Quilter Bass Block v803

[subdude67]

Today I used the v803 for practise at home and I hooked up the laptop to the amp via the FX return as per the manual. As soon as the playback started I noticed the song sounding weird, almost like through a chorus and the vocals are hardly or not at all audible. The bass playing through the same amp sounds amazing as always.
All cables are OK, it occurs on every cab tested. I tried my other 2 amps that both have a dedicated Aux input and everything sounds normal, so it must be the v803....?
While this won't cause me sleepless nights, I wonder if this is just mine or have others made similar experiences?

 

[SharpCat]

Today I used the v803 for practise at home and I hooked up the laptop to the amp via the FX return as per the manual. As soon as the playback started I noticed the song sounding weird, almost like through a chorus and the vocals are hardly or not at all audible. The bass playing through the same amp sounds amazing as always.
All cables are OK, it occurs on every cab tested. I tried my other 2 amps that both have a dedicated Aux input and everything sounds normal, so it must be the v803....?
While this won't cause me sleepless nights, I wonder if this is just mine or have others made similar experiences?

I do this all the time to play along with songs. Works fine for me.

I'm wondering whether you have a feedback loop set up in some way. Do you have an interface also plugged into the laptop maybe? I'm thinking your playback comes into the 803, sent back out to the laptop via DI or something, mixed slightly phase shifted with the original playback and sent back through to the 803 where you get the odd sound.

Amps that have dedicated Aux in usually only route Aux to the headphone jack, and not through to the DI or power amp out. That may be why your other amps don't have the issue.

 

[TomB]

Today I used the v803 for practise at home and I hooked up the laptop to the amp via the FX return as per the manual. As soon as the playback started I noticed the song sounding weird, almost like through a chorus and the vocals are hardly or not at all audible. The bass playing through the same amp sounds amazing as always.
All cables are OK, it occurs on every cab tested. I tried my other 2 amps that both have a dedicated Aux input and everything sounds normal, so it must be the v803....?
While this won't cause me sleepless nights, I wonder if this is just mine or have others made similar experiences?

This is just a wild guess, but it sounds like you're getting one side of a stereo send. Double-check any cable connections, especially if you're using 1/8" mini-plugs or 1/8" to 1/4" converters. They're notorious IME and stereo glitches sound about like you describe.

 

[subdude67]

This is just a wild guess, but it sounds like you're getting one side of a stereo send. Double-check any cable connections, especially if you're using 1/8" mini-plugs or 1/8" to 1/4" converters. They're notorious IME and stereo glitches sound about like you describe.

Funny, Just after posting I wondered if it could have anything to do with the effercts return of the amp being mono and me plugging in a stereo jack?

 

[gtirard]

Funny, Just after posting I wondered if it could have anything to do with the effercts return of the amp being mono and me plugging in a stereo jack?

I don't do it often, but I remember that I've tried stereo aux into the FX return, and I've checked it was stereo in my headphones with the bass centered (it was), and that I had a clean mono version through my cab with no chorus effect or phase problem. It was clean in both cases, and I was impressed by the smart solution for offering lots of flexibility in a compact package.

So I know it should work, but maybe you have a problem with your stereo connector somewhere?

 

[Vanni]

I bought a V803 few months ago, brand new, for a VERY good price (it was a bargain).
So far I'm impressed, it's very loud, super lightweight, and sound great, and I find it to be "very musical" sounding.
I like a lot the warm setting, with flat input.

 

[wimpy]

I believe it is a great amplifier. But how about handling extreme dynamics, for example during slapping solos? The only Class-D amplifiers where I don't feel compression in these situations are those from MESA Engineering. Thanks for the comments W.

 

[TomB]

I believe it is a great amplifier. But how about handling extreme dynamics, for example during slapping solos? The only Class-D amplifiers where I don't feel compression in these situations are those from MESA Engineering. Thanks for the comments W.

It's a good question, but I'm guessing you'd need 6 replies. Each of the voicings seems to have its own characteristics, especially in handling the lows, and the flat vs. scoop inputs bring another set of variables. I've had no issues with clipping, but am a pretty moderate volume player. On a related matter, I've been meaning to ask here if anyone knows: is there a hard-limiting HPF built into this head, with any or all of the choices?

 

[pisces_bass]

It's a good question, but I'm guessing you'd need 6 replies. Each of the voicings seems to have its own characteristics, especially in handling the lows, and the flat vs. scoop inputs bring another set of variables. I've had no issues with clipping, but am a pretty moderate volume player. On a related matter, I've been meaning to ask here if anyone knows: is there a hard-limiting HPF built into this head, with any or all of the choices?

The BB800 had an internal HPF at ~25hz, according to the big thread. I suspect it's the same on the V803.

 

[Michael Vee]

I believe it is a great amplifier. But how about handling extreme dynamics, for example during slapping solos? The only Class-D amplifiers where I don't feel compression in these situations are those from MESA Engineering. Thanks for the comments W.

Do you already own these Mesa heads? The only way you are going to know if a Quilter will work according to the way you want it to, or as good or better than Mesas, is to pick one up, give it a workout in the situations you play in, and find out. Chances are no one here has the exact same other gear you use, has your playing style and your ears. If the Quilter doesn't do what you want, return it for a refund and keep playing the Mesas.

Disclaimer: I have a v803, as well as all the Mesas other than the D800 or D800+, but I have never run any of them wide-open and really flogged them from the instrument. So I don't know what they sound like in that sort of abusive circumstance. I would be leaning into the sound system more and not expecting my amp to do that kind of work. Every amp ever made has limits to what it can do in more extreme circumstances.

The Quilter Bass Blocks all have Pat's proprietary limiting on input and output. It's not hard limiting, but increases gradually with more voltage, like a tube circuit. This has been discussed both in this thread and the original BB800 thread. Pat always is available via email, drop him a line sometime.

 

[jtg]

By the way, I found a great gig bag for this amp. I dislike using branded gig bags that say "steal me." This one you would just steal if you were hungry, and it was fifteen bucks at the Costco outlet store. Nicely padded. Perfect for an amp the size of a large sandwich.

 

[wimpy]

Do you already own these Mesa heads? The only way you are going to know if a Quilter will work according to the way you want it to, or as good or better than Mesas, is to pick one up, give it a workout in the situations you play in, and find out. Chances are no one here has the exact same other gear you use, has your playing style and your ears. If the Quilter doesn't do what you want, return it for a refund and keep playing the Mesas.

Disclaimer: I have a v803, as well as all the Mesas other than the D800 or D800+, but I have never run any of them wide-open and really flogged them from the instrument. So I don't know what they sound like in that sort of abusive circumstance. I would be leaning into the sound system more and not expecting my amp to do that kind of work. Every amp ever made has limits to what it can do in more extreme circumstances.

The Quilter Bass Blocks all have Pat's proprietary limiting on input and output. It's not hard limiting, but increases gradually with more voltage, like a tube circuit. This has been discussed both in this thread and the original BB800 thread. Pat always is available via email, drop him a line sometime.

Yes I use WD-800 and I had D-800, D-800+ in past. Now I'm waiting for latest model Bass 800D. I had Bassman 800 and I still have Rumble 500 V3 both of these Fenders had that compression in dynamics attacks...

I have a new MESA ordered from Thomann, if they don't deliver it to me maybe I'll try this Quilter

 

[pisces_bass]

Who's running compression with the V803? I'm talking myself into adding a comp pedal to my setup. Looking for fattening and tone shaping first, some dynamic control second. The Diamond family (including Lusithand Alma) is intriguing, also JHS Pulp n Peel, and the Sushi FX offerings (Single Slice and the new Watt comp/DI). Been reading the reviews on the compressor megathread and listening to YT demos.

What are you using and what does it do for you?

SushiFX single slice incoming. 2026 will be the year I learn about compression and how it works with Quilter's limiter system.

 

[Mayborns]

My Orange OB-1 500 started playing up. Instead of dealing with it, I sold it. Which brings me to the quilter. Lighter, powerful and sounds great. 100% happy with this choice.

 

[Mazrak]

I'm looking into the V803 for my next amp. I currently own a Darkglass Microbes 800 and Alpha Omega 800. These are great for the heavy sounds, but without the distortion engaged are lacking in personality and I think I want something closer to that SVT sound, also I think I hate GEQs. I've gotten into using pedals for overdrive and fuzz, which doesn't play well with the Darkglass built-in overdrive. The V803 seems like it can get close to that with the warm and qtube voicing and scoop input. Would the V803 be good choice to emulate that SVT thing, and take a variety of overdrive, distortions, fuzz?

I could also get the Venture amp, but I briefly owned the SGT-DI pedal and didn't love it. I'm also looking at the Origin BassRig SV preamp that I could put into the return of my Darkglass, but for the price of that preamp I could almost afford the Quilter instead. I almost feel like I could get the Microtubes pedal in front of the Quilter and have a more interesting tone than the full Darkglass head since it seems like the bass amp has no personality.

 

[J_WELF]

I think the qtube of 803 with dark glass pedal in front would give you what you are going for.
That said I think the Origin is a great pedal that you would like.
So you can't go wrong LOL

 

[Zooberwerx]

I look at it like this...you've got 2 different contour profiles (flat / scoop), 3 different voicings for each PLUS you can bypass the preamp entirely. If you can't find something that works, hang it up.

Riis

 

[pisces_bass]

@Mazrak I think you will find good sounds with the V803. My core cleanish sound is a Tone Hammer pedal for a little extra gain and grit into the V803 scoop input and qtube voice. Sounds like a big rig that stays mostly clean with a lot of character. Playing with a pick pushes it into OD territory. I run a Tech21 SH1 for full on dirt, sounds great. I've never owned an SVT so can't say how much it matches up to that particular sound.

 

[pisces_bass]

Last night was my first full volume rehearsal with the SushiFX Single Slice in the chain. I chose the SS over other comps based on TB reviews (and Mike Watt's endorsement ). The sound of the SS in my IEM's was subtle and mostly a feel/texture thing. Kinda like the way the feel of the V803 changes between modern/warm/qtube. The SS adds some fatness, squish, and a chewiness, particularly on the open E to low G notes. I'm still dialing in the settings on the pedal and getting a sense of whether or not this is going to be an always on sorta thing for me. Man, tone chasing is a slippery slope

 

[Maxfenderbass]

Questions regarding the v803. When running in the warm setting the output is 500w, does it still have a lot of clean headroom on tap? Would be playing soul, funk and r&b. I am a p bass with flats guy and I have had trouble gelling with most class d stuff. Have always been an SVT guy but now in my mid 30s I don't feel like lugging that thing around anymore.
I would be running it into a barefaced 310.
This might be first class d amp I like the tone of on demos but don't have a chance to try it out before purchasing.