Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier vs Phil Jones BE-17 Bass Engine 70W 1x7 Bass Combo
The Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier and the Phil Jones BE-17 Bass Engine 70W 1x7 Bass Combo are both amplifiers sharing transparent, mid-forward. The Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier leans full and harmonically rich. The Phil Jones BE-17 Bass Engine 70W 1x7 Bass Combo leans tight.
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Blended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.55% — moderately similar
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- transparent
- mid-forward
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$499.99via Reverb
The Blackstar Unity Bass U120 is a 120-watt 1x12 solid-state bass combo amplifier built for stage-ready performance. A custom-designed Eminence Opus 12-inch speaker in a closed-back cabinet delivers tight, responsive low-end with punchy midrange. Three preamp voices — Classic for vintage warmth, Modern for high-headroom clarity with extended low end, and Overdrive for harmonically rich grind — are complemented by a three-band EQ with semi-parametric mid control and a Response control selecting between Classic, Modern, and Overdrive power amp behavior. Built-in compressor and chorus effects round out a fully self-contained gigging bass amplifier platform.
The Phil Jones Bass BE-17 Bass Engine is a 70-watt bass combo built around a single seven-inch driver, an unusual size that sits between the five-inch drivers used across most of the PJB range and conventional bass speakers. The company's design philosophy favours smaller drivers for their faster transient response and clearer midrange, and the BE-17 applies that in a compact single-driver format aimed at practice, rehearsal and smaller venues. It suits bassists who want the brand's articulate voicing in its most portable form, particularly upright, fretless and acoustic players where clarity matters more than low-end weight.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- alternative
- acoustic
- rock
- Rock
- Jazz
- full
- harmonically rich
- bright
- tight
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Occasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.- Live
- Practice
- Busking
- Practice
- Live