Feeding the Tube vs. Solid State Heresy

[colchar]

I do. In fact, my Quilter is set up next to a good tube amp in my practice space, and I still use it regularly. More than the tube amp, actually, because the "sweet spot" is pretty much anything that doesn't blow my speakers.

I've had eight decent tube amps that I can remember. I have four now. Played many more - including live and recorded. Some that are now worth more than my car. How many before people are willing to accept that Quilter makes an amp that can hang with them? I don't need my Quilter. I'm not compromising anything. I like it.

I never said anything about Quilter not being able to hang. You were talking about a Night Train and I was pointing out that those aren't exactly great amps so are hardly a fair point of comparison.

I'll say it here first: I will never tell the truth about what amp I used to record a song - ever again - because it doesn't matter, and if it really makes a difference for someone to know that information, then I don't think they're listening to the music.

Do you think you're Jimmy Page or something? People aren't falling over themselves to figure out what amp you used.

 

[Trenchant63]

Your ears could become accustomed to whatever amp you’re using over time to the point of preferring it over all others once you get ‘wired’ to its particular sound and feel. No matter the circuit topology. If you’re constantly flipping amps, you might never get used to a particular amp. That’s how it happened for me anyway. Amps I used to think were amazing - don’t sound so great when I switch from my current amp to them. Even if I had a particular gig where my main amp didn’t sound that great, I decided not to flip it and usually it was explained by the venue, how it was mic’d, etc. Then the next gig would be amazing. No amp is perfection every time in every setting. But when you’re 90% of the time loving your sound, you probably have the right amp (tube, SS, digital).

 

[Blrfl]

Do you think you're Jimmy Page or something? People aren't falling over themselves to figure out what amp you used.

If he's being asked, he doesn't have to be Jimmy Page.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

If I ever purchase another amp (and you KNOW I will), it's gonna be a Quilter "head" (like the 101 Reverb or 202 Tone Block) and a 1x12 or 2x10 cabinet with a Swamp Thang or something similar inside.
Good "tones" with no tube fragility issues or enormous heavy cabs to tote around.
That would leave the door open to trying out lots of the teensy weensy amps that are all over the place for not much dough (Vox has some, as does Joyo, etc.). And I think that is where the future is for amps.
There will come a day when players will just show up with a Quilter head or some such "amp in a box" or a Fly Rig and plug straight into the house PA. No more lugging around speakers. Bound to happen ...

 

[Dennis Railey]

Got a Fender Deluxe Reverb Tonemaster amp a few years back and it has been great. This amp is dead quiet and no issues whatsoever. I have had tube amps and love there sound but hate the problems.

 

[Dukex]

Heresy is probably an appropriate word as some have a seemingly religious devotion to tubes.
Me, not so much, I am more of an agnostic and couldn't care less about vintage amps or toobs.

LOL, yeah, sure, you aren't biased at all!

 

[jackal]

I wouldn't trade my Evan Custom amp heads for anything out there.

 

[MisterZ]

LOL, yeah, sure, you aren't biased at all!

Ah, but are your tubes?

 

[Controller]

There will come a day when players will just show up with a Quilter head or some such "amp in a box" or a Fly Rig and plug straight into the house PA. No more lugging around speakers. Bound to happen ...

We can only hope and dream...

 

[brookdalebill]

Now that I’m not young, I prefer my amplifier to merely, uh, amplify my (mostly) clean playing style.
I grew up using, loving, and cranking tube amps.
I bailed on em’ completely about 15 years ago, for Roland COSM modeling amps.
I’ll buy another tube amp someday, but it will be only for old times sake.
The Roland’s never fail, and do all kinds of cool stuff!

 

[JDB2]

If I ever purchase another amp (and you KNOW I will), it's gonna be a Quilter "head" (like the 101 Reverb or 202 Tone Block) and a 1x12 or 2x10 cabinet with a Swamp Thang or something similar inside.

I have both those heads and love them. I play the Tone Block 202 through one or two 1x12 Quilter cabinets (Blockdock 12 HD). I play the 101 Reverb through a 1x10 Quilter cabinet (Blockdock 10 TC).

The amount of rich clean sound the TB 202 can put out with those cabs is immense. Reminds me of the 130 watt Music Man I owned long ago. Sounds great at low volume too.

The 101 Reverb with the 10” cabinet is insanely portable and is no slouch for punchy clean volume either. It is low on deep bass however. (Bass isn’t an issue with the 1x12 cabs.)

 

[ChicknPickn]

I have both those heads and love them. I play the Tone Block 202 through one or two 1x12 Quilter cabinets (Blockdock 12 HD). I play the 101 Reverb through a 1x10 Quilter cabinet (Blockdock 10 TC).

The amount of rich clean sound the TB 202 can put out with those cabs is immense. Reminds me of the 130 watt Music Man I owned long ago. Sounds great at low volume too.

The 101 Reverb with the 10” cabinet is insanely portable and is no slouch for punchy clean volume either. It is low on deep bass however. (Bass isn’t an issue with the 1x12 cabs.)

Yep. I have my 101 going through two closed-back 1 x 12 cabinets. I have a delay, reverb, and phase-shifter in the effects loop, and a couple of fuzz/distortion pedals at the front of the chain. "Satisfying" is the word.

 

[Dukex]

Ah, but are your tubes?

What tubes? I only have solid state!

 

[Dukex]

What tubes? I only have solid state!

Liar, liar, tubes on fire!

 

[Hoodster]

Not heresy in this house.
I had a Quilter Aviator Cub, and sold it.
Also sold my Blues Junior.
Here's what I ended up with, one amp to rule them all:
View attachment 1090760
Blues Cube Stage.
60 Watts of LOUD when you need it.
Switch to dial it down when you don't - without loss of "tone."
Delivers Fender-esque deliciousness arguably better than Quilter.
Useable onboard reverb and OD (I prefer a pedal, but it does nicely in a pinch).
No tube fragility issues.
Weighs in a skosh over 20 lbs (back ain't what it used to be).
Got mine for $450 gently used on Reverb - and I notice there aren't many available now.
Lots of the Artist and Hot models, but darn few Stages to be had.
That alone speaks volumes.
I might pick up another one before they go the way of the buffalo.

30.87 pounds according to Sweetwater.

 

[pippoman]

Try playing a Deluxe Reverb or Twin Reverb at reasonable volumes. Twins sound way better at low volumes than small amps do. And if you feel the need to crank a tube amp, just use an attenuator and you can crank it all you want.

I’m 70 years old guys. Nothing, not a single amp I’ve ever owned from early Marshall Pexis, older Vox AC 30s, Matchless, Dr. Z zlux, (I could go on) nothing sounded as clear, rich, and downright regal as my ‘73 Twin Reverb with orange JBLs. Nothing!
But at 70, the Quilters just feel so much better. And they deliver the sounds I like, so go ahead and bash. Until a lightweight amp comes along that blows it away, I’m staying put, although the Swart AST Pro is tempting. The question is, would I really like it better? Probably not; I’ve owned one before. I still have a soft spot for tubes, but not that soft.

 

[pippoman]

Got a Fender Deluxe Reverb Tonemaster amp a few years back and it has been great. This amp is dead quiet and no issues whatsoever. I have had tube amps and love there sound but hate the problems.

I’ve read lots of good stuff about those.