I got the Quilter Tone Block a few months ago. I had previously taken it out on 2 other gigs. Each time the Quilter performed well. Good, consistent sound. Easy load in. Very pleased.
Well, after really taking some time to get used to it, explore all the settings, try it with different setups, etc, I took it to a medium sized outdoor gig last night....
I used the TB into a Matrix NL12 for my stage volume, and also used the built in DI straight to the PA. For this gig, I also used my JHS ColourBox as a preamp, just to add a touch more color, along with my pedalboard. Everything sounded great. My electric guitar sounded wonderful. This was the first time I have been totally happy with a lightweight solution (as opposed to a tube amp) for both my stage and DI sounds. My banjo also sounded fabulous through the rig. After years of experimenting with full range rigs to cover both my electric and acoustic, I think I am happiest yet with using the Tone Block for this purpose. My "base" tone consisted of using the Colourbox, SlideRig ch 1, Topanga, and MF Trem to create a huge, airy clean tone that has a "rootsy" sound and can occupy a good amount of space in a mix.
The biggest "secret" with the Tone Block is volume. Even though it is a solid state amp, I am realizing that guitar speakers like to be opened up as well as tube amps. The DI sounded fabulous from the TB at ALL volumes.....but it wasn't until I got a bit of air moving through my guitar cab that my stage sound came alive. AT lower volumes, the amp felt a bit stiff.....like it wouldn't let me really "dig in." But once I turned the voume up past the 10W setting, things started to sound wonderfully organic, rich and alive.
I should also mention how great the JHS Colourbox is. It is really a great tool. Very powerful EQ, very warm sounding, and it colors the tone in a really nice way. It makes everything sound unique...if you are looking to keep a straight Fender/Marshall/Boogie/whatever amp tone, the COlourBox is not for you. But if you want a serious tool to help you sculpt your own tone, help differentiate your sound, and feel inspired doing it, then the ColourBox is worth a look....It is a GREAT preamp/DI and excels at sweetening the tone.
I am a happy camper today...
FYI, here is the rig I used. I brought the PT2 seen in the photo, NOT the PT Jr.....
Well, after really taking some time to get used to it, explore all the settings, try it with different setups, etc, I took it to a medium sized outdoor gig last night....
I used the TB into a Matrix NL12 for my stage volume, and also used the built in DI straight to the PA. For this gig, I also used my JHS ColourBox as a preamp, just to add a touch more color, along with my pedalboard. Everything sounded great. My electric guitar sounded wonderful. This was the first time I have been totally happy with a lightweight solution (as opposed to a tube amp) for both my stage and DI sounds. My banjo also sounded fabulous through the rig. After years of experimenting with full range rigs to cover both my electric and acoustic, I think I am happiest yet with using the Tone Block for this purpose. My "base" tone consisted of using the Colourbox, SlideRig ch 1, Topanga, and MF Trem to create a huge, airy clean tone that has a "rootsy" sound and can occupy a good amount of space in a mix.
The biggest "secret" with the Tone Block is volume. Even though it is a solid state amp, I am realizing that guitar speakers like to be opened up as well as tube amps. The DI sounded fabulous from the TB at ALL volumes.....but it wasn't until I got a bit of air moving through my guitar cab that my stage sound came alive. AT lower volumes, the amp felt a bit stiff.....like it wouldn't let me really "dig in." But once I turned the voume up past the 10W setting, things started to sound wonderfully organic, rich and alive.
I should also mention how great the JHS Colourbox is. It is really a great tool. Very powerful EQ, very warm sounding, and it colors the tone in a really nice way. It makes everything sound unique...if you are looking to keep a straight Fender/Marshall/Boogie/whatever amp tone, the COlourBox is not for you. But if you want a serious tool to help you sculpt your own tone, help differentiate your sound, and feel inspired doing it, then the ColourBox is worth a look....It is a GREAT preamp/DI and excels at sweetening the tone.
I am a happy camper today...
FYI, here is the rig I used. I brought the PT2 seen in the photo, NOT the PT Jr.....

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