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Unless you are using IEM's like I am. It's not a huge deal but forces me to split my signal and route one path to the IEM rig / FOH and the other to my amp. That isn't necessary for other amp heads….again not a huge deal but does add an unnecessary step.
I would assume to hear something closer to what he desires the audience to hear, which BTW is why I prefer basses with onboard preamps and amps that sound like my bass only louder.
Again, it's still a feature add to the Quilter net/net. If you don't want it use modern, or take your signal before the amp, or use the effects loop into your amp and use it solely as a power amp. Past models didn't have warm and qtube nor do you have to use them.
Did you get a chance to compare it to the sisma?
Not yet.
Thanks for reporting back, it's interesting that you're now leaning towards the scooped settings after gigging compared to your initial studio comparison. Did you use the D.I on the gig and did you dial in any grit that was noticeable?
I did use the DI. The DI runs to our IEM rig then to FOH.
I had the Kinetix for a few weeks and it's a great amp. I picked up the 803 and after a week with the 803 I returned the Kinetix. Both are killer but I found the 803 smaller, lighter, slightly more versatile and just preferred it.
The better clips I've heard of the Kinetix sounds like it has a nice heft / weight to the upper bass - lower midbass.
It does. My settings for the past weekend were using the Scooped Input...Bass at about 2 o'clock, Mids at about 1 o'clock, Mid frequency at about 2 o'clock and treble at noon. I was running the input gain at about 9 o'clock. Voicing set to Modern mostly but also used QTube at a few points which beefed it up even more.
Agree on the knobs. They are tough to see where they are set....easy fix though, I got some MXR style knobs and swapped them out. I didn't have an issue with the toggles because I knew what each position indicated and could easily feel out what position the toggle switch is in. I definitely prefer the mini toggles over full sized ones (which IMO would just be at risk of breaking more easily) and can't really think of a more efficient and convenient way of achieving this.
Sweet equipment - I've been lusting for a Super Twin (or a pair of SC) and a Sandberg CA for a while (TT5 w/Delano JMVC) - I bet it kicks like a mule with either of the BB's!Ok so I took the 803 out this past weekend for what was to be a trio of gigs. Friday night was indoor private catering hall function, Saturday a private backyard party (1980's theme!), and Sunday a stripped down trio street fair set.
To 'set the stage' if you will, my rig serves as stage volume and shares duties with our FOH system (BL can be stingy with the PA!), which I go direct to via DI on the pedalboard, so the Quilter DI is not in play here. I use IEMs just for vocals.
Friday I brought just the 803, and it performed well sonically. Coming from using a Mesa D800 for the past few years and then a BB800 just the last few months, there was nothing terribly challenging to learn and I was able to dial in a decent tone.
I played around a bit with the different voicings as well as the inputs, and found some combos I liked. there wasn't a HUGE difference between the voicings in a live setting, and I am after a clean tone these days so wasn't looking for, and didn't get, any tube breakup. I landed ultimately on the Modern voice, flat input, and then EQ to taste from there for the room.
Now, a few things that I didn't like - strictly from a live gig perspective, I'm not thrilled with the controls in general. The voicing and mute/passive/active toggle switches are small and very easy to move, so it's difficult to tell which options you have selected, especially on a darkened stage. Same for the knobs, even with the shape of them, they could really benefit from a white line or something to make it easier to see where your EQ is set.
This got me thinking, for my needs and wants, what am I getting out of the 803 that the 800 cannot provide?
So for the Saturday gig I decided to bring both and do a little A/B testing in a live situation.
What I found was, I like the 800 better.
I tested all apples to apples to pears and beyond comparisons between the 2, and the 800 just came out on top - there's something about the responsiveness of the 800, the immediacy of the notes, the clean and quietness of it, and those things that everyone says about these Quilters I cannot come up with better descriptors for - the heft, punch and slam.
Don't get me wrong, the 803 had those things, too, but the 800 just nudged it out.
So after the first Saturday set, the 803 pouted in the corner while the 800 got all the accolades, and he was even madder to not get invited at all on Sunday.
I certainly don't mean at all for this to be a negative review of the 803, just for my needs and preferences, the 800 is a better match. The less knob turning and switch flicking and whatnot I have to do the more I can focus on the music, and the plug and play 800 serves me best there.
My plan now is to probably sell the Mesa, gig the 800 and keep the 803 for the home/practice setup and as a backup if ever needed there.
Now, bonus points for anyone who can spot the little 80's easter egg in my second photo, you might need to reflect on it a bit to see...
Nope. I ran my Input Gain at 9 o'clock and my master at 10 o'clock. We play rooms that hold 500-1700 people and it was perfect
