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Phil Jones Bass H850 Headphones: Review

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H850 Headphones from Phil Jones Bass

As musicians, we’re always looking for the best quality sound, whether that’s in our rig or in something as simple as a pair of headphones. And as bass players, we’ve amassed quite a collection of headphones that may work in some environments (like casual listening), but fail at others (private practicing). Thankfully, Phil Jones Bass has released the World’s First Pair of Headphones Dedicated to Bass Players with the H850 Headphones. Combining style with the trademark PJB high standard of quality, these headphones are an ideal addition to your equipment, at an enticing price point.

You can head over to the PJB Website and read about the specs of the H850 headphones, as well as some of the background of them. Upon receiving them, I took a good look at the aesthetics. They are well made and look very sleek; if you didn’t know it, you’d think they cost a lot more than the $99.95 pricetag that these command. They feature a removable cord (which I find incredibly helpful) and excellent acoustic isolation, which I noticed right away as I put these on. I also noticed how comfortable this pair of headphones was to wear. Oftentimes, the ones that look good don’t always feel good, especially when you’re using them for an extended period of time.

Okay, so they feel good. But how do they sound? According to the PJB Website, the H850 are the “first pair designed specifically to bridge the gap between high-quality music and deep and clear bass,” and I found that to be incredibly accurate. Upon using them for casual listening, I found the response to be excellent across the board, especially in keeping the bass frequencies focused and tight. You could hear everything, and in true PJB fashion, it sounded amazing. First test was a success.

The second test I ran the H850 headphones through was to use them with the PJB BigHead Mobile Headphone Amp for some late night practicing. Again, the headphones excelled in the application that they were designed for. My bass was clear, present and punchy with a focused low end. Adding in an auxiliary sound (either the metronome or something from the playlist on my iPhone) didn’t muddy up the sound at all, or cause any distortion. They made practicing in this type of environment enjoyable.

If you’re just looking for a great sounding set of headphones that you can also use as a practice tool, the PJB H850 Headphones will do it. But, after taking the call to sub on a couple of theatre gigs where you’re relying on headphones for personal monitors, I felt this was the ideal final test to not only hear how they’d handle this gig, but also find out how comfortable the headphones would be after a two and a half hour show.

In the theatre pit, these headphones once again excelled and exceeded my expectations. The clarity that I already knew was there was still dependable; voices from a couple doors down were clear and audible, and all the other instruments sounded great. Usually the problem with using a regular pair of headphones in this application is that everything starts to sound muddy and compressed; not so with the H850. I have used a number of different headphones and in-ear monitors in this exact setting, and the H850 are the one set that have sounded the best. The comfort level with the H850 was also well above expectations; even with really nice monitors, after a while they start to become uncomfortable.

The PJB H850 Headphones are an indispensable piece of equipment for ANY bass player. They are ideal for those practice sessions where using headphones is required, provide excellent reproduction for studio and theatre work, and are great for just casual listening. They also retail for around $99.95, which make these one of the cheaper gear purchases you’ll have to make.

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New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

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New Gear:  Ashdown ORIGINAL-EVO-C112T-300

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Introducing the Original-EVO-C112T, a ground-breaking innovation in the realm of bass amplifiers. This exceptional amplifier redefines the standards of power, portability, and precision, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in amplification technology.
 
Weighing in at a mere 13.5kg, the Original-EVO-C112T packs an astonishing 300 watts of unadulterated Ashdown bass tone into a compact and lightweight package. Say goodbye to the days of lugging around heavy and cumbersome gear – this amplifier is designed for the modern musician on the move.

Designed to accommodate global touring, the Original-EVO-C112T features auto-protect voltage support and an adaptive temperature-controlled fan for optimal performance in any environment.
 
In summary, the Original-EVO-C112T is a game-changing amplifier that combines power, portability, and precision. It’s a testament to innovation and quality in the world of bass amplification, deserving attention from musicians looking to take their music to the next level.

Product Specification-

Power Output: 300 Watts
Power Requirement: 115-230 Volts
Speaker Configuration: 1 x 12” + Horn
High Instrument Input: Impedance 3.9m Ohms, Input range 150mV – 20mV p-p
Low Instrument Input: Impedance -1M Ohms, Input range 150mV to 10V p-p
Line Input: Impedance 10k Ohms, Input range 300mV – 40V p-p
DI Output: 600 Ohm balance / Level -20dBu nominal
Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohm
Headphone Output: Yes and safe for silent practice
EQ: Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz, Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz, Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz, Hi Mid +/-15 dB @1.5kHz, Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz
Effects Send: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return: Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Dimensions (H x W x D in mm): 470 x 606 x 381
Weight: 13.5kg

For more info please visit www.ashdownmusic.com

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Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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30th Anniversary Limited Edition SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI Celebrates 30th Anniversary…

The SansAmp Bass Driver DI has been an arsenal staple for players and studios almost since the day it was introduced in 1994. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Tech 21 is issuing a limited edition with an anodized precision-machined aluminum billet housing and all metal knobs.

This all-analog multi-function, multi-application pedal dials up big vintage tube tones, bright modern slap sounds, gnarly distortions, and all in between. There are three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers, or simply enhance your current rig. Controls include Presence for definition and upper harmonic content; Blend to combine the ratio of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry; and active 3-band EQ with 12dB of cut or boost.

The 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology encompasses the entire signal chain, from pre-amp to power amp to speaker simulation. An integral part of the circuitry, the individually-tailored SansAmp speaker simulation will complement any type of bass speaker cabinet system.

It is rare an electronic music-related product can withstand such a test of time. The SansAmp Bass Driver has been used for every kind of music style from death metal to commercial jingles, in countless studios, and on tours around the globe. In fact, many mammoth stage rigs you see are actually driven by a SansAmp nestled behind the backline. It has defied the odds and to this day, SansAmp remains the standard of the industry.

Anticipated Availability:  May/June 2024

For more information, visit online at tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bass-driver-30/

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New Gear: Nordstrand Audio PolyVox Multi-coil Pickups

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New Gear: Nordstrand Audio PolyVox Multi-coil Pickups

Nordstrand Audio introduces PolyVox: Multicoil Pickups

Nordstrand Audio’s new PolyVox multi-coil pickups are the ultimate expression of Carey’s lifelong search for the most inspiring and musically evocative bass tone.

Isolating each string’s transducer profoundly alters the resonance of each pickup, resulting in a far flatter, more “transparent” frequency response in comparison to conventional pickup designs. The focus, integrity, and texture of every note transcends even the best conventional pickup designs.

PolyVox pickups include asymmetrical angled coils with a proprietary Alnico magnet load and supporting ceramic bars that achieve real-world output in a totally passive design. At long last, discriminating bass players can enjoy the multitudinous benefits of a fully passive multi-coil pickup system that’s ready to drop into any 4, 5, or 6-string bass that fits our standard soapbar shape.

• Multicoil, hum-canceling bass pickups
• Available as single neck, single bridge or as a set
• Angled poles
• Built with Alnico and ceramic magnets
• Laser cut, fiber bobbins
• Potted in a paraffin-beeswax mix to contain any unruly frequency that may attempt to desecrate your desired tone.
• Standard spacing is 19mm ctc at the bridge
• Extensively designed, and set up in Redlands, California, these basses are available online and at select dealers.
• Street price, starting at $192 for a single pickup.

Founded by respected bass guitar maker and pickup builder Carey Nordstrand in 2005, Nordstrand Audio offers innovative designs rooted in traditional tried-and-true methods and materials. The fast-growing company offers premium quality replacement pickups and preamps to discriminating guitarists and bassists. The V1 Acinonyx was released in 2020. For more information, visit online at nordstrandaudio.com

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New Gear: Cort® Launches the Artisan Space 5 Bass

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New Gear: Cort® Launches the Artisan Space 5 Bass

Cort® Launches the Artisan Space 5 Bass…

Cort® Guitars introduces the Space 5, a new bass model that both harkens to the company’s innovative past and looks to the future of the instrument with a light, compact, and portable design.

First hitting the streets in the 1980s after an exhaustive R&D process, Cort’s groundbreaking Space line of guitars and basses helped to spearhead the decade’s headless fretted instrument boom. Now, with the Space 5, the company builds upon its storied legacy, while adding modern-day features and enhancements. Overall design takes cues from a handful of classics without nodding too much to the past.

A solid-feeling bass with a maple body and 6 mm solid poplar burl top, the Artisan Space boasts excellent sustain and vibrational qualities from its 40mm thickness. A 7-piece roasted maple, walnut, and purpleheart neck is simultaneously stunning and functional, affording players a defined midrange that complements the expansive, bright qualities of the body.

The gorgeous wood grain enhances the eye-catching body and neck shape (with distinctive “Next Gen” Cort logo engraved just beneath the upper cutaway), modeled after the flagship Artisan Bass Series, while the deeper contour and cutaways along with individual bridge with tuner knobs are significant upgrades.

D’Addario® EXL170-5SL strings travel across a 47 mm zero fret that effectively replaces the need for a nut and better sets the string height over the length of the fretboard. This zero fret allows players to easily change between any string gauges via this arrangement. Hardware consists of specially designed head piece, individual string bridges, Bartolini® MK-1 pickups and AN active 3-band EQ preamp. They feed a comprehensive set of five-tone and volume controls, allowing for a variety of sonic possibilities.

The neck provides effortless playing courtesy of a slim neck and 15.75-inch (400mm) radius roasted hard maple fretboard, the Artisan Space 5 benefits from expert setup yielding buzz-free, low action and consistent intonation up and down the neck.

Built with top-shelf components and construction, this is an ultra-stylish instrument dripping with a forward-thinking attitude. The Artisan Space 5 cranks out big tones with ease, effortlessly transitioning from crisp or growly runs to moody, jazzy stylings. With upscale looks paired to category-leading features and specifications, this is the bass choice for the discerning, modern musician.

For more information, please visit www.cortguitars.com

Street: $799.99 USD

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Review: BITE Custom Bass – The Black Knight PP Bass

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Review - BITE Custom Bass - The Black Knight PP Bass

BITE Custom Bass – The Black Knight PP Bass Review…

I am sure many of you saw my review of the Snobby Steampunk Bass from BITE Guitars back in February of 2021 and will remember what a remarkable bass it was. BITE has been building custom basses since 2019 and has a unique custom approach where you can configure your bass to your specs.

I am very excited to have another Bass From BITE Guitars in my hands, The Black Knight PP Bass! 

The need for a P-Bass in one’s armamentarium is pretty standard for bass players and I recall chatting about this with Marty O’Brien about a year ago. It turns out that Marty and BITE Guitars got together and came up with this excellent configuration that gives you a P-Bass with a whole lot more.  Marty even played his own Black Knight PP bass at the 2024 NAMM show. You can see his review here.

Join me as I take an in-depth look at this very cool instrument and share all the details.

Here is The Black Knight Bass from BITE Guitars!

For more information, visit online at bite.guitars/product/black-knight-pp

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