Double Bass PJB Briefcase enough for little gigs ???

[jeffpau]

Hi,

I am very interested by the little Briefcase.
I have already a big powered speaker so I will mainly use the PJB for jazz clubs gigs (piano-drums-double bass or sax-drums-double bass).
Compared to a well-know Gallien MB200 (or MB150), is the Briefcase comparable in terms of "sound projection" ???
Is it enough to play without PA in front of a 50 people audience ??

thanks for your tips, groovin'

Jeff

 

[Peck_Time]

I have a PJB briefcase, and have used it for restaurant/ jazz club gigs.

I really like the clear sound of it, but I had to have it at 9 just to be in the mix. Unfortunately if you hook it up to an external speaker, the internal speakers shut down. I use an EA iamp500 and a Whizzy 12 cab now, but In terms of 'my bass but louder', the briefcase was great.

IMO it doesn't have the headroom I need, and I don't play loud (or with loud players). The new PJB suitcase (4x5 inch speakers, looks perfect for the small club application.

Here's the other thing: those small speakers are heavy! The PJB briefcase weighs 28 pounds, the PJB suitcase weighs 49 pounds, the new AI Contra weighs 20 pounds.

 

[Ale]

Yeah i would go for the AI Contra or Coda instead !

So much low ! And they will work for most types of gigs , with or without PA support .. Thoose amps are amazing little monsters ...

 

[Randy Ward]

I was curious about these too and drove to a BASS GUITAR specialty store north of me to play though one. I had to check it out with an electric bass so it wasn't a perfect test, but I just don't think it is going to work as well as the A.I. stuff for a small gig. It didn't move enough air, IMHO YMMV. But it did sound great and clean. They have a new one, as PECK TIME mentioned,the suitcase with two channels. And you can use a 4 OHM ext. cab with it. That might be a better choice.

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[Ale]

Yeah i think so , the briefcase is just to weak for gigs , but im guessing its perfect for practice , and recording ?

 

[Sir Funkalot]

The briefcase is a practice amp. I have never recommended it as a gigging amp. many players do use it for this purpose though.especially if it is a low acoustic level. It is very sensitive to room placement. If the Briefcase is placed on the ground in a room corner, it will pump out enough low end even enough to play with a loud drummer. I actually used one like this using a 4 string Jazz Bass in a club and if was fine.

 

[Akami]

The briefcase is a practice amp. I have never recommended it as a gigging amp. many players do use it for this purpose though.especially if it is a low acoustic level. It is very sensitive to room placement. If the Briefcase is placed on the ground in a room corner, it will pump out enough low end even enough to play with a loud drummer. I actually used one like this using a 4 string Jazz Bass in a club and if was fine.

I only tried one in the store but agree with the opinion that it's a practice amp.

After that I bought a couple Acoustic Image amps.

 

[Ale]

yeah , ive been thinking of purchasing one for practicing , thoose PJstuff is great ..
Akami :
How you like your AI-amps ?
I think they are amazing little amps .. They sound SO big ..

 

[tombowlus]

I have a Briefcase and I have played a Suitcase, both with and without the 4B. I find the Briefcase to be loud enough for "little gigs" where your drummer - if any - is very controlled (brushes, perhaps), and the guitars are acoustic or very quiet. I bought mine in part for campfire jams with acoustics and fiddles, and the battery powered option is very nice. The Briefcase isn't exceptionally loud, and I certainly have "small gigs" where it would not be loud enough, but it's darned loud for its size, IMHO (especially when strategically placed within the room).

The Suitcase is not only louder, but punchier. It will really cut through a mix. Double the drivers and double the power of the Briefcase, it's a very large step up in the volume game. Adding the 4B to it makes it a very formidable rig.