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Quilter Bass Block v803
- Thread starter gtirard
- Start date
Do you know the Quilter Interbass? Go and check. I know the 'shiny new objects' thing, but in your case, I would check the Interbass.
An amazing product, victim of a difficult marketing because it's maybe too special, impossible to put in a clear category.
I don't know yet if the "Vintage" voicing of the Interbass corresponds to the "Warm" or the "Qtube" voicing of the v803, or someting between the 2, but it sure sounds good, and you can use it as a preamp or a low wattage amp (I've used it for an outdoor gig last Saturday), and it's completely silent (there's no fan). Check the Interbass, or you won't know what you're missing.
I forget, do you have a JFA Capo?
If so, have you run it into your Quilter?
If so, how does that sound?
Same question to anyone else out there who might have both.
Here's Pat's reply to my earlier email query.
"The “auto” function is a partial ground lift, and should therefore function well in virtually all scenarios, including those where a full ground lift can allow the remote device to “float” (if not grounded by its own 3-wire plug). So far, to be honest, when using a normal balanced line, there seems to be no problems either way.
--The V803 shares the same overall dimensions as the 802, therefore it fits all the existing accessories including our BassDock speakers."
(This was his reply to my question about a carry bag for the v803- does one come with the v803. and will the bag for the 800 or 802 work? Apparently, v803 buyers will need to source their own carry bag or container, like Invalid Link Removed that works for a lot of modern heads. At the price point for v803, which is made in China, a nice bag like he was including with Bass Block 800 was not possible.)
Now back to Pat, who at this point is digressing, and if you've emailed him, you know he does it: "I daresay, the most important audio difference with the 802 is that the “warm” and “tube” settings activate a tube-like high output impedance, like our guitar amps have, which lets bass speakers develop more resonance. To my knowledge, nobody offers all three options (Modern = 802 with “bottomless limiting” and tight damping factor, Warm = 802 with low damping factor, and Q-Tube replaces our 802-style “bottomless limiter” with tube-type clipping, thus emulating classic old-school bass amps)."
He's a wonderful guy, any of you could email him and you'd usually get a reply like that. He doesn't know me from Adam.
"The “auto” function is a partial ground lift, and should therefore function well in virtually all scenarios, including those where a full ground lift can allow the remote device to “float” (if not grounded by its own 3-wire plug). So far, to be honest, when using a normal balanced line, there seems to be no problems either way.
--The V803 shares the same overall dimensions as the 802, therefore it fits all the existing accessories including our BassDock speakers."
(This was his reply to my question about a carry bag for the v803- does one come with the v803. and will the bag for the 800 or 802 work? Apparently, v803 buyers will need to source their own carry bag or container, like Invalid Link Removed that works for a lot of modern heads. At the price point for v803, which is made in China, a nice bag like he was including with Bass Block 800 was not possible.)
Now back to Pat, who at this point is digressing, and if you've emailed him, you know he does it: "I daresay, the most important audio difference with the 802 is that the “warm” and “tube” settings activate a tube-like high output impedance, like our guitar amps have, which lets bass speakers develop more resonance. To my knowledge, nobody offers all three options (Modern = 802 with “bottomless limiting” and tight damping factor, Warm = 802 with low damping factor, and Q-Tube replaces our 802-style “bottomless limiter” with tube-type clipping, thus emulating classic old-school bass amps)."
He's a wonderful guy, any of you could email him and you'd usually get a reply like that. He doesn't know me from Adam.
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Yes, I have a Capo, and I love it, it sounds great into all my amps including the BB800.
I won't be able to describe it further (sorry) because I'm not an expert in this sound territory + lack of vocabulary (I'm French).
I can only say that I didn't like distortion pedals before I had the Capo - I can't explain why but for me Capo just sounds right (into any amp), and I like both sides A, B, and A+B.
It doesn't, but I'm sure Pat built in a fixed HPF. We don't know what frequency. I will let one of you inquire with Pat, as I had emailed him earlier today. He's getting a lot of emails about the v803.
The BB800 is a phenomenal little head. It still is, despite what have become seen as its limitations.
Add your favorite flavor of preamp/DI to the BB800 and listen to it kick. That is what I have been doing since 2018. The promise of the V803 is removing the extra gear.
Yup, aware of the Interbass. If I didn't already have a little practice amp I'd be inclined to pick it up.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,953
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Yeah, I have a BassDock 10 and a BassDock 12, as well. Great cabs in their own right, for sure. Sad that the Bassliners are gone, though.
Do you think the 803 is visually appealing?
How do you like the brush metal finish?
Some contributors of the previous thread said they found it ugly...
I think it's attractive, I like that it keeps the "industrial" and somewhat vintage inspiration from the previous BB but in a more refined way.
But I think it's easier to read white text on a black amp on a stage, and I prefer to have the labels above the knobs, also for legibility reasons. I know it's intented for the BassDock cabs, but I wont buy them.
It's not a big issue, it won't prevent me from buying it, but to answer the clickbait questions of the 2 Youtube videos we have now: for me it could be the best amp, but it's not the perfect amp (I don't think a perfect amp exists anyway)
Thoughts?
How do you like the brush metal finish?
Some contributors of the previous thread said they found it ugly...
I think it's attractive, I like that it keeps the "industrial" and somewhat vintage inspiration from the previous BB but in a more refined way.
But I think it's easier to read white text on a black amp on a stage, and I prefer to have the labels above the knobs, also for legibility reasons. I know it's intented for the BassDock cabs, but I wont buy them.
It's not a big issue, it won't prevent me from buying it, but to answer the clickbait questions of the 2 Youtube videos we have now: for me it could be the best amp, but it's not the perfect amp (I don't think a perfect amp exists anyway)
Thoughts?
Love everything about it, just ordered one. Will see how it sounds in 1-2 weeks. I own a BB800 and love the size, weight, heft and sound of it. The only minor thing is the louder fan and it can sometimes be too sterile for my taste in some situations. But that makes it perfect for using external preamps! Now with the BB 803 I'm confident it'll tick all my boxes. I'm gonna keep both of them for different applications.
My ears were burning…
I will say that I have evolved a bit on this, but more importantly, its functionality far outweighs any criticism I might have of its form. I don’t think it’s winning any beauty contests, but that’s also extremely low on my list of priorities when considering an amp.
At this point, the only thing I don’t really like - for practical rather than aesthetic reasons - are the mini switches. The Fuchs amps have these as well, but I’m not a fan of fragile looking controls on devices that get used in variable settings. I realize any amp controls can go bad, but mini switches just make me nervous.
I kind of liked the older esthetic, but am fine with this as well. The form factor has always been superb and they retained that.
I'm an early adopter! Don't have too much time to play with it as I'm working, but I did a qucik runb trhough of each voicing on each input. Really liking flat/warm. Like able to have the gain up on modern and not have much break up and the switch it to warm and let it get hairy. First impressions are good. I don't know why one picture is in there twice, lol.
Wow, looks great! I’m really considering this. I just have to find a couple of Bass Dock cabinets!
I used either a BD10 / BD12 or two BD12’s with my 802. Loved both of the combinations.
I rarely use amps live anymore, so my QSC CP12 carries that weight when I need something on stage. This would be a fun purchase if I absolutely need an amp. I guess if I purchased the new head and Bass Dock cabinets and used them live, the CP12 would be one heck of a monitor at that point!
Kudos for the 1/4" headphone jack.
