Speaker suggestion…

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Phillip Leggett
Posts: 24
Joined: 31 Dec 2024 8:31 am
Location: Victoria, Australia

Speaker suggestion…

Post by Phillip Leggett »

Hey folks!

I’ve recently purchased a Quilter Tone Block 202. Can I ask what your favourite speaker is running through these? I’m rather new to pedal steel (5 months in!) but want a good investment :)

Also, I feel it is a bit on the sterile side…is there any way around this? My years as a guitar tube amp snob hasn’t done me any favours lol

Thanks in advance!
Phillip Leggett
Posts: 24
Joined: 31 Dec 2024 8:31 am
Location: Victoria, Australia

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Phillip Leggett »

Also, I heard a JBL d130 on YouTube and it sounded so beautiful
Marty Nemanick
Posts: 729
Joined: 24 Oct 2002 12:01 am
Location: Madera, California, USA

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Marty Nemanick »

Philip, after trying several speakers with the TB 202, I settled on the 15" Quilter Steelaire replacement speaker available through the Quilter website. Neo Magnet, with a 4 Ohm voice coil it is a great match for the 202......................Marty
Rich Ertelt
Posts: 88
Joined: 25 Sep 2017 10:16 pm
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Rich Ertelt »

Marty Nemanick wrote: 5 Jun 2025 8:31 am Philip, after trying several speakers with the TB 202, I settled on the 15" Quilter Steelaire replacement speaker available through the Quilter website. Neo Magnet, with a 4 Ohm voice coil it is a great match for the 202......................Marty
I am using the Steelaire speaker as well, with a 202. I wasn't crazy about the Steelaire head but really liked the speaker.
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Roger Crawford
Posts: 5426
Joined: 10 Sep 1999 12:01 am
Location: Griffin, GA USA

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Roger Crawford »

Rich, the Steelaire problem was more in the shallow cabinet rather than the head. I have a Steelaire Rackmount (same head) and run it through a Peavey 1501 in a closed back cabinet and love it. I would imagine the 1501 with the 202 would sound good as well.
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Larry Dering
Posts: 5847
Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Larry Dering »

I have used a boatload of 12 and 15 inch speakers in non Quilter cabinets and have yet to find a good combination. That includes the TT12 in several cabinets. This amp is harsh and a boss EQ GE7 isn't enough. I'm considering selling it to try something else. Zum D10 with E66, Justice SD10 with 705, GFI SD10 with the III pickup then a 705. Sarno BB all types of cables etc. I'm wore out from trying to love this little guy. I have a Quilter Micropro Mach 2, a 101 tone block and the 202 tone block. None measure up to my old Peavey amps.
Rich Ertelt
Posts: 88
Joined: 25 Sep 2017 10:16 pm
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Rich Ertelt »

Roger Crawford wrote: 5 Jun 2025 10:48 am Rich, the Steelaire problem was more in the shallow cabinet rather than the head. I have a Steelaire Rackmount (same head) and run it through a Peavey 1501 in a closed back cabinet and love it. I would imagine the 1501 with the 202 would sound good as well.
I had the head, not the combo. The cabinet, which I still have, is one I built myself. I've built a bunch of cabs over the years. It sounds really good with the 202.

I absolutely did not like the Steelaire amp. I was using it with my steel, at home, as I was not gigging steel at the time. I was playing guitar in a band at the time, with a steel player, and I took it over to his house, tried it with his steels and cabs and neither of us liked it. He was using a Walker, don't remember the cabs.

To me, it wasn't the cab, as I was not using their cab, I just didn't like the amp. I do like the 202. Which is the same brand, and with the same speaker. :-) Of course, it depends on what you need and like, I just didn't like it. Really like the speaker, though, and using it with the 202 as the OP is looking to do. I think that is a nice match. I also use it with a Sarno SMS and straightahead power amp, sounds really good there, too. Good speaker. Eminence I believe.
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Dave Grafe
Posts: 4995
Joined: 29 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: Hudson River Valley NY
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Re: Speaker suggestion…

Post by Dave Grafe »

I use my TB202 with a JBL D120F for low to modest volume needs and have another BlockDock cabinet with a JBL K130 for making loud. I have to say that I have had a lot of great amplifiers but the Quilter 202 with the JBL D120 is the sweetest combo ever. Like honey from the bee...
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