Quilter Bass Block v803

[mikeynets]

From the manual:

"The amp performance is optimized for 8 and 4 ohm loads. Lowerimpedances can usually be driven with some precautions to avoidextreme volume levels. The amp is protected against overloads, andif pushed too hard, you may hear harsh breakup on peaks and/or agradual power reduction accompanied by the Power LED “winking”to indicate thermal protection. Reduce Master somewhat to mitigatethese behaviors."

 

[henryjurstin13]

I can't wait to try one of these!! I'd like to test it through a pair of those bass dock 12's.... I'm also curious if there's more cabs coming, can't believe there's not 2x10 option --- a pair of vertical 2x10 cabs could be killer!!

 

[tombowlus]

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...

 

[tombowlus]

I can't wait to try one of these!! I'd like to test it through a pair of those bass dock 12's.... I'm also curious if there's more cabs coming, can't believe there's not 2x10 option --- a pair of vertical 2x10 cabs could be killer!!

Hmmm... I wonder if they dropped the Bassliner cabs? I don't see them on the website. I really love the 210 slant and "regular" Bassliner cabs. Here's our original "Quilter Mega Review," which included both the BassDock and Bassliner cabs.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Can I have two instruments plugged into the two inputs? Because having one instrument plugged into my pedal board going into the Flat channel, while another bass plugs straight into a Fender tone stack, is kind of the perfect setup for me.

 

[csseematt]

A big question answered in the manual... "The XLR Line Out on the back is pre-Master, and therefore the level is regulated only by the Gain control on the amp and guitar"

 

[jim777]

Hmmm... I wonder if they dropped the Bassliner cabs? I don't see them on the website. I really love the 210 slant and "regular" Bassliner cabs. Here's our original "Quilter Mega Review," which included both the BassDock and Bassliner cabs.

That is a great looking rig!

 

[lermgalieu]

Looks great. Now with XLR *out*!

 

[ole Jason]

Definitely some weird design decisions. I don't think this one is for me but cool to see another bass amp hit the market.

I see people alluding to it not being built in the USA, where is it built?

 

[eeyorebass]

I don't see any mention of what "Auto" does on the XLR. Anyone know?

 

[pisces_bass]

The BTW demo was great!

At this price point it is direct competition for Ampeg Venture, Orange Terror Bass, and Ashdown RM series (all imports too?).

 

[mikeynets]

Can I have two instruments plugged into the two inputs? Because having one instrument plugged into my pedal board going into the Flat channel, while another bass plugs straight into a Fender tone stack, is kind of the perfect setup for me.

No. The scoop cancels the flat. Though you could have two plugged in, play through the scoop and then unplug that and have the flat ready to go. But I think what you're asking is two instruments playing at the same time — and that's not possible.

 

[lomo]

Hmmm... I wonder if they dropped the Bassliner cabs? I don't see them on the website. I really love the 210 slant and "regular" Bassliner cabs. Here's our original "Quilter Mega Review," which included both the BassDock and Bassliner cabs.

The Bassliners have been gone for quite a while. I haven't played one. That said, the Bassdocks are killer and under the radar....more old school midthumpyouinthechest. P. Quilter confirmed they are equipped with long x-max drivers that can handle the 800 heads at full throttle, which has been my experience. They're not the lightest and the handles are El Cheapos, but the volume + tone/price ratio is second to none IME.

 

[lermgalieu]

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...

Nice! I am assuming your eventual review will include use with a variety of non-Quilter cabs as well?

 

[brianrost]

For some of the questions, just read the manual here.

One question that’s not answered is what the “auto” setting for the XLR does.

P.S. Sweetwater has them in stock now.

 

[Jefenator]

It's a happy day for those of us torn between whether to get a Fuchs FBS or FBT – and don't really have the budget for either.
I currently use modern-sounding SS & all-tube amps roughly equally, so it's almost like they came out to all my shows & took pity on me.
I like the idea of a cab sim on the XLR out - and they finally heard our pleas to make it pre-master.
If all this sounds half as good in context as it does in concept, it will be very compelling indeed.

 

[HolmeBass]

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!

These are the things that seem inconsistent to me, too.

If WARM uses the same “Bottomless limiter” as MODERN, then why is the 4-ohm output low like the QTUBE limiter? Typo in the manual?

Also what exactly is the “scoop”? Would love to see the cut/boost values and the frequencies they occur at.

 

[Michael Vee]

I just finished watching the Bass the World video. If you haven't yet, do! Impressive amp head, is the V803.

I love Gregor! This screen grab is one of his priceless accent moments, where he has just said "Each voicing has a different WIBE!" That made my day! I think the CC should have spelled it that way too..

I really, really do not need another amp head! But I loved the sound of my BB800, and the V803 fixes every last thing that I didn't like about the BB800. Better looks (the graphics on the BB800 got old), quieter fan, a nice DI that isn't controlled by the master, effects loop. And more.

Way to go, Pat! It really is worth the (lengthy) wait.

 

[Verticos]

I've been eyeing the BassBlocks for a while as a small, powerful, great-sounding power amp to use with my pedalboard preamps.

I'm very interested in the "warm" and "qtube" options on the new 803, but I'm wondering where they fall in the signal path. I'd exclusively be using this amp via the FX return, so if they're part of the preamp section then there's little drawing me to the 803 over the 802.

I read the manual and by the descriptions therein it sounds like they would logically be a part of the power section, but I can't find any mention of their placement nor a block diagram or description of the signal flow to confirm.

I may send Quilter an email to find out unless anyone here (@tombowlus ?) knows.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

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.

hy the scoop mode has its own input, but that quirk seems as relevant as bugs on the windshield....Maybe it pairs well with the new Quitler cans that are coming...Not sure thats a joke. They tend to design components for each other...