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Double Bass Phil Jones Bass Versatility question

C

-CoHe

Feb 13, 2008
14
0
Montreal
#1
Hello everyone,

I was just planning on buying a DB amp setup since I jsut got my DB. Im planning on doing more popular music gigs than traditionnal jazz gigs so I was looking for something from 300w to 700w to cover most of the gigs I will do (I was looking at the suitcase at first but Im not sure its the perfect setup for bigger gigs) Anyhow, I was just wondering, If Im choosing the m500 as a head, would buying the neo-power cabinets be a wiser choice than buying the older ones?

And for the versatility question... Will I be able to plug a keyboard (mostly piano and regular analog instruments) and still get a good sound?... I heard most hi-fi cabinets like EA would do the job as their not entirely bass amps... anyone?
 
#2
Phil Jones, aka Sir Funkalot here on TalkBass is approachable and helpful with questions. I suspect that as he makes his own drivers, and seems pretty persnickety about quality, that he would not willingly give up performance when switching to the neo magnets.

My gut feeling is that a one-way system will be constrained in terms of reproducing the higher frequencies and delivering them outside a narrow "beam" in front of the speaker. But the maker can probably advise on this.
 
#3
I just bought a PJB 8B "neo" cab and I think it is the most versatile bass cabinet I've ever owned. I like the way all my basses sound through it, upright and electric both. However, I don't know if it would make a great PA cab because I believe it was designed specifically to amplify bass.

I have an EA set of speakers (NL 210 and CXL 112L) that might be going up for sale because I'm so pleased with the PJB. If you are in the market for a set in great condition please feel free to contact me. I'm still making my comparisons with all my cabinets but once I settle on what I like the best I tend to get rid of the stuff that could collect dust.

Just a thought..I would look into a Bose tower PA system if I were looking for something to handle everything (bass, keys, vocals) at once.
 
#4
The PJB higher frequencies are not what you'll expect like horn drivers.
They are still capable and sounds sweet without the harshness of horn drivers when you push them hard.
As for the narrow beam, i find it true for the smallest "briefcase". Any other models up from there doesn't have this issue.

The older cabs being traditional in design have a slightly more pronounced mid range and bite than the neo drivers. In any case, i have used the M500 for anything other than bass and loved it. THe EQ section is musical and powerful.
 
#6
hensonbass said:
I just bought a PJB 8B "neo" cab and I think it is the most versatile bass cabinet I've ever owned. I like the way all my basses sound through it, upright and electric both. However, I don't know if it would make a great PA cab because I believe it was designed specifically to amplify bass.

I have an EA set of speakers (NL 210 and CXL 112L) that might be going up for sale because I'm so pleased with the PJB. If you are in the market for a set in great condition please feel free to contact me. I'm still making my comparisons with all my cabinets but once I settle on what I like the best I tend to get rid of the stuff that could collect dust.

Just a thought..I would look into a Bose tower PA system if I were looking for something to handle everything (bass, keys, vocals) at once.
Click to expand...
+1. We are doing the first review of the 8B right now.
 
#7
hensonbass said:
I just bought a PJB 8B "neo" cab and I think it is the most versatile bass cabinet I've ever owned. I like the way all my basses sound through it, upright and electric both. However, I don't know if it would make a great PA cab because I believe it was designed specifically to amplify bass.

I have an EA set of speakers (NL 210 and CXL 112L) that might be going up for sale because I'm so pleased with the PJB. If you are in the market for a set in great condition please feel free to contact me. I'm still making my comparisons with all my cabinets but once I settle on what I like the best I tend to get rid of the stuff that could collect dust.

Just a thought..I would look into a Bose tower PA system if I were looking for something to handle everything (bass, keys, vocals) at once.
Click to expand...


Have you seen anyone using the bose towers on stage? (and do you mean the L1s? I just checked it out and Im not so sure about what Ive seen) Its just... it looks weird to me... anyways.... Im really looking for a DB amp first and if theres a great one that could do the DB job perfectly and the Keys nicely enough... thatd be perfect

+ I didnt know phil was on the forum... that is great great great news :D thanks for the info
 
#8
Yes I have. I sat in on a jazz jam and the bassist was playing his UB through one of these L1 towers and it sounded great. It's a great PA system essentially so it's going to reproduce all sounds very accurately.

Most bass players don't want to haul a PA for a gig. They want something light and easy to use. It sounds like you need more volume than usual and have versatility at the same time. The beauty of that system is that you can put a tower directly behind you and it will disperse sound evenly out from there without feedback, even with a microphone.

Go to a Guitar Center and take your upright in and check one out.
 
#10
I owned the Bose L1 Series 2 with Tone Match and twin bass modules. It was a nice DB sound. Natural, but not 'flat' like the PJB. However...it IS a lot to haul to amp a DB or BG. If you use it to run other instruments, it's an interesting, but expensive and big alternative to 2 small amps. If you are replacing a PA, THEN it's worth hearing.
 
#11
I forgot to tell you, Im using a sadowsky preamp for my DB....

Im very impressed by the L1 system... didnt know these things even existed... but Im looking for a DB amp first that could do Keys (mostly piano and analogic synths) on the side.

Thank you a lot for your help everyone :)

Also, Ive pmed Phil and Im still waiting for his answer :P I cant wait to go try his stuff out
 
#12
I figured Id try mixing the piranha with the neo drivers by buying the 4b and the 8b and mixing them with the m500 but I was wondering if that would be a turn down for one of the two cabs? btw phil hasnt replied yet :P must be very busy at the time
 

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