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Check out the Raezer’s Edge Centauri Hybrid.
Class D 200 watt power amp but a high-voltage 12ax7 preamp tube, traditional (Fender) TMB EQ AND MOST IMPORTANTLY a real spring reverb tank.
a bit darker/warmer than a BF but still an electric guitar tone.
And VERY loud.
Great amp.
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05-15-2025 03:31 PM
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My Bud 6 sitting on top of a TC Electronics BC208 (2x8" 8-Ohm bass cab @ 22 lbs.) goes as loud as I'd ever want to go. (YMMV.)
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So again all of these are some great options. But some are specific for a certain style of Clean hi fidelity tone.
I believe the OP is not only looking for high power,portability but also versatility for different styles of Clean for all of the genres.
And that’s where Quilter and perhaps a few others also provide.
The Clarus Image head is not a great choice for a Fender type of Clean. But wonderful for a neutral hi fidelity tone
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Seeing as Acoustic Image is defunct and parts can be an issue, I would pass on the Clarus (I sold mine after the Company called it quits).
Originally Posted by jads57
While I do think tube tone still beats solid state tone (and I also think in a live performance the difference is unnoticeable), I would choose solid state amps for gigging today. If you like the Polytone/Ampeg sound, go Henriksen. If you like the Fender sound go Quilter. The truth is that with a great overdrive pedal, both Quilter and Henriksen amps can do it all.
If you are a living room player and want the extra tone that tubes deliver, there are plenty of options.
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I would offer this observation. I A/B'ed the Little Jazz against a 1964 Ampeg Reverberocket (replacement speaker and tubes, otherwise original). They didn't sound all that different. I thought the clarity of chords was a little better on the LJ.
Later, I A/B'ed the LJ and the Blu. I could not get the Blu to sound like the LJ. Extrapolating, I don't think the Blu could sound like that Ampeg.
I haven't played through Polytones much, but they didn't sound like the Reverberocket. And, I haven't used other Ampeg models. That said, my impression of the Blu was "PA-like" and my impression of that Ampeg is anything but.
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This is also my approach. An orphan product with a lot of proprietary parts and assemblies is a crap shoot. You have to weigh your love for it against the probabilities of failure and of getting it fixed (as well as the costs of buying and keeping it). Originally Posted by Stringswinger
I have to admit that the frequent changes in product lines at Quilter, Henriksen, DV Mark etc have made me a little uncomfortable. There are a lot of discontinued models in many high end lines, a few of which were current when I bought them. My BlockDock 12HD is now history, and my 10 will soon join it. History suggests that my OD202 will soon be replaced with a new model, as will the ToneBlock 202. There are 27 discontinued guitar heads on the DVMark website right now, and most of them were still current just a few years ago.
You can keep a Princeton or Twin or Deluxe going forever. Despite the cost and quality, I doubt that the same can be said for a MicroPro or a Henriksen Jazz Amp.
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I tend to view the solid state amps as a depreciating product, much like a new car. So long as Peter Henriksen is at the helm of his Colorado operation and Pat Quilter is at the helm of his California operation, I will feel good about those amps. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
No doubt a point to point Fender tube amp is a better long term amp relationship. So long as you can find good tubes, you are willing to carry the weight and you can find/afford the techs ($150 an hour around here) that is.
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NOS tubes are expensive and are a consideration in using tube amps but I saw the increase coming and have a nice stash in my tube caddy, enough to outlast the remainder of my playing days.
But a good tech is worth the initial outlay and will get your amp ready for the next 10-15 yrs.
I have such a tech, he's expensive but very good, so it's the old 'pay once cry once' saying for me, I haven't had to call him in 10 yrs. Now that I've said that watch my amp crash on the gig tonight.
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I have an Acoustic Image Clarus and I don't worry about it not lasting long enough. I still have a Walter Woods that I bought back in '84 or '85. It still works but the pots are a little scratchy.
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So some years back a vintage guitar dealer came to a gig I was playing And he complimented me on the great tone I was getting.
This was large club and we were playing quite loudly as well.
I showed him my rig: A Boss GT-8 multi-effects pedal board into a Vox Valvetronix preamp set to an AC 30 top boost in to-the power amp in of a Peavey Delta Bass 160 watt solid state head and running an Avatar 2x12” open back cab with 2 EV 12L’s.
Way too much to haul around nowadays.
Amd yet beat any tube amp set up including Marshall,Fender,Boogie, Dumble I ever owned and gigged with.
Thank goodness for Quilter Amps!
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The Luna 200R sounds really nice and is light.
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And… I ordered one this weekend. I’ll follow up once I get it and have a chance to play through it a bit. Originally Posted by 58flame
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Great to hear! I suspect that there’s no gig it won’t handle well and easily. Did you choose the 8, 10, or 12? Originally Posted by jamesego
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I went with the 8” closed-back model. It’s the sound I liked best in the demos I was able to find—now it just needs to get here! Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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It's a great choice and is still used as backline in a lof ot instances. Any of the BF Fenders are great choices really. Deluxe, Vibrolux, Super. I usually have opted for a Twin because they are cheap, commonplace, and reliable for the most part. If you have good tubes in it, and one of your pre's goes microphonic at a gig you can swap 'em around and get the job done. Originally Posted by jads57
I got to try a 40 watt Tweed Twin the other day. Man, that was a great sound.
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So again while the Fender Twin has been the standard for most decent backlines. They are not always up to par or maintained that well.
This is why having an amp like a Quilter is so great. No servicing needed,and doesn’t depend on wall voltage. Always the same consistency every time!
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AMAZING amps! If I had the room, I’d have one Originally Posted by DawgBone
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[QUOTE=
I got to try a 40 watt Tweed Twin the other day. Man, that was a great sound.[/QUOTE]
A Victoria version of that circuit was my main gigging amp for quite a few years, great amp. Perfect club size and wattage.
I've played vintage low and high power twins, they are fantastic, and I owned two vintage basemen as well. All great.
For some reason I never bonded with the small tweed amps like the 5E3, maybe I never owned the right one.
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I recently bought a Blu 6 and I have a Quilter Superblock US that I sometimes feed into an old Fender-labeled 12” speaker (Eminence? Probably.)
I’ll be honest: they are no match against the vintage Framus Strato 345 amp I also own. This amp is really something: 12ax7 preamp tubes, ECF80 phase inverter, 2xEL36 power tubes into a an old 12” speaker.
But I need the small amps from time to time for jamsessions and small gigs in the town centre where I can’t (or don’t want to) drive by car. They are great, but they always feel like a compromise.
This all being said, the Blu 6 and the Quilter SB US have quite a different tone print. The Quilter sounds like a Fender amp (more treble at hand), the Blue 6 like a Polytone (dark & brown). At least to me they do. I read here that some state the Blu can sound more bright, like a mini PA….. I don’t experience that at all, quite the opposite : it’s dark and “brown” sounding with all my guitars (50ies Gibson ES-125, Ibanez AF55, DIY ES-330, Japanese ES-175 copy), even with the tweeter engaged.
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This is my experience as well. My Henriksens have a Polytone sound and my Quilter Mach 3 Combo does Fender sounds (and a few others). But the solid state amps are still behind the Fender(ish) tube amps for tone. As I no longer wish to maintain or carry a full tube amp, I have a Hybrid Milkman amp, but I would concede that while my Milkman beats the Quilter for Fender tone, an all tube amp (and Milkman makes those) still produce the best tone to my ears. Originally Posted by Little Jay
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I hear this a lot. Are those of you who think the Blu is dark switching the tweeter on? My Blu has warmth with more than a bit of sparkle with the tweeter on and the EQ pots at noon. Originally Posted by Little Jay
Cutting the bass or boosting treble and presence with the tweeter on will thin out the tone, and each option gives a different character.
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I feel so even with the tweeter switched on. Perhaps I should experience a bit more with the tone controls…. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
I did try to make it sound more Fendery by scooping the mids, but then it loses a lot of volume, especially when you turn down the high mid pot.
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That it does! I think this is why some users report inadequate volume and others claim their Blu or Bud will stand up to a 17 piece band. I’ve had a few gigs with mine where I needed the volume at about 3 o’clock, with all EQ at noon, using a laminated archtop with a Benedetto B7 in it. The B7 is not very high output, despite its high static resistance measurement. Originally Posted by Little Jay
I’m going to try my Zensation pedal into it, to see if a little input boost will up the SPL a bit.
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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