Phil Jones Bass Six-Pak

(This is a big copy of the review I did on Onlybass, I cut the texts as I could to get into the radio AF): http://forum.onlybass.com/index . php? showtopic = 32659)

Now is the time not laughing and singing, but my review on my new combo Phil Jones, the Six-Pak.
I had the opportunity to exchange my old stack Markbass (F1 head - in a small 1U high - with 2 12 'traveler) against this combo to look unusual. Hopefully this will be fairly complete







Product: http://www.philjonesbass.com/products-combos-sixpak.htm
The doc's Combo (PDF): http://www.philjonesbass.com/pdf/man_sixpak.pdf
The doc of the amplifier M-500 (doc for more complete part amplification - PDF) http://www.philjonesbass.com/gallerycontent/images/M-500.pdf

DESCRIPTION
Brand: Phil Jones Bass
Model: Six-Pak
Year: 2007/2008
Conditions of purchase (new, OCCAZ, substandard products, online, store etc.) as stated above, exchanged against my stack Markbass at Groove Distribution.
Purchase Price: -
Size (WxHxD, rack units): width -> 39cm / Height -> 59cm / depth -> 44cm
Weight: 37kg (argh!)
Type (transistors, MOSFET, number and type of lamps): all transistors

Construction and finishing (independent or rack, steel, aluminum, paint, ventilation, coating etc.):
- The box: 20mm plywood covered with black Tolex-protected metal corners. 6 HPs of 5 "Piranha" home PJB (Phil Jones Bass, for those who follow it). A vent is on the front right, the box is closed behind. Below, there are two wheels at the rear, and 2 feet in front (to prevent it from bar!). A controller such case unfolds to roll combo. 2 handles on top of the box, and two on the sides well placed to carry the amp 2. A good sturdy metal grille protects the HPs, for against, nothing really protects the knobs except the angle of inclination. The amp came with a cover.
- The amp: the electronics in a metal housing, aluminum knobs. Tilting the control panel (and the first 2 HPs).

Available settings (pots, equalizers, switches and dip switches, precise description of the front and rear):
- To the front, from left to right: compressor / limiter (switch activation adjustment knob + 1), setting the input level (a big knob), a graphic EQ and switch activation (12 strips , frequency: 30Hz, 40Hz, 60Hz, 100Hz, 180Hz, 340Hz, 660Hz, 1.3kHz, 2.6kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz), a semi-parametric EQ and switch activation (3-band boost / cut of - 15dB to +15 dB, low 30 to 200Hz, 300Hz to 2kHz mediums, 3kHz to 15kHz treble), volume knob, switch startup.
- For the back: see log in below.

Connectivity (jacks, Speakon, input impedance, XLR DI output, loop (s) of effects pedals control):
- To the front, from left to right: two instrument inputs (active / passive), a line input to connect a MP3 player for example, an input to plug an expression pedal to control the volume (just below the volume knob), 1 headphone, a mono effects loop.
- To the rear, from left to right: 2 fuses (including 1 spare) 1 IEC's power combo, an IEC outlet to plug the external effects (that is very explicit on the doc, y ' just marked "power rating is 1000 watts"), a switch to switch the power supply 110-115V 220-240V, 2 Speakon speaker outputs (for use either integrated HPs, 2 separate cabs, or the combo + cab expansion), an output jack to the preamp (to send to another power amp or a tuner), an XLR DI out (with a switch to go before or after the EQ, and a switch to ground) .

Power and impedance (W RMS power program or possibly peak, list the modes in power, impedance, stereo, mono, bridged): the combo amp is exactly the same as the head separate M-500. In the configuration of the combo with 6 HPs (12 ohms), 190W amp out. But it can get much more if we add the cabs and it gives: 430W@4.8 ohms, 500W @ 4 ohms, 520W & 3.4 ohms, 570W @ 3 ohms, 650W@2.5 ohms, 720W @ 2ohms (yes, PJB offers a lot References cabs with impedances at the con, so it's a little headache if one seeks an extension at home!). No option for stereo or bridge mentioned. Each speaker is given, then on, with a frequency of 40Hz-15kHz, sensitivity 95db/W/M. No neodymium (so heavy! Qd it has the combo by the side handles, it tends to lean side HPs).

UTILIZATION

NOTICE
Ease of use, installation (rack, accessories), connection, adjustment, adaptation to a particular situation (bi-amp, low or very powerful instruments, hi-effects "exotic" etc.) or sound specific: the combo format has the advantage of being easy to connect, store, move. The small footprint is very convenient for me who do not have a group now, and as I have little control in my room, playing amplified is much faster and easier than qd had my full stack up and store . on the other hand, it weighs a dead donkey! Fortunately, the compact size allows it to take many in the arms, there are handles everywhere and a "shopping cart" to roll.

SOUNDS

Sound (first impression, perception involves only by repetition, as a group, respect the signal sent (color, saturation), the sound is clear there is much background or does the mass of the group, is it more transparent , shiny, round, clear, stifled?): while the sound is rather subjective (even if the friend that tested multiple times will generally confirm what I say!), but it is clear, neutral, accurate . It's not round like Ampeg or Hartke as slamming. It was really a sense of balance and clarity that make the settings but without falling into the surgery. In fact, I wrote with my guitar on it and it sounds good too hyper.
The baffles 5 'are surprising. At first, we say we'll never get out of this little serious toy. And non-ben! Everything comes out like a dream, no frequency is forgotten. I even managed to play with my Sandberg given a tone lower at high volume, and everything was nickel, HPs do not tailgate. Another surprising thing at her, is how we perceive the bass. It's not at all like the usual amp where it takes in its mouth qd one is in front (although I love it too: D) and as soon as it starts on the side or that s 'away, we hear nothing. Here, the sound is nickel, which is in front, behind, far or near the amplifier. It also has the advantage in moving parts that have a rotten sound (reverb include a tiled bathroom or almost). Where did my other amps "bwouf bwouf" and made notes inaudible, then all means yet. For me, this is one of the greatest strengths of this amp.

With Sandberg, I do not need to EQ, the sound is great all flat.
With my Samick, flat it works well too. Tampering in a little EQ, I should be able to sculpt the sound more, but hey, limit, I do not care a bit flat, it suits me (which is for me an essential quality for an amp).
With my Yam (which is completely passive), I like and I like it: D Let's say it depends if I'm in the mood for love JB roots sound to death or not.
Overall, this amp, just flat, it suits me, with a low active or passive. The EQ I will probably catch a sound too rotten qd I will go out with.

Versatility (the sound he adapts well? Different styles of music and play, please? Specify which style you play) to the extent that any nickel goes on, I have no criticism to make really this amp. According distos I use sometimes the sound is perhaps a bit "dry" and deserves a fat bowl bigger paper but hey, the pedals that bother me are those that my be paid, those I sold off: D
The versatility, I might look when choosing the bass that I use. There, I own a base to do what I want in my sound. If one day I feel like the Ampeg sound, I tracked down a Sansamp preamp or external, and roll my chicken.
In short, funk metal (or other, I'm not so partisan), I do not see where I could not use this amp.
I expect to find a group to eventually bring me up to date, but I do not make me worry. If it sounds with an acoustic rotten, there's no reason why it does not sound as a group! Tested high-volume, projection seems sufficient to repeat or play in bar / pub (without being transplanted eh).

*** TEST SITUATION (EDIT after creation of the review) ***
Tested at a hearing with my Custom Bacchus Universe 5: As I foresaw, in a group that sounds crazy. I played with a drummer, a keyboard and a singer (the scratch was away ... great for a hearing qd missing the world!). Every spring nickel, ghost notes, slapping ... at no time have I needed to hear me make. So for me it validated in config combo group alone, the 190W might be a bit against by just in a room bigger than a local repeat, but seen as the sound is clear even in groups and in acoustic rotten, it may well be that I have a nice surprise if I play in a larger

OVERALL OPINION

Remarks (main advantages and defects, features, reliability, customer service, known models close enough):
- Advantages: compactness, respect for the sound of the instrument showing hyper settings complete, the build quality is terrible (the knobs are fabulous fiddle), a lot of things well thought over (like the clip to pinch the cable HP qd is the combo should pull out handle to roll).
- Disadvantages: it is damn heavy! Qd I move, I feel like moving an anvil. The amp is shielded from the features that deserved separate footswitches (compressor, EQ graph, semi-param EQ, mute, input change, whether or not the activation loop). on the other hand, for the volume pedal, the idea is not bad (mutate to spend at max volume with the same foot), but it makes you want other footswitches I'm talking about just before: D I wish also small removable panel to protect the knobs for the cover provided is not padded.

Conclusions (quality / price ratio, overall rating, recommendations, agreement or incompatibility with other materials):
Although a bit expensive at the base nine (I confess that in my case it was sold off at my exchange) is an excellent deal. Amp comprehensive, compact, in which we can add more speakers in case of lack of volume.
I just have a pedal to control certain functions and it is less heavy.

FYI, I tested with one of the 12 'classic Ampeg to a friend: the combo goes well with this cab

I put 9 for weight and footswitches that I miss, but I quibble: D