Quilter vs Roland Blues Cube vs Mambo

**Aant** · 01-27-2016, 11:36 AM

Hi,

I'm looking for an amp and need your precious input. So far, I have narrowed my options down to the Quilter Aviator and Micropro models, the Roland Blues Cube and the Mambo - in that theoretical order of preference.

Tube amps are excluded, I'd like to stay away from the hassle of maintenance and want to plug the machine to a computer for recording purposes; as far as I can hear, the tones of the Quilters and Roland are close to tube tones, at least close enough for my taste.

The amp has to be versatile. I wish to be able to enjoy convincing blues and rock tones out of my Stratocaster
and my SG and a great jazz tone with my Eastman 372, with our without effect pedals. The Mambo may therefore not
really suit my needs, it ended up in my list because of the great opinions gathered in this forum. Also, I will use it for home practice/recording and possibly with a band.

I however struggle to decide as I can not find these amps in my Belgian area to try, they kind of all have the usual suspects (Blackstars, Hot Rod, Vox etc).

From what I could hear on the web, my preference would go to the Aviator 2x10, as it seems to sound warmer than
the 8 and 12 models. A Belgian shop (one of the three European dealers!) has the Micropro 8 and Aviator 8 and 12 in stock, I will have to wait till their next order to obtain a 2x10 (not soon). So I'm wondering: how do these models compare for what I'm looking for? Are the additional features of the Micropros worth considering? Should I maybe consider the other Micropro models?

The Roland Blues Cube looks cool too, had anyone already compared this Cube with Quilters? I like the power control feature but it does not seem to be that much of a game changer.

The Mambo is probably the best choice for jazz only, but I doubt it would really be as pleasant with a distorted sound as the Quilters/Roland, but if someone has a different opinion I'm all ears.

Please post anything you find worth mentioning, thank you in advance!

**jzucker** · 01-27-2016, 02:12 PM

The mambo combo amp would not be a good choice for bluesy, strat playing. I have gotten an acceptable overdriven tone using a zendrive with it but only "acceptable". It sounds much better through an open back cabinet though.

**Fidelcaster** · 01-27-2016, 03:52 PM

Regarding the Blues Cube, which I'm planning to buy shortly: I had a brief exchange with Avi Bortnick (solo artist, member of John Scofield Band etc.) about it and he told he liked the tone but for him the BC Stage (60W) didn't have enough clean headroom, as it's meant to crunch as you raise the (channels') volume. So, if you end up buying a BC, make sure the model you choose has enough headroom for your needs!

**docbop** · 01-27-2016, 04:13 PM

You appear want to play all sort of style to me I'd just go with a Roland Cube inexpensive, lots a nice sounds, and built like a tank. They weight a ton, but if you find an old Yamaha G100 or G50 they are real nice SS amps so are the old Peavey Bandits like the Teal stripe era.

**jads57** · 01-27-2016, 11:51 PM

Quilter all the way! Best attributes of a Fender amp w/out the negatives!

**MaxTwang** · 01-28-2016, 12:24 AM

The Quilter's sound good and are small and light. I would recommend going to the Belgian shop and trying the MicroPro and Aviator - the 6 voices on the MicroPro II are nice to have when you're using it with different guitars.

Also look at the Cubes, really good amps for a great price.

**cosmic gumbo** · 01-28-2016, 04:47 AM

You only playing at home and recording? I'd grab a cheap Fender Mustang amp, you can make it sound like anything.

**Aant** · 01-29-2016, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

The mambo combo amp would not be a good choice for bluesy, strat playing. I have gotten an acceptable overdriven tone using a zendrive with it but only "acceptable". It sounds much better through an open back cabinet though.

Ok thanks, I did not expect this kind of tone to be great with the Mambo anyway.

Originally Posted by docbop

You appear want to play all sort of style to me I'd just go with a Roland Cube inexpensive, lots a nice sounds, and built like a tank. They weight a ton, but if you find an old Yamaha G100 or G50 they are real nice SS amps so are the old Peavey Bandits like the Teal stripe era.

I'll need to try these classic Cubes, they shouldn't be hard to find.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check the Yamahas and Bandits out and see if they can also provide a nice fenderish tone as mentioned by jads57. Oddly enough this is the first time I'm hearing about the G50/100.

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

Regarding the Blues Cube, which I'm planning to buy shortly: I had a brief exchange with Avi Bortnick (solo artist, member of John Scofield Band etc.) about it and he told he liked the tone but for him the BC Stage (60W) didn't have enough clean headroom, as it's meant to crunch as you raise the (channels') volume. So, if you end up buying a BC, make sure the model you choose has enough headroom for your needs!

Sounds logical. I wonder at what volume the crunch starts so step in, but anyway that's indeed worth considering - a large clean headroom is preferable, I hate not to get a clean tone at any volume when needed, that ruins the fun. I'm looking forward to reading your opinion when you buy that Blues Cube.

Originally Posted by MaxTwang

The Quilter's sound good and are small and light. I would recommend going to the Belgian shop and trying the MicroPro and Aviator - the 6 voices on the MicroPro II are nice to have when you're using it with different guitars.

Definitely, trying before buying is the way to do but I probably won't be able to get there anytime soon (not nearby), hence my questions. It will be easier to find a shop around with the classic cubes that get so much love here.

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

You only playing at home and recording? I'd grab a cheap Fender Mustang amp, you can make it sound like anything.

That is a good idea however I'd like to use the amp to play with other musicians (ie (especially) drummer), and that amp will most probably be my only amp for a long time, I don't have any for the moment. Would the mustang deliver enough power? And what about the modelisation? I've always been relunctant to invest in it (although I admit the Quilters/Blues Cube imitates tubes somehow).

Thank you everyone for your replies.

**Aant** · 02-02-2016, 09:01 AM

So, I could check a Cube in a local store. Great amp for sure, also cheap and robust looking. Not sure if I prefer its tone over what I could hear on Internet of the Quilters/Blues Cube/G50-100 and Bandit - hard to compare an amp played in the flesh with sounds on the web...

This Peavy bandit seems to be a bit neglected although its tone is quite convincing and way better than I expected for a Peavey (for whatever illogical reason). I'm quite optimistic to find one to try if I head to the capital's stores, it definitely owns its place in my list.

The Yamahas seem uneasy to find, let alone try. From what I heard the other aforementioned models compete well with them. I'll keep looking.

Anyway, this thread about the Session BBs got me really interested in this model. It's not that expensive and sounds excellent. Again, it's not easy to compare based on recordings available on the internet but I, for the moment, prefer it over the Quilters, Blues Cubes and Bandits. That clearly doesn't help me make a decision...

**Fidelcaster** · 02-02-2016, 04:31 PM

The BluesBoy sure seems to sound great!

**Woody Sound** · 02-02-2016, 05:03 PM

I bought an original Quilter MP200-12 for times I don't want to carry either of my Pearce's. One versatile thing I like about it is, you can get 3 levels of gain/drive without any exf pedals.

1. Clean channel
2. Switch channel for more grit
3. Hit boost, which can be set for even more gain/dist if you like

And you only need the included two-button pedal to do that, you don't need the additional/extra cost six-button pedal.

I'm doing Evita in a few weeks, and I might even use this for the electric parts instead of the Pearce.

However, I don't know if the newer version of the MP is laid out that way, I would THINK it is. Maybe someone else here knows for sure.

**Aant** · 02-03-2016, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I bought an original Quilter MP200-12 for times I don't want to carry either of my Pearce's. One versatile thing I like about it is, you can get 3 levels of gain/drive without any exf pedals.

1. Clean channel
2. Switch channel for more grit
3. Hit boost, which can be set for even more gain/dist if you like

This kind of feature is indeed lacking in the Award-Session BB, but its price (starting at €600 whereas the MP is priced above €1000) is softer; these kind of options are nice but quite costly.

**boatheelmusic** · 02-03-2016, 08:53 AM

The Mustang III, with 100 watts is plenty loud, can sound like anything, and has aux in and headphone and usb outputs.

Nice price, too.

Strongly recommend trying one out in your home over a long enough period to understand it and using the Fuse software.

Look at the youtube videos.

**Fidelcaster** · 02-03-2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Aant

This kind of feature is indeed lacking in the Award-Session BB, but its price (starting at €600 whereas the MP is priced above €1000) is softer; these kind of options are nice but quite costly.

In fact I still have a soft spot for the Blues Cube because of its power-scaling and USB out.

**christianm77** · 02-03-2016, 09:16 AM

I wish I could try a Quilter in the UK. Something like that with a lightweight cab would be super practical for gigs when I can't drive.

Funny thing is I think Quilter would do really well over here because musos often want to use public transport and I believe that's pretty rare in the states apart from maybe places like NY.

For me the American dream is rolling up in your big car and wheeling out your Fender Twin haha. Impossible 90% of the time for the gigs I do. Living in a top floor apartment, a Princeton Reverb is quite enough to be hauling up and down three flights of stairs....

**Aant** · 02-03-2016, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

In fact I still have a soft spot for the Blues Cube because of its power-scaling and USB out.

This is an interesting feature indeed. However, I do not clearly understand how this compares to the BluesBaby Volume/Gain controls. As per the BB manual the volume knob's function is to control gain, therefore as far as I understand a sweet distorted sound can be obtained at pretty much any level. It confuses me (pardon my ignorance).

Originally Posted by boatheelmusic

The Mustang III, with 100 watts is plenty loud, can sound like anything, and has aux in and headphone and usb outputs.

Noted, thanks. It shouldn't be difficult to find one to try - the usb output is not a must have for me, I'm fairly happy with my old Apogee Duet.

Originally Posted by christianm77

Funny thing is I think Quilter would do really well over here because musos often want to use public transport and I believe that's pretty rare in the states apart from maybe places like NY.

It seems that the Quilters could be successful anywhere imo, they're really appealing.

**abelljo** · 02-03-2016, 10:42 AM

Quilter Aviator!

**Fidelcaster** · 02-03-2016, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Aant

This is an interesting feature indeed. However, I do not clearly understand how this compares to the BluesBaby Volume/Gain controls. As per the BB manual the volume knob's function is to control gain, therefore as far as I understand a sweet distorted sound can be obtained at pretty much any level.

The BluesBaby has fixed wattage, whereas the Blues Cube has variable wattage. This means that as you lower the wattage, you lower the clean headroom and are able to tap into the nonlinear power amp's bluesy compression and distortion at bedroom or small club volumes. As it's clearly stated in the demos of the BB on YouTube, the guitar tone fattens as you raise the Master. Still, the BB22 should be quite manageable in most places.

**christianm77** · 02-03-2016, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Aant

It seems that the Quilters could be successful anywhere imo, they're really appealing.

Quite. International distribution would be awesome.... Hopefully a matter of time if they are popular in the US.

**Aant** · 02-04-2016, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

The BluesBaby has fixed wattage, whereas the Blues Cube has variable wattage. This means that as you lower the wattage, you lower the clean headroom and are able to tap into the nonlinear power amp's bluesy compression and distortion at bedroom or small club volumes. As it's clearly stated in the demos of the BB on YouTube, the guitar tone fattens as you raise the Master. Still, the BB22 should be quite manageable in most places.

Ok thank you for this explanation.

**Little Jay** · 02-04-2016, 12:40 PM

I find my BluesBaby 22 overdrives - especiallty the 'on the edge-break up' - very sweet on every volume, inspite of what the Award Session site says about fattening up the tone as volume increases.

The BB45 may sound thinner on low volume because of it's more powerful power amp? Although I doubt if it's very noticeable.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 02-04-2016, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by christianm77

For me the American dream is rolling up in your big car and wheeling out your Fender Twin haha.

Yee-haw!

**Aant** · 02-05-2016, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

I find my BluesBaby 22 overdrives - especiallty the 'on the edge-break up' - very sweet on every volume, inspite of what the Award Session site says about fattening up the tone as volume increases.

The BB45 may sound thinner on low volume because of it's more powerful power amp? Although I doubt if it's very noticeable.

Good question, I did not think about this; I will ask Award-Session.

**newsense** · 02-05-2016, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

Quite. International distribution would be awesome.... Hopefully a matter of time if they are popular in the US.

There are already two Quilter dealers in Europe. I have just ordered the Mini Head from stock from Euroamps+ in Denmark; expecting delivery early next week.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 02-05-2016, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

I find my BluesBaby 22 overdrives - especiallty the 'on the edge-break up' - very sweet on every volume, inspite of what the Award Session site says about fattening up the tone as volume increases.

The BB45 may sound thinner on low volume because of it's more powerful power amp? Although I doubt if it's very noticeable.

I asked this in another thread but maybe you know: the tone stack on the BlueBaby (22 or 45) is it more of a scooped mids Blackface or more of a flat Baxandall?

Award Sessions are still as rare as hen's teeth in North America.