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Double Bass I just bought a Phil Jones Double Four when I wasn't expecting to

John Le Guyader

John Le Guyader

Jun 6, 2006
972
531
DC Metro
#1
I had been looking over the years not very seriously for an amp for upright and acoustic bass that can run off a battery for small jams, and I wasn't in the market to buy a Phil Jones Double Four today, but I did. I was actually reading threads about MAS cabs and ran across threads about the Double Four. So on a whim I looked up to see how much scratch these were going for. It is on sale at Proaudio Star for $349 w/ free shipping. Then I looked for a promo code and got 10% off with "10PERCENTOFF." So I bought one for the grand total of $314.

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Then I bought on ebay a Lenmar PowerPort External Notebook and Laptop Battery Backup Charger w/ Adapters PPU916 for $48:

Lenmar PowerPort External Notebook and Laptop Battery Backup Charger w/ Adapters 29521849912 | eBay

This will power the Double Four, so says Phil Jones in this video:
 
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#9
rickwolff said:
I love a good deal as much as I love gear, BUT even though my GB 3.0 8t can't run off a battery it serves as my 'little amp'. Plus when I plug in my GK Neo 112 I get 300 watts and LOTS of great bass sound.

PLUS, I just bought an EUB and used up my last 'get out of jail card'.
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My expectations on the Double Four are low, especially volume-wise (I will try adding a preamp in front to juice it up a bit as suggested), but for the scratch I decided to pull the trigger, especially since it will run off of a laptop battery...my hope is that it will keep up with a couple of unamplified acoustic guitars and a hand drum for those times I play round the camp fire with my Warwick Alien fretless. Otherwise it will be a practice amp and easy to schlep to the beach house on weekends.
 
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#11
Most of my gigs are with amplified acoustic instruments, no drums. The D4 with battery is awesome and versatile. Last week I used it at an impromptu jam at a festival with a passive pickup ubass and I was really wishing I had brought a pre amp. In a large hotel lobby with carpet and curtains, the room ate up the sound. Both gain and master were maxed. In some cases I can get a lot of volume even in an auditorium. It has been ok with restrained drums. I actually have two of these. My first one was used so much I wore out the jack. Got the second on deal from pro audio star while the first was being repaired. This amp does have its limitations but is incredibly useful. Ironically I don't use it as a practice amp at home but it gets taken out of the house and used 3 or more times a week. I have also used it to amp a ukulele. Of all my musical gear the D4 gets the most use.

It's ok for a small group or jam outdoors but outdoor concerts or festivals need more power. It's not loud enough even in a small venue for a rock band with a drummer. Sometimes I don't love the D4 because the sound is rich but nut big or full, but dang it is just so useful. Nothing else portable and battery powered comes close. You won't regret the purchase.
 
#12
To those that have a D4, does your d4 make a terrible sound when pushed too hard? I have to run mine with the master on max and regulate my volume from my pre-amp or the input volume. Street noise will swallow up my sound. There are times that a note struck too hard will produce a digital distortion. Anyone else have this problem?
 
#13
Maiden voyage last night. Remic green through Felix into D4. Guitar, bass, sax. Large but narrow room, moderate crowd. Flawless. I actually had to roll off lows. Unbelievable. This is the perfect amp for this situation!
 

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#14
I like to mess with guys who haven't seen one before by saying "Hey man, check out my new amp - catch!" and tossing it to them. I find placement, always important, is especially important with this. Coupling is crucial, so it needs to be on the floor and if possible near a wall so that radiator can do its thing. I like to stand it the long way on its end, or it's actually a little boomy. I think that radiator is the key. The earlier Phil Jones Cub is a tiny amp too, but lacks the radiator and is inadequate for gigging. I see there is a new version of the Suitcase that has the radiator. Anyone try it? I tried a Suitcase years ago and thought it a beautiful and dead quiet amp, but a little soft.
 
#18
Adam Booker said:
Well that did it. I've been on the fence about getting one for a bit, but this convinced me. Just ordered one, too. Shipped to the office, though, so my wife won't hate you, I mean, me.
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Just tell her it is a tax write off. : ). All kidding aside...it is a tax write off. I've been thinking about trying one myself. All out of stock!
 
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