Phil Jones SUITCASE COMPACT 300W COMBO 4X5" "PIRANHA" BLACK - BSTOCK

A Modernized Suitcase in the Phil Jones Bass Range

The Suitcase Compact BG-400 takes the founding concept of the original Phil Jones Bass Suitcase: delivering high-end reproduction in an easy-to-transport format. PJB presents it as a more powerful yet physically smaller version, close in size to the Compact 4, with a no-compromise design intended for demanding bassists. Within the brand’s range, it therefore occupies a particularly interesting position: that of a compact bass combo capable of going far beyond a simple backup amp.

A Compact Bass Combo for Rehearsing, Recording and Live Performance

With 300 W RMS through its internal loudspeakers, a balanced D.I. output, a headphone output, an AUX input and the option of adding an external cabinet to reach 500 W RMS at 4 ohms, it can reasonably be used for personal practice as well as serious rehearsals, studio work and many stage situations. It will particularly suit bassists who want to travel light without sacrificing definition, whether they play passive or active bass, fingerstyle, with a pick, slap, pop, rock, funk, fusion or in more modern contexts.

The format is just as appealing to experienced musicians looking for a highly capable secondary amp as it is to demanding players who want to invest directly in a powerful, durable bass combo. The dual-channel design makes it easy to switch between two instruments or two level settings, which is very practical in rehearsals, lessons or on a shared stage. This versatility makes the BG-400 an especially relevant amp for traveling bassists.

Two Channels, Precise Signal Control and Comprehensive Connectivity

In terms of features, the Suitcase Compact goes far beyond what its compact size might suggest. Its 2-channel preamp provides each channel with a level selector, volume control and 3-band EQ, allowing you to quickly fine-tune the response of an active, passive or fretless bass, or an instrument with a high-output signal. It also includes a mute/passive/active switch, a master volume, an AUX level control and a switchable limiter, useful for smoothing out dynamic variations without stifling your playing.

The connectivity meets the modern requirements of a professional bass combo: two 6.35 mm jack instrument inputs, a headphone output, a balanced D.I. output with ground lift, an effects send/return loop, a tuner output, a preamp output and a Speakon-format external cabinet output. The manual also mentions a stereo input for a drum machine or audio player, switchable 110/240 V power, an advanced protection circuit and a highly efficient Class D power stage, capable of using nearly 95 percent of the available energy.

A Precise, Fast Response with Surprisingly Powerful Low End

The BG-400’s sonic character is built around the approach Phil Jones Bass is known for: plenty of definition, very little haze and a sense of speed in the attack. The manufacturer emphasizes its punchy character, capable of cutting through the mix with authority while retaining the kind of low-end foundation normally associated with much larger combos. In practice, this translates into a tight low end, clear mids and clean highs, with excellent reproduction of the instrument’s touch and true character.

As the preamp is described as transparent and the EQ works broadly around 80 Hz, 1 kHz and 12 kHz, the Suitcase Compact does not seek to mask your playing: it brings it to the forefront. It is an excellent choice for bassists who want to hear the precise attack of their fingers, the clarity of slap technique, the intonation of a fretless bass or the definition of a 5-string bass. On Equipboard, the Suitcase family and the Phil Jones Bass brand appear in pop, rock, funk and electronic settings, with brand users such as Pino Palladino, Trey Gunn and John Jorgenson ; it can therefore be inferred that the amp has a natural affinity for clear, detailed and articulate sounds rather than a strongly vintage coloration.

Technical specifications

Frequency response	10 Hz to 30 kHz on passive and active inputs.	Preamp Out level	1.2 V.
Signal-to-noise ratio	at least 85 dB, with EQ disabled and the volume at maximum.	FX Send level	600 mV.
High input level	30 mV to 1.2 V.	Balanced Line Out level	approximately 350 mV.
Low input level	80 mV to 2.7 V.	Built-in protections	mains filter, time-delay fuse, transformer thermal cut-off, transistor thermal protection, loudspeaker short-circuit protection and DC output protection.