Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

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Garry Pugh
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Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Garry Pugh »

I have a Quilter Tone Block 202 with a 12 inch cabinet, which I really like.

I been looking at the Quilter Steelaire Rackmount.

Does anyone have any experience in comparison of these 2 amps?
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Jack Stoner
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Post by Jack Stoner »

I had a steelaire rackmount. "Had" is the key. My opinion it can't compete with the TB202. The TB202 FullQ is similar to the Steelaire. The TB202 also has Vint which gives a "Fenderish" sound.

I have the full TT12 which is the best pedal steel amp I've had since a late 60's AB768 SF Twin Reverb.
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Chuck Blake
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Post by Chuck Blake »

Garry
I owned both the TB202 and the Steelaire (actually 2 Steelaires).

I found the Steelaire to be sterile with regard to tone. ...after hearing the TB202 I sold both of my Steelaires and now use with TB202 with various cab/speaker combinations that I build.
It's the nearest sound I can achieve to a Twin Reverb....and not mention weight.
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Bryce Van Parys
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Post by Bryce Van Parys »

I listened to the forum and got a toneblock 202 and couldn't be happier. The fender tone is great for guitar. The middle switch best for my Mullen with 705 PU. I even practice bass through it with great results. I'm using a Raezer's edge wizard single 10 and it works perfect. I could try different cabs, but I only play E9 and it does the job in a lightweight compact package. I use the SIM out for the house, and sometimes I just mic the cab. I'm still experimenting live for best results there
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David Wren
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Post by David Wren »

I own both, but my 202 is in the TT-15 cab.

I think Jack's comment about the FullQ setting sounding much like the Steelaire is right on, .... and I kept my Steelaire 'cause I've had much success with it over the years...

but, if I was going buy one or the other, I'd invest in the 202.... more compact, sounds great, and the steelaire is much older.

My $0.02 worth :)
Dave Wren
'25 Williams U12, 7 & 7; '96 Carter U12,7X7; '70 MSA D10, 5 & 7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; P2P "Bad Dog amp/ PF 350 12"; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.
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Dale Rottacker
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Post by Dale Rottacker »

I too have/had both the Rackmount and the 202 Combo with both a 12" & 15" cabinet.

I thought the Rackmount was a really nice unit and and maybe the best onboard Reverb I'd heard ... I especially liked the ability to shape the reverb with Tone and Tail. Would I buy this because of the great Reverb? No!!! ... I use a Benado Steel Dream and many use these as well as Rev/Delay pedals.

As for the 202 Combo, they're just really hard to beat for a grab and go unit. Ton's of power, the ability to change the "Voice" w/FREQ/Full/Vintage, and its near impossible to set the Bass/Mids/Treble to get anything but a GOOD sound. This thing just sounds GREAT. And again, one of the nicest onboard Reverb, though a non-shapable one. IF you didn't want to drag a pedal or Benado along with you, you'll still be happy with what comes in this package.
Jeff Donnell
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Jeff Donnell »

I have both the SteelAire & the TT202.
I’m thinking the lack of the 2 mid options on the TT202 is making me think it just doesn’t sound quite as nice. I run an Echoplex and an Xotic EP pedal and the SteelAire just sounds a little “Sweeter”.
I’ve had the SteelAire for a while,but just got the TT202 4 days ago.Used the TT202 in church this a.m.Many compliments on the tone of my Ritt.
We all have a different “ear” for tone.Someone else may think the exact opposite of I.
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Danny Letz
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Danny Letz »

I have both and like the Steelaire head best for sound, but I have the 202 in a camera case and it makes a really good standby amp.
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Roger Crawford
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Roger Crawford »

The Steelaire Rackmount won to my ears. The high and low mid adjustments let me dial in what I was looking for, and as mentioned, the reverb is excellent. It doesn’t offer the convenience of mounting in the block dock, but to me, it’s not an issue. An added feature that I like is having a 9 volt output on the back of the unit that can power an effects pedal. I use it to power a delay pedal and use the internal reverb.
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Dave Grafe
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Dave Grafe »

Quilter's TB202 with a JBL 12" or 15" in the BlockDock cab is as good as I know how to get it. The 12" is small and sweet, the 15" rocks completely.

All three tonestack options have their place and purpose. Onstage I use the "Vintage" tonestack and dial the EQ up just like I would a BF Fender amp and we're golden, for recording I occasionally use one of the others for more traditional EQ options. Also, learning to use the Gain, Limiter and Output controls is essential, as they do not work like old preamp/master setups, in that all three play a discrete part in establishing clean power, "growl" and the onset of breakup.
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Larry Dering
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Larry Dering »

The secret sauce must be the block dock cabinet. I have played and tweaked my 202 and can't stand the tone. I use a variety of speaker cabinets that sound great with my other rigs but not on the 202. TT Speakers, Telonics, Black Widows etc. Lately I'm trying the Tonex into various power amps and the return effects loop of different amps. The Quilter colors the tone even in it's return input. I have listened to the Quilter in it's block dock configuration and admit it sounds good. My assumption is the cabinet takes the harshness out of the tone.
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Dale Rottacker
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Dale Rottacker »

Larry Dering wrote: 2 Oct 2025 5:19 pm The secret sauce must be the block dock cabinet. I have played and tweaked my 202 and can't stand the tone. I use a variety of speaker cabinets that sound great with my other rigs but not on the 202. TT Speakers, Telonics, Black Widows etc. Lately I'm trying the Tonex into various power amps and the return effects loop of different amps. The Quilter colors the tone even in it's return input. I have listened to the Quilter in it's block dock configuration and admit it sounds good. My assumption is the cabinet takes the harshness out of the tone.
Larry I think what you're describing is pretty common. The guys who seem to be the least satisfied or enamored with the 202 are the one's who've tried using cabinets other than the Quilter ones. So I think you are correct in that the secret sauce may live in that cabinet.

I have both the 12" and 15" Quilter cabinets and am really happy with them both. I even swapped out the 12" TT speaker for the PF-350 and love it, in fact I'm probably smiling more than I should.
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Larry Dering
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Larry Dering »

Dale I certainly agree with you. The tone is incredibly better with Quilters own cabinet. At first I thought there was an issue with the amp. I own 3 Quilters ,the Micropro mach 2, The 101 mini head and the 202. I love the lightweight factor and believed my cabinets would be fine. Couldn't be more wrong in that assumption. My choices are to find a combo cabinet alone or sell the stuff and move on. It was an eye opener for me.
Rich Ertelt
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Rich Ertelt »

I had a steelaire head for a while. I could never get it to sound right. GFI, even with different pickups. So I took it over to my steel players house (I was using it for steel at home, but playing guitar on the gigs), with his Zums and Mullen, and we couldn't get a sound out of it that we liked. He was gigging with a Stereo Steel, though, so he liked that sound, which I thought was fantastic. I got the steelaire speaker, which I still have, and still no go.

I got a 212 about a year ago. Much better. I was using it with the steelaire speaker, but have actually switched to using a Carr Elsinore speaker I had gotten for a guitar amp. Homebrew pine cab. I much prefer it.

I was just looking, it doesn't look like you can get the TT12 anymore, at least new. I did note that the cab is 12" deep, which is pretty deep, and that will change how it sounds. My cab, like a Fender deluxe cab, is 9 1/2 deep.
Steve Hinson
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by Steve Hinson »

I sure like the TB-202 with my new Peavey Session/LTD 400 pedal in the effects loop!

Best,
SH
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David Wren
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Re: Quilter Steelaire vs. Tone Block 202

Post by David Wren »

Thought I'd add.... since I own both the Steelaire and the TB202 (in the TT 115 cab).... I also had a problem getting good bottom from the Steelaire, but I think this has mainly to do with the very shallow cabinet. The TT 115 is much deeper (and gives a much fuller responses, IMHO).

Both are good amps.... when I did outside gigs with my Steelaire, I added an extension cab (older Webb) with a K130 speaker. That was a great sound, but lots of stuff to load :)
Dave Wren
'25 Williams U12, 7 & 7; '96 Carter U12,7X7; '70 MSA D10, 5 & 7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; P2P "Bad Dog amp/ PF 350 12"; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.