo cabs look pretty cool.

...and they sound perfect when opened up just a bit.
I'll heed your warning, thanks. This rig really pumped(albeit at low vol) with the M-300(I'm assuming pushing 450W). The M-500 should offer much more headroom. Have you had a chance to compare the 2?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

...and they sound perfect when opened up just a bit.
I'll heed your warning, thanks. This rig really pumped(albeit at low vol) with the M-300(I'm assuming pushing 450W). The M-500 should offer much more headroom. Have you had a chance to compare the 2?

Never have. You might want to PM Bowlus if he doesn't show up here. I think he has, and didn't feel (at least at 4ohms), that the 500 really had that much on the 300. However, I could be misremembering.

I was VERY unimpressed with the M500 regarding volume to weight.

[tombowlus]

I have both the M-300 and the M-500. The comments about running the input hot are even more crucial with the M-500. It has a different taper to the pots, and actually, with both the Input and the Master set to noon, the M-300 is actually the louder of the two. However, as you crank both knobs past this point, the M-500 definitely pulls ahead.

BTW, we rated the M-300 at an even 300 watts into a 4-ohm load and 413 watts into a 2-ohm load. Those are pretty honest ratings, in my book.

Tom.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by KJung

Never have. You might want to PM Bowlus if he doesn't show up here. I think he has, and didn't feel (at least at 4ohms), that the 500 really had that much on the 300. However, I could be misremembering.

I was VERY unimpressed with the M500 regarding volume to weight.

...because your an MB guy. In all seriousness tho, I don't plan on schlepping around the PJB too much.

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I have both the M-300 and the M-500. The comments about running the input hot are even more crucial with the M-500. It has a different taper to the pots, and actually, with both the Input and the Master set to noon, the M-300 is actually the louder of the two. However, as you crank both knobs past this point, the M-500 definitely pulls ahead.

BTW, we rated the M-300 at an even 300 watts into a 4-ohm load and 413 watts into a 2-ohm load. Those are pretty honest ratings, in my book.

Tom.

Very good to know, thanks a bunch!
I especially appreciate your clearing the master/gain issue between these amps.
I gotta tell you, between these two points, I feel much better about the idea of investing in one.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

...because your an MB guy. In all seriousness tho, I don't plan on schlepping around the PJB too much.

I do love my micro heads!

Seriously, though, the M500 is a beautifully made head... it just ooozes quality... heavy duty everything, and a really nice looking design in general. However, it weighs about the same as an Aguilar DB750 or a Glock Heartrock (over 40 pounds), and isn't in the same universe as these heads performance-wise IMO and IME.

However, there is something cool about the PJ stuff, and if you don't mind the low SPL and weight, and don't need a ton of ooomph and volume, what the heck

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by KJung

I do love my micro heads!

Seriously, though, the M500 is a beautifully made head... it just ooozes quality... heavy duty everything, and a really nice looking design in general. However, it weighs about the same as an Aguilar DB750 or a Glock Heartrock (over 40 pounds), and isn't in the same universe as these heads performance-wise IMO and IME.

However, there is something cool about the PJ stuff, and if you don't mind the low SPL and weight, and don't need a ton of ooomph and volume, what the heck

yeah... I'm looking for something nice for home and as a backup to my LMII/Berg HT112 rig. I honestly dug the sound of this rig and the form factor fits my situation well. I also should mention- I really like the idea of supporting the local(ish) dealership that stocks these. I appreciate all the honest feedback, Ken.