Quilter Bass Block

[TrevorOfDoom]

I plug into the passive input no matter the bass. I find it makes a huge tonal difference.

I use my input at either 12 noon or around 9 oclock, depending if I want compression or not. then master volume to taste. It's quite beefy through just about anything.

Similar.
Passive input, always.
Gain at noon. Bring the Master up to get the volume you need.
Should be fine.

Also, it sounds like @The Rage was at a super low volume.
Strange, playing metal at a low volume.
Unless I'm misunderstanding his description of the settings.

 

[The Rage]

I plug into the passive input no matter the bass. I find it makes a huge tonal difference.

I use my input at either 12 noon or around 9 oclock, depending if I want compression or not. then master volume to taste. It's quite beefy through just about anything.

My gain setting was the same. Gain at 9 oclock when using pickups in humbucker mode, and at 12 o clock when in single coil mode. Eq on the bass flat or just a bit of treble added.

Must try using the passive input. Though a Spector with tonepump can get loud^^

Also, it sounds like @The Rage was at a super low volume.
Strange, playing metal at a low volume.
Unless I'm misunderstanding his description of the settings.

I've found that meaning of super-loud and super-low-volume are depending on the listener. For us, we know we are not that loud, but for the singer's girlfirend we are scary loud

Think I choose the worng description. Maybe 9 and 12 o clock are more clear.
Anyway with this setting I was hearing fine. And just a little above that with the Master, and the Ampeg would start farting...

 

[donahue]

My gain setting was the same. Gain at 9 oclock when using pickups in humbucker mode, and at 12 o clock when in single coil mode. Eq on the bass flat or just a bit of treble added.

Must try using the passive input. Though a Spector with tonepump can get loud^^



I've found that meaning of super-loud and super-low-volume are depending on the listener. For us, we know we are not that loud, but for the singer's girlfirend we are scary loud

Think I choose the worng description. Maybe 9 and 12 o clock are more clear.
Anyway with this setting I was hearing fine. And just a little above that with the Master, and the Ampeg would start farting...

Try turning the gain up to 2:00 or so, don't be shy with it. That will kick in the amp's built-in limiter, which will tighten up your tone and perhaps go easier on the Ampeg. It will also add high mid harmonics. Then adjust master to volume taste.

I usually dial in the BB with the preamp and literally just use the master set the volume of said preamp setting. I play metal with mine as well. I only have the preamp before noon when wanting a more open rounder tone for other stuff.

 

[hennessybass]

Anyway with this setting I was hearing fine. And just a little above that with the Master, and the Ampeg would start farting...

Very strange.
Maybe something else going on?
Ever experienced this with other basses, other combos of basses / cabs /amps?

I can you try out with some other basses / amps / cabs?

Seems like guys set there gain all over the place from around 9:00 - 4:00 and I've not heard anyone talk about cab farting.
That cab should be having no problems... which is why I ask, if it's possibly something else going on.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

My gain setting was the same. Gain at 9 oclock when using pickups in humbucker mode, and at 12 o clock when in single coil mode. Eq on the bass flat or just a bit of treble added.

Must try using the passive input. Though a Spector with tonepump can get loud^^



I've found that meaning of super-loud and super-low-volume are depending on the listener. For us, we know we are not that loud, but for the singer's girlfirend we are scary loud

Think I choose the worng description. Maybe 9 and 12 o clock are more clear.
Anyway with this setting I was hearing fine. And just a little above that with the Master, and the Ampeg would start farting...

Also, how do you set the EQ on your basses?

 

[bdplaid]

Must try using the passive input. Though a Spector with tonepump can get loud^^

I was cab testing using a pretty loud active bass, I think my Stingray, into the active input. It had no low end and sounded like crap. I thought the cab was blown. I switched inputs for some reason, and all the glorious tone came back. I think active inputs are often a misnomer and misunderstood by us guys who don't fully understand the relationship between basses and MOhmage at the input.

 

[The Rage]

Also, how do you set the EQ on your basses?

Bass all counterclockwise (it should be -4db at 55hz) treble halfway so they should be flat. I almost use this eq.

I was cab testing using a pretty loud active bass, I think my Stingray, into the active input. It had no low end and sounded like crap.

That's not the problem. In fact even using the active input I've cut bass pretty hard (Depth at 10 o' clock)

About gain level... Tried it yesterday at 12 and 3 oclock in the passive input, but with humbucker it was distorting (not in an unpleasent way).
To my ears it seems highs are better preserved with low gain and high master.
Anyway I've messed with the trimpot in my bass and lowered his output, so from now I'm going to use it in the passive input.

That cab should be having no problems... which is why I ask, if it's possibly something else going on.

Was thinking about it... The cab is usually connected to an Ampeg Micro VR (200w at 4 ohm) and never had any problem, but was using it with master at 12 oclock (so even less power then the Quilter i guess).

The cab however, it seems it has seen better days... Maybe it's just time to have it checked.

I've tried the Quilter with my SWR cab and it worked great. Way better then with Ampeg at least for me.
Gonna try it as soon as possible with Markbass and Hartke.

Anyway thanks to all for your input. Much appreciated

 

[triode6L6a]

Guys, how do you set your volume?

Last saturday I've tried the Quilter at my band reharsal (thrash/death/groove metal stuff played in B standard) and hooked the Quilter through an Ampeg 410hlf.
I've set the master around 160 (maybe 1 or 2 click right), and gain at 2-3 or 5 depending on pickup selection (bass with EMGTW splittable pickups). Deapth and Countour both at noon (at first. Then Depth halfway counterclockwise for a great low cut)

As I said with master at 160w the cab seemed to fart, even if it's rated 500w 4ohms... What could I have done wrong? Wrong approach to set volume?

PS: forgot to mention I plugged the bass in the active input.

I'm no expert, so don't put to much stock in my ideas, but I've been around a bit and this is my take on your situation.

Just to be clear, which Ampeg 410hlf cab. do you have?

SVT-410HLF:
500 watts RMS power handling at 4 ohms

If you're using this cab, then I'm not exactly sure what the issue is, as you've got more power in the Quilter than you need (and actually enough to damage the cab if you turn the Master too high). Try turning the master up to 400, then carefully adjust gain to taste.

or

PF-410HLF (Portaflex):
800 watts RMS power handling at 8 ohms

With this cab, remember that the Quilter's front panel power ratings are for 4 ohm loads, so at 8 ohms those power ratings are actually halved, which means you were only giving the cab 80 watts, so turn the master up and you should be fine. Even with the Master at full, the Quilter is only rated to deliver 450 watts into 8 ohms.

or

PN-410HLF (Neo):
850 watts RMS power handling at 8 ohms.

Same deal as with PF-410 HLF, turn the Master UP.

Anyway, the I've found the prudent way to check this kind of situation is to simply take your time and try various combinations of input (passive/active), gain, and master. Start by leaving ALL tone controls flat.

I like the instruction manual's idea for setting your gain structure, so check out page 4 of the manual, under "Gain Control and Limiting".

Good luck!

 

[The Rage]

Hi! This:

SVT-410HLF:
500 watts RMS power handling at 4 ohms

If you're using this cab, then I'm not exactly sure what the issue is, as you've got more power in the Quilter than you need (and actually enough to damage the cab if you turn the Master too high). Try turning the master up to 400, then carefully adjust gain to taste.

Master a pair of click above 160 and gain to taste was the first thing I've tried. I did not had issues related to hear myself, but as I've heard that "farting sound", I was afraid of damaging the cab.. However the cab is not mine. Is in a reharsal space used every day by a lot of different people, so who knows who (and how) used it before me...

Thanks.

 

[AMJBASS]

In my experience the Quilter does a very good job at controlling drivers. Its more likely light clipping, or possibly already fatigued drivers.

 

[redstrand]

I've run a quilter through 7 different cabs without any farting, all different ohms and speakers and different makes too. It was always clear

 

[Mo'Phat]

Shameless plug...I am selling my BB800. I love it, but it's not the sound I need for my current project without a preamp. I've gone back to GK.

For Sale - Quilter BB800

/shameless cross posting is shameless.

 

[wyleeboxer]

Shameless plug...I am selling my BB800. I love it, but it's not the sound I need for my current project without a preamp. I've gone back to GK.

For Sale - Quilter BB800

/shameless cross posting is shameless.

GLWTS what is it that you don’t like about the BB800 specifically? I was thinking of moving back to GK for more control over the high end, but I’m still working with the BB800 to bring out the tone I’m looking for.. it’s getting closer tho and overall I love the low end/mid articulation from the BB800.

 

[Mo'Phat]

It's a beautiful amp, for sure. But wanted more control of the high-mids and highs. I have played GK for 10 years, but when my MB800 Fusion starting going out, I looked for other options. Went with Quilter because of the size-to-weight-to-power ratio - but found I needed an outboard preamp for the EQ that I heard in my head. Found a good deal on a GK MB500 and that's it.

My EQ needs are probably worlds different than most players here - as not everyone is in a RHCP tribute band. If I was in any other band, I wouldn't be selling it.


//oh and it sold this morning!

 

[wyleeboxer]

It's a beautiful amp, for sure. But wanted more control of the high-mids and highs. I have played GK for 10 years, but when my MB800 Fusion starting going out, I looked for other options. Went with Quilter because of the size-to-weight-to-power ratio - but found I needed an outboard preamp for the EQ that I heard in my head. Found a good deal on a GK MB500 and that's it.

My EQ needs are probably worlds different than most players here - as not everyone is in a RHCP tribute band. If I was in any other band, I wouldn't be selling it.


//oh and it sold this morning!

The RHCP situation makes sense. I go from Motown to disco/rock in 2 of my cover bands so looking for the high end clarity or sparkle once in awhile

 

[groovaholic]

I still have my 700RB-II, and I think the GK and the Quilter have a similar quickness and punch to them.

But I like that the Quilter DOESN’T have much of a baked-in sound; it just delivers a loud and accurate version of what I feed it.

My “at home” cab needs a little more EQ shaping, so the GK is better there.

 

[J_Bass]

Hi,

My Bb800 arrived! So far I just played with headphones (my new Phil Jones C4 cab only arrives today) and it sounds great so far! Exactly what I wanted, pure bass sound, few adjustments possible, but very versatile and easy to understand.

How do you guys regulate the Gain-Power ratio? I read the instructions, and it says to regulate the Gain first and then adjust the Power (watts). But in the next page it says to adjust the Power first, based on cabinet, and then the Gain.

What do you guys think it would be best?


Thanks!

 

[LeonD]

I've been setting the gain first as it impacts the sound more than power. I find as I turn the gain up, a type of compression/limiter kicks in. IMO, gives the amp a softer, almost tube like feel.

With my hotter basses like the Bongo, this kicks in around 4 1/2 - 5. Other basses it happen farther down the gain scale.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Hi,

My Bb800 arrived! So far I just played with headphones (my new Phil Jones C4 cab only arrives today) and it sounds great so far! Exactly what I wanted, pure bass sound, few adjustments possible, but very versatile and easy to understand.

How do you guys regulate the Gain-Power ratio? I read the instructions, and it says to regulate the Gain first and then adjust the Power (watts). But in the next page it says to adjust the Power first, based on cabinet, and then the Gain.

What do you guys think it would be best?


Thanks!

The Gain will give you more or less tube-like distortion and compression. Set that for the sound you want and adjust the Power for the volume.

 

[hennessybass]

Hi,

My Bb800 arrived! So far I just played with headphones (my new Phil Jones C4 cab only arrives today) and it sounds great so far! Exactly what I wanted, pure bass sound, few adjustments possible, but very versatile and easy to understand.

How do you guys regulate the Gain-Power ratio? I read the instructions, and it says to regulate the Gain first and then adjust the Power (watts). But in the next page it says to adjust the Power first, based on cabinet, and then the Gain.

What do you guys think it would be best?


Thanks!

I'll give a different opinion. I like setting the power first and using the gain to control volume.
I think this gives the amp a more round and full feel.
The amp was designed to be clean, and the compressor is there to help keep the amp sounding clean at high volume.

True that if you turn the gain up, you will start to kick in the compressor. And true that if you turn the gain up really high, it will start to distort.
IMO and IME, it is not a tube like distortion. It says in the manual that you are overdriving the compressor at this point. There is no tube breakup emulation or OD built into this amp. I don't think the distortion - overdriving a SS compressor - is a great sound (for me), but lots of guys like it and you should do what sounds good to you.

Again, IMO, this amp excels at big clean tone, and does very well taking pedals to get things like overdrive and tube sounds.