Quilter Bass Block

[Rocksolid]

So I used my BB800 Saturday night into 2 Berg NV115s. I took my B|Amp also with the intention of plugging it in for the 2nd set, but I used the Quilter all night. The venue we were at has had some noise complaints from their Neighbours recently, so it was a quieter gig than usual for this venue.

My main Rig for a couple of years has been a Fender Super Bassman, and the thing I immediately noticed when changing to a Tube Amp was that the notes in the higher registers seem to have more girth that thru most SS/Class D heads. The BB800 seems to be more tube like to me in the higher registers. The notes didn't go missing like I have noticed in the past, and there seemed to be excellent presence without being loud - another quality I noticed when changing to a Tube Amp.

It really is an impressive little amp.

 

[Agosix]

nice innards.

 

[Agosix]

I'm considering a BB800. Anyone here able to compare/contrast it against a Demeter VTBP M800D or a Darkglass 900 head (the two I'm currently holding, and considering flipping).

I had a Demeter 400 for a while when I got the quilter. Comparison was kind of tough because they are both great amps. Somehow I always liked the Quilter a bit more. Sold the Demeter and still have the Quilter. Just played it thru an SVT cabinet in a theater and it rips with gobs of room to spare.

 

[bdplaid]

All righty, I did a gig yesterday with me spankin' new Quilter. These posts say a lot about the amp, about which I will pontificate:

After reading about the Quilter, I kind of figured that a lot of people might be disappointed with the lack of a treble boost and would not be crazy about adding an EQ pedal. I bet it won't be long before we see a BB800 v2 with at least a bright switch added.

I doubt it. If one wants more treble than the BB800 can provide, he either doesn't know how to work the EQ, or he needs a different amp that has more high end. I hope they leave it alone.

I couldn't believe how big, yet clear it sounded. Massive tone, but you always knew what note was being played.

Exactly. Mine sounded big from the start with the tone controls flat. I played a little with adding/subtracting low end, but moving the bass knob clockwise more than 2 clicks starts adding serious "depth," as they call it.

This amp is so plug and play, I just don't even think about it after about 1/2 a song. Which is fantastic, since I can think about things like my playing!!

Oh, man, precisely. I am so grateful to have an amp that doesn't require constant tweaking to get a decent sound.
The previous week, I had used my GK MB800, and just couldn't hear it, while at the same time blasting the guitar player to my left. I wrestled that thing all night, ending up with a sound that I could barely discern, but was loud. Both midrange controls were 3/4 up; bass and treble controls 3/4 down. That's pretty much the "flat" sound from a GK, BTW.
For what I'm after - deep sound that's discernible and doesn't get in the way of other instruments, it's Quilter. It kind of makes it's own sonic niche.

the thing I immediately noticed when changing to a Tube Amp was that the notes in the higher registers seem to have more girth that thru most SS/Class D heads. The BB800 seems to be more tube like to me in the higher registers. The notes didn't go missing like I have noticed in the past, and there seemed to be excellent presence without being loud

That's a good observation, and I second it. I didn't really notice it that way, but I think it's true.

Another thing with some amps is that sometimes, the deeper one goes, notes start to get lost. I always like to hear records where that's not the case - the bass is just as even on the deepest notes as they are on the highest. The BB800 does that; it just never runs out of steam.

And, this was into an 8-ohm load. I'll wear a crucifix when I play into a 4-ohm load.

My description of the BB800: Perfect.

 

[John D Harris]

After reading about the Quilter, I kind of figured that a lot of people might be disappointed with the lack of a treble boost and would not be crazy about adding an EQ pedal. I bet it won't be long before we see a BB800 v2 with at least a bright switch added. Personally I couldn't care less as I use the EQ on my basses and leave everything flat on my amp. I'll wait for the v2 with the bright switch and will pick up a used v1 at a discount

I suspect instead of a Big Block v2 it'll be more like a Super Block with an expanded feature/control set.
BB for the simplicity people & SB for the control freaks.

 

[John D Harris]

I suspect instead of a Big Block v2 it'll be more like a Super Block with an expanded feature/control set.
BB for the simplicity people & SB for the control freaks.

I was on my cell phone - now on pc:
I base this off of an email exchange which 'to me' made it sound like they did not want to futz around with making small updates to the BB800 & if they did add 'features' it would be to a 'new' model.
Keep in mind what they said & what I thought they said might be two TOTALLY different things.
I had emailed suggesting that they change the XRL out to be more like most bass heads where it is uneffected by the master volume control.

 

[bdplaid]

I had emailed suggesting that they change the XRL out to be more like most bass heads where it is uneffected by the master volume control.

At a gig this weekend I told the FOH guy about that XLR, and even before the words were out of my mouth, he said, "doesn't matter, I'm on it."

 

[AMJBASS]

The master volume tied to the line out is probably something I could do without. It just doesn't make a lot of sense if you are using it as a DI. It really depends on the gig though. As a line out to another power amp, another story...

I just use a REDDI instead and problem solved

 

[tombowlus]

I'm considering a BB800. Anyone here able to compare/contrast it against a Demeter VTBP M800D or a Darkglass 900 head (the two I'm currently holding, and considering flipping).

I've played an own all three, and it's different flavors of great. They all have more than enough output power for my needs, but different tone profiles. I would place the Quilter in between the more full/round/warm tone of the Demeter and the somewhat more cutting and clear tone of the Darkglass (in clean mode).

 

[JOE EDO]

Tom,

Did you experience any "tube like" give or flex with the Quilter? SVT like?

I've played an own all three, and it's different flavors of great. They all have more than enough output power for my needs, but different tone profiles. I would place the Quilter in between the more full/round/warm tone of the Demeter and the somewhat more cutting and clear tone of the Darkglass (in clean mode).

 

[tombowlus]

Tom,

Did you experience any "tube like" give or flex with the Quilter? SVT like?

It has a more "organic" attack than some purely SS heads, but it's not "soft." Personally, I think that "tube-like" is far too vague of a term to be very useful, as I have heard all-tube amps exhibit a huge range of tonal qualities. And most of them (the SVT included) will sound/respond/behave very differently at different gain settings.

 

[hennessybass]

Tom,

Did you experience any "tube like" give or flex with the Quilter? SVT like?

I think the quilter is a pretty "stiff" amp, but not as stiff as say a Genzler Magellan. Reminds me of the AMP / Thunderfunk amps I've played. Just a really solid note envelope with a real "heft" to each note. It really responds to how you play your instrument - for example plucking near the bridge vs near the neck. Organic is a good word. Very warm with lots of character, and a great feel.

Agree with Tom that "Tube Like" is pretty relative. I've owned a few, and my '77 Bassman 100 is a pretty different animal from the '70-something Hiwatt DR201 that I had a few years back.

 

[JOE EDO]

Set flat, would you call it Mid-heavy? Or more mid scooped? My concern is that it may get lost in a band mix.

 

[jazzbass_5]

All righty, I did a gig yesterday with me spankin' new Quilter. These posts say a lot about the amp, about which I will pontificate:



I doubt it. If one wants more treble than the BB800 can provide, he either doesn't know how to work the EQ, or he needs a different amp that has more high end. I hope they leave it alone.



Exactly. Mine sounded big from the start with the tone controls flat. I played a little with adding/subtracting low end, but moving the bass knob clockwise more than 2 clicks starts adding serious "depth," as they call it.



Oh, man, precisely. I am so grateful to have an amp that doesn't require constant tweaking to get a decent sound.
The previous week, I had used my GK MB800, and just couldn't hear it, while at the same time blasting the guitar player to my left. I wrestled that thing all night, ending up with a sound that I could barely discern, but was loud. Both midrange controls were 3/4 up; bass and treble controls 3/4 down. That's pretty much the "flat" sound from a GK, BTW.
For what I'm after - deep sound that's discernible and doesn't get in the way of other instruments, it's Quilter. It kind of makes it's own sonic niche.



That's a good observation, and I second it. I didn't really notice it that way, but I think it's true.

Another thing with some amps is that sometimes, the deeper one goes, notes start to get lost. I always like to hear records where that's not the case - the bass is just as even on the deepest notes as they are on the highest. The BB800 does that; it just never runs out of steam.

And, this was into an 8-ohm load. I'll wear a crucifix when I play into a 4-ohm load.

My description of the BB800: Perfect.

+1

 

[hennessybass]

Set flat, would you call it Mid-heavy? Or more mid scooped? My concern is that it may get lost in a band mix.

I kind of remember reading that it was just flat when set flat. I bet @tombowlus knows. Good mids.

I’ve been boosting bass about thee clicks with both cabs. Cutting highs about three clicks with the Berg CN121, and scooping miss about three clicks with the CN210. No tweets for me.

Great tone. No honk. No mud. No boom.

 

[JOE EDO]

Wonder how it would sound into my 2 Berg HS 210's or my NV610T? I just may have to pull the trigger on one.
Thank again for your responses on the difficult task of describing tone (never easy.) One man's honky mid's is another's nirvana...and so on.

 

[engedi1]

Set flat, would you call it Mid-heavy? Or more mid scooped? My concern is that it may get lost in a band mix.

This will be the least of your concerns I promise you.

 

[AMJBASS]

Wonder how it would sound into my 2 Berg HS 210's or my NV610T? I just may have to pull the trigger on one.
Thank again for your responses on the difficult task of describing tone (never easy.) One man's honky mid's is another's nirvana...and so on.

Its not getting lost in a band mix. Its a killer sounding head set flat! Its hard to describe... People describe both Markbass LM3's and the Quilter as neutral, but the LM3 has NOTHING on the Quilter in terms of sheer volume, and "heft" to the note. Its a great combination of warmth and quickness.

 

[husky123]

Man, this thread has been sucking me in the last couple of weeks. Must......resist.....must.

 

[JOE EDO]

You guys are gonna make me burn that $250 credit I have on my MF account.drool