Phil Jones Nanobass X4 combo

[Relayer71]

Just got one of these, thanks to this review and other mentions.

My wife, who is non-musical and not into gear or tech can't help say, "that thing is so cute!" every time she sees it (got the red one). And that was my first impression. So tiny! My second impression: feels well made. Not unlike the PJB Bighead headphone amp I also own. It just has this solidity and heft; so it's cute but doesn't feel like a cheap toy. And it's the perfect size to keep on a desk or easily carry from room to room.

It's loud... for it's size. Sure, it's not going to rattle the windows and you're not going to be able to hear yourself playing with a band, but honestly, it works as intended: as a portable solo practice amp. More important than volume for a practice amp (to me, anyway) is getting a good, full bass sound. This puts other tiny 15 - 25 watt practice amps I've used in the past to shame. It's nice to put it at a low enough volume to not disturb anyone in the next room but still be able to hear "bass" that doesn't sound muddy.

The blue tooth capability is also awesome - instead of having another cable/source to plug in (as on the Bighead) to play along with music, I can just transmit the music to the amp.

Very happy with my purchase. My only complaint is it's pricey. However, its build and sound quality make it so I feel it was worth it.

 

[gwangi]

Will the instrument input be safe when plugging in a bass w/18 volt preamp?

 

[WRM]

Will the instrument input be safe when plugging in a bass w/18 volt preamp?

If your signal is between 240 mV and 2 V, it should work. It has an instrument input level adjustment (gain) as well as volume, with Aux-in and Bluetooth on a separate volume control (which I really like).
P: X-4 Combo Amp | Phil Jones Bass

 

[george bel]

Hi,
first post here, recently I got a Harley Benton jazz bass and I have started practicing with it

I am not a musician nor I intend to become one, I am just playing for the fun of it (and a bit of guitar/piano)

Currently I am listening directly through my audio interface (Motu M4) from monitor speakers (Yamaha HS5) or headphones (Sennheiser 58x) or using the VOX Amplug bass (sound-wise I prefer the first option with speakers or headphones, I don't really like the sound out of VOX Amplug)

So am thinking of getting a small bass amp only for practice and specifically in low volumes (appartment).

First option I have is Rumble 40 which is the cheapest option and can be found easily used even cheaper (but is not small enough ...)

Then I am considering Phil Jones: Nanobass X4 or Double Four because of the small factor: I like to be able to move it around the house easily, I don't care about getting loud, I will only use it in my appartment, so I can pay more for this but only if it meets the following criteria:

- I 'd like it to sound like a bass - not something that resembles a bass
- have a good headphone out
- be able to record about of it. X4 has no dedicated line out - only headphone out - has anybody tried to record with it?
- I like the bluetooth option of X4 but if Double Foure is much better in terms of sound (in low-appartment volumes) I can live without it.

In EU there is no DC option for Double Four so both are the same in terms of powering options.

So, the only differences (apart from size/2x4'' speakers vs one 4'') is the bluetooth option that X4 has, and the dedicated line out that Double Four has.

I like the size factor of X4 (and of course Double Four is not big at all).

I am between these two and also cosidering the Rumble 40 option (for the sound and the price- however I don't like the size of it)

I am answering to my own post...
I have this little amp for 4 months now..
I bought it only for practicing in low volumes and I wanted something that sounds good and is small.
I was not convinced by other similarly sized amps so I went for this and I haven't regretted at all!

- volume is more than enough for my needs
- sound is very good, eq bass/mid/tremble is quite effective
- is VERY small and light. Actually I have it in my desk next to my Yamaha HS-5 monitors but I can move it everywhere whenever I need. I just have a spare power cable and use it (dont want to to use in order to not move the cable as well
- line-in and Bluetooth in are very convenient. I have a sound card (motu m4) with 2 different outs so I have connected my main out to the monitors and the second to the amp (to the line in). I can use it for both playing and listening stuff from pc without turning on my monitors... bass from songs sounds better by the amp even with the 4'' speaker (comparing to Yamaha)...
- when I move it around the house, I just use Bluetooth for any backing tracks or rhythms/metronome
- phones out is very good too (for example I don't like my Vox Amplug)

If only could work with battery would be perfect (I know there is the japanese version with DC input)

Here is a photo of Nano amp next to my (Ibanez) Mikro bass

 

[Michael - NYC]

Has anyone ( who has owned both ) compared: Phil Jones NanoBass X4 vs. Boss Dual Cube Bass LX ???