Quilter Aviator 8" Amp Gain Knob and Speaker???

[Wildcat]

I just picked up this model. I am really just getting adjusted to the amp. A couple of things jumped out at me.

The gain knob on channel 2. Its great from (clock settings) 9:00 to 12:00. But beyond 12:00 if I dig in with my pick aggressively, the gain distorts in away that sounds not so good to me. I am missing something?


With the closed back, the 8" speaker really booms with bass. I really have to dial the bass knob back and turn up the treble. Has anybody tried different speakers based on this?

[greasy0015]

You may want to ask the Quilter Amp Users Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/quilteramps/

Quilter uses this Facebook group as their official discussion forum. It is quite active.

[vernon]

I had an Aviator head and thought it was a very good clean amp and pedal platform. Didn't really like the internal overdrive so I gravitated toward pedals (Ethos and Greer) which worked very well. I now have 101 mini which I like. But even it's overdrive was improved, I still use pedals for that.

[Wildcat]

I had an Aviator head and thought it was a very good clean amp and pedal platform. Didn't really like the internal overdrive so I gravitated toward pedals (Ethos and Greer) which worked very well. I now have 101 mini which I like. But even it's overdrive was improved, I still use pedals for that.

Thank you for the perspective. SS gain has been around along time. The lowly Peavey Envoy transtube does gain much better than the Quilter. Every thing else is done very well. I just don't get it.

[Longways to Go]

If you don't want the overdrive, just don't turn up the gain knob?
I'm pretty sure it's meant to distort -- whether you like the distortion sound or not is another thing

[Greentone]

Depending upon what you have in mind you may or may not really be a candidate for "modern" amps. 45 years ago, or so, Randall Smith modified the Fender Princeton Reverb (or maybe it was the Deluxe Reverb) to have much more power and to feature a true gain circuit--hence the birth of the Boogie and the development of the whole cascading gain stage, overdriven preamp stage amplifier industry.

Guitar amplifiers have evolved in general in the direction of distortion generation devices. With the advent of gain knobs the distortion of choice has become preamplifier distortion in preference to power amplifier distortion. Many--but not all--amps yet retain a rudimentary channel that features just a volume and tone knob. This is for those instances in which you want to get a decently loud, undistorted sound--whaddya, crazy or something?

The Quilter amp you show is of this design. It's design features prominently the ability to loudly distort the signal. For the first part of the wedding reception, however, when the old folks are still fox trotting, there is a "channel 1."

If you are principally a mainstream jazz player, or someone who gets drive and distortion via a pedal, then a clean amp is probably the way to go. There are loud, clean solid-state and tube amps in all sizes, weights, and prices that will fit the bill.

I still use old Polytones for these applications, but I would generally recommend modern, class-D amps for someone looking for a small, new, clean amp package. Henriksen Jazz Amps are good. So are Evans Jazz Amps. They are designed to play clean, but a pedal will add some East Bay grease in a hurry.

[marcwhy]

I just picked up this model. I am really just getting adjusted to the amp. A couple of things jumped out at me.

The gain knob on channel 2. Its great from (clock settings) 9:00 to 12:00. But beyond 12:00 if I dig in with my pick aggressively, the gain distorts in away that sounds not so good to me. I am missing something?


With the closed back, the 8" speaker really booms with bass. I really have to dial the bass knob back and turn up the treble. Has anybody tried different speakers based on this?

Man, you must be playing loud(ly)! Where do you have the Master? Crank the Master most, if not all the way up, then put the Gain on about 9:00 -- that will be loud and still fairly clean. If you put the Gain higher, then you must be playing in a decent sized venue, since that will be LOUD! If you reverse this pattern (Gain cranked, Master on 9:00) you'll get rock distortion, which can be fun at times.

What kind of guitar are you using -- hollow, semi-hollow? In F-style amps, I often have the bass on 3 (or 9:00 on the Quilter); nothing wrong with lowering the bass. I'd play around a bit more before trying another speaker.

[Wildcat]

Greentone thank you for the perspective and thoughts. Spot on as always.

I have been using a Peavey Envoy for several years now. It is 2012 model. A friend of mine that plays professionally uses it for the school and the classes he teaches. During 2013 I was living out of town during the week I want a "cheap" amp in case somebody broke into my apartment.

When I moved back I went back to my Fender. As for clean I have a 1964 Bandmaster head that I loaded into a combo. After A/B the Fender, I put it away and played the Peavey. To be honest the Fender needs to be tuned up. With the Peavey Transtube circuity you would be amazed at what your ears hear. 3 very usable cleans, and 3 progressively aggressive gains. I couldn't believe my ears. But I had the good fortunate to have that friend to confirm it.

I am thinking now that Quilter designed this as a strait ahead "fundamental" SS "Tube amp" without emulations or EQ pre-sets. I guess if you want something along those lines you move up to the Mach 2.

Bottomline is that is a great amp that sounds great. A clean platform to add pedals as you like. And based on your discussion I think the gain knob is based on early circuity.

BTW I did know the story with Boogie amps. But I did know about Paul Rivera's design concepts in those direction in the early 80's for Fender.

Depending upon what you have in mind you may or may not really be a candidate for "modern" amps. 45 years ago, or so, Randall Smith modified the Fender Princeton Reverb (or maybe it was the Deluxe Reverb) to have much more power and to feature a true gain circuit--hence the birth of the Boogie and the development of the whole cascading gain stage, overdriven preamp stage amplifier industry.

Guitar amplifiers have evolved in general in the direction of distortion generation devices. With the advent of gain knobs the distortion of choice has become preamplifier distortion in preference to power amplifier distortion. Many--but not all--amps yet retain a rudimentary channel that features just a volume and tone knob. This is for those instances in which you want to get a decently loud, undistorted sound--whaddya, crazy or something?

The Quilter amp you show is of this design. It's design features prominently the ability to loudly distort the signal. For the first part of the wedding reception, however, when the old folks are still fox trotting, there is a "channel 1."

If you are principally a mainstream jazz player, or someone who gets drive and distortion via a pedal, then a clean amp is probably the way to go. There are loud, clean solid-state and tube amps in all sizes, weights, and prices that will fit the bill.

I still use old Polytones for these applications, but I would generally recommend modern, class-D amps for someone looking for a small, new, clean amp package. Henriksen Jazz Amps are good. So are Evans Jazz Amps. They are designed to play clean, but a pedal will add some East Bay grease in a hurry.

[Wildcat]

Marc basically in all honesty I have been "driving" a Ford. Now I moved up to say a ""Porsche".

My questions are a function of my ignorance and I have exposed those publically. I did so to understand. Also, its is a function of not playing an amp in person. I did play the Mach 2 at my local dealer, but the Aviator is a different amp. IMO With the Mach 2 its too easy to get caught up in all of the functions. As a nod to Mr. Spock, based on my needs the Aviator is logical.

"Live Long and Prosper"

Man, you must be playing loud(ly)! Where do you have the Master? Crank the Master most, if not all the way up, then put the Gain on about 9:00 -- that will be loud and still fairly clean. If you put the Gain higher, then you must be playing in a decent sized venue, since that will be LOUD! If you reverse this pattern (Gain cranked, Master on 9:00) you'll get rock distortion, which can be fun at times.

What kind of guitar are you using -- hollow, semi-hollow? In F-style amps, I often have the bass on 3 (or 9:00 on the Quilter); nothing wrong with lowering the bass. I'd play around a bit more before trying another speaker.

[jads57]

I have both an Aviator 1x12 Combo and and a Mach 2 head. They definitely are different in some ways! The Aviator 1x8 has a 125 watt 8" speaker so I don't think it's distorting at all. As mentioned above, run your pre gain at noon or lower and adjust your master volume. If more volume is needed add another small extention cab , even another high powered 8" I still am learning how to run my Mach 2 head, it just takes a bunch of gigs and experimenting!

[Wildcat]

Thank you. Good insight. I read some where it mentioned that this particular amp can keep up with a 40-60 tube amp. I am definitely not use to that.

As mentioned above, run your pre gain at noon or lower and adjust your master volume. If more volume is needed add another small extension cab

I have both an Aviator 1x12 Combo and and a Mach 2 head. They definitely are different in some ways! The Aviator 1x8 has a 125 watt 8" speaker so I don't think it's distorting at all. As mentioned above, run your pre gain at noon or lower and adjust your master volume. If more volume is needed add another small extention cab , even another high powered 8" I still am learning how to run my Mach 2 head, it just takes a bunch of gigs and experimenting!

[jads57]

I switched over to Quilter amps in the last 2 years from Mesa Boogies. It's not that I didn't care for Mesa Boogie amps,quite the contrary. But at 59 years old I just got sick of lugging heavy problematic tube amps around. The clean channel is what I use along w/ various small pedal set up, and am just as happy w/ the Quilters. I play fairly loud and like a lot of clean headroom as well and the Quilters deliver that the same everytime and every venue no mater the poor wall voltage source. That was an added benefit I hadn't counted on, and am pleasantly surprised!

[Wildcat]

Good stuff!!! I love it!! It's all so good!!

I switched over to Quilter amps in the last 2 years from Mesa Boogies. It's not that I didn't care for Mesa Boogie amps,quite the contrary. But at 59 years old I just got sick of lugging heavy problematic tube amps around. The clean channel is what I use along w/ various small pedal set up, and am just as happy w/ the Quilters. I play fairly loud and like a lot of clean headroom as well and the Quilters deliver that the same everytime and every venue no mater the poor wall voltage source. That was an added benefit I hadn't counted on, and am pleasantly surprised!

[Wildcat]

This is exactly what I am looking for!!

The clean channel is what I use along w/ various small pedal set up, and am just as happy w/ the Quilters. I play fairly loud and like a lot of clean headroom as well and the Quilters deliver that the same everytime and every venue no mater the poor wall voltage source.

I switched over to Quilter amps in the last 2 years from Mesa Boogies. It's not that I didn't care for Mesa Boogie amps,quite the contrary. But at 59 years old I just got sick of lugging heavy problematic tube amps around. The clean channel is what I use along w/ various small pedal set up, and am just as happy w/ the Quilters. I play fairly loud and like a lot of clean headroom as well and the Quilters deliver that the same everytime and every venue no mater the poor wall voltage source. That was an added benefit I hadn't counted on, and am pleasantly surprised!

[marcwhy]

Marc basically in all honesty I have been "driving" a Ford. Now I moved up to say a ""Porsche".

My questions are a function of my ignorance and I have exposed those publically. I did so to understand. Also, its is a function of not playing an amp in person. I did play the Mach 2 at my local dealer, but the Aviator is a different amp. IMO With the Mach 2 its too easy to get caught up in all of the functions. As a nod to Mr. Spock, based on my needs the Aviator is logical.

"Live Long and Prosper"

Hey, you're good -- "no such thing as dumb questions," as they say … especially when it comes to new gear!

[vernon]

+1 for the clean channel with pedals... the ethos sounded so good that way that I sold my Ceriatone dumble clone. Got 95% of the way there with less muss and fuss.

[entresz]

I have the Twin Ten version of that amp. The 8'' is a full range speaker from what I've read, so that's probably why the overdrive might sound a bit odd? It would certainly sound different to a 'normal' guitar amp speaker. The overdrive on my twin ten is one of the best I've used. Depending on the pickups, channel two remains clean until the 10-12 o'clock mark.

[marcwhy]

Rich (Wildcat),
Any progress with the clean/dirty sounds?

Marc

[Wildcat]

Rich (Wildcat),
Any progress with the clean/dirty sounds?

Marc

Yes. Basically it comes down to the gain and master volume with the balance between them. I have been working with them within my small studio. But there are limits with that space and the shear clean volume this amp can put out.

Honestly I like a bit of an edge or dirt with my tone. But I had wanted to get a feel for what the amp can do. I have to get to a space where I can open it up a bit more. Thank you for asking.

BTW I just got a 1966 Fender Princeton Non-reverb amp delivered last night. I am going to clean her up a bit, and slip a Weber replacement speaker in. Should be interesting A/B.

Oh and I pull the trigger on a Sweetwater Limited Edition Princeton Reverb. It's in a lacquer tweed and a 12" Eminence Cannabis Rex. This model is the same price as the reissued "65 Princeton Reverb. With their 36 months no interest, and I bought the demo they had. It was a no brainer. With the weather turning cold and rainy, I be set for the coming months. Now A/B/C lol

/www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PrinceRev65FSR

[marcwhy]

Cool -- happy experimenting!

[gggomez]

How would you compare the tones of the Aviator v Princeton.

Does the 8 inch sound like it is small, that weird boxy 8 inch sound?