Phrases by Rob Gee
Phil Jones Bass Compact Plus BG-450 Combo Amp | EGM | RRP $2499
The world of compact bass amplifiers has come to this point up to now decade. We’ve seen dimension diminished, weight diminished, energy will increase and a bunch of digital choices included by many manufacturers of their compact choices. Some have sacrificed high quality to have the ability to enhance different components and hold the worth down. One model who has not diminished the standard with the dimensions of the amplifier, is Phil Jones Bass. The PJB Compact Plus BG-450 is the proper instance of simply how good issues can nonetheless are available small packages. Dimension, weight, energy, tone and construct high quality are all excessive on the checklist of significance with this bass amplifier. The one factor lacking is you.
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Coming in at roughly fourteen sq. inches, the easiest way to get an thought of the dimensions of this amp can be to think about a milk crate, loaded with vinyl. Now, throw out about half the data and also you’re within the ballpark for the load too. This can be a severely compact, completely moveable bass amplifier. It should match within the ground properly within the entrance seat of most vehicles, so you possibly can sling it out and in with ease when leaping between rehearsals, studio time and gigs. If that isn’t handy in an amp, I don’t know what’s. The guitarist might be providing you with soiled seems to be if you stroll in, amp and instrument in a single go, and the drummer is simply going to hate on you till they go away the band. However don’t fear, you’ve received a BG-450, you’re good!
On the coronary heart of this little powerhouse is a 450-watt Class D amplifier that delivers 250 watts to the 4 inbuilt audio system and a full 450 watts when run with an exterior speaker cupboard. For what it’s price, the audio system onboard supply sufficient grunt for many conditions, and the DI output permits the PA to deal with the remainder. And sure, the irony of a “DI” output isn’t misplaced on me, I hope you too get a chuckle with this. That is positioned on the rear of the cupboard, with the choice to run the sign both pre or put up EQ. Subsequent to this, you’ll discover the speaker output on a Neutrik SpeakOn connection, in addition to a Line In and Line Out connection on 6.5mm jacks.
Whereas you should utilize the exterior speaker possibility, you actually don’t have to. The BG-450 is loaded with 4 5” PJB audio system that ship a outstanding quantity of low-end rumble, together with all of the punchy definition that you simply anticipate from audio system of this dimension. You’ll discover it handles deep funk, heavy rock and articulate jazz with ease, providing you with simply what you set into it, with a contact of added PJB tone. There could be the tendency for these smaller amps to battle with the decrease frequencies at excessive quantity, and that is normally a results of audio system which are underpowered, and cupboard builds that aren’t suited to the duty. Neither is the case with the BG-450. This amp means enterprise and it desires you to learn about it.
On the enter facet of issues, it has been saved to a no-nonsense strategy, but nonetheless consists of a few methods which are there for these in search of larger management over their tone. The enter has a strong swap positioned subsequent to it to toggle between Mute Mode, Passive Enter and Lively Enter. It’s a low-profile swap, so it received’t get bumped unexpectedly, and it has a very strong motion, locking into every place prefer it means it. Subsequent to this, the impact ship and return could be discovered on the highest panel. I do like this, not having to fiddle on the rear of the cupboard to attach your results loop solely saves a bit time, however it’s a pleasant contact, and makes accessing the Dry/Moist combine management a lot simpler too. An Auxiliary enter with separate quantity and Grasp Quantity spherical out the highest row of controls. Beneath these we now have a five-band EQ with Lo-Bass, Hello-Bass, Lo-Mid, Hello-Mid and Treble controls on supply. It’s this twin low frequency management that means that you can get a really properly sculpted tone if you’re pushing for quantity and large bass. You don’t have to fiddle with any presets, results or parametric EQ to scoop out a tone, simply tweak every of the 5 EQ knobs and also you’ll be capable to dial in your tone in a matter of moments.
Being that the BG-450 is an amplifier that wishes to journey, and why wouldn’t you’re taking it with you at that type of dimension, the ability transformer is designed to function at any voltage between 100 and 240 volts. Meaning you don’t have to fret any extra about having a unique amplifier for one nation and one other for the following nation. Take the PJB Compact Plus BG-450 the street with you and it may possibly act as a footrest within the bus, a observe amp within the lodge room and a stage amp on the gigs. So, earlier than you hit the street, get into your Native Phil Jones Bass and provides one among these little gems a attempt. You received’t remorse it.
For native enquiries, go to Eastgate Music.
