The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #51

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    I've added a video of the 61 voice to the OP.

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  3. #52

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
    I still have the Milkman. They're quite different. The Milkman is thicker sounding and has really good trem and reverb. It's much bigger and has a tube in the pre-amp. With a dingle voice, the Milkman is less versatile but that doesn't matter much since I tend to stick with a single voice anyway. Part of why I got this amp is that for the first time in many years I consciously want to change my sound. I want to get more clarity and less bass and I want a single amp that handles everything I might want to play through it. The Milkman handles some guitars better than others. It's exquisite with a Telecaster, a bit less so with my humbucker guitar and not very good at all with my Emerald acoustics with their low powered Krivo ultra-thin humbuckers. The Quilter handles all of them equally well and is surprisingly good with the bigger Emerald. It never gets really think and swampy like the Milkman but it has way more clarity and sparkle.
    Curious about whether you're suggesting the Superblock sounds thin? I'm an admitted tube snob and I have to say that the few Quilters I've tried in the past (guitar and bass) just didn't do it for me and "thin" might be in the ballpark for a word that describes why. I'm impressed by the rave reviews this and the Aviator Cub are getting, thinking about getting a Cub at GC given their return policy, that way I could spend some time with it. I also wondered if you might share a little detail about your cabinet, IIRC you said it was a custom job. Open or closed back? Speaker choice? Weight? Thanks!

  4. #53

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    Quote Originally Posted by kevmoga
    Curious about whether you're suggesting the Superblock sounds thin? I'm an admitted tube snob and I have to say that the few Quilters I've tried in the past (guitar and bass) just didn't do it for me and "thin" might be in the ballpark for a word that describes why. I'm impressed by the rave reviews this and the Aviator Cub are getting, thinking about getting a Cub at GC given their return policy, that way I could spend some time with it. I also wondered if you might share a little detail about your cabinet, IIRC you said it was a custom job. Open or closed back? Speaker choice? Weight? Thanks!
    Since that last post the Quilter has replaced my Milkman. The cab is a little 1x10 open back based on the small Mesa 1x10 cab. It's loaded with a 10" Cannabis Rex. The cab weighs about 18 lbs loaded. Here's a demo video that I posted of the setup this past weekend. This is with the 61 voice which is the thinnest sounding of the three (but I think also the most balanced). This was recorded with a pretty accurate mic and there's no added processing.


  5. #54

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    That’s awesome, thanks - apologies for not watching until the end of your video the first time, that answered some of my questions. Your playing is great, I have the feeling you can make anything sound good!

  6. #55

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    Yesterday I played a Casino Coupe through SuperBlock US in the 57 mode and a TOOB 6.5BG in a seven-piece swing band. Compliment after compliment for tone, but halfway I was asked to turn my volume down. Plenty to spare even with the small 4.2 lbs cab. Seriously loud with more sensitive 10" and 12" units.

  7. #56

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    For a different (non jazz) perspective on the Quilterblock US, I got mine about two weeks ago and have put it to good use in a couple of different bands.
    Band no 1, country/rock/blues four piece, me playing lead guitar on a ES-335
    Band no 2 Southern soul, Muscle Shoals/Stax type seven piece, me playing lead/rhythm guitar with a Telecaster
    Both bands are rehearsing for gigs later on this autumn when lockdown rules are lightened.
    Plugged the Quilterblock into a Mesa Thiele 1x12 cab, nothing but a tremolo pedal between guitar and amp.
    I have to say that the Quilterblock worked very well, enough headroom to cut through, enough grit to get a nice edge of breakup tone, and definitely no lack of volume when needed.
    Members of both bands were impressed by this pedal sized amp.
    All in all a really useful package for real world situations.
    PS I have also ordered a TOOB cab from Mr Gitterbug (see above) to hopefully make my life a little easier rushing between rehearsal rooms...

  8. #57

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    Hi,

    I have had the Quilter SB US and a TOOB 6,5 BG (bought recently second hand) now for a couple of weeks, and here are some of my experiences.

    I really like the tone this combination brings. My '64 Vibro Champ stays aside as I play this at home now. I mostly play clean jazz or some light overdrive bluesy stuff. So at home I am quite happy with it. For last couple of days I have loved the sound I get from it with my Ibanez PM-100 and a Moogerfooger 101 low pass filter, no other effects. Absolutely fantastic. At home I also like the headphone option, and the fact that I can forget the amp on for hours... I don't want to do that with any vintage amps. Also the built in reverb really is nice enough. I have an Eventide H9 and Neunaber Wet to compare it to, and although it is no eventide nor a neunaber I am perfectly happy. It is much better than the reverb in my AER 60/3.

    On gigs/jams I haven't yet been that happy. I tried it in big band rehearsals (just once so far), and I didn't like it as much as my AER 60/3. It sounded ok, but somehow I thought I had to put the volume knob AND the gain know quite up to be heard. It might have been because of the guitar: a build by Sound Trade luthier Petri Kallio using NOS parts made for an old Finnish Noso archtop from the 50's, with the very low output Atilla Zoller Shadow pickup (a fantastic pickup btw). I had no pedals, so that might have contributing to the low volume. The AER has always handled these situations easily with this guitar and sounds glorious. Well, it is 60 W after all. So, last week I chose the AER to the big band gig and left the Quilter home. I will keep trying though, what sounds good is mysteriously volatile... :-)

    I also tried The Quilter/Toob combination at a jam session with my G&L Asat Special. Still no pedals. It was nice at first when the overall playing volume was low enough, but quite quickly the jam got so loud that the Toob was clearly not loud enough. There was a 100 W Katana next to me which sounded very good and quite overwhelming. I could have used the DI of course, but that would have been different.

    I have also used it in two band rehearsals (funky stuff), and there it was loud enough and sounded good.

    After that, back at my rehearsing space I did some testing with some available bigger cabs. With a bigger cab volume was clearly better, up there with my deluxe reverb or at least almost. I tried a 1X12 Framus cab with an unknown (to me) cone which was my favourite. Also a prototype handmade 1X12 cab by Ursa Minor Industries with a Jensen Blackbird which was almost as good. I also tried an old Polytone PA -60 cab which I have sitting around. That sounded too dark and boomy, although I remember it has sounded better with other amps in the past, I think. Well, however, my point is, the small Toob might not be enough when it gets loud enough. On the other hand I am quite certain it will handle most small band situations quite well, especially when you play with a jazz drummer. I am thinking about buying a bigger Toob. I love the sound, the weight and the design! Congrats to Gitterbug for great work!

  9. #58

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    Quote Originally Posted by Will Box
    For a different (non jazz) perspective on the Quilterblock US, I got mine about two weeks ago and have put it to good use in a couple of different bands.
    Band no 1, country/rock/blues four piece, me playing lead guitar on a ES-335
    Band no 2 Southern soul, Muscle Shoals/Stax type seven piece, me playing lead/rhythm guitar with a Telecaster
    Both bands are rehearsing for gigs later on this autumn when lockdown rules are lightened.
    Plugged the Quilterblock into a Mesa Thiele 1x12 cab, nothing but a tremolo pedal between guitar and amp.
    I have to say that the Quilterblock worked very well, enough headroom to cut through, enough grit to get a nice edge of breakup tone, and definitely no lack of volume when needed.
    Members of both bands were impressed by this pedal sized amp.
    All in all a really useful package for real world situations.
    PS I have also ordered a TOOB cab from Mr Gitterbug (see above) to hopefully make my life a little easier rushing between rehearsal rooms...

  10. #59

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonni
    Hi,

    I have had the Quilter SB US and a TOOB 6,5 BG (bought recently second hand) now for a couple of weeks, and here are some of my experiences.

    I really like the tone this combination brings. My '64 Vibro Champ stays aside as I play this at home now. I mostly play clean jazz or some light overdrive bluesy stuff. So at home I am quite happy with it. For last couple of days I have loved the sound I get from it with my Ibanez PM-100 and a Moogerfooger 101 low pass filter, no other effects. Absolutely fantastic. At home I also like the headphone option, and the fact that I can forget the amp on for hours... I don't want to do that with any vintage amps. Also the built in reverb really is nice enough. I have an Eventide H9 and Neunaber Wet to compare it to, and although it is no eventide nor a neunaber I am perfectly happy. It is much better than the reverb in my AER 60/3.

    On gigs/jams I haven't yet been that happy. I tried it in big band rehearsals (just once so far), and I didn't like it as much as my AER 60/3. It sounded ok, but somehow I thought I had to put the volume knob AND the gain know quite up to be heard. It might have been because of the guitar: a build by Sound Trade luthier Petri Kallio using NOS parts made for an old Finnish Noso archtop from the 50's, with the very low output Atilla Zoller Shadow pickup (a fantastic pickup btw). I had no pedals, so that might have contributing to the low volume. The AER has always handled these situations easily with this guitar and sounds glorious. Well, it is 60 W after all. So, last week I chose the AER to the big band gig and left the Quilter home. I will keep trying though, what sounds good is mysteriously volatile... :-)

    I also tried The Quilter/Toob combination at a jam session with my G&L Asat Special. Still no pedals. It was nice at first when the overall playing volume was low enough, but quite quickly the jam got so loud that the Toob was clearly not loud enough. There was a 100 W Katana next to me which sounded very good and quite overwhelming. I could have used the DI of course, but that would have been different.

    I have also used it in two band rehearsals (funky stuff), and there it was loud enough and sounded good.

    After that, back at my rehearsing space I did some testing with some available bigger cabs. With a bigger cab volume was clearly better, up there with my deluxe reverb or at least almost. I tried a 1X12 Framus cab with an unknown (to me) cone which was my favourite. Also a prototype handmade 1X12 cab by Ursa Minor Industries with a Jensen Blackbird which was almost as good. I also tried an old Polytone PA -60 cab which I have sitting around. That sounded too dark and boomy, although I remember it has sounded better with other amps in the past, I think. Well, however, my point is, the small Toob might not be enough when it gets loud enough. On the other hand I am quite certain it will handle most small band situations quite well, especially when you play with a jazz drummer. I am thinking about buying a bigger Toob. I love the sound, the weight and the design! Congrats to Gitterbug for great work!

  11. #60

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    I can subscribe to my countryman Jonni's analysis about the SuperBlock and Metro 6.5BG: perfect for small club settings (the cab's original raison d'être) but on the verge in louder venues/orchestras. Being heavily acoustically suspended for a deeper bass response, the BG isn't quite as loud as its siblings GP (20W) and GP+ (130W), which have four just lightly dampened rear ports instead of only one on the BG. Whether the bottleneck is the amp or the cab depends on which one you like or need more.

    The SB is loud for the size and wattage, but a 25W H&K Spirit of Vintage is louder still, and has a more usable overdrive zone (although some other features are inferior or missing.) When I need more clean power from a 6.5BG, I switch to the TC Electronic BAM200 amp. Equally portable, inexpensive, plenty of warm, clean sound. As I've said before, it's Polytone Replacement Therapy. Strangely, now that I have the on-board reverb of the SB, I miss it even less on the BAM. I understand most Polytone reverbs are long gone by now. A separate reverb isn't much more of a nuisance than Quilter's separate power unit.

    Finally, the SB has no difficulty keeping up with a full-blown jazzband when using a more efficient 10" or 12" speaker.

  12. #61

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    I have lots of history with the Blackface models but I'm really not a Tweed player so I struggled a bit with this one. Hopefully the Blackface demo will be a bit easier. I posted the Blonde demo about a week ago and I definitely became a fan while I was doing that.

    Last edited by Jim Soloway; 09-13-2021 at 02:03 PM.

  13. #62

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    Wow, I think I like that one the best of the three voices that you posted. But then, my favorite amp at home is a clone of a 5E3 so it may just be that this is the sort of sound I like. I think it "breathes" better and doesn't have the congested, nasal quality that I hear in blackface amps (unless they're pretty well cranked and starting to get some saturation).

  14. #63

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    Jim, I see, or rather hear, the difference to your first demo. Today, I was test driving three different TOOB cabs before shipping, two for guitar and one for bass. Went through all modes of the SuperBlock US, with single-coil surf, electric 12-string jingle-jangle and even bass well outside my comfort zone. The amp again fared commendably. While the Tweed mode remains my No.1 for jazz sound, the -61 voicing was quite pleasing to this stranger in a strange paradise.

  15. #64

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    Nice job, Jim. Sounded great.

  16. #65

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    After a few months in limbo, mine finally arrived!

    The Quilter Superblock USA-img_20210918_132509212-jpg

    Count me as another satisfied customer. It's everything I was hoping it would be, and I can't see running into any volume issues with this rig.

  17. #66

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jehu
    After a few months in limbo, mine finally arrived!

    The Quilter Superblock USA-img_20210918_132509212-jpg

    Count me as another satisfied customer. It's everything I was hoping it would be, and I can't see running into any volume issues with this rig.
    What a good looking rig!

  18. #67

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    Quote Originally Posted by wzpgsr;[URL="tel:1138436"
    1138436[/URL]]I can get a pretty reasonable facsimile of this sound with a Joyo American Sound pedal in front of a Quilter Microblock 45
    have you got any tips for settings
    on the Joyo ?
    I can’t get mine to sound good ....
    (its ok but not great)

  19. #68

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
    What a good looking rig!
    Right! Who built the cab?

  20. #69

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    Quote Originally Posted by pingu
    have you got any tips for settings
    on the Joyo ?
    I can’t get mine to sound good ....
    (its ok but not great)
    I think that’s about the right expectation for the Joyo, good not great. I usually keep the gain low, the voicing at about 1 or 2 o’clock, EQ to taste. The Joyo has the tone of a tweed amp, but not the feel. The fill is stiff.

    My Superblock US is getting a lot of mileage these days. More than I anticipated. The Joyo is sitting on the shelf, but in a pinch it would absolutely work for my purposes. I still prefer my tube amps to both Joyo and Superblock, but the Superblock is really well done and I love how easy it is to record with.

  21. #70

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    Quote Originally Posted by wzpgsr;[URL="tel:1147109"
    1147109[/URL]]I think that’s about the right expectation for the Joyo, good not great. I usually keep the gain low, the voicing at about 1 or 2 o’clock, EQ to taste. The Joyo has the tone of a tweed amp, but not the feel. The fill is stiff.

    My Superblock US is getting a lot of mileage these days. More than I anticipated. The Joyo is sitting on the shelf, but in a pinch it would absolutely work for my purposes. I still prefer my tube amps to both Joyo and Superblock, but the Superblock is really well done and I love how easy it is to record with.
    thats really helpful , thanks wz

    whats the Superblock like when you
    dig in ? does it get bluesy like a tube amp ?

    and thanks Jim too your
    videos are very helpful for the
    clean sounds , they sound really
    gorgeous

    I now need to know how the QSB
    responds when you dig in ....

    Im in the uk and can’t try one out

  22. #71

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    Quote Originally Posted by marcwhy
    Right! Who built the cab?
    Thanks! The cab is a Jehu original (as is the pedalboard).

    DIY Speaker Cabinet

  23. #72

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    Quote Originally Posted by pingu
    thats really helpful , thanks wz

    whats the Superblock like when you
    dig in ? does it get bluesy like a tube amp ?
    Yes, it can do that. There are lots of videos on YouTube demonstrating the gainy side of the amp.

  24. #73

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    This is my final demo of the Quilter Superblock US. It's 1 lick through all three voices (Blonde, Tweed, and Blackface). (Someone suggested that I use a looper for this but I don't have one and I'm not all that savvy with the technical alternatives, so I just played it three times. I think it provides a pretty good representation).

    I bought this entirely for the Blackface sounds but now that I've had it for a while, I can can definitely see using all three voices. The Blonde is the most balanced, the Tweed has the most presence and the Blackface feels like home to me. It's a wonderful amp and a ridiculously good value.

    Last edited by Jim Soloway; 09-20-2021 at 03:32 PM.

  25. #74

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    Thanks, Jim! I need a new headphone set for sure and probably a new pair of ears, too. You see, I found very little difference between the three voicings. No.1 (Blonde) feels more scooped, i.e. with less midrange, than the others. The bass is quite pronounced, almost boomy. No.2 (Tweed), predictably, has more presence in the midrange. The Blackface is somewhere in between. Your lick puts a lot of emphasis on sonority. Perhaps the lower tuning and the cab's character also factor in. We might hear bigger differences from "standard" jazz playing. I say again that for me, Tweed is the jazz voicing, as it offers more clean headroom than the other two options. They, of course, add a lot to the versatility of this little wonder for an amp.
    Last edited by Gitterbug; 09-21-2021 at 02:03 PM.

  26. #75

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    Here is an example of the SBUS in the wild. I am using the '65 voice. Toob 12J+ cab, loaded with a Cannabis Rex. The speaker is vertical. The video is recorded with my phone with, I think, surprisingly good sound.