Quilter Bass Block

[rufus.K]

Try it with a keyboard? No, I used a mouse and a hardrive with it, but no PS2 connector for the keyboard.

I assume it wouldn't color much until you hit the 1st limiter.

 

[flyingfinbar]

Just sort of stumbled on this thread. I haven't had a chance to dig through it completely, but there is some great info here.

Are guys getting reasonable tubeyness from this bad boy? I love my IIPro, but it's all but a hostage of my home. Would you consider this to be an adequate replacement?

Thanks!

 

[CharlieC]

Just sort of stumbled on this thread. I haven't had a chance to dig through it completely, but there is some great info here.

Are guys getting reasonable tubeyness from this bad boy? I love my IIPro, but it's all but a hostage of my home. Would you consider this to be an adequate replacement?

Thanks!

Yes... and Yes

Just be aware that one will need pedals for dirt and grit, but all other elements of tubeyness are there.

 

[B-line]

+1 on the Yes, and Yes...

The IIPRO is some big shoes to fill, figuratively & literally.

But after several months of playing through the BB800, AND owning (3) all-tube rigs (Not a IIPRO, but 2xKT88,4xKT88, and 6x6L6GC rigs respectively) I can tell you that the power, headroom and tone are most def there.
And although I totally feel that the tone, bloom and punch of an all-tube power section can not be modeled, simulated, etc. The Quilter IMO makes your bass sound like your bass to the max. Passive or active; the "stiffness" of the amps output is "da bizness"

Weighing in at what, 3 ounces, , at a very reasonable price;
Pat Quilter IMO brought about one of the best developments in bass guitar amplification in a long while.
My humble opinion.

 

[flyingfinbar]

Cool, thanks for the input, fellas!

The unconventional EQ section is giving me pause. I'm not a big EQ know tweaker, but I've never worked with something with such little tweakability!

 

[B-line]

I kinda think that I,(along with mebbe everyone else who considered and/or bought the BB800) was a little sketchy about its eq...I mean whaaaa? A hieroglyphic symbol roflmao instead of high-mid-low etc.

The IIPRO in particular has an amazing array of eq, including graphic sliders and the rest of the mighty Ampeg tone-shaping
inc ultra-low & high, etc etc.

One of the beauties of the Quilter IMO is that it's pretty much plug n' play, you got your Gain & Master (even that's innovative- power to speakers!) and two detent knobs that cut & boost your frequencies.
Another consideration: Your Bass! Passive basses (like my P-Bass) they just work w/ the BassBlock almost by default!
And my active basses, with great pre-amps onboard-:The World of tones are at your command

 

[Agosix]

Just sort of stumbled on this thread. I haven't had a chance to dig through it completely, but there is some great info here.

Are guys getting reasonable tubeyness from this bad boy? I love my IIPro, but it's all but a hostage of my home. Would you consider this to be an adequate replacement?

Thanks!

Yes

 

[Stu_Bass]

Cool, thanks for the input, fellas!

The unconventional EQ section is giving me pause. I'm not a big EQ know tweaker, but I've never worked with something with such little tweakability!

If you order one online from a retailer with a good return policy then the most you can lose is the cost of return shipping, which given it's size and weight is minimal. I think it's worth the in-hand/at home/on-gig trial period as things always change when you leave the sales floor. I was an early adopter of Quilter and when they sent me my first guitar amp they offered free return shipping AND a free 6 button foot switch. Those days are (understandably) gone but they still provide unbeatable customer service (both before and after purchasing their products). I know this for a fact, they have gone above and beyond to make me a happy customer. In return I just bought my third Micro Pro and own one of the first BB800's. All have been outstanding products.

 

[J.Wolf]

re: the limited EQ on the BB.

I will say, as great as it sounds out of the box, I'm pretty uncomfortable with the BB's tone controls being the ONLY tone controls I have access to. Luckily I have an onboard EQ, and a pedalboard with some tone shaping options, so I am not relegated to just the amps tone controls. That being said, it sounds really good as a plug and play amp, and doesnt need much tweaking at all to get it sounding just right.

I AB'd the BB800 against the D800+, and as cool as that amp was (feature set, build quality, etc..), I came away thinking, "its a good thing that amp has all those knobs and switches, cuz I would need all of them!" . The Quilter by contrast is just about right with the controls at noon.

 

[Stu_Bass]

I've found that a BB800 with a Zoom B3n in front of it is a mighty powerful combination and costs well under $1k. This combo offers up a ton of EQ shaping possibilities and most anything else one could want in a multi-effects unit. I also recently experimented with running the B3n into both the !/4" inputs and the XLR line in and the passive 1/4' input is the way to go by a long shot (IMHO) YMMV
I know of someone else that might want to add to this as he is also running these in this very configuration. (Care to comment CC?)

 

[acleex38]

Got to test my BB800 on Sunday at an outdoor rally. It was plugged into an old Fender speaker (belonging to the bar hosting the event) that I've hated for years. Ran DI from the Quilter to an active sub. I've been playing this event for 9 years and even with the dud cabinet, it was in the "top 3" for best sound I've had (at least on stage).

 

[CharlieC]

I've found that a BB800 with a Zoom B3n in front of it is a mighty powerful combination and costs well under $1k. This combo offers up a ton of EQ shaping possibilities and most anything else one could want in a multi-effects unit. I also recently experimented with running the B3n into both the !/4" inputs and the XLR line in and the passive 1/4' input is the way to go by a long shot (IMHO) YMMV
I know of someone else that might want to add to this as he is also running these in this very configuration. (Care to comment CC?)

Indeed, but rather than hi-jack this thread let me simply say that the BB800 plays very well with all types of pedals and tone shapers due in part to the minimalistic EQ section.

Like a broken record I must add that the Quilter dual-stage limiter in the preamp is the main thing that sets the BB800 apart from the competition.

As that circuit is only available via the front panel, it is no surprise why the rear line-in connection pales in comparison, much like a comparison of the Quilter to most other amps in its class.

Cheers!

 

[J.Wolf]

FWIW I was really impressed using the BB800 as a power amp only via the XLR in. It held up very well against the venerable RAD amp (1000ASP module) and killed the 250 based heads (Tone hammer, puma 900 etc...) , from a "line in/efx return" point of view.

 

[ThrewSilver]

I plan on buying the BB800 as soon as funds allow. I love my rack gear but a minuscule, clean and authoritative amp head with power to spare would likely supplant that as my go-to for most gigs.

Most "micros" that I've tried do seem to be somewhat lacking in terms of headroom and feel, though they've come a long way. Based on all of you scoundrels shouting its' praises for months I'll make the investment. Thanks!

 

[flyingfinbar]

Indeed, but rather than hi-jack this thread let me simply say that the BB800 plays very well with all types of pedals and tone shapers due in part to the minimalistic EQ section.

Like a broken record I must add that the Quilter dual-stage limiter in the preamp is the main thing that sets the BB800 apart from the competition.

As that circuit is only available via the front panel, it is no surprise why the rear line-in connection pales in comparison, much like a comparison of the Quilter to most other amps in its class.

Cheers!

I'm loving what I've been hearing about this head!

Quick question regarding that dual stage limiter...What exactly is it? Is it what emulates that natural tube compression so well? I'm not a huge fan of limiters, but if it's done musically, well, I'd like to try it!

 

[tombowlus]

Cool, thanks for the input, fellas!

The unconventional EQ section is giving me pause. I'm not a big EQ know tweaker, but I've never worked with something with such little tweakability!

I had the BB800 in "combo mode" with the 210 cab, sitting on top of the 1x12 cab, at our last gig, and I had to make several tweaks on the fly. The Quilter EQ was even more quick and responsive to use on the fly than I had expected (after several months of playing around with it, on and off. Very impressed.

 

[CharlieC]

I'm loving what I've been hearing about this head!

Quick question regarding that dual stage limiter...What exactly is it? Is it what emulates that natural tube compression so well? I'm not a huge fan of limiters, but if it's done musically, well, I'd like to try it!

For this see Post #647, quick link here --> Quilter Bass Block

 

[bebass]

Inside of 30 days I went from a metal-tinged hard rock band to being a member of the house band at "Missouri's 2nd oldest bar" playing country music and blues. So I changed up my rig for this venue to a single 12 with the BB800. For this style of music it is just perfect for me. Can't see it in the pic but it is there.

 

[Mushroo]

Has anyone tried using the Quilter guitar heads for bass, like the Tone Block 201 or Mini 101?

 

[Stu_Bass]

Has anyone tried using the Quilter guitar heads for bass, like the Tone Block 201 or Mini 101?

I have played bass through my Micro Pro 12" at home. Sounds pretty good. Plenty of volume for practice or acoustic jams