Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier vs Phil Jones BP-800 Bass Pulse 800W Head
The Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier and the Phil Jones BP-800 Bass Pulse 800W Head are both amplifiers sharing transparent, mid-forward. The Blackstar BASSU120 Unity 120-Watt Bass Amplifier leans full and harmonically rich. The Phil Jones BP-800 Bass Pulse 800W Head leans tight. Current prices: $499.99 vs $861.34.
cited
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
cited
Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- transparent
- mid-forward
cited
Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$499.99via Reverb
$861.34via 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 BP-800 Bass Pulse is an 800-watt bass amplifier head weighing under five pounds, built around a Class A preamp and the company's five-band EQ. The combination of very high output and very low weight is the design's central claim, aimed at players who need substantial power without carrying a traditional heavy head. The Class A preamp stage gives the clarity and midrange detail PJB is known for, and the five-band EQ offers more shaping than the typical three-band bass tone stack. It suits gigging bassists across jazz, session, funk and rock work who want articulate amplification and are carrying their own rig.
cited
Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- alternative
- acoustic
- rock
- Jazz
- Funk
- Rock
- full
- harmonically rich
- bright
- tight
cited
Occasions this gear suits — judged per model, or derived from its wattage, connectivity and category.- Live
- Practice
- Live