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Phil Jones Bass Engine 17 vs. Micro 7?

C

cornwallis89

Nov 2, 2025
30
14
#1
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with either or both of these small combos: PJB Micro 7 and Bass Engine 17. I have a used Micro 7 on the way that I'm looking forward to demo, but I just realized that I had confused it with the Bass Engine 17 that looks almost visually identical but is newer.

I'm looking to replace my Kustom KBA16 as a portable amp (<~23lb.) for small jam sessions without a drummer. I play 5-string BG and 4-string DB, mostly folk, Americana, roots, jazz, alt-country, and some rock. I have a Markbass Players School Combo (250W Little Mark Blackline and 15" speaker) and a matching NY151 extension cab with tweeter for when I need more volume.

From what I can tell, the BE17 has 20 more watts, Bluetooth, stereo line in, and is a about pound lighter. Used prices I can see are ~$200 for the Micro 7 and ~$330 for the BE17. Not sure if it's worth the difference if it's a minor upgrade. Aside from the increased wattage and marginally lighter weight, I don't see myself having much use for the extra features of the BE17.

Does anybody know how these two compare in terms of tone or volume? I'd imagine the BE17 can be a bit louder, but not sure by how much.

I'll be comparing the PJB combo to a Fender Rumble 40 and 100. I might also look into the Ampeg RB-110 and the Markbass CMB 101.

Thanks!
 
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#2
Do you play 5 string at all? If the upgraded feature set doesn't do it for you, you do a little more bottom end and a little more headroom than the Micro. I haven't spent much time with a Micro but did find it didn't handle a low B very well if you turned it up much.

The only Bass Engine I've sold was to a drummer who wanted to plug in his electric kit for home practice, he was pretty happy with it. Other than that I haven't had any request and it's not something I stock. Most customers who want a PJB tend to go with the Double Four Plus, instead.
 
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#3
I demo'd the PJB 17 at guitar center a while back and compared to a bunch of other small combos from fender, acoustic and a couple others. It was the smoothest, most full range sounding but also the quietest. I was suprised at how little volume it had. The Rumble 40 will have way more volume although the tone won't be as refined as the Phil Jones.
 
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#4
I have the Micro 7 and to me, this is a desktop combo.

With my 4 string bass, everything farts below the 5th fret of my E string no matter the EQ tweaking.

I never tried anything else from Phil Jones as I bought an Ampeg RB 112 back then and was totally satisfied for my usage at that time.
 
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#6
basss said:
I demo'd the PJB 17 at guitar center a while back and compared to a bunch of other small combos from fender, acoustic and a couple others. It was the smoothest, most full range sounding but also the quietest. I was suprised at how little volume it had. The Rumble 40 will have way more volume although the tone won't be as refined as the Phil Jones.
Click to expand...
This has been my impression with the PJB combos that I have owned or tried - too quiet for my needs.
 
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#7
Thanks, all!

I do play 5-string and also upright - I actually find the upright's low E farts out more easily than my 5-string's low B on the KBA16. High-pass filter helps, but I have to set it to pretty extreme settings for it to work which kills my tone, hence my search for a more suitable combo. Based on the responses, I think if I'm not happy with the volume of the Micro7, I won't be much happier with the BE17.

Incidentally, I recently tested 2 used Rumble 40s and both had some kind of rattling issue at moderate volumes - i.e. if I turned them down enough to avoid the rattle, I can get slightly louder with my 16-watt KBA16. (I tested the speaker of one with a multimeter and got 6.5 ohm, so I'm pretty sure the speaker is ok.)

Hopefully the Rumble 100 will fit the bill. (100w for the same weight as my 16w!) If not, I'll try the Ampeg or Markbass.
 
#10
Yeah high pass in the right dose = tone enhance. If the cab is requiring you pass that threshold then yup, that's a tone killer.

A noticeable step up - but Barefaced One10 with the Activie module? I have one and it's impressively loud with thump and not as hard to get to behave high fi (with a HPF) if that's desired.
 
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#11
cornwallis89 said:
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with either or both of these small combos: PJB Micro 7 and Bass Engine 17. I have a used Micro 7 on the way that I'm looking forward to demo, but I just realized that I had confused it with the Bass Engine 17 that looks almost visually identical but is newer.

I'm looking to replace my Kustom KBA16 as a portable amp (<~23lb.) for small jam sessions without a drummer. I play 5-string BG and 4-string DB, mostly folk, Americana, roots, jazz, alt-country, and some rock. I have a Markbass Players School Combo (250W Little Mark Blackline and 15" speaker) and a matching NY151 extension cab with tweeter for when I need more volume.

From what I can tell, the BE17 has 20 more watts, Bluetooth, stereo line in, and is a about pound lighter. Used prices I can see are ~$200 for the Micro 7 and ~$330 for the BE17. Not sure if it's worth the difference if it's a minor upgrade. Aside from the increased wattage and marginally lighter weight, I don't see myself having much use for the extra features of the BE17.

Does anybody know how these two compare in terms of tone or volume? I'd imagine the BE17 can be a bit louder, but not sure by how much.

I'll be comparing the PJB combo to a Fender Rumble 40 and 100. I might also look into the Ampeg RB-110 and the Markbass CMB 101.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have an rb110 and will say that it is a nice small combo but with energetic playing it is easy to clip the speaker protection. Just by digging in and picking hard or chugging at medium volume.

In this case of pushing the amp with too much energy or staccato fast strong notes the speaker will suddenly and shockingly cut out and back in after a pause.

This is caused by the speaker protection circuit making sure that the player doesn't over do it.

So keep in mind that this amp is for practice or home use. Not really designed to be pushed at all hard in a performance sense while trying to maintain good volume.

It is also too bulky and difficult to carry long distances despite its remarkably light weight. It wants to float away from the floor while playing. This aspect is beautiful…

Don't expect too much from it.

It has an xlr out that you might find useful in the performance situation.
 
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#15
Hi all,

Just in case anybody is interested in an update, both the Micro7 and Rumble 100 came in (both used) and I can say that they're both a clear upgrade from my KBA16. The volume on the Micro7 is a moderate but not significant improvement, though it has a very defined, punchy sound that works great especially with the upright.

The Rumble 100 can be quite a bit louder but with more of a boomy, boxy sound that needs some tweaking, though with the EQ and bright switch, I think would also work plenty well.

For the record, I don't plan on using either at a proper gig (though the Rumble might work in a pinch with PA support), but at our weekly community jam sessions where I'm generally the only electified instrument, so a moderate workable volume is all I need.

I'll take them to the jam tonight and will see how they fare!
 
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