Best amp ever built = Quilter

Steven Finley · Post by **Steven Finley** » 27 Apr 2015 10:51 pm

I have owned them all at one time or another
Quilter steelair is the best amp ive ever owned for portability,sound quality,quality of build.

Doc Hall · Post by **Doc Hall** » 28 Apr 2015 6:08 am

I agree, Steven. I'm a satisfied customer. The lead guitarist that I work with is considering replacing his custom shop Fender with a Steelaire. He wants good tone but something that's 50 lbs lighter than his Fender.

Jerry Tillman · Post by **Jerry Tillman** » 28 Apr 2015 6:14 am

I agree,these amp are really something new.You will hear all the notes you are playing all the time.I think they make you play better.

Chuck Blake · Post by **Chuck Blake** » 28 Apr 2015 7:04 am

Steven and others.....I have been wondering how the Steelaire rack mount version compares to the combo amp.

And what has been some of the speakers of choice used with the rack version?

I'm looking at various options...like if I own speakers that are cab mounted why not use those and save a few hundred dollar$...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 Apr 2015 7:31 am

I love my Quilter. It's so lightweight and it sounds so good! I no longer consider my Nashville 112 to be a light amp. Lifting the 112 is like lifting a concrete block compared to the Quilter.

Clark Doughty · Post by **Clark Doughty** » 28 Apr 2015 8:53 am

Ditto to everything Steve and others have said.....No more amps for me.......

Bob Miano · Post by **Bob Miano** » 28 Apr 2015 9:58 am

To those who have posted here about the Quilter Steelaire......just wondering how loud the amp is compared to a Nashville 400 ? Not necessarily looking to be loud, but sometimes I play with some people and they are quite loud. My Nashville 400 and my Nashville 1000 have always kept up and then some.
So I'm just wondering if any of you folks have cranked up the Steelaire ?

Thanks for your feedback,
Bob Miano
New Jersey

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 28 Apr 2015 10:07 am

I agree. It's a great amp. But I have to say, I think the Milkman half and half is just as good.

I mentioned this earlier. I went down to Jim Palenscar's shop where Kevin Ryan (another great steel player) and I compared both amps for an hour. It was like trying to choose between the top of the line Lexus and Acura.

In the end I chose the Quilter because it has channel switching, the effects loop, and the switch box that fits on the leg of the steel. But I'd be just as happy with the Milkman.

If I had the bucks, I'd buy both. We Are fortunate to have 2 such wonderful amps to choose from.

Steven Finley · Post by **Steven Finley** » 28 Apr 2015 10:18 am

By the way, go on the Quilter site, dealer's listing, then call around.
There are shops that will deal. I know, I got one awesome deal on mine!

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 28 Apr 2015 10:38 am

The Nashville 400 has more GAIN and more total volume (power output). The Nashville 400 also has a ton more bass with the mod if you into that for the lower strings on most tunings. Dollar wise a lot of amps are a better value than the Quilter. I bought my Quilter at AMS and also was able to negotiate a better price than advertised simply by asking. Hard to beat the weight of the Quilter and the quality is great. But two used Nash 400's at $700 total will blow a lot of setups off the stage. Same for the Webb 6-14-E or the Walker Stereo Steel. Like most amp setups out there, opinions vary based on what people are looking for in an amp. Best to try before you buy!

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... 20Pro.html

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 28 Apr 2015 10:44 am

A good basic delay instead of the limiter and tremolo would make it even more valuable to me.... On the demo the reverb sounds really good, I think. The power out for pedals is an excellent idea, too.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Apr 2015 10:57 am

Greg Cutshaw wrote: Hard to beat the weight of the Quilter and the quality is great.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... 20Pro.html

The Quilter isn't cheap, and but it's a ways from what we generally think of in terms of price regarding the land of "boutique amps."

So if one can budget for the Steelaire, and the sound and performance works for you, 35 lbs. vs. 67 lbs. for a 400 is a major selling feature, particularly among the aging steel player population.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 29 Apr 2015 9:25 am

How does the Quilter perform as a fiddle amp? Anyone try it?

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 29 Apr 2015 10:55 am

Tom Wolverton wrote:How does the Quilter perform as a fiddle amp? Anyone try it?

I play a Bridge Aquila through the second channel, very good. I end up using the same reverb and loop effects as the steel in the first channel, obviously, but the fiddle eq is to me quite similar to the steel and works good. I've had the rack Steelaire for about a year now. Very fine amp, best ever? I wouldn't go so far to make that claim.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 29 Apr 2015 2:06 pm

NS 5 string electric fiddle using the amp's reverb:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... iddle1.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... iddle2.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... iddle3.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... iddle4.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Quilter%20St ... iddle5.mp3

Amp settings: Bass 5.5, Low Mid 4, Hi-Mid 7, Treble 5, Limiter 5, Master 2, Gain 1 4, Rev Level 4.5, Dwell 5, Tone 5, CH1 IN, Mode: CH1

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 29 Apr 2015 5:31 pm

Thank you, fiddlers.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 29 Apr 2015 11:49 pm

As Chuck asked, is anyone using the rack mount head with their own speaker cab, and if so what speaker do you have fitted in cab?

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 30 Apr 2015 1:20 am

Malcolm McMaster wrote:As Chuck asked, is anyone using the rack mount head with their own speaker cab, and if so what speaker do you have fitted in cab?

I have two Telonics open back cabinets with their 15''s. The amp can go down to two ohms. Let's me have soft side gator rack next to me and the two speakers behind spread out a bit if the stage will allow. Works very good, light weight grab and go. I came from the time when Jeff Newman used two speakers and I have for the most part ever since.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 30 Apr 2015 3:46 am

Thanks George, like the idea of gig bag at side , makes for easy adjustments.

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 30 Apr 2015 4:27 am

You're welcome Malcolm,
Here is what would have made the Steelaire more "perfect" as a steel guitar amplifier for me.
I have no use for the tremolo, a onboard delay along with the existing reverb would have been scores more useful for me. The effect loop is good, but a bit on the noisy side with some rack mount processors. I use the M-One TC Electronics and is very good. Nice option with the nine volt supply for external pedals, but I have no use for it either because I run a rack processor and is AC powered. Again refer to onboard delay that didn't make it into production . Second channel, great , I play fiddle and banjo along with steel.
QSC is a very highly regarded long term audio equipment manufacture, and expect the Steelaire to be very reliable with excellent customer support.
I do believe anyone searching for a light weight steel guitar amp would be satisfied, I have custom tube amps that sound more musical to me and enjoy the tone of these.
The Steelaire is in the upper crust of available steel amps, where really at this level we are all just splitting hairs that comes down to what the player finds pleasing. and that I guess is the crucible in the search for tone....now let's see about that Strymon etc...

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 30 Apr 2015 4:48 am

Steven Finley wrote:I have owned them all at one time or another
Quilter steelair is the best amp ive ever owned for portability,sound quality,quality of build.

What amps have you owned ?

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 30 Apr 2015 4:54 am

George, thanks for your insight into the amp, I agree with you about tremolo, can see no reason for it to be on amp, a good delay would have been much more use to steel players.I like the flexibility of using it on stage with cab and concept of just taking the amp head into studio straight to desk,I have spoken to Chris Park of Quilter and been impressed by his customer service regarding info on amp, as there are no dealers in UK it is difficult to get good info on it, thank god for the forum.I currently run into a Digitech RP150 for effect, then into MB200 and Sica speaker, great little light weight rig, but watched the Albert Svendal video demonstrating the Steelaire and was most impressed.Trying to get to St. Louis show and hoping might see a Steelaire there.

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 30 Apr 2015 5:26 am

Malcolm
Part of my bucket list to roam the Highlands playing golf! I'll throw my rack in the overhead for you to try! Well sounds good on paper....I will be retiring in the next couple years

By then we could be on to the next best thing , heck even Paul Franklin gets new Stuff! Can be part of the fun I reckon.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 30 Apr 2015 6:14 am

George many of the main courses are within two hours of me, Turnberry, Glen Eagles, St Andrews etc.Let me know if you make it over,glad to show you around.

Steven Finley · Post by **Steven Finley** » 30 Apr 2015 7:40 am

Bob Hoffnar asked what amps I have owned so here goes
Fender deluxe reverb,twin reverb,super reverb,steelking,peavey,all the 400 series,and Nashville 112,risson g120,and g200,evans se200
webb614e and webb bradshaw,roland cube 80,music man
hd130 also several carvin tube amps,all of this over a thirty year period,ITS JUST MY OPIONION THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE can touch the quilter for, tone quality
ease of operation,quality of build,or light weight
ease of transportation,and the reverb is fantastic on the quilter!!

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