8 Ohm.. it's a very nice sounding lightweight rig. My first Markbass product.
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Quilter Bass Block v803
- Thread starter gtirard
- Start date
Well, I took the plunge on the v803, despite my carping about a couple of the design choices and despite my already having four good amp heads. Even on short acquaintance, the v803 seems like a definite keeper. (I got a first-100 certificate but no voucher for free stuff.) I haven't been able really to open it up yet, but I think it will be a good match for my Barefaced BB3 in louder situations, and probably also for my old Acme Low B-2. The switchable voicing thing is kinda genius.
I have a rule (entirely arbitrary and self-imposed) about not having more than four amp heads at a time, so one of the others has got to go (looking at you, Clarus).
I'd definitely recommend putting the v803 on your shopping shortlist if you're looking for a head in this category. I already was quite fond of my Quilter BB800, and this just seems like a more evolved and complete version.
I have a rule (entirely arbitrary and self-imposed) about not having more than four amp heads at a time, so one of the others has got to go (looking at you, Clarus).
I'd definitely recommend putting the v803 on your shopping shortlist if you're looking for a head in this category. I already was quite fond of my Quilter BB800, and this just seems like a more evolved and complete version.
I didn't take any pics, but I played an outdoor show, was a mix of pop music, country and rock- , with a big stage and FOH support. Used my Quilter v803 into my Lowend 2x12 cab, and it sounded huge! Never turned my volume past noon, and had ample stage volume, and just a thick, full tone, using my Modulus Quantum 5, & Carl S custom 5. I absolutely love my v803, It is superior to the 802 in terms of tonal options, and packs plenty of juice, in a very small portable package.. Knowing the reliability from Quilter, & the sound this thing puts out, it's a home run!
V803 nestled in the BD12 for the first time. Sounded "just right".
You should ask them. I wouldn't worry too much because they are probably using the same power module in the 803 as in the 800, and also because they are super reliable - never seen a report of failure, but you can still ask.
Congratulations! It's amazing how these Quilters' sound, especially when ran @ 4ohms, they really slam ! And the overall different "feel" offered by the 3 amp settings, & two input settings, are so unique. I loveI couldn't resist, just ordered one.
mine ! Edit: I haven't used the XLR out yet, on mine- as I'm running a Khan Di, from my pedalboard to FOH, on gigs.
Questions:Congratulations! It's amazing how these Quilters' sound, especially when ran @ 4ohms, they really slam ! And the overall different "feel" offered by the 3 amp settings, & two input settings, are so unique. I love
- Does it sound better @ 4ohm at equal volume, or is it mainly louder?
- You run the Khan before the amp? So the 803 goodness is only for your monitoring pleasure?
1) It sounds great at either 4 or 8 ohms, at low volume, so, yes it's essentially just louder, at full power, but to really feel the full power of it, cranking it up @ 4ohms is a wonderful experience!
2) I hace a very minimal pedalboard-but quite effective in giving me a wonderful sound- Korg tuner>Cali76 compressor >Dicosimo audio Gk800rb preamp>Khan audio DI> FOH- the Khan sounds so good, it's all I'm using for DI. Yes, I'm basically just using the Quilter as a stage monitor. Who knows, I may actually use the Quilter's DI sometime, just to see the difference. Thanks for the questions, hope this was helpful!
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I picked one up from Sweetwater and it arrived last Friday. Came with a nice certificate stating it was one of the first 100 units produced. I didn't have time to play around with it much before my Saturday and Sunday gigs so I didn't bring it out for a debut but, I did get to play around in my home studio.
First I just played around with all 3 voicings using my Spector Euros. Great tones from all 3 voicings but I mainly ran things "Flat" with the Q voicing and relied upon my Spector tone.
Second I dialed it up to match my Ampeg V4B settings and did a side by side and got nearly 100%.
Third I dialed it up to my Mesa Subway D800+ and was able to come close to replicating my favorite settings on it as well.
Initial studio impressions:
1. KILLER amp especially for the price point!
2. GREAT Ampeg'ish tone clone.
3. Scooped input is absolutely useless to me but I suppose others may find it useful.
4. Raising up the Gain can get you into some REALLY gnarly territory.
All in all VERY impressed.
First I just played around with all 3 voicings using my Spector Euros. Great tones from all 3 voicings but I mainly ran things "Flat" with the Q voicing and relied upon my Spector tone.
Second I dialed it up to match my Ampeg V4B settings and did a side by side and got nearly 100%.
Third I dialed it up to my Mesa Subway D800+ and was able to come close to replicating my favorite settings on it as well.
Initial studio impressions:
1. KILLER amp especially for the price point!
2. GREAT Ampeg'ish tone clone.
3. Scooped input is absolutely useless to me but I suppose others may find it useful.
4. Raising up the Gain can get you into some REALLY gnarly territory.
All in all VERY impressed.
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Interesting!
Mine arrives tomorrow.
I will compare it against Jad Freer Sisma (hybrid amp), I can't wait to see if the 803 can replace it entirely.
When I bought Sisma 2 years ago, I was looking for more tone flexibility over my beloved BB800, no doubt I would have bought the 803 directly if it had been available at the time.
The question in the next couple of weeks will be: should I keep both, or sell the Sisma?
Sure...when I get home tonight I'll send you the settings on the 803 and the D800+
Congratulations! Mine came from sweetwater on Friday with the certificate as well, I love both the flat and scooped inputs, and although I ran into the flat input on the gig, I was playing through the scooped input yesterday at home, and really like it too. I think warm is probably my favorite settting. However, on my gig Saturday, i toggled between modern and warm, just to hear the differences. I did try the Q-tube for a cursory test, but I found myself gravitating toward the warm setting. Probably would depend on the gig, & bass that I'm using.. And although I do prefer my bass tone to be generally clean sounding, I think the warm setting sounded fatter and fuller, with a little more heft, than the modern setting.
I'm also impatient to know how the "Warm" and "Qtube" voices compare to the "VINT" voice of the Quilter Interbass.
I suppose that the 803 Warm setting = Interbass VINT setting, and the Qtube is even grittier, but I'll check this tomorrow.
With the Interbass, if I select the "FR" setting I'm thinking "I prefer this one", and when I switch to "VINT", I'm like "No, I prefer that one". So I guess I will love and use the 3 voices of the 803.
Also, I had the feeling that the "Scoop" input was aimed for home practice in order to compensate for the lack of low end at bedroom volume (like the "loudness" control in old Hi-Fi amps), and not very usable at gig level, but I saw comments on YouTube saying it was more intended to emulate the SVT vibe (regarless of the volume), so I'll have to check that at next rehearsal…
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