Does Anyone Own A Phil Jones Combo?

[discreet]

[b]Does Anyone Own A Phil Jones Combo?[/b]
[b]If so, what's it like?[/b]

My new band plays a few tight stages, but I don't want to compromise on sound quality or power. Having said that, my Rumble 500 combo is [i]way [/i]overpowered for most of the gigs we play (I'm gigging at a lower level that I use at home!) and though only 16.5kg, if I have to park a fair way from the venue (in London this is almost inevitable) it becomes heavier in proportion to distance... so either I arrive with arms like a gibbon, or I have to use my folding sack truck - which is a right pain in the arse for many reasons.

I've been looking at products from Markbass [i]et al[/i], but am fascinated by the little PJB combos... so my question is this:

Do you have one of these tiny PJB powerhouses? If so, what's it like? They are most probably powerful enough for my current band, but if I joined a band with a shed-building drummer could I realistically use one without an extension cab? Would it be loud enough? Can you easily carry them about like a... suitcase? What's the deal with these amps?

I thank you!

Edited February 21, 2016 by discreet

[Dan Dare]

I tried one once and was a bit underwhelmed. Fabulously clean tones, light/easy to lift, smart looking, but the sound seemed a bit lacking in oomph. If you're thinking of spending that kind of money, I'd look at AER.

[EssentialTension]

Phil Jones Bass Briefcase - 100watt, 2x5"

I like it a lot, both tone and ease of carrying, but I only use it at home and for quieter rehearsals.

Having said that, I expect it would be fine for quieter gigs, probably with no drummer, or with brushes, or with cajon.

[discreet]

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1456058242' post='2984892']
I tried one once and was a bit underwhelmed. Fabulously clean tones, light/easy to lift, smart looking, but the sound seemed a bit lacking in oomph. If you're thinking of spending that kind of money, I'd look at AER.
[/quote]

The AER stuff does indeed look great, thanks. More research needed. Which was the PJB you tried?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1456060307' post='2984943']
Phil Jones Bass Briefcase - 100watt, 2x5". I like it a lot, both tone and ease of carrying, but I only use it at home and for quieter rehearsals. Having said that, I expect it would be fine for quieter gigs, probably with no drummer, or with brushes, or with cajon.
[/quote]

Thanks for that. We are a quiet band, but I'd want to be able to use it in other bands if necessary.
This is the specific item I was thinking about: [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/PJB_Compact_Suitcase.html"]http://www.bassdirec...t_Suitcase.html[/url]

Edited February 21, 2016 by discreet

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456060468' post='2984948']
Thanks for that. We are a quiet band, but I'd want to be able to use it in other bands if necessary.
This is the specific item I was thinking about: [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/PJB_Compact_Suitcase.html"]http://www.bassdirec...t_Suitcase.html[/url]
[/quote]

That looks to me like it would be fine volume wise but heavier.

On the issue of sound being too clean just add a VT bass pedal.

[machinehead]

I had one of those years ago. Great sound but not loud enough at times. And very heavy. Heavier than your Fender and not as useful in my opinion.

AER are a different league altogether but again, heavy. I have an AER amp two. It's easily loud enough for any gig and sounds amazing for such a tiny combo. But.. expensive.
I'd lean more to an AER amp one or three to save weight (And cost). But all the AERs are stunningly good.

The Markbass 2 x 8 combo looks interesting too. I foolishly sold my MB CM121P. That was brilliant and loud enough to gig with a drummer and an easy carry. That's what I'd buy again in your situation.

Frank.

Edited February 21, 2016 by machinehead

[machinehead]

Having typed all the above, I then remembered the Barefaced one10.

One of those with a micro head must be the ultimate in light weight and portability. I've used Barefaced cabs since 2009 ish and swear by them but I haven't heard the One10 yet.

Frank.

[discreet]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1456060809' post='2984953']
On the issue of sound being too clean just add a VT bass pedal.
[/quote]

'Too clean' is not possible in my current band.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1456062277' post='2984972']
I foolishly sold my MB CM121P. That was brilliant and loud enough to gig with a drummer and an easy carry.
[/quote]

That's in the lead at the moment.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1456062608' post='2984978']
Having typed all the above, I then remembered the Barefaced one10.
[/quote]

Looked at that, it seems rather remarkable for its size and price, but having experience the joys of the combo, I want another!
If Alex did a One10 Combo I'd be all over it like plumpo on chips.

[machinehead]

Agreed discreet. A combo is very handy.

As said above, I have an AER amp two but also an Eden EC28. The Eden is really excellent for tone and volume but maybe not quite in the Markbass CMD121P league for volume. Tone from the Eden is top drawer though and decent volume to boot.

My choice would still be the Markbass.

Frank.

[Maude]

I use a Suitcase with the 4B extension cab in a pretty loud band with doublebass.
I normally use it for monitoring and DI through the PA, in this situation just the suitcase would do but the 4b helps get it up the head height so I use both.
For a couple of months the fan in the PA amp was broken and the bass would cook it so I didn't DI, the PJB setup coped fine but I wouldn't have liked to pushed it much more. I think it would cope ok in a loud rock band scenario but that's eight of the little speakers at 300w, a briefcase with two speakers at 100w would struggle I'd imagine.
Also the suitcase is not a suitcase that's been designed to be carried very far, it's plenty heavy enough and the two handles on top make a one handed lift awkward, it'll bang your legs constantly so two hands are needed.
It sounds lovely though

[Marty Forrer]

I had a flightcase (150w) and a matching powered ext cab (250w), total of 10 5" speakers. The tone was to die for, but as someone said in an earlier post, it didn't have enough oomph for a trio unless I pushed it pretty hard. I don't play loud, my tinnitus wont stand it.

[No lust in Jazz]

[i]I had a flightcase (150w) and a matching powered ext cab (250w), total of 10 5" speakers. The tone was to die for, but as someone said in an earlier post, it didn't have enough oomph for a trio unless I pushed it pretty hard. I don't play loud, my tinnitus wont stand it. [/i] ...

[i]Quotes not working[/i]

I have the same set up and I have found that it works really well in a 'rock orientated' band I like the upward firing speakers for monitoring too

[chris_b]

When I needed a low volume rig I looked at all the combo's. The AER Bass combo's are the only ones I thought came close but the price was way to high for me.

I settled for a Berg AE112 and my regular amp. Small, light and maintaining a high quality of tone at a reasonable price.

These days, for tone and volume and smallest footprint, I'd also be seriously looking at the smaller Barefaced cabs.

[karlfer]

Hmm, I got two of those PJB C4 light cabs just before Christmas, both 4 x 5, 400w.
Sounded beautiful tone wise.

First bit of bass gear I can ever remember returning to the retailer.

Nowhere near loud enough for the band I play in. Very disappointing.

[Truckstop]

No interest in downsizing to a Rumble100?

[EvilSmile]

I had a 150w flight case about 7-8 years ago and it was nice and lighter than the ashdown combo I was using but I didn't really like it both volume and its tone wasn't that articulate. I ended up with a bareface compact and tecamp 500 which was awesome and more volume that I needed but I moved out the country and thought it best to sell for some extra moving money.

Now you may notice (in my sig) I have a pb-100 powered cab. I needed a small lightweight amp and having a pjb bass buddy this seemed like a perfect pairing - and it is. I think phil jones upgraded the speaker and for a 100w powered speaker the size of a shoe box it is loud - easily keeps up with a drummer and full big band at rehearsals. Its really clean but has a nice punch so its clear and not sterile which the 150w flight-case tended to be to my ear. Definitely worth considering imo, and you can switch out what preamp you use with it if you want to mix things up or change your tone.

[pete.young]

I have a PJB briefcase and it is surprising loud, but not quite enough to keep up with a not-very-loud drummer, keys, guitar and vocals at a rehearsal. It's also damn heavy, with a battery in it weighs more than my Tecamp Puma 110 and isn't anywhere near as loud.

But it does sound lovely with double bass, or anything else at sensible volumes - bass guitar, acoustic, accordion, mandolin, bouzouki, even banjo.

[MoonBassAlpha]

Class D amp, Barefaced One 10 and a reel of Gaffa Tape. Combo done!

[discreet]

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1456921946' post='2993521']
Class D amp, Barefaced One 10 and a reel of Gaffa Tape. Combo done!
[/quote]

A One10 and a GK MB200 is still a possibility. I think Velcro may be preferable to gaffa tape, though.

[razze06]

If you're really not playing loud, and you like clean tones, PJB combos are fantastic. I use a pjb briefcase (2x5, 100w) with double bass and EUB and it sounds incredible. But quiet. Also, not super light, but it all depends on what you're used to. The shape of the combo is such that is not hard to carry, and it balances fairly well.

[tanuki]

I used to have good results with the briefcase with double bass and electric, used it on a theatre gig and always sounded great. It can be a bit quiet but i found there was a real difference with where you place it in the room.. I went for an acoustic image focus 2r in the end, cant say enough good things about the A.I stuff with upright bass..

Phil jones stuff is great though, it would be interesting to try one of the bigger combos.. The briefcase is light and has the wonderful fact that you can wire it up to a car battery though, always a plus!!

[Dan Dare]

Sorry. Never replied to your question. Was a briefcase I tried.

[mingsta]

I've got a pjb cub and view it as a posh home practice amp and stage monitor. Definely not loud enough to keep pace with a drummer and it has limited bass extension imo. I can't imagine the briefcase could get that much louder. The suitcase has double the drivers, but at 23kg it's up against some very capable combos of the 2x10 / 1x12 / 1x15 variety. Don't get me wrong, it lovely kit and I get good use out of mine, but not my preferred option if I only had one amp/combo.

[chrisanthony1211]

AER amp one sounds the way to go if you have the £££££. I had one which was great until we got a new drummer who liking bigs sticks and hitting things hard! These are small and diminutive and stupidly loud for a 10 in combo, they can keep up with a full band, as long as they don't play too loud, any extension cab would need to be powered though which is why I ultimately moved it on and got MB CMD121p with the NY extension cab which is great, and I've had for over 12 months which is un heard of for me, these are great too.

[discreet]

Thanks for all the responses folks, very useful. Plenty for me to think about. Looks like the MB combo would be the best compromise between beans, portability and cost. Just need to amass the necessary shillings...