Quilter Bass Block v803

[gtirard]

Do the dials on the 803 click into their spot like the 800?

No, the knobs on the 803 have are continuous like on most amps (I think it was also the case for the 802).
I miss that feature from the 800, I liked it. But it's not a big deal.

 

[BaltBass5]

Those white knobs with the black line are awesome. I loved the BB800. Might have to check out the 803.

Do the dials on the 803 click into their spot like the 800?

No. Free flowing

 

[gtirard]

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

I don't get the mid scoop input either.

I'm reading again the first entries of this thread now that we have hindsight, and I agree 100% with this early comment.

Before receiving my 803 I thought the "scoop" input was intended for home practice, but it turns out to be very usable at high volume - so it would be more convenient to have a scoop switch instead of a second input, because if I want to change between 2 songs, I'd rather use a switch than change inputs. So yes, it's strange - but it's really not a big issue.

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.

Also strange but not a bug issue in real life. I think nobody would have noticed if it wasn't written in the user manual.

 

[BaltBass5]

I've got about 6 gigs under my belt with the 803 now. VERY surprisingly the biggest takeaway I have is that the Mid Scoop Input is where it's at! Additionally, I am happy to say that this thing is perfect for tone shaping different rooms! I've used the Modern, Warm and QTube settings depending upon the room and very minimal knob tweaking. It's the perfect beast!

 

[BaltBass5]

The 802 Knobs showed up today and I got them installed on the 803.

 

[subdude67]

The BB802 knobs will fit. I confirmed with Quilter and then ordered a set. Supposed to be here Thursday.

Would you happen to know what diameter the shaft of the pots are?

 

[John D Harris]

I used the 803 on a couple of gigs this past weekend and am finally able to report back. Sorry no pics or video, it was a bit hectic.

Basses were a Road Worn P-bass with flatwounds and an MTD 635-24. Cab was Mesa Subway 212.

On the second gig another bass player sat in for a while, so I was able to hear the rig out front and it sounded great - extremely present and projecting exactly as I hoped it would. I think the 803 is a good match with the Subway 212. Neither gig was particularly loud and there was no FOH support, but that was good because I was able to hear exactly what the bass rig was doing.

I switched back and forth between the flat and scoop inputs - I liked the P-bass better through the scoop input and the MTD through the flat input. I stayed with the Modern setting for the most part, although toward the end of the second gig I went with the Warm setting (with bass control reduced to about 9 o'clock) and started to like it more.

In short, I'm very happy with the 803. It is very musical and easy to use, although I somewhat agree with the negative comments about the knobs and toggle switch. I may try switching out the knobs.

I wonder if these Davies 1510 knobs will fit - black with the white (you could paint with luminescent paint) line, would look good against the silver faceplate.

Looks like they are for 1/4" shafts.

 

[BaltBass5]

Would you happen to know what diameter the shaft of the pots are?

I don't but they are very proprietary looking "D" shafts. Black Hardened plastic. They are also longer than normal.

 

[subdude67]

I don't but they are very proprietary looking "D" shafts. Black Hardened plastic. They are also longer than normal.

No easy swap then..... but thanks

 

[gtirard]

I don't but they are very proprietary looking "D" shafts. Black Hardened plastic. They are also longer than normal.

Yes, the description of Quilter replacement knobs says:

Quilter Labs' own version of the "mini chicken head" knobs. (We had to make them mini. Our amps are smaller than most.)
These are specialized for Quilter amps and will not likely work on other products.

So, if Quilter's own replacement knobs don't work on other products, I guess standard knobs from different suppliers won't work on Quilter amps…
Too bad, I would have loved having black knobs with a white line on my 803, but it's not a major issue.

 

[MrVentures]

+1. Let us know if you hear from Quilter about this, please!

Any double-duty players out that there that have experience using this amp line for both electric bass and electric guitar (via a preamp pedal or two)? Maybe @OkayistBassist has an opinion if a QSC CP or K powered speaker would be better for this?

Going to answer my own question (though I've only had it for a couple days): the V803 sounds pretty great with guitar going straight in through a DV Mark C 212 Standard cab. I haven't even started messing with the Return to bypass the preamp and use my Stomp instead. While I focus on bass, I think this will work very well as a 2-in-1 solution for my needs.

 

[Passinwind]

Yes, the description of Quilter replacement knobs says:



So, if Quilter's own replacement knobs don't work on other products, I guess standard knobs from different suppliers won't work on Quilter amps…
Too bad, I would have loved having black knobs with a white line on my 803, but it's not a major issue.

3D print job, perhaps?

 

[gtirard]

3D print job, perhaps?

Great idea. My nephew just bought a 3D printer, I already planned to ask him to duplicate a very special knobs of the Ovation Magnum II (I've lost 2 of the 3).

I could ask him to also duplicate a Quilter knob. If it works I will ask him to share the 3D model.

Is there an online database of 3D models of music gear parts by the way?
It would great...

 

[Passinwind]

Great idea. My nephew just bought a 3D printer, I already planned to ask him to duplicate a very special knobs of the Ovation Magnum II (I've lost 2 of the 3).

I could ask him to also duplicate a Quilter knob. If it works I will ask him to share the 3D model.

Is there an online database of 3D models of music gear parts by the way?
It would great...

I'd hit up the guys on the Pedal PCB forum, quite a few people there own and use 3D printers and sharing designs is very common. One of of my luthier friends just jumped in, and I think there's also at least one at a local maker's space, so it's something I'd like to get into myself sooner than later.

 

[Hamrlik]

Anyone played through this v803 and a Genzler Magellan 800? Both seem to be excellent "neutral" sounding amps (which is what I loved about the old bb800 and still covet in an amp). The Magellan wins for more in-depth eq and the very good sounding built-in drive section...v803 for the different voicing options, though I can't be sure how useful that would be for me without playing one in person.

I generally derive all of my tone from my bass and pedalboard, and use as FRFR sounding cabs as I can afford (currently a BF Super Twin and a Greenboy Dually with Faital 15s). If both amps have the same inherent slam of the old bb800 I don't think I can go wrong. Different flavors of great and all that... Still any comparison would be great.

 

[agedhorse]

Anyone played through this v803 and a Genzler Magellan 800? Both seem to be excellent "neutral" sounding amps (which is what I loved about the old bb800 and still covet in an amp). The Magellan wins for more in-depth eq and the very good sounding built-in drive section...v803 for the different voicing options, though I can't be sure how useful that would be for me without playing one in person.

I generally derive all of my tone from my bass and pedalboard, and use as FRFR sounding cabs as I can afford (currently a BF Super Twin and a Greenboy Dually with Faital 15s). If both amps have the same inherent slam of the old bb800 I don't think I can go wrong. Different flavors of great and all that... Still any comparison would be great.

Note that the Magellan has a lot of voicing options using the contour section.

 

[Hamrlik]

Note that the Magellan has a lot of voicing options using the contour section.

For sure.

It checks a lot of boxes and I've only just begun to dig into the specs and various clips even though it's been out a long while. The Magellan and new Quilter are basically the two amps I've narrowed it down to. I also formerly owned a Streamliner 900 which I absolutely loved for what it was. I gigged that for about 3 years and it worked great for me so I have something of a bias towards the Genzler/Genz-Benz crew as well.

 

[HMZ]

For sure.

It checks a lot of boxes and I've only just begun to dig into the specs and various clips even though it's been out a long while. The Magellan and new Quilter are basically the two amps I've narrowed it down to. I also formerly owned a Streamliner 900 which I absolutely loved for what it was. I gigged that for about 3 years and it worked great for me so I have something of a bias towards the Genzler/Genz-Benz crew as well.

I had both and I kept the Quilter V803.

 

[NevadaNed]

Just thought I would repost my "gig post" from the other thread. We are still working on a full review, but it will be a while. I may post a few brief looks on BGM prior to the full review, though. Here's the prior post:

The Quilter rig performed as expected - awesomely! I had the 803 docked into the Bassliner 210w on top of a Bassliner 210c, and let me tell you, that is a slick-looking, light to carry, heavy hitting, awesome sounding rig! This was at an outdoor venue along the Sandusky River - one of my favorite local venues. I had the Gain at about 1 o'clock on the 803, and the Master at about 2 o'clock, and it felt like it wasn't close to breaking a sweat. The Bassliner cabs are very clear and articulate, and I found that with those cabs, outside, I had my best results with the Voice set to Warm. EQ was fairly minimal, with a slight reduction on the Treble knob and Bass set to about 1:30pm.

The XLR out performed very well, and very much what you would expect. Since I am always reviewing different gear, I am sending a different signal to the bass channel on my board every gig, and the 803's DI feed was right in the range, gain-wise, of what I am used to seeing. It sounded very, very good through the PA, as well.

Quilter tells me there has been a slight delay on the official release of the 803, but they assure me it's still coming (and coming relatively soon)!

Pics or it didn't happen...

I currently have a TC Electronic RH450, but I've been looking at these Quilters. How does the V803 compare to the RH450?

 

[subdude67]

I couldn't resist, just ordered one.

It arrived yesterday, I can't wait to hook it up and hear what's possible!