PHIL JONES BASS

Nanobass X4 digital amp

- CHRISTOPHER SCAPELLITI

FOR REASONS OBVIOUS from the company's name, Phil Jones Bass may not be known to many guitarists. Jones has been active in pro audio for decades, and for the past 20 years has built his reputation in the bass world with a line of compact amps and combos that deliver impressive power and pristine tone. The new Nanobass X4 digital amp reviewed here is the smallest and most portable combo Phil Jones Bass has made, and while it's part of PJB's bass amp line, it's a full-range combo (68Hz to 15kHz) that's suitable to virtually any instrument, including an electric guitar. PJB sent one over so I could see how it measures up as a guitar practice amp.

SPECIFICATIONS

Nanobass X4 digital amp

CONTACT pjbworld.com

PRICE $359

OUTPUT 35 watts Class D

SPEAKER PJB N52 NeoPower 4" driver with Rectangular Auxiliary Low-Frequency Radiator (RALFR)

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 68Hz-15KHz

CONTROLS Input level with clip LED, aux/ Bluetooth 5.0 with mode select, bass (shelf 100Hz, +/-15dB), mid (shelf 1kHz Bandwidth 120Hz-10Kz, +/-15dB), treble (shelf 10kHz, +/-15dB), volume (master) I/O 1/4" instrument in, 3.5mm stereo aux in, 3.5mm headphone, Bluetooth 5.0

OTHER Universal voltage (100-240V), 6' angled AC power cord

DIMENSIONS 6.3 x 7.9 x 7.8 inches (WxHxD)

WEIGHT 5.3 lbs

BUILT China

KUDOS Small and light, with powerful tone and impressive soundstage for its size. Potent three-band tone sculpting. Looks sharp as well

CONCERNS Some may not like the absence of a battery-power option