• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Quilter Bass Block

#2,766
Played my new-to-me BB800 at rehearsal bare-naked with a Fodera Emperor 5 at rehearsal Sunday night. Ran the amp flat other than finding the sweetness between the gain and master. I finally got to hear the Pope preamp unadulterated by color from my amp. I got nothing but punchy clean attack and all the sustain I could want. Compliments on my sound from all my mates. For the work I'm doing right now, this is a refreshingly simple and sonically satisfying piece of equipment - just what I needed. I'm a very happy customer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek, John D Harris, Mike Barry and 2 others
#2,767
Jeff Bonny said:
The Barber Linden works well in front of the Quilter. I'm not using it so much as a primary EQ control but A) because the Linden really does get that Ampeg B15 sound and B) using it to hit the Quilter's preamp harder gets a different thicker distortion than just turning up the level the Quilter's preamp.
Click to expand...
I'll test and report back, thanks for the infos.

PS: I posted a couple of questions about the Linden in the dedicated thread. Do you mind to take a look? Thanks.
 
#2,768
I hear ya.. To each his own as i say.
I do happen to gig almost every day. .And fly to gigs at least 2 times a week sometimes more.
Depending on crew or gig/band i will have a different FOH guy.
I have a huge sampling of FOH guys to go thru each week. Every Single ONE of them prefer a PRE EQ DI. Every one.. Then they will mic my cab too. They don't care if it is LINE or Mic level but if given the choice they always prefer LINE level. . Just as long as it is PRE EQ.

I decided WHY would i bring a Lightweight small amp only to have to bring an extra piece of gear to finish the job off. For me it Sort of defeats the idea of using a small ,lightweight self contained amp.
I don't wish to argue over and over again.
An XLR line out may work great for you in 100% of your gigs or home rehearsal room where you have all the time to get it right for you.
But on a fly gig for me I have to get it right the first time since i am usually a hired gun. I don't waste their time trying to get it right.. It has to be right and done quickly. All experimenting is done at home and not on the gig/ show.

But I will be the BAD GUY for pointing out the OBVIOUS HA

Hypercaffium said:
I don't gig at the moment, I play at a rehersal room with my friends twice a month. I don't see any problem using the Line Out at a gig, honestly. I also have a BDDI if I need a DI.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek, bdplaid, ebozzz and 2 others
#2,770
That used to be the case in the 70s and 80s. .Not so these days. In 2018, many of the onboard DI out are very good and are at least as good as the Industry standard Countryman used on 1000s of hit records etc.
JDI is the flavour of the month. Its OK

Jeff Bonny said:
After years of my day job as a lighting guy hearing at FOH the overwhelmingly negative view many pro soundmen have of onboard DI's in bass heads I don't like using them. A JDI isn't expensive or much more to carry.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek
#2,772
svtb15 said:
That used to be the case in the 70s and 80s. .Not so these days. In 2018, many of the onboard DI out are very good and are at least as good as the Industry standard Countryman used on 1000s of hit records etc.
JDI is the flavour of the month. Its OK
Click to expand...
JDI "flavour of the month"? Um, it's a bit better established than that...
But you're right that the DI onboard the average high quality 2018 class D head is as good as a Type 85...probably even better in some amps. But that's not the point. Whether or not they're telling you many soundmen if given the choice will opt for an outboard DI rather than trust the unknown line out of your amp won't frap through their rig. It's not so much about the sound quality as much as the simple durability the standalone unit and the comfort level of the soundman. You've seen what you've seen having played all the different gigs you've played. I've seen what I've seen on years of lighting gigs every one with a different bass rig and getting to hear opinions sound guys don't always broadcast to musicians. It's kinda shocking how many players (not just bass) show up with poorly maintained gear they don't have a reasonable technical understanding of.

That's why I don't like onboard DI's. But I 100% agree if you're gonna bother having one on an amp many people are using as a convenient alternative to schlepping that voice of god led sled it only makes sense to engineer it to go pre/post EQ. A significant number of players (myself included) will ALWAYS want use a DI pre EQ. I think Mesa nailed it with the D-800 that goes pre/post and line/mic level out. Pat Quilter is a maestro but here he shoulda maybe torn a page outta Andy Field's book.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek and bdplaid
#2,774
I have played arenas, and it's never been a problem.
Especially since I carry a 20dB pad with me, just in case.

Honestly, I admit, the DI thing looks bad on paper, but I don't think it's actually a problem.
But I do understand the hesitance.
And at the end of the day, DI issue aside, this amp, like all other amps, still isn't for everybody.
 
#2,775
Its ALL Good. .I was just trying to make my point more clear .. If that was possible. ;)
I don't want to take this to a peeeeeeee- ing match. It is not good to do that.I respect everyone's opinion and experience. We all have different needs and wants..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek, ebozzz, The Rage and 3 others
#2,779
svtb15 said:
I have a huge sampling of FOH guys to go thru each week. Every Single ONE of them prefer a PRE EQ DI. Every one.. Then they will mic my cab too. They don't care if it is LINE or Mic level but if given the choice they always prefer LINE level. . Just as long as it is PRE EQ.

I decided WHY would i bring a Lightweight small amp only to have to bring an extra piece of gear to finish the job off. For me it Sort of defeats the idea of using a small ,lightweight self contained amp.

But I will be the BAD GUY for pointing out the OBVIOUS HA
Click to expand...

Just so you know, you're not exactly the first guy to point out this obvious point. It has been endlessly debated since the amps introduction, and there are even quite a few posts where we've had Mr. Quilter's thinking explained as to WHY he engineered it this way.

Personally, I'd prefer if it was an actual DI with PRE/POST and MIC/LINE LEVEL selection switches, as that simply makes the most sense to me. However, having now used this amp for several years, I've not found it to be an issue....but.... I'm just a weekend warrior and have never flown to a gig, so I get where you're coming from.

I know Mr. Quilter has received many requests to change this one thing, so I'd be very surprised if and when V2 is released, if it doesn't have a proper PRE/POST DI.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ebozzz, CharlieC and Zbysek

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back