Phil Jones Bass Buddy or Double-Four (Busking)?

[selowitch]

I definitely think I would like to purchase either the PJ Bass Buddy or the Double-Four. Probably the DF is capable of more volume in a portable-busking situation, but the BB has some really good features and is more versatile for non-busking situations.

Which would you pick and why?

 

[bongomania]

You might mean the Briefcase, not the Buddy?

 

[selowitch]

No, I meant the Buddy. It apparently can power an external cab at 10 watts. Not powerful, but maybe enough?

 

[bongomania]

Maybe if you have a large and very efficient cab, then 10 W might be enough. Otherwise it's a fart in the breeze.

 

[selowitch]

I guess the real choice for me is between the Cub and the Double Four. I assume both of those can be powered by an external laptop power supply so you don't need access to DC outlets?

 

[bongomania]

???? Ummm... You mean AC outlets? And a laptop power supply typically plugs into an AC outlet and converts the power into DC. Sounds to me like you should not assume anything at all. Instead, read the manuals.

 

[selowitch]

Yes, sorry, that would be ordinary three-prong DC outlets like you usually see in walls.

I have read the manuals and they say only to use the included power supplies BUT (and this is a big BUT), I have seen YouTube videos showing Phil Jones himself using external laptop power supplies to power his amps, for example, this one. That seems to me at the very least to be an implicit recommendation.

One bummer about the Double Four is that although it has a line out (to a mixing board/PA, I assume) it lacks a speaker out, so no use of an extension cab is possible.

 

[porterbass]

There are some feature differences between the Bass Cub and the Double Four so I would think you would need to decide based upon those. There has been a lot of info posted here previously, including from some who have used both. It seems the sound is very close with the Bass Cub being a little louder but they are similar in tone. If you want to be able to use a battery, then the Double Four is the way to go. ...but, the Bass Cub has some features that the Double Four doesn't, which is why I chose the Bass Cub.

 

[selowitch]

If you want to be able to use a battery, then the Double Four is the way to go.

I do, because I already have a good plug-in amp and I need something for low-volume busking.

the Bass Cub has some features that the Double Four doesn't, which is why I chose the Bass Cub.

Which ones, if I may ask?

One notable difference between the Cub and the Double Four is the latter retails for about $75 less.

 

[ubnomnar]

...Which ones, if I may ask?

One notable difference between the Cub and the Double Four is the latter retails for about $75 less.

The Bass Cub has two channels and a switchable limiter that the Double Four does not have.

I currently own a PJB Flightcase and have been looking for something even smaller with the same great tonal range.

I'll probably end up with the Double-Four.

 

[selowitch]

The Bass Cub has two channels and a switchable limiter that the Double Four does not have.

What does one need two channels for?

 

[ubnomnar]

What does one need two channels for?

I've never needed two channels.

I just ordered a Double-Four today and look forward to comparing it to my Flightcase BG-150 which is also a single channel.

I'm hoping for similar tone capabilities in a "desk top" package.

 

[selowitch]

Perhaps the second channel could be used for a vocal microphone?

 

[ubnomnar]

Perhaps the second channel could be used for a vocal microphone?

You should visit the PJB website and download the CUB manual. The two channels are optimized for different input load impedances. One of them may well accept a microphone.

I read this review a while back and it reinforced the feeling that the Double-Four was the right choice for me: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/nad-phil-jones-double-four-review-pics-1005244/

 

[bongomania]

Yes, sorry, that would be ordinary three-prong DC outlets like you usually see in walls.

Those are AC, not DC. It makes a huge difference, especially if you are trying to understand which power supplies will work.

 

[selowitch]

Those are AC, not DC. It makes a huge difference, especially if you are trying to understand which power supplies will work.

It's obvious I don't understand electrical stuff, nor do I care to. I just want to identify what tools will work for me as a musician. I have little interest in why or how they work.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I have both a Bass Buddy and a Double Four. If you want an amp for busking, the Double Four is your best option. The Bass Buddy is fantastic as a DI/Pre/headphone amp, but the 10W amp is disconnected when the amp is on internal 9V batteries. Even if you add an appropriate external battery, the 10W is really not enough, unless you're playing solo. As soon as you start to add other instruments, especially out doors, you'll run out of volume and headroom immediately.

Now the Double Four is plenty for busking gigs, unless you're playing with a super loud street drummer. You can run it off a battery that Phil Jones recommends (about $85 on Amazon) for a good 4+ hours. There is certainly a price difference, but I don't think you'll regret the Double Four as a portable busking amp.

 

[bongomania]

It's obvious I don't understand electrical stuff, nor do I care to. I just want to identify what tools will work for me as a musician. I have little interest in why or how they work.

You play an electric instrument. Electric bass is NOTHING without the electric part. With the attitude you just described, you can look forward to a career of blown speakers, few tone options, and unfortunate superstitions that will hold you back as a musician.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Yes, sorry, that would be ordinary three-prong DC outlets like you usually see in walls.

I have read the manuals and they say only to use the included power supplies BUT (and this is a big BUT), I have seen YouTube videos showing Phil Jones himself using external laptop power supplies to power his amps, for example, this one. That seems to me at the very least to be an implicit recommendation.

One bummer about the Double Four is that although it has a line out (to a mixing board/PA, I assume) it lacks a speaker out, so no use of an extension cab is possible.

Ok. The Cub has an internal power supply and ONLY takes a standard AC cable like you're talking about. It CAN NOT be powered by battery.

The Double Four has a 20V DC input, and includes an external 20V AC/DC supply like a laptop uses. There are a few reasons for doing this, but the big one is that the supply can be efficiently replaced with an external laptop battery as you've seen Phil do in the videos you mentioned.

Neither the Cub nor the Double Four are intended for use with an external non-powered cabinet. They put all their power to the internal speakers. There will be a new 100W, 2x5" powered cabinet (a Cub without the preamp) coming out soon, but it is ONLY AC powered - no battery option.

The fully-featured, battery-capable PJB is the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. It is significantly more costly, though. It includes a DI and an extension speaker output (still only 100W, though).

Still, for the bucks and ability to go battery-powered, the Double Four is your answer.

 

[selowitch]

You play an electric instrument. Electric bass is NOTHING without the electric part. With the attitude you just described, you can look forward to a career of blown speakers, few tone options, and unfortunate superstitions that will hold you back as a musician.

Ummm ... I've been playing for 30 years and haven't experienced anything like what you're describing. With maturity comes the ability to recognize my limitations and work around them.