Quilter Bass Block v803

[gtirard]

Here it is, at last

Bass Block V803

The Quilter Labs Bass Block V803 is a powerful and versatile bass amplifier that combines modern Class-D amplification with the warmth of vintage tube sounds. A robust 800W output ensures exceptional performance across various speaker setups, supported by a quiet, variable-speed fan for...

www.quilterlabs.com

It seems there's a lot to talk about…

First of all, I find it very affordable for what it offers and compared to the competition ($699.00).

The "modern" voicing corresponds to 800/802, which is a good thing IMO

"Warm" and "Qtube" are both tube emulations, with the later inspired by the SVT.

I wonder why there's a separate input for the "mid scoop" instead of a switch, but I think it makes sense if you want to use it only at home for practice at low volume.

I'd love to see what Class D haters think about this amp? They probably hate it already, because.

What do you think?

 

[Zbysek]

Nice!

 

[Nebadon2000]

Seems like a winner with some smart useable features at a extremely good price;

Class D Haters are a Loud Minority at this point

 

[gtirard]

Anyone interested by my BB800?

 

[John D Harris]

Here it is, at last

Bass Block V803

The Quilter Labs Bass Block V803 is a powerful and versatile bass amplifier that combines modern Class-D amplification with the warmth of vintage tube sounds. A robust 800W output ensures exceptional performance across various speaker setups, supported by a quiet, variable-speed fan for...

www.quilterlabs.com

It seems there's a lot to talk about…

First of all, I find it very affordable for what it offers and compared to the competition ($699.00).

The "modern" voicing corresponds to 800/802, which is a good thing IMO

"Warm" and "Qtube" are both tube emulations, with the later inspired by the SVT.

I wonder why there's a separate input for the "mid scoop" instead of a switch, but I think it makes sense if you want to use it only at home for practice at low volume.

I'd love to see what Class D haters think about this amp? They probably hate it already, because.

What do you think?

I get the impression that Pat Quilter is a genius, but a quirky genius.

I don't get the mid scoop input either.

It's also odd that the 'modern' is the only setting that gets the full 800W at 4 Ohm, though at 8 Ohm all three settings are the same 450W.

I suspect that these will sell pretty well, as they seem to be a very good bang for the buck and great tones available!

 

[gtirard]

I get the impression that Pat Quilter is a genius, but a quirky genius.

I don't get the mid scoop input either.

It's also odd that the 'modern' is the only setting that gets the full 800W at 4 Ohm, though at 8 Ohm all three settings are the same 450W.

I suspect that these will sell pretty well, as they seem to be a very good bang for the buck and great tones available!

Agree.

I'd love to see Pat Quilter explain his design choices, I'm sure it's very well thought out.

• Mid Scoop input: I guess it's not intended to be used as an EQ setting or a filter, but really something you should only use at low volume for home practice, like the "loudness" of the old hi-fi amps. You can also scoop the mids manually with the parametric mids if you want. But it you set your tone during a rehearsal using the regular input, then when you come back home to practice at low volume, you may want to plug into the mid scooped input in order to compensate for the lack of low frequencies at low volume, without changing everything else? I don't know if it's what he intended to do, but I can see myself using it that way, it could be handy. At worse, I wouldn't use it, so I don't mind.
• Lower power @ 4 ohm for the tube emulation voicings: I suppose they had to limit the power section with theses voicings in order to avoid hard clipping? Anyway, no real tube amp are lowder than 450W so… I don't really care, because my band don't play too loud, so I've never used the BB800 @ 4 ohm, and even with a 8 ohm cab, I rarely turn the master knob above 2 o'clock - these amps have more headroom than I need, so I'm fine.

 

[bdowd]

Nice. Looking forward to trying one up against my trusty bb800.

 

[OkayistBassist]

I loved my Bass Block 802. I had the Bass Dock 10 and two Bass Dock 12’s that I would use depending on the venue.

I wonder if new cabinets are coming soon?

I have been using a QSC CP12 as an “amp”, if I need one on stage. Maybe this will be an idea for a replacement? I am really liking the ease of the CP12 if I ever need it.

 

[burgerdj]

No Aux In? Bummer.

 

[basss]

The effects return functions as an aux in and the DI is pre EQ (in flat mode only, the other modes function as cab sims) according to the bass the world video.

 

[Lammchop93]

Wow, what a great price point!

 

[ahbass2500]

Wow, what a great price point!

Cheaper than the 802 (at least MSRP is lower). The 803 is also the first Bass Block to be made in China. The 800 and 802 were both US made. I expect production move helped with price point.

My point is not intended to be a political or quality statement, so do not turn it into one. Simply pointing out that the cost came down and it appears to have been done by managing labor costs. I expect price point will help them sell. Hopefully the production move helps Quilter keep supply on these. BB800 and BB802 were not always readily available and there was a big gap of no Bass Block availability while waiting for the 803.

On the guitar amp side, I have owned both US (Pro Block 200) and Chinese (Mini 101) Quilters. No obvious quality differences between the two. I would buy this one with confidence if I needed one. Loved my BB800, but sold it when I switched to low power tube heads. Will consider the 803 if I need a high output head again.

 

[pyrat56host]

God Bless Quilter...I fully expected these to come in @ $999...but no, they stayed true to their cause. Looks like another big winner!

 

[ga_edwards]

Just looking at the manual regarding the scoop input.

FLAT A high impedance input matches both passive and active bass signals with no frequency shaping. All frequencies are treated equally, revealing the natural sound of your bass instrument.
SCOOP This input produces an initial tone that is similar to classic “tone stack” EQ sections which have an inherent mid scoop. This input has full bass, leaner midrange, and silkier highs.

So, as I understand it, with the eq controls set to neutral, the flat input is truly flat whereas the scoop input replicates the result of plugging into fender-style tone stack amp. It depends what you're used to.

Still, I don't understand why this couldn't have been a simple switch.

 

[lomo]

It looks as though it's a truly significant upgrade in terms of sound and features. $#@% brilliant. I absolutely love my 802 and Interbass. I always wondered why the amazing overdriven tone attainable through the Interbass wasn't offered on its big bros....and here it is on the 803, along with a conventional XLR DI and sweepable mids for the win. It retains the same superb features (VERY compact size/ light wt./ big power, parallel FX loop that can double as aux in, extra long locking power cord).
The US built 802 is as solid as a tank. If the 803 is as reliable, at a VERY competitive 699 it goes to the top of the class IMHO. That said, I also don't get why the scoop mode has its own input, but that quirk seems as relevant as bugs on the windshield.

 

[gtirard]

Cheaper than the 802 (at least MSRP is lower). The 803 is also the first Bass Block to be made in China. The 800 and 802 were both US made. I expect production move helped with price point.

My point is not intended to be a political or quality statement, so do not turn it into one. Simply pointing out that the cost came down and it appears to have been done by managing labor costs. I expect price point will help them sell. Hopefully the production move helps Quilter keep supply on these. BB800 and BB802 were not always readily available and there was a big gap of no Bass Block availability while waiting for the 803.

On the guitar amp side, I have owned both US (Pro Block 200) and Chinese (Mini 101) Quilters. No obvious quality differences between the two. I would buy this one with confidence if I needed one. Loved my BB800, but sold it when I switched to low power tube heads. Will consider the 803 if I need a high output head again.

I see, interesting. I personnaly would prefer US production even if it was a little bit more expensive (for ethic reasons), and I would be ready to pay a little more for that, but if the price is more competitive, and the quality is identifcal, and it helps with supply chain, then I understand the move.

 

[Snibborwocky]

I've always kept an eye on Quilter and been intrigued by the 802 for years now. This new 803 has very much peaked my interest at the moment especially at that price point.

 

[Michael Vee]

Thanks for breaking the news, gtirard! At last, indeed.

 

[Michael Vee]

No Aux In? Bummer.

From the v803 page: " User Convenience: Features ... an FX Return that can be used as a stealth input for backing tracks."

From the manual: *“STEALTH INPUT”: To practice or play with backing tracks, insert your signal into FX RETURN. The preamp signal level will drop about 4dB to provide some headroom for tracks. After dialing in your preamp level, use the external device’s volume control to match the track volume to your bass volume. The Master will control the combined mix as usual."

 

[gtirard]

Thanks for breaking the news, gtirard! At last, indeed.

Yes, I've refreshed the Quilter website 100+ times yesterday , I felt like akid before Xmas, even though I've already got a BB800, Interbass, and 2 other great amps