Phil Jones in crisis

[cetera]

From Facebook:

 

I never thought I’d have to write this. But after 25 years of loyalty, trust, and building something truly world-class, I owe it to myself—and to everyone who believed in me—to speak the truth.

I gave my heart, my soul, and my engineering to create what many of you came to know through Phil Jones Bass, Airpulse, and Acoustic Energy. I built it all from the ground up—every design, every driver, every product, with passion and precision.

Years ago, I even supported my business partner in his U.S. immigration journey. I wrote the letter that helped him secure his green card. I believed in him. I thought we shared the same vision.

But now—without my consent—that same partner has shut the company down behind my back.
He is attempting to erase my legacy.
He has destroyed not just a business, but the livelihoods of good people who stood by us.

But I will not disappear quietly.

I am now looking for a new partner or investor—someone who believes in doing things the right way.
Someone who believes in British sound, innovation, and integrity.

This isn't just about business.
It’s about protecting a lifetime of work—and finishing what I started, in the right hands.

If you know someone who wants to be part of rebuilding something meaningful—contact me directly.
I still have everything that matters:
The knowledge, the vision, and the fire to finish this story my way.

– Phil Jones
Designer – AE1 | Phil Jones Bass | Airpulse

[Chris2112]

Some of you here may be aware of the developing situation revealed by Phil Jones of Phil Jones Bass over the course of the day via Facebook, wherein he reports that his business partner has closed the business and is trying to erase his legacy. 

 

A couple of hours ago he posted a tribute to his wife that sounds rather like a prelude to suicide. I believe he is still living in the US but I figured someone here may know him and be able to make contact with him to ensure his safety. Sadly has turned the comments off on his posts. 

 

Here's hoping word gets through to talk some sense into him, he is a most excellent designer and always seemed like a decent bloke. 

Edited Monday at 14:54 by Chris2112

[Merton]

I just saw this too. All a bit mad. Seems he was trying to move production to the UK to avoid the stupid US tariffs on Chinese made products but his business partner shafted him instead.

Hope it sorts itself out

 

[Merton]

Seems you both posted very close to each other!

I hope he fights this, that post about his wife was very worrying indeed.

Edited Monday at 14:45 by Merton

[Linus27]

I saw this earlier as well. I was going to post something on here as well but I wasn't quite sure if it was genuine or a scam etc. The post about his wife is very worrying.

[Merton]

He’s deleted all the posts now…

Hmmm.

[Beedster]

Hope all is OK with him 🙏

[Beedster]

Hope all is OK 🙏

[KingPrawn]

What a horrible place to be. I hope he has the people around him to get him through. Its good he is putting it on FB.

[TimR]

Facebook is a really bad place to air those kinds of things. 

 

Certainly if it's going to end up with the lawyers. 

 

Tronald Dump has got a lot to answer for. 

[binky_bass]

Delete if inappropriate, but this is the 'Deleted' message Phil Jones wrote - I took it from a thread on BassTalk.

 

To those who know me, this may be my last message.
I’m not writing for help. I’m not asking for attention. I’ve made peace with many things.
But there is one thing I need to say clearly:
Please take care of my wife.
She is the best part of my life.
She is young, kind, and unspoiled by the cruelty I’ve come to know.
She stood by me with grace and patience, even when everything else fell apart.
I have built many things in this life—loudspeakers, music, brands, and ideas—but nothing has meant more to me than being loved by her.
I cannot let her watch me go down slowly like a sinking ship.
So if I go silent, let this truth remain:
Protect her. Defend her. Lift her up.
She deserves peace, kindness, and a life far better than the one I’ve struggled through.
This is not about defeat.
It’s about preserving something pure.
She was my home. She was my light.
She is everything good I ever knew.

This is the truth.
My business did not fail because of bad ideas, weak products, or a lack of effort.
It began to collapse because of something far greater—harsh U.S. tariffs,…. [Mod Edit]…. which made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations in China, where we were manufacturing.
But I didn’t give up.
I fought harder.
I went out of my way to apply for a UK government grant—not to enrich myself, but to bring the factory, the jobs, the technology, and the future back home.
It was an opportunity to save the company, protect the people working with me, and give us all something stronger.
But instead of seeing this as a path forward for everyone,
my business partner, Wendong Zhang, saw it as a threat to his control.
He didn’t want help unless he could own it.
He didn’t want a future unless he commanded it.
And so—without my consent, without conversation, and without honor—he shut the company down.
I was cut out of the very company I built with my own hands.
I was erased from the work that carries my name.
Not because I failed—but because I stood up.
I gave everything:
My designs.
My loyalty.
My voice.
And above all, my heart.
To be betrayed after all that… there are no easy words.
Only this:
I am still here.
And I will not let this end quietly.
Not for me.
Not for my wife.
Not for the people who still believe in what I created.
If you’ve ever supported me, or cared about what I built—thank you.
Now you know the truth.

[jonno1981]

Poor Phil. I really really hope he gets himself out of this dark place and through to a more positive mindset. He sounds really low. 

[Sibob]

Threads merged.

 

Si

[sifi2112]

My only experience with Phil Jones was years ago I contacted him about my 6Pack bass combo had stopped working, Phil responded himself & was great about sorting the issue, we diagnosed a faulty preamp & even though my amp was out of warranty he sent me a brand new one (from the US I think) & talked me through installation which was quite straightforward & he didn’t charge me a penny !

I hope he gets through this & continues with his passion for bass & audio .. we need more people like him !

Edited Tuesday at 07:23 by sifi2112

[Beedster]

26 minutes ago, sifi2112 said:

My only experience with Phil Jones was years ago I contacted him about my 6Pack bass combo had stopped working, Phil responded himself & was great about sorting the issue, we diagnosed a faulty preamp & even though my amp was out of warranty he sent me a brand new one (from the US I think) & talked me through installation which was quite straightforward & he didn’t charge me a penny !

I hope he gets through this & continues with his passion for bass & audio .. we need more people like him !

Similar experience and sentiment here 🙏

[Sibob]

Sounds like this might go down a similar path to Tecamp/Eich (which has seemingly worked out well for Thomas).

I’ve only ever had one interaction with Phil, at NAMM a few years ago, and he was lovely. Hope he finds a positive way forward!

 

Si

Edited Tuesday at 08:41 by Sibob

[TimR]

Maybe he's upping sticks and moving to the UK. Who would blame him? 

[Greg Edwards69]

I saw this pop up on FB yesterday, too, and then disappear, along with his personal account. There are a couple of threads over on Talkbass—some people think this might be an AI-generated fake/scam. But as I said on there, whether it's genuine or not, we should take it at face value—the guy might really be suffering. His words concerning his wife are particularly poignant.

 

Also, we should be too quick speculate. We have no idea what contracts are in place between PJB and the Chinese manufacturer. Phil or Wendong could be the one at fault; we just don't know. All we do know is that someone, somewhere, might genuinely be going through a major crisis, and they need support.

Edited Tuesday at 08:48 by Greg Edwards69