Hi All,

New to the forum and have found a lot of very helpful information on this site so thank you.

Thought I'd give my two pence worth on these amps which I've had for around a month now. I know there's been a lot of discussion about SS developments and portable rigs.

I previously owned a 65 DR Reissue and a 68 Princeton Reissue, but having moved house i decided both were just too loud to reach their sweet spot and I didn't want to upset my new neighbours. So I sold both and bought a Roland Blues Cube Stage after liking the sound of it at my local retailer. My purchase of the Quilter 101 head and Frontliner cab was completed online/unseen as I don't have any local suppliers in my area. So it was a bit of a shot in the dark.

I've been AB'ing these amps for about three weeks now and I just can't clearly decide which I prefer as they both have their pro's and cons.

First, the Blues Cube Stage:

Pros:

• clean channel sounds great at any volume and takes pedals fantastically well on either high or lo impendence inputs. My Topanga sounds incredible through it. I tend to use the hi input for most of my guitars (Jaguar, Strat, Gretsch).

• pretty lightweight at around 14kg. Similar to a Princeton, but has a 12 inch speaker.

• looks sharp. Kind of like a cross between a Blues Jr and Dr Z.

• plenty headroom and the power switching from 0.5w to 60w is very handy for gigs or practice.

• the reverb is decent, but a plate sound so not ideal for surf.

• option to add 'Tone Capsules' to the back of the amp which change the overall sound. So you can go from the stock sound to an EL84 style amp for example. The capsules aren't cheap, but I think this is actually a pretty cool idea. Would definitely want to try before I buy though.

Cons:

• wish the power switching was a gradual dial like the Quilter rather than predetermined stages.

• the Crunch channel I never use at it doesn't sound as good as my OD pedals through the amp. In fact I would recommend to Roland that they make a one channel version which is a bit cheaper, but at the same wattage, as this amp is such a great pedal platform. The Crunch Channel just sounds a bit sterile compared to the clean. I know there is the one channel 'Hot' version of the BC, but it's only 30w.

• the open back cab and speaker sounds great, but would have liked to have seen a convertible option as I think closed backs sound better at home and for practice.

• what is up with Boss footswitches? Thankfully I don't use the Crunch channel as the FS6 is really poorly designed. It runs on a battery only, so you have to unplug it every time you switch off the amp. Might be nitpicking to some, but it's a pain when you forget then come back and the battery is dead! You must also run a stereo cable with tip/ring if you want the option to select both channel and dual channel modes. So an extra purchase (modest one I guess).

• no fx loop on the Stage model. Not a negative for me as always go through the front of the amp anyway.

• I don't find any use for the tone and boost options. Less is more Roland.

• made in the Far East which I know is frowned upon by some. The build quality is excellent though.

Now the Quilter and Frontliner 2 x 8.

Pros:

• beautiful cleans and when the gain is cranked, the smoothest most responsive overdrive I've ever heard (tube or SS).

• also a great pedal platform with drive and modulation.

• tight focussed sound from the cab which disperses over a wide range in front due to the curved design.

• power scaling is a fully adjustable dial that goes from whisper quiet to a very loud 100w. It's a master volume and wattage dial in one - genius!

• you have to hear this thing to believe the bottom end the 2x8's punch out. It's incredible and lives up to the hype. Much more thump than the Blues Cube which is open back admittedly.

• Ridiculously light! About 10kgs with the 101 head screwed in the back. Hats off to Quilter for producing something so well designed and loud at such a weight.

• like the Blues Cube, the controls are fairly intuitive and I love the one channel design of the head. A pedalboard users dream. It's just set your tone and go. There's different preset options for types of amp/genre of music, but I find the default Full Q to be the most balanced and easiest to dial in other EQ perameters around it.

• FX loop on the FRONT of the 101 head. Seriously, why do some manufactures persist in putting them on the rear of the amp. Well done Quilter for being practical.

• made in the USA. The quality of build is first class.

Cons:

• focussed closed back design of the cab won't be for everyone. No option really at all to modify. The curved design does counter this though and of course the head is removable.

• neither will the mesh steel grill which is quite modern looking for those that like the vintage front panel look of the BC. I personally like the durability and clean look Quilter have gone for. It stands out too.

• definitely has less headroom than the BC clean channel. Countered by the extra wattage (100w v 60w on the Roland).

From the above, it probably sounds like I prefer the Quilter and in truth it probably just shades it, mainly due to the weight and bottom end the cab provides. It's overall a bit smoother sounding. However, going back and forth between the two at similar settings (clean channel on the BC) there's very little in it. The BC definitely has a more conventional or classic tone. It's a great all round amp in terms of sound with balanced mids and sparkly highs. The BC is modelled on a Tweed style circuitry apparently though it sounds more Vox like to my ears. The Quilter is more responsive and you really feel that thump on the lower strings which I've only ever experienced with a 4x10 or 4x12 head and cab. It's beautifully engineered.

Having been exclusively a tube advocate in the past, both these amps have really thrown me. They really do sound very close, if not better than the tube amps I've owned. I should point out though I've never owned a true vintage amp and a 1960s Vox AC10, I was fortunate enough to play at a studio a few years ago, is still the best sounding amp I've ever heard.

But....

The weight and practicality of the BC and Quilter 101/Frontliner coupled with their sound quality suddenly make SS amps a truly viable option for any guitarist.

I'm off to AB them again!

Great comparison.
To also throw some fuel on the fire - the new Boss Katana amps are getting great reviews from tube enthusiasts.

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

Thanks for the replies and it's interesting to see a slight shift in opinion toward SS amps. The quality and authenticity is definitely improving with Roland and Quilter at the forefront.

After another couple of hours with the amps today, I have to say the Quilter is pretty astounding. I think it's that 2x8 cab which sounds a bit odd in terms of concept, but it really nails a big sound in a small box.

Should mention Kemper also, although they're in a whole different price bracket. I think the Roland's and Quilters are great value for money when you consider the quality of sound and build. I guess it was only a matter of time before good sounding, simplified SS amps were more widely available.

Las_Barracudas wrote:

I have a Quilter 101 Mini as well. About my only complaint is the EQs or lack there of.

From what I've heard though Quilter is going to improve the 101 adding traditional bass / treble / mid EQ dials and on-board reverb. New model release this summer?

Yes, Summer NAMM release from Quilter.
I have one here, testing it out.
I'll post more impressions soon.
It also is equipped with the often popular limiter

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

I have a couple of the Tech 21 Character Series pedals, the Blonde (Fender), and the British (Marshall), which I happen to like a lot.
(I also have the Tech 21 Power Engine 60 amp.)

Has anyone here tried using the Tech 21 Blonde pedal in front of their Quilter, for further tone shaping capabilities? With the Blonde pedal, you could dial in a tone anywhere from Tweed, to Brownface, to Blackface, to Silverface, and anywhere in between. I'm thinking that would be a really sweet setup.

Just my .02 cents worth.

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

I'm glad this topic is being discussed. I need an amp upgrade real bad. I can't keep dragging my old brownface Super around anymore(it needs to stay home or just be in the studio) and my Deluxe Reverb is only good for small venues. I've been considering a Quilter but there is no dealer with in 500 miles of me. All of your advice and insight is real helpful. Thanks.

Rondo1 wrote:

I'm glad this topic is being discussed. I need an amp upgrade real bad. I can't keep dragging my old brownface Super around anymore(it needs to stay home or just be in the studio) and my Deluxe Reverb is only good for small venues. I've been considering a Quilter but there is no dealer with in 500 miles of me. All of your advice and insight is real helpful. Thanks.

I can only speak for the 101 with Frontliner can and it seems the perfect combination for the head. Plus you have the choice to insert the head in the back of the amp or use the head with another cab. It's great design and sounds superb. I can't get over how light it is but still has plenty clean headroom.

Just in case anyone is interested in the pedals I run with the amp they are:

TC mini tuner
Mojohand One Ton Bee
Electro Faustus Theremin
JHS Sweet Tea Drive
Mad Professor Mellow Yellow Trem
Way Huge Aqua Puss Delay
Earthquaker Rainbow Machine
Catalinbread Topanga Reverb

All sound great through the Quilter.

Getauk wrote:

Las_Barracudas wrote:

Getauk wrote:

Las_Barracudas wrote:

I have a Quilter 101 Mini as well. About my only complaint is the EQs or lack there of.

From what I've heard though Quilter is going to improve the 101 adding traditional bass / treble / mid EQ dials and on-board reverb. New model release this summer?

I'm pretty happy with the existing eq. Everything from crisp high cleans to deep low end.

Which cab do you run with the head?

A 1x15 loaded with a Weber Cali, 2x10 VVRI and a Fender Showman Tone-Ring cab JBL.

Do you get a lot of low end? I wonder if the 2x8 helps with this as if anything I'm tempering treble rather than bass.

I do.

To my ears the Surf voice sounded the best, but it's definitely "bass heavy" and there's just no way to dial it down utilizing just the controls on the unit. Many others have described the same problem.

My suggestion to Quilter was to add a dual bass / treble control. Other than that it's a great unit, but to be honest it did bug me enough to not use it.

Looks like Quilter listened to myself and others that provided them feedback.
Hopefully the new units will be voiced the same but with better EQ control?

METEOR IV on reverbnation

Last edited: Apr 10, 2017 20:05:41

Reverbenator wrote:

I have a couple of the Tech 21 Character Series pedals, the Blonde (Fender), and the British (Marshall), which I happen to like a lot.
(I also have the Tech 21 Power Engine 60 amp.)

Has anyone here tried using the Tech 21 Blonde pedal in front of their Quilter, for further tone shaping capabilities? With the Blonde pedal, you could dial in a tone anywhere from Tweed, to Brownface, to Blackface, to Silverface, and anywhere in between. I'm thinking that would be a really sweet setup.

Just my .02 cents worth.

Not exactly to point, but I use a Blonde pedal into the fx loop return of my SteelAire as a second channel (it's post-eq and onboard fx, pre-master volume). It sounds excellent overall, but the amp's core huge bottom end won't dial down as much as it will with its own front panel bass control, FWIW.

DreadInBabylon wrote:

Would it make sense to put an EQ pedal in the FX loop of the Quilter?

Yes, many do exactly this. It is often helpful with the Surf setting on the Mini-101 which has a lot of bass.

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic