Quilter 101R

[Skip Ellis]

Any love for these? I had the original 101 and didn't like it but when they came out with the 101R, I gave it a try and it's worked OK for me and I gigged with it a little bit (back when there were gigs before Covid) but I can't get thoroughly 'in love' with it - it's just sort of 'OK' and will always be a backup for my Evans. I'd like to try the Bud 6 (all I'd need these days) for downsizing purposes but don't want to part with the Evans enough to pull the trigger. Sorry, just rambling.....Here's the Quilter setup -

[Gitterbug]

Too bright, oldest in the range, not saleable in Europe, begs for replacement. The jazz guitar community would fall for a compact, 50-100W "HyperBlock" with SuperBlock features and a darker voicing. Pat Quilter, create our Holy Grail, please!

[Herbie]

I had 101R for some years and all the time struggled with the thin sound. Then came the TB202, I sold the 101R and now I have two TB202s. One in 12” rock/pop speaker combo and other in 8” jazz speaker combo.

I think it is every way better than 101R. The eq’s are powerful and natural.

But if You like 101R, that’s great!

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Any love for these? I had the original 101 and didn't like it but when they came out with the 101R, I gave it a try and it's worked OK for me

The 101R is a totally different creature from the original 101. The EQ is apparently a new circuit that really improved the overall sound quality. I and many others found the original 101s to be harsh and unpleasant. The 101R was a great improvement, but the 202s are far better sounding to me (which is why I bought one).

Gitterbug, I think the Aviator Cub is a SB front end on a 50W ICE module. I don't know why it's not available in head form, since the Mach 3 comes as a head or a combo. It's exactly what you're asking for.

[sgosnell]

No love at all. I bought the original 101, quickly sold it because I couldn't get a sound I liked, bought the 101R and quickly sold it because I couldn't get a sound I liked. I couldn't stand either one. But it's a subjective subject, and I have no quarrel with anyone who likes them. I just prefer almost any other amp.

[Stringswinger]

I have had a young guy sit in on my regular Thursday gig who plays an Epiphone Elitist Byrdland through a Quilter "Pete's Special" This is a 101 R mounted into a Quilter cabinet (I believe it is a 1/12 speaker).

His rig sounds great. I will leave it at that.

[jads57]

I’ve owned one in the past and quickly sold it. I felt it was underpowered and didn’t suit my needs. However the TB Series as well as the Aviator series gen 1&2 have served my needs wonderfully for 10 years now!

[cmajor9]

I had 101R for some years and all the time struggled with the thin sound. Then came the TB202, I sold the 101R and now I have two TB202s. One in 12” rock/pop speaker combo and other in 8” jazz speaker combo.

I think it is every way better than 101R. The eq’s are powerful and natural.

I also find the TB202 the best-sounding of any recent Quilters. I even notice a slight difference between the “Blackface” emulation in the TB202 and the Aviators (which do also sound good) through the same cabs, with the TB202 sounding better to my ears.

[jads57]

I basically agree with the 202 sounding a bit better. But again it’s having even more power might and possibly updated technology?

A very interesting thing also is if you plug the speaker on your aviator in the lower ohms or ext speaker Jack it sound slightly better.
As well as sometimes I use an Xotic Sweet Boost to fine sculpting the overall tone.

[chris32895]

I had a 101R and it was way too bright. I recently bought a Superblock US and it outclasses the 101R by a mile for me. A lot cheaper too

[markesquire]

Skip, do you happen to have any recordings of the Evans to compare?

[Gitterbug]

Not a lot of love for the 101R here, and I threw the first stone. To be fair, I do know people happy with theirs. Fred Archtop has one. Finnish guitar legend and tone guru Peter Lerche (the owner of a Dumble and other boutique amps) has two, used in stereo through a substantial number of effects and a pair of 10" Toob telescopics. With this backline, fitting in an old green suitcase, Peter has addressed capacity crowds in most of the country's largest concert halls. Mic'ed, of course. In this setup, the Quilters are relegated to the role of a power amp. Peter also plays baritone guitar, so apparently the brightness is no issue for him. Paradoxically, he's running his two 25W Metros (for the guitar's piezo PU) powered by TC Electronic BAM200s. Who am I to say it should be the other way round?

[Skip Ellis]

Skip, do you happen to have any recordings of the Evans to compare?

No, sorry - any recording I do here at the house is through a mixer or USB interface into Reaper or Audacity. The Evans was my main gigging amp and I haven't done that since Covid. Should really sell it and put the $$$ toward a new ham rig, but can't bear to let it go (at least at this point).