Phil Jones Bass PJB Roadcase User Manual

PJB ROADCASE

OWNER’S MANUAL

Thank you for purchasing the PJB ROADCASE. A great deal of
dedication and passion went into designing and building this no-

-compromise, high performance compact-combo amplifier. It was
conceived to be a dedicated amplifier for the “connoisseur” bassist.
Reading this manual will enable you to get the best performance from it so
that you may enjoy many years of service.

READ THIS FIRST

• Before using the ROADCASE please read ALL the i nstr uct ion s.

• On receipt of product, check for any signs of physi cal damage arising from

shipping. If any damage is visible conta ct yo ur d eal er .

• Keep all original packing.

• Do not use this amplifier in a way th at would compromise its ventilation system.

When operating, never cover the heat sink on rear panel.

• Do not locate this amplifier near any heat source.

• This amplifier must be connected only to a power source specified in this manual.

• For safety do not leave the amplifier plugged into a power source for long

periods of time when not in use.

• Do not let any liquid or foreign objects fall into any openings on the amplifier.

• Never use this amplifier if it has:

1. Suffered any physical damage.

2. Been subjected to any liquids, r ain or moisture.

3. Damaged cables connected to it.
If any of the above occurs, the amplifier sh o u l d b e e x a m i n e d b y q u al i fi ed s e rv i ce
personnel.

• Always operate this amplifier with the correctly rated fuse.

• N ever use this amplifie r without proper groundin g.

• The mains plug is used as disconnect device, the disconnect device shall

remain readily operable.

•

mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.

•

should not be disposed with other household wastes throughout the EU. To
prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from
uncontrolled waste disposal, recycle it resp ons ibly to pr omote the su st ainable
reuse of material resources.

• The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing.

Protective earthing terminal. The apparatus should be connected to a

Correct Disposal of this product. This marking indicates that this product

OVERVIEW OF THE ROADCASE

The ROADCASE is a compact, powerful combo (750 watt RMS) amplifier dedicated to
the reproduction of all bass instruments. Although it is a dedicated bass amplifier, this unit
will work ideally for other instruments such as keyboards, due to its natural hi-fi sound
character. The full power of this amplifier is utilized across the 12 internal loudspeakers so
there is no need for an extension loudspeaker connection.

The control panel features two instrument channels plus a separate auxiliary input for other
devices such as MP3 player or Drum machine.

The twelve 5-inch proprietary PJB NEOPWER drivers have been acoustically optimally
loaded by precise computer analysis to provide a full-range, dynamic sound that can play
down to an open B string and lower with ease. All PJB amplifiers provide significant bass
extension when compared to other brand bass amplifiers when it comes to reproduction of
fundamental tones. All 12 drive units operate across the full audio spectrum and since there is no
crossover to soak up amplifier power, or horns to blow out. The reliability and sound quality is
second to none. 2 of the speakers are set at an angle so the player can hear the same tone that is
emanating out to the audience or rest of the band.

There is a corner handle to the rear of the control panel and tilt back wheels for ease of moving the
unit plus a recessed handle on the bottom to allow two people to carry the unit up or down a
staircase with ease.

FEATURES

• Two Channel with Active / Passive inputs and muting.

• Phantom power for condenser microphones.

• Auxiliary input. For stereo sources.

• Two 6 Band Rotary EQ

• Global Optical Limiter

• Headphone Output

• Pre-amp Output

• Balanced Line Output with ground lift.

• Dual AC Voltage 120/240v Operation

• Sophisticated protection circuitry

• Special “Soft-Clipping” 750watt Amplifier

• Ultra low noise pre amplifier circuit ideal for recording studio applications.

TOP PANEL OVERVIEW

TOP PANEL DESCRIPTION

1. INPUT CHANNEL ONE.

This input accepts standard 1/4inch jacks as well as balanced line XLR plugs. On
balanced line in mode phantom power can be applied to power condenser microphones
(switch #16 on above diagram).

2. INPUT CHANNEL TWO.

Apart from the different input plug on Channel One, this is an identical channel.

3. CLIP/CHANNEL MUTE INDICATOR LED.

4. INPUT LEVEL / MUTE SWITCH.

For active bass instruments use switch to low sensitivity and for passive basses use high
level setting.

5. INPUT SENSITIVITY CONTROL.

To get the best signal to noise of your system, adjust this control so that when you play
hard the Clip Indicator (3) blinks. Then just back off the level a little so the light no longer
comes on. The input is then optimized.

6. LOW BASS LEVEL.

This controls the very lowest frequencies of your bass particularly the fundamental tones
of the A, E and B strings.

7. HIGH BASS LEVEL.

This controls the fundamental tones of D, G and C strings plus the first harmonics of
your lower strings.

8. LOW MID LEVEL.

Controls lower harmonics of all strings.

9. HI MID LEVEL.

Controls lower harmonics of all strings.

10. LOW TREBLE LEVEL.

Adds attack to harmonics.

11. HI TREBLE LEVE.

Add presence to strings. This is especially noticed with piezo type pickups.

12 &13. FX SEND & RETURN SOCKETS.

Connect the FX send to auxiliary FX unit input. Connect the FX Return to auxiliary FX
unit output.

14. AUXILLARY INPUT.

This accepts mono or stereo ¼ inch jack sockets and is useful for Drum machine or
MP3/CD player.

15. AUXILLARY LEVL CONTROL.

16. PHANTOM POWER SWITCH.

This is to switch on phantom power for channel one. This should only be used for
capacitor type microphones that need to be powered.

17. LIMITER ON/OFF SWITCH.

This applies the limiter to both channels.

18. LIMITER INDICATOR.

This blue LED will light up when the signal is being compressed. This will vary on how
hard the instrument is played and how the threshold is adjusted.

19. COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENT LEVEL.

This will vary the level the limiter threshold. The compression ratio is 3dB to 1. Adjust
this to suit your playing style and output power of your instrument.

20. MASTER VOLUME CONTROL.

Controls the final level of all inputs.

21. POWER ON/OFF INDICATOR.

BACK PANEL OVERVIEW

DI OUT

LIFTGND

TUNER OUT

LINE OUT

HEADPHONE

American Acoustic Development LLC

POWER

I

ON OFF

O

AC~INPUT

CAUTION

BEFORE OPENING

PULL MAIN PLUG

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER TO OWNERS MANUAL

22
23

24

25

26

27

28

29

230V

115V

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

30

BACK PANEL DESCRIPTION

22. COOLING FAN.

Always allow space to let air circulate through amplifier.

23. XLR- DIRECT OUTPUT SOCKET.

This is an ultra-low impedance (200ohm) balanced line out for use with recording or PA
mixing consoles. This output is not controlled by the volume control. Changing the level
on your instrument will however, vary the DI output.

24. GROUND LIFT SWITCH.

This allows the grounding of balanced out socket to be disconnected. This is useful if
you are experiencing hum caused by grounding loops/problems.

25. TUNER OUTPUT.

Connect to instrument tuner. This output can also be used as an additional line out.

26. LINE OUTPUT JACK.

This can be used to drive additional amplifiers.

27. HEADPHONE OUTPUT JACK.

This jack accepts ¼ inch stereo headphone jacks. When a headphone is connected to the
jack, the speakers will still be disconnected and therefore no sound from them.

28. POWER ON/OFF SWITCH.

This switches the main power on and off in the amplifier. Do not leave the amplifier
plugged into a power source for long periods of time when not in use.

29. AC INPUT SOCKET &FUSE.

Connects the amplifier to AC power supply. Always use a grounded plug and make sure
the AC cable is more than 3A rating at 250-volt AC. If you require a longer AC power cord,
we recommend the PJB heavy duty 20 foot power cords. These are available as an
accessory. Use a slow blow ¾ inch fuse rated at 10 amp 220-240V or 15 amp fuse for
110-120V.

30. AC INPUT -VOLTAGE SELECTOR.

Switches the amplifier to run on either 110-120 volt or 220-240 volt AC power. Never
try to run the amplifier on a 220-240 volt supply when switched to 110-120 volt. This can
possibly cause major damage to the amplifier.

g

g

BEFORE SWITCHING ON POWER – Check that the voltage selector is set to the
correct voltage in your country. (110volt-120volt USA / Japan or 220-240V Europe/
Australia.)

ALWAYS USE A HIGH QUALITY GROUNDED AC POWER CABLE. NEVER USE
THIS AMPLIFIER WITH THE GROUND CONNECTION REMOVED. We
recommend you use original PJB cables.

OPERATION & POSITIONING

CAUTION

instrument.

.

Positioning the ROADCASE for Best Sound

Often, playing in different venues will cause your bass to sound different. This is partially due
to the acoustics of the hall influencing the low frequency waves that are coming from your
speaker. Bass waves are large and room dimensions heavily influence them when the walls
reflect the sound waves, causing them to collide by adding together or canceling each other out.
This causes some fundamental notes (the ones you feel more than hear) to ring out louder than
others.

Here is an indication of where fundamental bass frequencies are, showing open string’s
approximate frequencies and acoustic wavelength:

-TURN THE VOLUME DOWN on the ROADCASE before plugging in your

F# string 24Hz 46 feet
B string 31Hz 36 feet

E strin
A string 55Hz 20 feet
D string 73Hz 15 feet
G strin
C string 130Hz 9 feet

This may give you some indication of the offending notes (frequencies) that may be booming
or resonating louder or quieter than others. For example if your speakers are five feet from a
wall, the open A string may sound weak. That could be because the path length of the reflected
sound off the wall from your speaker is exactly corresponding to half a wavelength on the open
A string causing at that particular note to cancel out.

Where you position the ROADCASE will ultimately affect your low frequency limit.
Placing the ROADCASE with the back close to a wall will help reinforce the lower notes.
For maximum bass impact, position it in a room corner.
Room size also makes a large difference in how deep the bass will sound. Unfortunately for

41Hz 27 feet

98Hz 11 feet

bass players, low frequencies are always very difficult to control with room acoustics. The
reproduced wavelengths of the notes you are playing often correspond to the room
dimensions, in which case the reflected sound off the walls interferes with the sound from the
speaker as you get further away from it.

Setting Up the Limite r

Although a limiter is not essential to bass amplification, it can be a useful tool in smoothing
out the character of your instrument or playing style. The ROADCASE limiter has a preset
compression ratio of 3 to 1. For each additional increase of 3dB above the set threshold, the
increase in level is actually 1dB. So the dynamic range of your instrument is reduced.

First set up the limiter by having the compression control set fully clockwise. Now switch on
the limiter. Start playing and turn control counter-clockwise. You will see the blue light start
to come on and that is the indication that the limiter is now working. Set this control to suit
your taste.

TRANSPORTING AND STORING THE SUPER FLIGHTCASE

When transporting in a vehicle, it is recommended that you use an external case or heavy duty
cover to prevent it being damaged by falling over or other objects falling on it.

When Storing:

• Keep the ROADCASE in a dry location preferably at room temperature.

• Do not store the ROADCASE in temperatures below -20 Degrees C or above 40

• Do not allow it to get wet. If this occurs, never turn it on in this condition.

• Do not leave the ROADCASE connected to a power source.

Degrees C.

SPECIFICATIONS

Speaker

Computer Optimized Vented Enclosure
Speaker Frequency Response: 35Hz – 15KHz
Speaker Compliment: 12 x 5 inch proprietary, extended-range drivers
Speaker Sensitivity: 104dB/W/M
Internal Speaker Impedance: 6 Ohm
Dimensions: 15.4W x 18.9D x 36.2H inch
Weight: 74 lbs.

Amplifier

PJB 750watt, class A/B amplifier with digital switch mode power supply.

Frequency Response

Passive and Active input: 35Hz -120KHz
Low Cut Filter: 24dB/Octave at 35Hz.

Maximum Output Power

750 watts RMS

Signal to Noise Ratio

Better than 96 dB (EQ off, Volume on Full.)

Impedance

Passive Input: >4MΩ/22pF
Active Input: >100KΩ/22pF
Line Input: >75KΩ
Pre Amp Line Out: < 2KΩ
Bal. Out: <200Ω

Levels

Low Input: 10mV-2.5V
High Input: 20mV-5V
Pre Amp Out: 1.2V
FX send: 1V
Bal. Line Out: Typical 600mV

Compressor / Limiter

Gain: 0dB
Compression Ratio: 3dB: 1dB

EQ CENTER FREQUENCIES

50, 160, 630, 2.5K, 10K, 15K at +/- 18dB

Included Parts

12 ft AC Power Cord
Allen Key

SERVICE/WARRANTY INFORMATION

The ROADCASE has a warranty period of 2 years, starting from the date of p ur c ha s e . The
buyer must complete and return th e enclosed warr anty card within 14 days of purchase.

This warranty covers defect in materials or workmanship that occurs in normal use. Within
warranty period PJB will repair or replace the defect unit free of labor and parts charge. It is the
buyer’s responsibility to use the unit strictly according to instructions written in this manual
and amplifier manual.

This warranty is not transferable; it is provided to original owner only. Damage/defects
caused by the following conditions are not covered by this warranty:

• Improper handling, neglect or failure to operate the unit in compliance with the

instructions given in user manual;

• Connection or operation of the speakers in any way that does not comply with the technical

or safely regulations applicable in the country where the product is used;

• Repairs or modifications by anyone other than authorized PJB service agent;

• Damages/defects caused by force majeure or any other condition that is beyond the

control of PJB.

Should you need any warranty service, please bring the ROADCASE back to the dealer from

whom you purchased, along with your sales receipt. Depending on the complexity of the repair
work, your dealer may return the defect unit to PJB service center for repair or replacement.

Phil Jones Bass
American Acoustic Development LLC

8559 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63114 USA
Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.philjonespuresound.com

[e-mail]

Phil Jones Bass is a division of American Acoustic Development LLC.

www.philjonespuresound.com