Quilter Bass Block

[John D Harris]

Yes. The Quilter kills it for portability and price. Otherwise, there isn’t really much of a comparison, for my ears, in terms of which one I’d take if I could only have one. The Quilter’s gain control, allowing for varying degrees of compression/limiting and thickness of tone is handy. However, the native tone of the Demeter is more open and natural, with more sheen to the top end. The Demeter EQ covers quite a bit of ground, making it easier to make more specific tone adjustments. I haven’t played the Quilter with a band, yet. However, expect them to be comparably loud.

Just curious if you've compared the Demeter to using the Dem front end into the Quilter power section?

 

[monsterthompson]

Just curious if you've compared the Demeter to using the Dem front end into the Quilter power section?

Not yet.

 

[bdplaid]

Your comments and some others in this thread make me think the Quilter might be worth exploring. I'm still looking for smaller piece that works for me like the Ashdown. The Mesa D800 got close.

Me too. I went from a D800 to a BB800. The BB800 is clearer and more natural. The D800 has a broader range of sounds, but really the ones most useful are right around the 12 o'clock setting, the amp's natural sound. At those settings, the Quilter is better, at least for me.

 

[Spent]

Pat is a little tied up right now but would you guys all be willing to pay about the same price for just a slightly smaller enclosure with a lot less features? The Bass Block already has a line in. Removing the preamp doesn't really save much money. With our MOQs, totally new chassis design, and the cost of adding it to our UL folder we would need to sell a few hundred of them to make any money. It's definitely something we could do, but we'd need to be convinced the demand was high enough.

Before I bought one I would have said yes. After owning mine for a few months, I just can’t see it. This thing is small, powerful and transparent if set correctly. I think Pat nailed it on this one. I don’t know how many amps I’ve owned over the last 30 years (an embarrassingly large number) but this is by far my favorite. A short time ago it hit me that I’m haven’t scanned an ‘amps for sale” page since I got my BB800. Just my $0.02.

 

[bdplaid]

Before I bought one I would have said yes. After owning mine for a few months, I just can’t see it. This thing is small, powerful and transparent if set correctly. I think Pat nailed it on this one. I don’t know how many amps I’ve owned over the last 30 years (an embarrassingly large number) but this is by far my favorite. A short time ago it hit me that I’m haven’t scanned an ‘amps for sale” page since I got my BB800. Just my $0.02.

+1, agree.

 

[Agosix]

Pat is a little tied up right now but would you guys all be willing to pay about the same price for just a slightly smaller enclosure with a lot less features? The Bass Block already has a line in. Removing the preamp doesn't really save much money. With our MOQs, totally new chassis design, and the cost of adding it to our UL folder we would need to sell a few hundred of them to make any money. It's definitely something we could do, but we'd need to be convinced the demand was high enough.

I'm happy with the way it is...a marvel on its own.

 

[Frank77]

Pat is a little tied up right now but would you guys all be willing to pay about the same price for just a slightly smaller enclosure with a lot less features?

I think you answered the question, right there. Those who say they'd like a preamp-less version probably expect a significantly smaller box and/or a lower price. If the price is the same, I'm willing to bet they'll just think "Why would I buy this when the original bass block has more features for the same price ?", even if it was them who asked for the features to be removed in the first place.

 

[Mr. Business]

I’ll put my money where my mouth is. I’ll take “the revised” version or just a “power amp” version.
I think I would prefer “the revised”.

 

[Lowendtech]

I’m pretty happy with the thing the way it is.
Don’t know why I’d pay the same for less.
And if I want more, I’ll just flavour to taste.
I’d change the DI/master interaction if’n I had my druthers but I usually have 3 other DI sources to choose from in my setup so it’s no big deal for me.
I haven’t found any piece of gear to be perfect for everybody but this is darn close enough for my horseshoe pit.

 

[bdplaid]

I’ll put my money where my mouth is. I’ll take “the revised” version or just a “power amp” version.

Ok, Pat, you got one!

 

[BigEarl]

I didn't mean to reinvent the wheel with the original post, but I do appreciate everyone taking my musings seriously. I mean, heck, I love my BB800, the little fellah is truely a wonder. And since Pat and team have made is dang near true flat at noon, and I have already mounted it on my board, I'm fine keeping the form factor set.

But whose with me on this one: Quilter Co. ROCKS for actually responding to our blather!

 

[Rocksolid]

Ok, Pat, you got one!

Just need another 99 to break even...

 

[Mushroo]

Pat is a little tied up right now but would you guys all be willing to pay about the same price for just a slightly smaller enclosure with a lot less features? The Bass Block already has a line in. Removing the preamp doesn't really save much money. With our MOQs, totally new chassis design, and the cost of adding it to our UL folder we would need to sell a few hundred of them to make any money. It's definitely something we could do, but we'd need to be convinced the demand was high enough.

Hi Peter, I am going to give you some free product suggestions that I think could make the company a lot of of money! I don't think any of these ideas (except maybe the 3rd) would require major chassis redesign or extensive retooling. But maybe these aren't such good ideas; just brainstorming...

1. Quilter Tone Block 800. Same form factor as the Bass Block 800, but a simpler, more general purpose preamp: 1/4" in, XLR in, gain, contour, master. BB800 is a successful hit product, so why not grow the market beyond just bass players? A powerful mono block power amp suitable for guitar, pedalboards, keyboard, PA, subwoofer, home audio, etc. MSRP (Mushroo's Suggested Retail Price) $599.
2. Quilter Bass Block Mini. Same form factor as the Mini 101 (the most aesthetically appealing Quilter product in my opinion, measuring 8 3/8"W x 3 1/8"H x 5 1/2"D), but with a preamp voiced for bass and at least 100 watts (but preferably 200 watts or more) of power. I'd love to see what Quilter could come up with in a small, lower-wattage bass head, for bassists who don't need the full 800 watt BB800. MSRP $399.
   
3. Quilter Bass DI. The BB800 preamp section in pedal format. Send "the Quilter sound" to the mixing board, front of house, in ear monitors, digital audio interface, etc. or pair the DI with the Micro Block 45 for a complete nano bass rig on your pedalboard! MSRP $149.

Overall, however, I feel that the BB800 is a nearly perfect product (another poster called it a "home run") and I wouldn't worry too much that the design needs to be modified or "improved."

 

[engedi1]

Pat is a little tied up right now but would you guys all be willing to pay about the same price for just a slightly smaller enclosure with a lot less features? The Bass Block already has a line in. Removing the preamp doesn't really save much money. With our MOQs, totally new chassis design, and the cost of adding it to our UL folder we would need to sell a few hundred of them to make any money. It's definitely something we could do, but we'd need to be convinced the demand was high enough.

I for one would not. I am not worried at all about the size of the quilter. I think the current model is a home run tbh, and less features for less size wouldn't interest me.

 

[loopee]

Hi Peter, I am going to give you some free product suggestions that I think could make the company a lot of of money! I don't think any of these ideas (except maybe the 3rd) would require major chassis redesign or extensive retooling. But maybe these aren't such good ideas; just brainstorming...

1. Quilter Tone Block 800. Same form factor as the Bass Block 800, but a simpler, more general purpose preamp: 1/4" in, XLR in, gain, contour, master. BB800 is a successful hit product, so why not grow the market beyond just bass players? A powerful mono block power amp suitable for guitar, pedalboards, keyboard, PA, subwoofer, home audio, etc. MSRP (Mushroo's Suggested Retail Price) $599.
2. Quilter Bass Block Mini. Same form factor as the Mini 101 (the most aesthetically appealing Quilter product in my opinion, measuring 8 3/8"W x 3 1/8"H x 5 1/2"D), but with a preamp voiced for bass and at least 100 watts (but preferably 200 watts or more) of power. I'd love to see what Quilter could come up with in a small, lower-wattage bass head, for bassists who don't need the full 800 watt BB800. MSRP $399.
   
3. Quilter Bass DI. The BB800 preamp section in pedal format. Send "the Quilter sound" to the mixing board, front of house, in ear monitors, digital audio interface, etc. or pair the DI with the Micro Block 45 for a complete nano bass rig on your pedalboard! MSRP $149.

#'s 2 and 3 are appealing to me

 

[Stu_Bass]

I'm In!! Took advantage of a 15% off musicians friend coupon. Had I just waited another day, I could gotten 18% off from another site. Ah well... Still stoked to get a brand new one for a little over $500 (since I was prepared to pay that for a used one). Just unboxed this afternoon, so I haven't got much time with it yet but was very happy with the tones right away without much effort. Initial plan is for it to be a backup, but I can see it becoming much more. Tonight I will get to give it a go (full band) with my Barefaced 210 that stays where my band practices. That should be quite a mighty mini stack. Can't wait!!View attachment 2861948

Who has the 18% off offer?

 

[Jefenator]

Who has the 18% off offer?

Was a holiday thing with Guitar Center and you had to phone in and ask which brands were covered. (They used to do 20% off one item, once a year - this appears to be the remnant of that.)
The 18% thing was fleeting but I get my super special one-time-only 15% offer about 3 times a month.

 

[jakka1]

Who has the 18% off offer?

8thstreet.com
It looks like their coupon code is still at the top of their page. I've never ordered from them before, but they stock the BB800 and coupon appears to work towards it.

 

[monsterthompson]

I mean this in a lighthearted way...
The "improvement" suggestions keep making me think of these:

 

[ebozzz]

8thstreet.com
It looks like their coupon code is still at the top of their page. I've never ordered from them before, but they stock the BB800 and coupon appears to work towards it.

I've ordered from them. They were very responsive and shipped fast.....

They don't seem to have the BB800 in stock though....