Quilter Tone Block exf out/in

[Woody Sound]

It doesn't appear to have exf out/in, correct?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Correct. The are two speaker outs in the back, but that's it.

[jads57]

I looked at the websight for info, but it doesn't have much. I'm kind of confused as well how the contour knob works. I agree it would be great to have an effects loop to have more options, but maybe it works just fine plugged straight into the input and one tone knob? By the way I have an Aviator 1x12" combo and like the 2nd channel better since it has more tonal shaping options.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

True, both the Aviator and the Micro Pro come in a head, which is a cool thing for a SS amp company to do.

[Flyin' Brian]

I think it was made to use with modelling gear, synthesizers and the like. I look at it strictly as a power amp. Any tone shaping would be between the source and the Tone Block.

Personally I think it's a great idea for use with my Roland GR-55. Both the synth and the Tone Block could be mounted on the same pedal board ... add a speaker and you're golden.

The Tone Block can be run dead flat with the contour knob in the middle detent. Turning it clockwise cuts bass and add mids and treble. Turning it counter clockwise does the opposite. I don't think that it was designed as a stand alone piece of equipment in terms of tonal flexibility. They already offer the amp heads for that application.

[jzucker]

i still want to know why you'd use that over something like the carvin BX250 or BX500 which have a full suite of tone controls, graphic eq and a tube on the BX500, effects loops, XLR out etc?

To me, the tone block needs to be well under $300 to make it competitive unless they want to refactor it with a treble and bass control. IMO...

This is $150 less than the tone block with way more power and flexibility...

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

^ 2 parametric mids => nice!

[jzucker]

^ 2 parametric mids => nice!

for $250 and occasionally if you check ebay carvin is periodically selling scratch-n-dent units for 20% off. I wish they'd make a jazz amp. I bet they could to it for $499 with this same power amp and built in reverb

[jzucker]

i'd be curious how this sounds with a reverb pedal?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/MB12

[Jim Soloway]

i'd be curious how this sounds with a reverb pedal?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/MB12

I bought one and sent it back after about three days. I was never able to get a decent guitar sound out of it and I tried really hard. We don't always share taste in amplifiers so perhaps it would work better for you but that was my experience.

[ooglybong]

i'd be curious how this sounds with a reverb pedal?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/MB12

Indeed. Jack, I would totally agree with your points here for the features included and at this price point. Nice.

My only minor niggle would be in the ergonomics of having every cable running out of the top of the combo, including the power cord. No big deal, though. And an effects loop would be nice, too, but hey....

But, as someone who has often commented negatively on the frequency ranges of certain amp's tone controls (IIRC, the Treble range on the AI amps, for instance), what's your opinion of using one of these Carvin Micro Bass units for guitar as regards the EQ? Or does the onboard parametric really make this a non-issue from the start? TIA.

[jzucker]

Indeed. Jack, I would totally agree with your points here for the features included and at this price point. Nice.

My only minor niggle would be in the ergonomics of having every cable running out of the top of the combo, including the power cord. No big deal, though. And an effects loop would be nice, too, but hey....

But, as someone who has often commented negatively on the frequency ranges of certain amp's tone controls (IIRC, the Treble range on the AI amps, for instance), what's your opinion of using one of these Carvin Micro Bass units for guitar as regards the EQ? Or does the onboard parametric really make this a non-issue from the start? TIA.

i haven't tried the bass amp combo but i've owned the bx250 and bx500 heads. The bx250 has the tone controls in the wrong place for treble and so does the 500 but the 500's graphic eq makes it workable. With the 250, it was fine for a dark, jimmy bruno style jazz tone but if you wanted the benson tone you would need a barbeq , ethos or something similar.

And the tone of the heads was fantastic through a decent cab. I ran it through my AI Corus speaker setup and it was very nice for bass, jazz guitar and acoustic. I think it's a bit more transparent than the AI heads so it also works as a "power amp" if you want to plug your preamp into it. And unlike the AI which has a parallel effects loop, you can plug a preamp such as the ethos directly into the effect return so you're using only the power section.

[Woody Sound]

i still want to know why you'd use that over something like the carvin BX250 or BX500 which have a full suite of tone controls, graphic eq and a tube on the BX500, effects loops, XLR out etc?

Because I was intrigued by the idea of mounting it on a pedalboard instead of carrying it as a head.

[jzucker]

Because I was intrigued by the idea of mounting it on a pedalboard instead of carrying it as a head.

at 4lbs, couldn't you just carry it in a gig bag and set it up when you get there? Seems like a good tradeoff for all the versatility it has.

Have you seen the demeter pedalboard amp? More expensive but it sure looks sweet.

http://www.gizmag.com/demeter-mighty-minnie/29289/

[fep]

I have a Carvin MB 12. I really like it for Bass. Haven't tried it for guitar (I don't have a reverb pedal).

[jads57]

Someone on Quilter forums said that using the Gain knob set to line level should accomodate other preamps (Tech 21 Blonde,Liverpool,etc.) I hadn't noticed the adjustment level markings on the Gain control before. It certainly makes it more appealing. But I still wish they had an effects loop option!

[jzucker]

why does it need a loop if it doesn't generate distortion?

again, put a concentric treble/bass control on it and call it a day.

[jads57]

I sometimes like to either run a volume pedal as overall level, and or run time based effects in the loop(delay,chorus).

[jzucker]

the only reason to run time based effects in a loop is if the amp is adding overdrive or reverb. Otherwise, you can just put them before or after.

[Woody Sound]

why does it need a loop if it doesn't generate distortion?

Ah, but doesn't it?

[jads57]

I use distortion/od pedals in front of the input.

[jzucker]

I use distortion/od pedals in front of the input.

right and in that case, you just put your reverb pedal after the overdrive.

Woody, i can't see anywhere that it does produce distortion/overdrive. In the video, i don't know if the guy was using a pedal or not. If you were using it for overdrive then yes, it would be a fatal flaw not to have a loop but honestly, my zendrive clone and ethos are 10x better than the overdrive in my quilter so I can't imagine using the overdrive.

[nosoyninja]

The tone block is just a power amp. A really small form factor power amp with alot of clean power for such a small size. That's it. That's it's only claim to fame. A really small really powerful power amp.

[jorgemg1984]

The tone block can accept direct guitar signal, attenuation to use with more guitaristic speakers and maybe speaker emulated line out? Was not sure on this last one. I don't think the Carvin has these features.

Even with 100% clean sounds I prefer reverb and delay on the loop, they blend better with the clean tone.

[Woody Sound]

I dunno. I was thinking if they are advertising real tube tone, and you set the master on a lower wattage, and the gain way up, doesn't that spell distortion?