THE CORE TEAM AT PHIL JONES BASS

PHIL JONES
President

● 1954 – Phil Jones was born in London, England.

● 1968 – Phil Jones builds his first bass guitar, amplifier and speaker cabinet.

● 1980 – Joined the historic Vitavox Loudspeaker Co. as production engineer making high performance cinema sound and home audio loudspeakers.

● 1981 – Started sound reinforcement company in London using his own proprietary designs. First in the world to develop subwoofers in sound reinforcement systems and first to discover the phenomenon of power compression in audio transducers. Pioneered the use of Ferro-fluid technology in PA compression drivers.

● 1987 – Founded Acoustic Energy and designed the famous AE-1 near-field monitors; used in Abby Road Studios among many others.

● 1990 – Designed Boston Acoustic’s premier Lynnfield Series loudspeakers.

● 1994 – Founded Platinum Audio designing and manufacturing hi-fi speakers and monitors.

● 1998 – Designed and produced Air Pulse loudspeaker system which sold for $275,000 per pair. Praised by Japan Audio Society winning the Golden Sound Award as best loudspeaker developed in 100-year history of  loudspeakers

● 1998 – Founded American Acoustic Development (AAD) for pro audio, home and mobile. Current products include hi-fi, guitar amplifiers and PA systems.

● 1998 – Opened manufacturing facility in China producing every component including drivers and cabinets. 200 employees, 300,000 square foot facility.

● 2002 – Pioneered use of 5″ drivers for bass guitar amplifiers after 10 years of research.

● 2002 – Founded Phil Jones Bass developing hi-fi amplifiers for bass players.

Rick Carlson
Sales and Marketing Director

A Message from Phil:

For more than 55 years, my passion for the electric bass has only grown stronger. It all started at the age of 13, during the era of Jimi Hendrix and Motown, when I was first inspired by the legendary Motown bass player, James Jamerson. Despite facing challenges as a schoolboy without the support of my family or the means to purchase my own equipment, I never let that stop me. I taught myself about bass construction, amplifier electronics, and even wound my own pickups, all fueled by my unwavering determination.

In the early 70s, I enrolled at The Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales, where I was living, to study classical upright bass. Despite the college’s conservative views on music, I remained steadfast in pursuing my passion and played in various rock, R&B, and jazz groups while also doing studio work for the BBC TV company to pay for my tuition. Frustrated with the limitations of available equipment, I started modifying my own instruments and amplifiers in my pursuit of the perfect sound.

In the 1990s, I moved to the US and worked for Boston Acoustics before founding Platinum Audio and designing the world’s most expensive home loudspeaker system, the Air-Pulse. In 1998, I founded American Acoustic Development, the parent company of PJB bass amps and AIRPULSE guitar amps, which now has a team of over 150 employees and a 200,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to creating exceptional loudspeakers and amplifiers.

My journey has come full circle and my passion for bass playing and sound engineering is reflected in every product we create at PJB. Our team shares my unwavering commitment to quality, value, and service, and we are dedicated to empowering bassists to achieve their ultimate tone. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.