Hey all. I'm sorry if this has all been covered esp. ad nauseum. I'm thinking about getting back into playing after a long haitus and am thinking about what gear to buy. I wouldn't be playing anyplace big. I remember hearing the Phil Jones gear online and it sounded great. How do you all feel about it or would you recommend something of similar sound with a better value. I've also always liked the punchiness of Hartke speakers. Thanks.
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Phil Jones stuff?
- Thread starter glorth2
- Start date
phil jones bass stuff gets alot of love, I think it sounds great myself but I've never played it. I think the look is awesome/hilarious and according to the speaker guru's makes alot of sense.
bongomania
Commercial User
Phil Jones puts a huge amount of effort into research and design, and his designs are definitely the result of independent thinking rather than "me-too" marketing. So I admire him and his work on those counts.
Unfortunately the performance per weight per dollar is not that great IMO. For all the good qualities of any one piece of gear, either the weight will be too much, or the price too high (compared to similar-performing gear), or the performance (efficiency, tone, feature design) not as stellar as you'd hope.
The one Phil Jones piece that is a home run IMO is the "Bass Buddy" preamp/DI/practice tool. The performance to price to weight of the Buddy is astonishingly good.
Unfortunately the performance per weight per dollar is not that great IMO. For all the good qualities of any one piece of gear, either the weight will be too much, or the price too high (compared to similar-performing gear), or the performance (efficiency, tone, feature design) not as stellar as you'd hope.
The one Phil Jones piece that is a home run IMO is the "Bass Buddy" preamp/DI/practice tool. The performance to price to weight of the Buddy is astonishingly good.
One of the bass players at my church has a 4x5 combo, and it does sound great, but considering how much it cost him, it really isn't very loud.
But it has more bass than any other similar sized combo I've ever heard; it really does have an awesome, solid tone.
But it has more bass than any other similar sized combo I've ever heard; it really does have an awesome, solid tone.
If you look in the sponsored forums under The Perfect Bass, you will find a very long thread discussing the PJB amps.
In my opinion, PJB amps have the purest, best tone of any amp out there. However, as was already mentioned, it comes at a cost in dollars and weight. I used a Suitcase combo and 4b for a while. The tone was very clear and the low B string was huge, but given the cost and weight I could barely be heard in the mix.
Try them out - if you really like the tone it might be worth it to you. Good luck!
In my opinion, PJB amps have the purest, best tone of any amp out there. However, as was already mentioned, it comes at a cost in dollars and weight. I used a Suitcase combo and 4b for a while. The tone was very clear and the low B string was huge, but given the cost and weight I could barely be heard in the mix.
Try them out - if you really like the tone it might be worth it to you. Good luck!
if you heard them, i believe you would fine the pjb tone to generally be rather neutral...sort of the spiritual tonal opposite of, say, hartke...fwiw. i expect this is why some people say the pjb products do not sound relatively loud...they do not have a bright or punchy sound imo. later, ron
I use PJB Neo cabinets a LOT on gigs in small to mid sized bars and stages with a variety of hi-fi heads. They sound fabulous live, great in studio or practice, but better with a live band. I run up to 7 piece blues and rock bands, with the bass typically not through a PA. Play most popular styles, but not heavy metal or screaming loud rock. Even with the 6B, the smallest of the Neo cabs, and a high-power micro head, I never run out of volume. Not even close. I typically have a Markbass or other micro head set to 1/4 to 1/3rd on the master with the gain set to match the bass. Guitarists run 50 watt tube heads or less and play kinda loud. But I hear the volume comment online - so I guess other people must be playing a heck of a lot louder than the bands I'm in. And I think I'm too loud!
I had a PJB briefcase...wonderful little unit. I have a PJB bass buddy...fabulous!!!
The next amp/speaker item on my wishlist, and maybe the last will be a PJB superflightcase. 6x5 neos and a plenty of power for coffee house, acoustic combo or quiet jazz...and under 15Kg!!!
unbeatable. I love the sound of my fretless thru a pjb!
or for that matter thru my Ampeg B12N
The next amp/speaker item on my wishlist, and maybe the last will be a PJB superflightcase. 6x5 neos and a plenty of power for coffee house, acoustic combo or quiet jazz...and under 15Kg!!!
unbeatable. I love the sound of my fretless thru a pjb!
or for that matter thru my Ampeg B12N
I did try a 4b and a 6b with more powerful amps than the Suitcase and the M-300, and they really opened up nicely. By that time, though, I already had another rig.
Get a sixpack. It should be as loud as you'll need for small-medium venues, and if you need more you can always get an extension cab.
For the money there are louder options, but Phil Jones is making great gear. I was the most impressed by his gear in the recent past.
You could get more bang for the buck with used gear or other high end options, but PJB has something really special to offer.
If you can afford it you proably won't regret it.
For the money there are louder options, but Phil Jones is making great gear. I was the most impressed by his gear in the recent past.
You could get more bang for the buck with used gear or other high end options, but PJB has something really special to offer.
If you can afford it you proably won't regret it.
bongomania
Commercial User
Oh cool thanks. I thought it wouldn't be in there because you usually only seem to do single space rack units and pedals.
I use a PJB M300 head and have two of his cabs...an 8B and a 6B. For most gigs I use the 8B and the volume is more then enough as I've been asked to turn down my volume on many occasions (I'm in a 5 piece variety band). When I need more volume I bring along the 6B and use both so the M300 is pushing 14 five inch speakers. The tone and quality of sound is amazing as is the ease of portability of the cabinets.
I'm singing praises for Phil Jones, too! I have been playing through my 6B Neo Power cab for 2 weeks and am blown away by the sound! The clarity, punch and bottom are ridiculous. After first service in church on Sunday, people who aren't even musicians were complimenting me on how good my bass sounded. I am able to cut through the mix, which includes an organ connected to a big Leslie speaker cabinet, with my EA Micro 300 set at a lower volume. Phil's background in loudspeaker design, being a bassist and his hi-fi approach used in designing and building cabinets definitely paid off!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
In the same boat following open brain surgery. Phil Jones gear has kept me playing. I started with the Brief Case, actually found it a little heavy at the start & moved to the Flight Case 150watt version, which is lighter & a very easy lift. Both Brilliant amps. Preferred the portability of the Flight Case. However I then traded up the Phil Jones D200 Head and the 6B. I love it. To spite its 46lb weight, it's a very comfortable lift with one hand on the recessed handle & the other in the bass port. As I'm sure you’re aware; it has an in-built telescopic trolley. I've not run out of power yet, & I haven’t even gone DI, great to know the option is there. If you think this is too heavy for you; I would suggest looking at the Super Flight Case Regards the cost; it's worth ever cent, dime or what ever. I love the merge of quality & sound with the personal touch, Phil Jones spoke to me personally, he helped me choose my rig by asking all the right questions, as did the shop owner. If they are been purchased here in Ireland smack in the middle of this recession, the gear & the man speaks volumes ! (forgive the pun) Happy gigging.
I'm hoping on purchasing a nice rig to keep setup at home for practice and be available as a backup to my MB LMII/Berg 1x12" rig. I've been thinking an M500 atop an 8B. The sound is perfect to me and the look is perfect for our living room.
+100!!! The telescopic handle is the bomb! It is hard to believe that this cab weighs 46 lbs! Phil is a very personable guy and very easy to talk to. He answered all of my questions and explained why he thinks that his stuff is the best. I'M CONVINCED!!!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
Yup. Been there done that. Sounds good but not stellar IMO....is heavy and expensive compared to the competition.
