PJB BG-75 Double Four Micro Amp

[TalkBass]

Over the years, bass players have watched their amps get smaller and smaller. Phil Jones Bass has been on the forefront of this "micro amp" trend with its Briefcase, and the Bass Cub. That's about to change again. New for 2013, Phil Jones Bass has once again redefined the micro amp with the amazing signature PJB sound with the Double Four amplifier. Sporting new driver design, acoustic loading and the latest in digital amplifier technology, the Double Four looks as if it defies the laws of physics.

We pushed our current expertise with smaller drivers and created the Neo Power 4 inch drivers. These speakers are able to cope with the extreme signals coming from an amplified bass guitar. Each 4 inch speaker is also fed with its own PWM amplifier, an extremely efficient amplifier that runs at a much lower operating temperature. Also, by using an amplifier for each speaker, the bass control is greatly improved, since the damping factor is essentially double.

And it doesn't stop there. The backs of the speakers are loaded with a Rectangular Auxiliary Low Freqency Radiator (RALFR®), a radiator that operates at the lowest bass frequencies, augmenting the output of the speakers at frequencies from 30 to 150Hz. The cabinet enclosure is heavily braced internally and lined with acoustic damping materials, preventing cabinet coloration and allowing you to hear the TRUE sound of your instrument.

What's this mean? An amplifier with a lower operating temperature that can last through more rehearsals and gigs and not sit on the tech's workbench, and that has a well controlled, punchy and tight bass tone that truly amplifies your instrument, instead of coloring it. Whether you're looking for a bedroom practice amp, a rehearsal amp, a personal monitor or the perfect micro amp for a coffee house gig, the Double Four from Phil Jones Bass is ready to tackle your gig and make you rethink what you know about micro amps.

Projected Release: April 2013
Price: $449 ($529 MSRP)

Double Four Specifications
Power Output: 70 watt
Speaker: 2 x PJB NeoPower 4 inch speakers
Rectangular Auxiliary Low Frequency Radiator (RALFR®)
Switchable high gain input OR low gain stage with mute function
3 Band EQ
AUX input with level control
Headphone out
Line out
Dimensions: 8.2 x 8 x 6.8 inch (WxDxH) 208 x 203 x 172 mm

www.philjonespuresound.com

[Exploiter8]

Maybe it's because it's so late but looking at the picture, I'm having a hard time rationalizing those listed dimensions. It looks more like 18.2 inches wide?

Under 9 pounds is for another discussion!

Thanks for posting the link!

X8

[One Bad Monkey]

It's definitely not 18.2" wide; it really is that small. When you see that the next one up (the Bass Cub BG-100) is 12" wide, it provides a little reference.

But yes, we're talking a MICRO amp.

[Exploiter8]

"Dimensions: 8.2 x 8 x 6.8 inch (WxDxH) 208 x 203 x 172 mm"

I'm sorry, but are we both looking at the Double Four?

http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?id=143

The listed dimensions are closer to being a cube, whereas the pic looks closer to double-cube.


(NOT crying...my eyes are watering from over-analyzing this!)

X8

[NaH]

How can you have two 4-inch speakers and an enclosure and end up with the largest side being 8.2"?

[Stick_Player]

I have the Super Flightcase BG-300. I use it for electric bass, EUB and mic'd DB,

It's got six 4" speakers. The two facing upward are probably more like this lil' teenie unit (i.e., BG-75 Double Four), and my cabinet is 12+" wide. Must be a typo in the width measurement.

Still... Wow!

I am constantly amazed at the model I have.

Great products from Phil Jones.

[One Bad Monkey]

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

"Dimensions: 8.2 x 8 x 6.8 inch (WxDxH) 208 x 203 x 172 mm"

I'm sorry, but are we both looking at the Double Four?

http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?id=143

The listed dimensions are closer to being a cube, whereas the pic looks closer to double-cube.

I'll get with Phil and double check, but I can guarantee that even if the measurements are off, it's NOT 18" wide. It might be closer to 10" or at most 12" (the width of the Bass Cub BG-100). I know the angles in the pics are confusing a bit, but we'll get this straightened out.

[One Bad Monkey]

Originally Posted by NaH

How can you have two 4-inch speakers and an enclosure and end up with the largest side being 8.2"?

My guess is that, like a 2"x8' piece of wood isn't exactly 96", a 4" speaker could be closer to 3.75". Put those two together, and now you have a decent amount of space.

[fraublugher]

Three inches of tolerance, almost.

I don't see the math problem.

[JackoBass]

Saw these guys at a guitar convention in Montclair NJ last year. Great sounding and feature packed boxes for sure.

[Exploiter8]

I chose the 18.2 number thinking someone missed the "1" on the 8.2 listed Width. Maybe there's a drummer in charge? Some of them have trouble coming in on the "1"!

X8

[One Bad Monkey]

Phil asked for this thread, so I wouldn't be surprised if he pops his head in here to clarify.

In the meantime, here's a pic of Phil with the prototype of the Double Four, next to the Bass Cub BG100. The Cub is 12" wide; you can see the Double Four is noticeably smaller.

[bportune]

Anyone have any hands-on experience with this amp yet? I'm very intrigued, but don't want to pull the trigger until I've heard some real-world feedback.

[bryanspkr]

Phil is a clever dude with this one.
I've measured the drivers and frequency response, and checked out the amps, but my lips stay sealed. I believe in intellectual property. (If you read these threads, Hi Phil. Years ago we mailed. You sent me the unfinished draft of your amp manual, And we bitched about dishonest specs.)

I bought this one because it gets closer to my personal quest of performance to weight ratio. I just had to take this one apart.

It has the equivalent cone area of more than a single 8" speaker in a box half to a quarter the size usually needed for this kind of performance with an 8, and with no tweeter necessary for its high frequency response and wide dispersion.

Great build quality down to the screws. Highly recommended for bass guitar.

[bportune]

Thanks for your response! How does it compare to the Briefcase (which I already own)?

[bryanspkr]

The briefcase is almost 3X the internal net box volume.
3.5X the weight (without battery)
More extensive tone control and compressor.
100 watts as opposed to 70. And a more efficient speaker system.
Vented and tuned in the region of the open D to C# as opposed to a "closed" passive radiator box. The resonance peak in the upper bass is at a higher in the smaller amp, but has some of the advantages of a closed box (one being the excursion control of the 4 inch speakers by the use of the passive radiator (in the briefcase, excursion would start to rise very quickly below the vent tuning frequency. Another plus is the low bass rise that is characteristic of the passive radiator.
In short, both are quite nice amps, but different animals. Different frequency response and tone controls. And for different output requirements.
It would be fairer to compare it to the Markbass with the single 6.5 inch B&C speaker. The Micromark. About 5Kilos
Except there is no comparison. The Double 4 is superior in every aspect (even weight)Not even a matter of taste on this one. I think Markbass will have to go back to the drawing board or half the price if they want to sell any more Micromarks in the future.

[bportune]

Again thanks!
I play Bass Ukulele with 5-10 acoustic uke players - would the Double Four be up to the task volume wise?

[bryanspkr]

I would think so. Is your uke a model with the preamp built in? I am assuming a Piezo pickup.
I think you will get the best match with a lower impedance output into the amp.

[bportune]

It does not have one, but I run it into Fishman Plat-Pro Bass before the amp.

[bryanspkr]

that should do it.