Phil Jones Bass Suitcase

What we say about the Suitcase

This amp is different from all the other amps featured on this site so far. First, the Phil Jones Bass Suitcase is the first bass amp to feature here. Second, it's the first solid-state, non-valve, non-tube amplifier.

Accuracy

This amp sounds incredible for a small bass amp. Usually when I'm looking for a bass amp, I want that warm 1970s sound typical of the larger tube Ampeg amplifiers. This amplifier is the opposite for me yet it's my favourite bass amplifier. The easiest way I can think to describe it is that it's clean and very accurate. You get what you put in. It doesn't hide anything, so make sure your playing is up-to-scratch.

Size and portability

I've always found a lot of bass combos lacking, especially those with smaller speaker drivers. Simply put, there's no oomph to the sound. Generally, they distort too quickly or provide inaccurate sound reproduction because they're focussed on providing the bass sound that the designers think people want to hear, bit like using the "xtra bass" button or whatever other sub-bass feature your boom box has. This is the first small bass combo I've played that I like. Despite the 5" drivers (or in this Phil Jones Bass' case, because of them), the amp reproduces sounds that I wouldn't expect from such a small unit. It's not the smallest combo on the planet; you will need the two handles to lift it and it's not the easiest amp to carry around because of those two handles. However, it is portable and for an combo that makes this much clean sound, that's one real bonus.

Features

This is a 2-channel combo, featuring 2 x 5 band graphic eq; one for each channel. The channels aren't switchable, although a A-B-Y pedal could help you manage switching the channels outside of the amplifier. Each channel has a passive/active switch and an input level knob. There's a single optical limiter that's common across both channels. It can be bypassed and works nice and transparently when patched in. The other knob on the top is the master volume.

Back Panel

The back panel has a number of sockets you'd expect to find on a studio-grade combo. There's a full complement of DI, tuner outputs, preamp out, fx send and return, and a speakon jack for connecting a separate cabinet (specifically the 4B). Oddly enough the power switch is at the bottom of the back panel, making it rather awkward to get to.

Text from Phil Jones Bass

For many, the Suitcase represents the perfect combo. It’s beefy and ballsy, and has character yet without coloring the sound of your bass. Headroom delivers powerful, clean tone. The more you play it, the more you want to play. No wonder guys like Kyle Eastwood dig this amp.

With four 5” drivers, 2 channels, 5 band EQ and 200 watts at 8 ohms, the Suitcase is perfect for most gigs. However, some gigs just require more. Simply add the 4B and you’ve transformed the Suitcase into the Bitchcase with eight 5” drivers and 300 watts at 4 ohms. The same low end high fidelity but in a portable stack that moves, grooves and proves…that Phil Jones defines Pure Sound for bass

What we say about the Suitcase

This amp is different from all the other amps featured on this site so far. First, the Phil Jones Bass Suitcase is the first bass amp to feature here. Second, it's the first solid-state, non-valve, non-tube amplifier.

Accuracy

This amp sounds incredible for a small bass amp. Usually when I'm looking for a bass amp, I want that warm 1970s sound typical of the larger tube Ampeg amplifiers. This amplifier is the opposite for me yet it's my favourite bass amplifier. The easiest way I can think to describe it is that it's clean and very accurate. You get what you put in. It doesn't hide anything, so make sure your playing is up-to-scratch.

Size and portability

I've always found a lot of bass combos lacking, especially those with smaller speaker drivers. Simply put, there's no oomph to the sound. Generally, they distort too quickly or provide inaccurate sound reproduction because they're focussed on providing the bass sound that the designers think people want to hear, bit like using the "xtra bass" button or whatever other sub-bass feature your boom box has. This is the first small bass combo I've played that I like. Despite the 5" drivers (or in this Phil Jones Bass' case, because of them), the amp reproduces sounds that I wouldn't expect from such a small unit. It's not the smallest combo on the planet; you will need the two handles to lift it and it's not the easiest amp to carry around because of those two handles. However, it is portable and for an combo that makes this much clean sound, that's one real bonus.

Features

This is a 2-channel combo, featuring 2 x 5 band graphic eq; one for each channel. The channels aren't switchable, although a A-B-Y pedal could help you manage switching the channels outside of the amplifier. Each channel has a passive/active switch and an input level knob. There's a single optical limiter that's common across both channels. It can be bypassed and works nice and transparently when patched in. The other knob on the top is the master volume.

Back Panel

The back panel has a number of sockets you'd expect to find on a studio-grade combo. There's a full complement of DI, tuner outputs, preamp out, fx send and return, and a speakon jack for connecting a separate cabinet (specifically the 4B). Oddly enough the power switch is at the bottom of the back panel, making it rather awkward to get to.

Text from Phil Jones Bass

For many, the Suitcase represents the perfect combo. It’s beefy and ballsy, and has character yet without coloring the sound of your bass. Headroom delivers powerful, clean tone. The more you play it, the more you want to play. No wonder guys like Kyle Eastwood dig this amp.

With four 5” drivers, 2 channels, 5 band EQ and 200 watts at 8 ohms, the Suitcase is perfect for most gigs. However, some gigs just require more. Simply add the 4B and you’ve transformed the Suitcase into the Bitchcase with eight 5” drivers and 300 watts at 4 ohms. The same low end high fidelity but in a portable stack that moves, grooves and proves…that Phil Jones defines Pure Sound for bass