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Double Bass Phil Jones!
- Thread starter Earl
- Start date
Hi Earl, I don't use Facebook. Can you copy and paste the entire text please? This is certainly of interest to many.
Phil Jones:
I never thought I’d have to write this. But after 25 years of loyalty, trust, and building something truly world-class, I owe it to myself—and to everyone who believed in me—to speak the truth.
I gave my heart, my soul, and my engineering to create what many of you came to know through Phil Jones Bass, Airpulse, and Acoustic Energy. I built it all from the ground up—every design, every driver, every product, with passion and precision.
Years ago, I even supported my business partner in his U.S. immigration journey. I wrote the letter that helped him secure his green card. I believed in him. I thought we shared the same vision.
But now—without my consent—that same partner has shut the company down behind my back.
He is attempting to erase my legacy.
He has destroyed not just a business, but the livelihoods of good people who stood by us.
But I will not disappear quietly.
I am now looking for a new partner or investor—someone who believes in doing things the right way.
Someone who believes in British sound, innovation, and integrity.
This isn't just about business.
It’s about protecting a lifetime of work—and finishing what I started, in the right hands.
If you know someone who wants to be part of rebuilding something meaningful—contact me directly.
I still have everything that matters:
The knowledge, the vision, and the fire to finish this story my way.
To those who know me, this may be my last message.
I’m not writing for help. I’m not asking for attention. I’ve made peace with many things.
But there is one thing I need to say clearly:
Please take care of my wife.
She is the best part of my life.
She is young, kind, and unspoiled by the cruelty I’ve come to know.
She stood by me with grace and patience, even when everything else fell apart.
I have built many things in this life—loudspeakers, music, brands, and ideas—but nothing has meant more to me than being loved by her.
I cannot let her watch me go down slowly like a sinking ship.
So if I go silent, let this truth remain:
Protect her. Defend her. Lift her up.
She deserves peace, kindness, and a life far better than the one I’ve struggled through.
This is not about defeat.
It’s about preserving something pure.
She was my home. She was my light.
She is everything good I ever knew.
This is the truth.
My business did not fail because of bad ideas, weak products, or a lack of effort.
It began to collapse because of something far greater—harsh U.S. tariffs,…. [Mod Edit]…. which made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations in China, where we were manufacturing.
But I didn’t give up.
I fought harder.
I went out of my way to apply for a UK government grant—not to enrich myself, but to bring the factory, the jobs, the technology, and the future back home.
It was an opportunity to save the company, protect the people working with me, and give us all something stronger.
But instead of seeing this as a path forward for everyone,
my business partner, Wendong Zhang, saw it as a threat to his control.
He didn’t want help unless he could own it.
He didn’t want a future unless he commanded it.
And so—without my consent, without conversation, and without honor—he shut the company down.
I was cut out of the very company I built with my own hands.
I was erased from the work that carries my name.
Not because I failed—but because I stood up.
I gave everything:
My designs.
My loyalty.
My voice.
And above all, my heart.
To be betrayed after all that… there are no easy words.
Only this:
I am still here.
And I will not let this end quietly.
Not for me.
Not for my wife.
Not for the people who still believe in what I created.
If you’ve ever supported me, or cared about what I built—thank you.
Now you know the truth.
I never thought I’d have to write this. But after 25 years of loyalty, trust, and building something truly world-class, I owe it to myself—and to everyone who believed in me—to speak the truth.
I gave my heart, my soul, and my engineering to create what many of you came to know through Phil Jones Bass, Airpulse, and Acoustic Energy. I built it all from the ground up—every design, every driver, every product, with passion and precision.
Years ago, I even supported my business partner in his U.S. immigration journey. I wrote the letter that helped him secure his green card. I believed in him. I thought we shared the same vision.
But now—without my consent—that same partner has shut the company down behind my back.
He is attempting to erase my legacy.
He has destroyed not just a business, but the livelihoods of good people who stood by us.
But I will not disappear quietly.
I am now looking for a new partner or investor—someone who believes in doing things the right way.
Someone who believes in British sound, innovation, and integrity.
This isn't just about business.
It’s about protecting a lifetime of work—and finishing what I started, in the right hands.
If you know someone who wants to be part of rebuilding something meaningful—contact me directly.
I still have everything that matters:
The knowledge, the vision, and the fire to finish this story my way.
To those who know me, this may be my last message.
I’m not writing for help. I’m not asking for attention. I’ve made peace with many things.
But there is one thing I need to say clearly:
Please take care of my wife.
She is the best part of my life.
She is young, kind, and unspoiled by the cruelty I’ve come to know.
She stood by me with grace and patience, even when everything else fell apart.
I have built many things in this life—loudspeakers, music, brands, and ideas—but nothing has meant more to me than being loved by her.
I cannot let her watch me go down slowly like a sinking ship.
So if I go silent, let this truth remain:
Protect her. Defend her. Lift her up.
She deserves peace, kindness, and a life far better than the one I’ve struggled through.
This is not about defeat.
It’s about preserving something pure.
She was my home. She was my light.
She is everything good I ever knew.
This is the truth.
My business did not fail because of bad ideas, weak products, or a lack of effort.
It began to collapse because of something far greater—harsh U.S. tariffs,…. [Mod Edit]…. which made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations in China, where we were manufacturing.
But I didn’t give up.
I fought harder.
I went out of my way to apply for a UK government grant—not to enrich myself, but to bring the factory, the jobs, the technology, and the future back home.
It was an opportunity to save the company, protect the people working with me, and give us all something stronger.
But instead of seeing this as a path forward for everyone,
my business partner, Wendong Zhang, saw it as a threat to his control.
He didn’t want help unless he could own it.
He didn’t want a future unless he commanded it.
And so—without my consent, without conversation, and without honor—he shut the company down.
I was cut out of the very company I built with my own hands.
I was erased from the work that carries my name.
Not because I failed—but because I stood up.
I gave everything:
My designs.
My loyalty.
My voice.
And above all, my heart.
To be betrayed after all that… there are no easy words.
Only this:
I am still here.
And I will not let this end quietly.
Not for me.
Not for my wife.
Not for the people who still believe in what I created.
If you’ve ever supported me, or cared about what I built—thank you.
Now you know the truth.
Last edited by a moderator:
He does not seem to be writing from a healthy state of mind. Friends should be concerned.
Im hoping someone intervenes right away. I am concerned for his well being.
Yes irrespective of whatever business issues are going on the way he's writing has some very concerning implications. Hopefully people close to him have reached out.
Some users are claiming a scam. I can tell you it isn't. It is his wording, no demands for anything, how he types. Hope the best for him though in most of his other post I don't agree with him. This is his personal page, he seem to be very into economical politics... ain't getting into that. Every post he talked about a new plan for production seems like something fell through.
Well wish him the best.
Well wish him the best.
Ross Kratter
Supporting Member
- Dec 31, 2010
- 449
- 297
- 33
- Disclosures
- Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
I sent him a text a few hours ago; he has not yet responded. It does look like he has deleted his Facebook.
I wish Phil well. I do not need to concur with his political statements to know that he is a brilliant engineer and designer. He has my utmost respect. The post he made, should concern ALL close to him! I hope ANYONE that knows him, will immediately contact him! The wording looks like he's contemplating something terrible. PLEASE get in touch with him, if you know him! I mean, like ah, go see him at home type of contact!
IMHO, we should all follow suit and delete FB, if’n you’re still on that societally toxic AI- driven propaganda machine. I hope this matter gets resolved tactfully behind closed doors and PJB lives on. I can’t imagine trying to navigate all the crazy of international trade these days … but suffice to say it’s none of my business. Social media is gross
I took fb off my phone a few years ago. Still used it a bunch at home but it gave me the space I needed when I made the jump to only check pm's every week or two. You really just need to totally step away from something to see how bad it truly is for you.(edit, me personally. you do you!) Be that social media, processed food or whatnot. I see people in my circle spiraling on fb with politics and hate or well-meaning rebuttal and I'm thinking "this isn't them, they're caught up". That's what the algorithm does. Gets you caught up.
Mental health is a huge thing. It recently impacted my life in a huge way, but wife and I managed to (luckily)navigate it. I hope Phil has the support he needs to get past this.
This whole conversation is touching, caring, and demonstrates the good will and intentions of contributors. One could argue that THIS is social media that serves a purpose. Nothing I can do to help Phil except wish him peace and good health.
No matter the side of the political view - it is all just brain rot or echo-chamber garbage. I only just read Straight Arrow News or All Media Sides. Rarely look in the comments and Instagram always has the worse comments because the AI purposely pushes comment fighting above all and also looks for keywords and because people will fight more often on political or comments on someone's appearance of course those toxic comments rise. Not to mention you have to fight with the AI to not see garbage... I agree mental health crisis are on the rise and social media is the biggest culprit, it isn't just gen-z I see it in older people according to Pew Research 26% of users on Facebook only use Facebook or share using Facebook for a political soapbox (meaning they use it for other things to) and they have an increase of mental health issues which has been a key link. My point being I like your idea of being "caught up" at the end of the day I tell people, in the US we just vote, and unless you lobby or work in politics we ain't changing a thing if we both love cars, coffee, cowboy boots I could care less what you think as long as you don't insult people. Sadly as seen on TB we just vocal users who feel it is their duty same as Facebook, reddit, Instagram. I agree with you I avoid these apps still look at insta but outside politics the fakeness, aggressive comments the lack of critical thinking, I see reality TV stars fighting people just so fake all of it and pushing everything from literally a disagreement of favorite food, to religon to name it... scares me... Social media isn't the real world so I'll end it at that.
I like TB since we outright ban those because this is a bass forum not a anything else forum. Hence why I can't stand Reddit for example. I know I'm talking to users who may have years of political difference from me and that's ok because we don't make it our life and we love bass and get along with that, and that is beautiful I think and I argue more people in the world are noticing that in fact I think most think that but the internet and social media makes cognitive bias so bad for people... especially if you are in a constant echo-chamber. With people being on the phone 24/7 it is getting scary, I am 24 saying that trust me many youngins notice it I am all for less phone in schools. I gave my piece I won't get deeper I just wanna say nothing wrong with just avoiding social media and going outside, playing bass, getting some coffee, tea... Have a good day all. Hope Phil Jones is feeling better please keep us posted.
For those who are coming at his politics, I don’t see anything he said as particularly political. He is sharing facts pertaining to his business from a business owners POV.
The financial impact on certain companies emanating from tariffs is real. My company had to scramble to realign our supply chain flow or the tariffs could have put us out of business. That is not a political statement, it is the financial reality depending on where your components and/or inventory comes from.
Just wanted to point that out
The financial impact on certain companies emanating from tariffs is real. My company had to scramble to realign our supply chain flow or the tariffs could have put us out of business. That is not a political statement, it is the financial reality depending on where your components and/or inventory comes from.
Just wanted to point that out
Ross Kratter
Supporting Member
- Dec 31, 2010
- 449
- 297
- 33
- Disclosures
- Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
Not yet. I may try calling him later.No word back from Phil?
Thank you Ross for keeping us updated. Please let him know the users at TB of all backgrounds appreciate him as a man who pioneer the amazing idea of small amps, created a great products which we all love. Thank you for the updates again!
Thanks from me too. I went looking for a TB account in the hopes of sending salutations to Phil, but I’m not sure if it’s his or not. Goes by (pjbass). No messages on it but it’s been around for 10 years. Hmm. I’d like to tell him I certainly love my C4 cabinets.
Just a reminder to all that in order to avoid political firestarting, we should all strive to abide by these guidelines. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/no-tariff-threads-or-discussion.1670942/
It’s fine for commercial users to cite “supply chain issues”, which everyone understands, but not to go deeper than that either in blame or defense of them.
It’s fine for commercial users to cite “supply chain issues”, which everyone understands, but not to go deeper than that either in blame or defense of them.
