The DV MARK FG (Gambale) Little 250W ... Is the clean cannel basic DV Mark clean?

**Jim Soloway** · 04-15-2022, 09:26 AM

A DV Mark Gambale head has just come up for sale locally. It's the first DV Mark Little series head that I've seen here. I have no use for the gain channel but is the clean channel that typical DV mark clean? I liked that sound when I had the Jazz 50 and the Little Jazz.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 04-15-2022, 09:56 AM

If the clean channel of the Gambale is the same as my EG 250 Raw Dawg (which I think it is), it’s pristine clean and stays that way to levels well beyond anything I’ll ever use on any stage. Check with DV to be sure, but I think the EG250 is the same as the clean channel on all the 250 heads in that series. Mine has a beautiful and neutral sound.

**Jim Soloway** · 04-15-2022, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit

If the clean channel of the Gambale is the same as my EG 250 Raw Dawg (which I think it is), it’s pristine clean and stays that way to levels well beyond anything I’ll ever use on any stage. Check with DV to be sure, but I think the EG250 is the same as the clean channel on all the 250 heads in that series. Mine has a beautiful and neutral sound.

I doubt if it would last on the market long enough to check with DV so I'm just going for it. The deal is good enough that I probably have no risk anyway.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 04-15-2022, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I doubt if it would last on the market long enough to check with DV so I'm just going for it. The deal is good enough that I probably have no risk anyway.

If I understand the DVM website correctly, the power stages are the same. The EG has a tube preamp and the Gambale is all SS. With a second channel for crunch, the clean channel is almost certainly clean all the way up (as described by them). I agree with you - if it’s a great deal, you can’t go wrong.

**bluenote61** · 04-15-2022, 12:39 PM

If it is from the first series, it might have the uncontrolled cooling fan, i.e. running all the time. I think you may check this with the seller.
It is no issue in rehearsals or gigs, but you can hear the fan while playing at bedroom level (however less noisy than a strong hissing amp!).
I do not use my DV raw dawg amp at home due to that reason, but it is a very light and powerful amp for using it outdoor at gigs.
Just my 2c

**Jim Soloway** · 04-15-2022, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by bluenote61

If it is from the first series, it might have the uncontrolled cooling fan, i.e. running all the time. I think you may check this with the seller.
It is no issue in rehearsals or gigs, but you can hear the fan while playing at bedroom level (however less noisy than a strong hissing amp!).
I do not use my DV raw dawg amp at home due to that reason, but it is a very light and powerful amp for using it outdoor at gigs.
Just my 2c

Thanks. I've just sent the question.

**Jim Soloway** · 04-15-2022, 05:14 PM

He says at low volume it never comes on. That was also my experience with the Jazz 50.

**jads57** · 04-15-2022, 05:30 PM

Jim the Quilter TB 202 is exactly what you are looking for.. Find one used. You’ll be happy!

**sgosnell** · 04-15-2022, 07:23 PM

In my admittedly limited experience, 2 or 3 of each, Quilters sound very different from DVs. I really like the sound of DV, and hate the sound of Quilters. YMMV.

**bluenote61** · 04-16-2022, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

He says at low volume it never comes on. That was also my experience with the Jazz 50.

That's fine! Then it has already the controlled fan.

**bluenote61** · 04-16-2022, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

In my admittedly limited experience, 2 or 3 of each, Quilters sound very different from DVs. I really like the sound of DV, and hate the sound of Quilters. YMMV.

This is also my experience playing both amps.
IMO, DV Mark sounds more neutral than Quilter, who tends to be more bright, more like Fender-type amps.

**Jim Soloway** · 04-16-2022, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by jads57

Jim the Quilter TB 202 is exactly what you are looking for.. Find one used. You’ll be happy!

I was really happy playing my two DV Mark amps for over two years. I really like their sound and I love their tone controls. The only reason I sold them was because getting out stuff back from Mexico was so expensive but really if I had realized how expensive they were in Canada I'd have paid for the shipping.

**jads57** · 04-16-2022, 12:31 PM

Jim you have a great tone no matter what you play! I’m sure it has a lot to do with fingers and a lighter touch.

Quilters vary in tone controls on different models. I never liked the models without traditional treble,mids, bass,etc. But they definitely have a specific Fender Clean tone. For me it works with every type of guitar from Archtop,Flat Top, Tele, 335, etc.

I don’t have a lot of experience with DV Mark amps. Other than trying some 50 watt models at Guitar Center some years back.
I guess I wasn’t that impressed by those I tried. Hopefully they are way improved since then.

**ccroft** · 04-16-2022, 04:22 PM

Off topic, but for me Quilter has improved a lot in the last few years. TB202 is a good one with addition of FRFR & FullQ (more mid) voices and more powerful tone controls. And then there's Jim's own postings about his SuperBlock. If I remember right he didn't like some earlier model at all.

There's a lot of great amps out there these days. I'd give the DV a shot if I wasn't so happy with TB202. I was not at all happy with my first Quilter. Like others here, it was too bright for me and I couldn't tame that without an EQ pedal. Things can and do change.

**Jim Soloway** · 04-16-2022, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

Jim you have a great tone no matter what you play! I’m sure it has a lot to do with fingers and a lighter touch.

Quilters vary in tone controls on different models. I never liked the models without traditional treble,mids, bass,etc. But they definitely have a specific Fender Clean tone. For me it works with every type of guitar from Archtop,Flat Top, Tele, 335, etc.

I don’t have a lot of experience with DV Mark amps. Other than trying some 50 watt models at Guitar Center some years back.
I guess I wasn’t that impressed by those I tried. Hopefully they are way improved since then.

I guess it's because I really do have Fender roots in amplification but the only Quilters I've liked are the ones with the traditional controls. I have the Little 250 here and I've been A/B'ing it with my Superblock US and right now the only benefit I see from the 250 is that it's WAY louder but the Superblock US is much more engaging. Fortunately the 250 was such a great deal that it should be easy to move along to someone who wants the power (and maybe the gain channel).