NEW JHS “Punchline” – Flatwound Paradise? ????️
In this video, I take a look at the new Punchline pedal by JHS. This bass preamp is inspired by legendary sounds of the Wrecking Crew and 1960s analog recording. I share my honest opinion of this pedal and demo it for you.
The Punchline (affiliate link):
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/B0vRYW
Get your own Pocket hat here (directly supports the channel):
https://philipconradmusic.squarespace.com/merch
#JHS #Punchline #Flatwound #Paradise
Originally posted by UCfRlprx-BEhwuVTWlHVyN6A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2hnsvGSXg0
I believe it would be the perfect pedal if it has a fx loop after the compressor or drive and a dry signal out
I've been a fan of JHS for a while, but I've never bought any of their stuff (never really needed to)… until now.
As a cover band bassist playing dad rock, '90s-'00s alternative, classic country, etc., I need a clean, simple, reliable, and flexible setup. My current setup is a nano+ board with a small tuner, the Fender Compugilist (compressor + distortion), and an MXR PolyBlue Octave running into a Rumble 800 combo amp. I run XLR out of the amp to the mixer for FOH. That's been working reasonably well, but I've never been thrilled with the OD sounds I'm getting from either the Compugilist or the amp's overdrive channel. I've also wondered about a different, possibly better compressor designed specifically with bass in mind.
So, this piece of gear ticks all of my boxes: made by JHS (check), high-quality compressor (check), useable on/off OD with a clean blend! (check), and then the intriguing addition of an amp sim to run to the mixer (check), with a good, basic EQ section (didn't feel like I needed that, but check).
After watching a few of the video reviews (yours, BTW, Bass Channel) and then seeing this thing drop in price… I had to give it a shot.
My plan right now is to run the pedal's XLR to the mixer and the 1/4" into my amp's FX loop so I'm getting the same sound FOH and through the amp. (We run one sub speaker with my amp adding oompf on my side of the stage.)
Of course, y'all didn't need to know all of that, but I'm excited, so…
These are currently $375 on Sweetwater’s site. That’s a pretty insane deal considering just a Cali76 compressor is pretty much the same price
Awesome review Philip, really clear and nice audio and visual. Looks like a great product for those of us chasing that sound. The recordings of that era had to get the sound into small car radio speakers and low spec home stereos, and i really like the focused, warm and fat bass tone they did it with.
I want the drive as a seperate pedal
I just ordered mine. I play P basses with flatwounds 99% of the time, so your recommendation regarding this pedal with flats was the nail in the coffin for my bank account lol. For a great DI, a drive section, and a studio grade compressor this seems like a great deal. I’m also a Beach Boys fan, so that helps.
Mine arrived today and couldn't be happier
Great video – really well done. I received the Punchline as a gift 2 months ago, and have been completely blown away with how USEFUL this pedal is. Like your experience, this pedal took me about 5 minutes to dial in – that's it. I've since done 3 gigs (both indoor and outdoor) for audiences ranging from 100 people to 4,000 people, and have not had to change my initial settings at all (I've only adjusted the EQ volume as needed.) My sound onstage is amazing, and the best it's ever been through the P.A. (no matter who's done the sound.) I'm playing Rics with flats with a pick, and utilizing ALL of the features including the D.I. Bravo!
Did you run this into an amp or into a DI?
Great insight! Agree with your assessment. Totally makes sense having all that big tube sound of yesteryear supporting the flat wound basses. Cheers!
Just purchased mine! Thanks for the comprehensive review! Keep up the good work man!
I assume using this with a proper amp defeats its purpose? This seems more of a DI rather than something to send into an amp.
Man, I've been holding out on exploring new gear… I have a few basses with flat wounds (recent acquisitions) and I'm enjoying them quite a bit.
Great baseline o this demo, too.
hey, philip. awesome video as always. one doubt: do you think this pedal is a good choice for a live situation or it is more like a studio/recording device?
Oh it’s a BASS pedal! Thank god my wallet is safe!
Odd question, but could this work driven up for punk/metal
Great review! Can we talk about your settings with that JMJ? A screen grab of where you dialed it would be awesome. Love how it’s thick, but breaks up nicely on the higher parts. Well done ????
Really cool visual effects in this video, and the sounds were pleasing. While I don't really have a use for this pedal, I think it sounds so good.
The stars aligned! JHs puts out a “bass” pedal. I’m all about pbass w/ flatwounds a la 60’s sound. It was only right I went through your link to get myself a punchline. Keep up the awesome content.
What is that pick you're using at the end?
It’s so good. I haven’t stopped playing through mine since I got it.
I bought it after this video. My jazz bass with flatwounds sounds amazing through this pedal.
It's not for me.I own far too many FX pedals, analog and everything else.
I am an acoustic guitar player but DO I want this for the occasional bass lines I put on my songs, whoa!
I hope it’s not too expensive I’m 15 seconds in and know I’m going to get one now
Beach Boys? Ehem, Carol Kaye.
JHS owes you money. I bought one 2/3 of the way through this video.
Try running this in parallel with a sansamp
Do you think this pedal would work well with the Hx Stomp?
Another great video Phillip. The prodution value, and care taken in the way you present topics really make this channel a joy to watch, and honestly one of my favorite bass-centric channels to watch. As a predominantly flats player this seems like a legitimate option for a simple solution thats pretty reasonably priced for what you get. Thanks man
I just got mine in today. This thing gives me the tone I've been searching for for years. Immediately onto the board.
A kind of sansamp for flats players… Sounds nice.
Is that Cab Sim -> Preamp, Poweramp and Cab IR and room reverb?
I’m unclear on the connection to The Beach Boys, not seeing/hearing anything this does vs. a P bass and a tube amp would get you? Can’t think of any Beach Boys songs with distorted bass. Or even compressed bass, outside of general album mastering. Might be a fine combo pedal on its own of course.
I'm pretty sure it would sound great with roundwounds too….
Dammit.
Thanks for doing this review. I was interested in this pedal (long time fan of the Beach Boys sound, and the general era this is trying to model), ordered it based on your video, and just arrived today. I really like your sound on the outro jam. Really lovely.
Thanks for the review, Philip!! ????????????????
Would've been nice ?and useful) to see the back panel. Any XLR DI out? FX loop send/return? Is it mono jack in/mono out? Power rating 9 or 18v? Sounds pretty good though.
Great video – well done ????????????
Mate this thing sounds great. What flats are you using on the P bass?
You could get awesome Motown tone with this.
Let me guess the JHS price…$1000 ????