The Palmer PDI 03 JB is a Joe Bonamassa signature version of the PDI 03, a rackmount Guitar Speaker Simulator DI. Like the standard Palmer PDI 03, it connects between a guitar amp and speaker and delivers a balanced output to mixers and interfaces with faithfully compensated speaker and cab sounds, doing away with mic placement and EQ. MusicRadar reported that the blues pro Joe Bonamassa loves Palmer's PDI 03 so much that he put his name to a signature version, which adds an exclusive JB switch that gives the tone a mid boost to put the guitar, as Joe puts it, "right in your face"1. The unit was listed at €199 (£149)1.
What it does
The PDI 03 is a single-space rackmount unit that combines a signal splitter, DI box and power soak with an eight-ohm load circuit. It takes a signal from an amp's speaker output and is usable with or without a speaker cabinet connected2.
MusicRadar's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, noted that the PDI 03 could be used connected in line between amp and speakers, feeding the DI'd signal to the PA as a consistent alternative to mic'ing the cab in live use2.
The JB switch and where it came from
The JB version adds one control the standard unit does not have: an exclusive JB switch, which gives your tone a mid boost to put your guitar, as Joe Bonamassa puts it, "right in your face"1. MusicRadar's news report on the announcement said the blues player loves the PDI 03 enough to have put his name on a signature version1.
The underlying design is not new. The PDI 03 is a re-issue of the original Palmer Speaker Simulator, which first appeared in the late eighties and had not been available for a while before this version returned2.
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Questions
What is the Palmer PDI 03 JB?
It is a Joe Bonamassa signature version of the Palmer PDI 03, a single-space rackmount unit that combines a signal splitter, DI box and power soak with an eight-ohm load circuit. It connects between a guitar amp and speaker and delivers a balanced output with compensated speaker and cabinet sounds to mixers and interfaces, doing away with mic placement and EQ. The JB version adds an exclusive JB switch that gives the tone a mid boost.
How does the JB switch differ from the standard PDI 03?
The JB switch is exclusive to the Joe Bonamassa signature model. According to Palmer's announcement, it gives your tone a mid boost to put your guitar, as Joe Bonamassa puts it, right in your face. The rest of the unit follows the original PDI 03 design, which MusicRadar's reviewer described as usable with or without a speaker cabinet.
Sources (2)
- NAMM 2015: Palmer reveals PDI 03 Joe Bonamassa Signature Guitar Speaker Simulator DI, MusicRadar, 2015-01-23
- Palmer PDI-03 Speaker Simulator review, MusicRadar, 2010-03-08