Discounting novelties and low-watt amps for electrical guitar, the Phil Jones Bass X4 Nanobass 35-watt digital combo is bodily the smallest amp I’ve examined for the reason that Hint Elliot Acoustic Dice got here out about 20 years again. 

Know-how has come a good distance since then. Not solely is the Jones lighter, it makes use of superior digital processing to supply higher headroom and extra correct sound replica than I’d have dreamed about from a small combo again within the day. Regardless of housing a four-inch speaker—extra on this later—it has reported frequency response of 68Hz–15Kz.

Whereas it has the phrase bass in its identify, the Nanobass appears ideally tuned for acoustic guitar. I gave it a go together with a variety of devices and pickup sorts, and even threw in some mandolin for good measure. However earlier than we get into that, let’s check out the fundamentals.

A Tight Package deal

Measuring round 6x8x8 inches and weighing simply over 5 kilos, the Nanobass can actually match right into a backpack. In line with its travel-friendly footprint, the amp’s inside energy provide is designed to regulate robotically to worldwide voltages from 100 to 240 with out the necessity for exterior converters.

The Nanobass could also be small, however it’s a tight package deal—and its design performs a task in making its four-inch speaker outperform its modest measurement. Our take a look at mannequin had a white cupboard with a black top-mounted management plate, however black and crimson cupboards are additionally out there. The cupboard is created from MDF, which the corporate says is stiffer than plywood, and lined in rugged Tolex. 

Save for the AC plug, all of the connections and controls are prime mounted. Inputs embody a high-impedance 1/4-inch jack for guitar, a mini 1/8-inch aux jack, and Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD). It was simple to pair my iPhone with the amp with out having to seek for the directions. There’s additionally a stereo mini-jack for headphones. I used to be a bit stunned to not discover an XLR DI output, which is turning into extra widespread on bass and acoustic amps.

Regardless of the amp’s tiny footprint, the controls are full-sized and have a sturdy tactile really feel. Along with the ability swap, there are properly spaced knobs for enter degree (with LED clip indicator gentle), aux/Bluetooth degree and mode, particular person controls for bass, mid, and treble, and grasp quantity (which controls the instrument enter’s degree separate from the aux enter). The panel format made it simple to regulate the sound by really feel with out having to bend down and take a look at the controls.

In Motion

Discuss serendipity: The Nanobass arrived in the course of rehearsals for a efficiency of Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album, and my position was to cowl components performed by each Clapton and Andy Fairweather Low. Because of this, I performed a Takamine nylon-string, a Taylor GTe, a Breedlove Pursuit Unique (in open G for slide), a Taylor T5 12-string, and an Epiphone F-style mandolin. The present consists of some songs with a full band, together with keyboards, drums, electrical bass, percussion, background vocals, and extra, so rehearsals supplied a reasonably good take a look at for the amp.

By way of quantity, the amp was in a position to deal with the band in a rehearsal setting. I wouldn’t say it was loud sufficient for a membership gig with out PA help, however it was ample for the rehearsal room, and extra necessary, it was constant and clear after I turned the amount knob up.

For those who play a variety of acoustic guitars with completely different pickup programs, you’ll know that switching devices can typically imply making massive changes to the electronics. Not solely do it’s important to deal with the completely different output ranges or EQ curves from numerous sorts and types of pickup/preamp combos, it’s important to account for the tone of the devices themselves. 

I examined the amp with the guitars plugged in immediately and with an Eventide H9 Harmonizer offering some reverb, however didn’t use outboard compression or EQ. More often than not, I left the tone controls comparatively flat and used the devices’ onboard tone controls to discover a steadiness. On the rehearsals, I barely boosted the highs and the bass to assist the guitars sit within the combine. For probably the most half, this set-and-forget strategy labored. However there have been instances when the amp’s EQ solved issues extra successfully than a guitar’s onboard controls. 

With my Takamine, I used the Nano’s EQ to dial out finger squeaks and among the percussive components’ harsher qualities whereas conserving the readability I wanted for solos. The low strings sounded spherical and heat as properly. With the Taylor, I did lots of strumming and took one very bluesy solo. Chords sounded well-balanced. The Nano didn’t fairly produce the air you’d get from amp/PA with a tweeter, however it didn’t sound uninteresting or nasal like an electrical guitar amp may. 

As for the Breedlove, I used the Nanobass to emphasise the midrange for slide enjoying. The low D in open-G tuning got here by means of particularly properly, and the EQ additionally helped me cut back the papery treble that may typically plague my Epiphone mandolin after I plug it in. 

My Taylor 12-string is a hybrid that provides each acoustic-electric and electrical tones. On this case, the shortage of a tweeter was a plus. The acoustic settings had been nonetheless well-balanced, whereas the electrical tones weren’t as strident they might be by means of a tweeter-equipped amp or PA. 

Whereas I usually ignore the aux inputs on an instrument amp, testing out the Bluetooth on the Nanobass really revealed the little amp’s low finish after I used it to pay attention to a couple tracks on Spotify.

The Backside Line

It doesn’t weigh a lot, however the Nanobass isn’t any light-weight. Its skill to supply heat, clear lows actually impressed me for an amp its measurement. Properly made and intelligently designed, it’s an excellent possibility for rehearsal, and the aux enter can work for solo gigs with backing tracks. The amp will get loud sufficient for coffeehouses, locations of worship, and different small venues. For bigger gigs with a band, I actually want it had a direct output as a result of its entrance finish would make a really good preamp feeding a PA. However with a road value just below $360, the X4 Nanobass greater than exceeds expectations.