• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Phil Jones combo for low volume practice home

P

Paul77

Aug 7, 2025
2
3
#1
Hi everyone, I'm new here and I'm not a really expert bassist... anyway I'm looking for a good bass combo to practice at home at low volume and for some little home recordings. I'm not interessed to other solution that not include an amp šŸ˜…, I hate practice with headphone and I'm tired to play with plugin... I need a real amp with a real speaker šŸ˜…

Looking online I discovered Phil Jones amps that seems perfect for my needs. But I've never seen one in person and their speakers looking so small... too good to be true?

Their cones really works well? They are able to provide the right amount of low frequencies? I'm looking for a good little amp with a rich/deep clean tone to pair with a darkglass B3K pedal. I generally play rock/metal music

What do you think? I'm considering a BE-17 Bass Engine or a Double Four BG-75? which one would you recommend among these two combos? Do you have a better suggest?

Thank you so much
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM
#4
Paul77 said:
Hi everyone, I'm new here and I'm not a really expert bassist... anyway I'm looking for a good bass combo to practice at home at low volume and for some little home recordings. I'm not interessed to other solution that not include an amp šŸ˜…, I hate practice with headphone and I'm tired to play with plugin... I need a real amp with a real speaker šŸ˜…

Looking online I discovered Phil Jones amps that seems perfect for my needs. But I've never seen one in person and their speakers looking so small... too good to be true?

Their cones really works well? They are able to provide the right amount of low frequencies? I'm looking for a good little amp with a rich/deep clean tone to pair with a darkglass B3K pedal. I generally play rock/metal music

What do you think? I'm considering a BE-17 Bass Engine or a Double Four BG-75? which one would you recommend among these two combos? Do you have a better suggest?

Thank you so much
Click to expand...
Welcome to TB!

I have a NanoX4 and Double Four Plus, and very pleased with them (the X4 gets daily use as a BT speaker). I do not have any experience with the BE17.

The BE-17, BG-75 (D4) and BG-80 (D4+) all have a Line Out, so any of them should work well for recording. All have similar output power, so that shouldn't really be a factor (the theoretical difference between 70 and 90 W is ~1 dB). The BE-17 is considerably larger and heavier than the D4/D4+, if that is a concern. The D4 can be powered also be powered by DC, and the D4+ can be powered by a USB power brick with proper capability (5W @ 20V) for portable use. There is a lot of information on the D4 & D4+ if you do a search here on TB.

I'd lean towards the D4+, but don't think you would go wrong with any of them. Good luck, let us know what you decide and how you like it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dutchwife, NocoLaw and KohanMike
#5
Welcome! There is a search function in the toolbar at the top, and a search will probably reveal a lot of info on these PJB amps (just FYI). I have the Double Four, and I use it at home all time with electric and upright; and I primarily play low B 5 string electrics - no lack of bass even on a low B. I've used it with the upright as volume support to play small room/low volume upright gigs, and I have used it in jams on the electrics. Universally, people are shocked at the low end and volume I get from the little shoebox! The ability to power the D4 with a battery (mentioned above) is ultra-handy. It's not going to replace my stage rigs, but it's incredible for what it's designed to do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM
#7
I found the D4 quite boomy and without a very open/flat response at most volumes. A nice tone, but depending on how you much you enjoy the higher frequency articulation it may or may not be what you're looking for.

I enjoy playing through my Everse 8 much more for those lower volume applications. Way more flexible plus a ton of other features than your average bass practice amp. I can generally get it to sound like whatever I need since it's a flat but malleable PA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nebadon2000
#8
I'll just add my own endorsement for the D4 - I have the original (non-plus) version and use it very much as the OP describes for home practice, and for performances with acoustic groups, and it has performed admirably. As @KohanMike notes, it puts out substantial volume and great tone; the build quality is also very good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM
#9
Paul77 said:
Hi everyone, I'm new here and I'm not a really expert bassist... anyway I'm looking for a good bass combo to practice at home at low volume and for some little home recordings. I'm not interessed to other solution that not include an amp šŸ˜…, I hate practice with headphone and I'm tired to play with plugin... I need a real amp with a real speaker šŸ˜… Looking online I discovered Phil Jones amps that seems perfect for my needs. But I've never seen one in person and their speakers looking so small... too good to be true? Their cones really works well? They are able to provide the right amount of low frequencies? I'm looking for a good little amp with a rich/deep clean tone to pair with a darkglass B3K pedal. I generally play rock/metal music What do you think? I'm considering a BE-17 Bass Engine or a Double Four BG-75? which one would you recommend among these two combos? Do you have a better suggest? Thank you so much
Click to expand...
If you can afford it and willing to spend the money for what it is, with other alternatives available on the market, then, maybe. You really should get in a room and play one, if at all possible, particularly if you say you generally play rock and metal.
 
#10
I have a BG-120, It's not cheap, but it has a speaker out, I use it with a C4 cab, planning on getting a C2. It also has a direct out.

I use all PJB for my live rig as well. I love the stuff.

@Thunderthumbs73 is correct, there are many small amps that are less expensive and may provide what you need. That being said, You can't go wrong with PJB.

YMMV
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thunderthumbs73 and Maxi Funkl
#11
PJB Amps seem fine for what you want as many have attested to here; I would lean to BE-17 if playing Amp live with recorded music

Also as alternative if recording is a preference would be Fender Rumble Studio 40 or Ampeg RB-110 both their DI outputs are Post Eq and Fender has list of features some may be of interest for you
 
#12
I've got a Bass Cub BG-100 and it's great for home practice. Sold one and then bought another because I missed having it around. It won't keep up with a full band with acoustic drums but it's been solid for low volume practices with 2 other guys. Easy to transport if I'm going to my friend's to mess around while he plays guitar. I've also used it with a mic to serve as a vocal monitor in these situations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hurricane Jimmie and WRM
#13
BG400 and C4 extension user here. My living room amp, but have gigged them as well. I don't know, I wouldn't go smaller than the BG400. Its not crazy loud, but does produce great bass freq. Almost too much bass if there was such a thing.
 
#14
Paul77 said:
Looking online I discovered Phil Jones amps that seems perfect for my needs. But I've never seen one in person and their speakers looking so small... too good to be true?

Their cones really works well? They are able to provide the right amount of low frequencies? I'm looking for a good little amp with a rich/deep clean tone to pair with a darkglass B3K pedal. I generally play rock/metal music

What do you think? I'm considering a BE-17 Bass Engine or a Double Four BG-75? which one would you recommend among these two combos? Do you have a better suggest?
Click to expand...

Phil Jones is the way to go for what you describe. They are small and they sound well, even with a five string.
The downsides are that they are not exactly cheap and that they don't go super loud.
 
  • Like
Reactions: getrhythm and WRM
#15
I had the same thoughts at one time..... I STRONGLY recommend that you go play one first OR be sure the store you get it from has a good return policy. It was a HUGE disappointment to me. I didn't like a thing about the D4.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Passinwind
#16
JDA04OSU said:
I've got a Bass Cub BG-100 and it's great for home practice. Sold one and then bought another because I missed having it around. It won't keep up with a full band with acoustic drums but it's been solid for low volume practices with 2 other guys. Easy to transport if I'm going to my friend's to mess around while he plays guitar. I've also used it with a mic to serve as a vocal monitor in these situations.
Click to expand...
So Anyway, I've played with my PJB Cub at nursing homes, small venues and living room rehearsals.
Lot of sound from such a little box.
 
#17
The Joyo BA-30 is very close to the PJB Nano X4, with an additional audio interface and the ability to be battery powered.

And it costs around 4.5 x less than the Nano X4.

_Obra_

Post in thread 'What is the smallest -and- best sounding practice amps out there?'

gtirard said:
Excellent review, it seems to be honest.
It would be great to see someone A/B testing it against the PJB X4 Nano
Click to expand...
As I promised...

  • Like
  • Love


I'm the happy owner of a PJB Double 4, but if I had to buy a practice amp today I would probably get the Joyo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sid the Kid, antfarm, nanbanpapa and 1 other person
#19
gtirard said:
The Joyo BA-30 is very close to the PJB Nano X4, with an additional audio interface and the ability to be battery powered.

And it costs around 4.5 x less than the Nano X4.

_Obra_

Post in thread 'What is the smallest -and- best sounding practice amps out there?'

gtirard said:
Excellent review, it seems to be honest.
It would be great to see someone A/B testing it against the PJB X4 Nano
Click to expand...
As I promised...

  • Like
  • Love


I'm the happy owner of a PJB Double 4, but if I had to buy a practice amp today I would probably get the Joyo.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about reliability, and it's too early to tell?...

PJB works for me, and truly is in a class by themselves, but I don't expect the D4+ to fill a venue/get "Loud", as that's not its' purpose. It's a BT/aux-in that will kick all laptop speakers' butts and accurately amplify just about any electric instrument you choose to plug into it....

The Fender Riff is slightly less expensive than the D4+, has built-in battery and is supposed to be 75W, but no comparison w/D4+ (I do not recommend that one).

Cheers,
 
  • Like
Reactions: gtirard
#20
Thanks to all for the feedbacks, I really appreciate that šŸ™. I'll try to reply to all with this post.

The Fender Rumble 40 (with OR crush 50) was the first amp that came into my mind until I've seen and heard PJB online. So I thought that if they had been qualitatively similar or better to the bigger combo competitors on the market they could be a better solution for me. My home studio it's not too big and it's really full of stuff so their limited dimensions are a plus for me. Unfortunately here in Italy there's not a dealer, so it's really hard to test one in person. I only care that it has a good solid clean tone to pair at my B3K pedal

I know that these little amps can't offer the low freq and all the richness of a powerfull amp of 500W, I just wanted that they sounds good or better as the Rumble 40 (or similar amps in the same category)

Anyway the D4 seems to be rather popural here so I think that I'll try to find an used one first otherwise I'll get a new... I hope it was the right choice šŸ˜…
 
  • Like
Reactions: WRM and Nebadon2000

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back