BassManGraham

Many thanks for all the advice and comments above, much appreciated. I clearly need to get over to Bass Direct to do some head to head comparisons between EICH, Trickfish, Mesa, Genzler Magellan, Vanderkley and all. Difficult to fit trip in for the foreseeable between gigs (good complaint) and family stuff. In conclusion, I have gone against my credo of never buying an amp without trying it first, but there is severly limited, if any availability of really top class bass amps in Ireland. So with recommendations from venerable and trusted sources, a couple of Youtube demos, my impatience being what it is , and no signs whatsoever of my cronic G.A.S. abating, I have pushed the "add to cart button" for the Quilter Bass Block at €499 i.e. about £436 @ current ROE. It seemed rude not to. Anything else on the wish or try list is going to be between 2 to 4 times that, and a visit to UK dealers would approach the cost of the Quilter, so I 'm taking a punt! I will report back in due course Cheers

Interesting! I used to love Trace stuff in the 80s, but the weight of it sent me elsewhere, never had the same feeling for Ashdown. My brother had an ABM and I was rather underwhelmed by it, but I have yet to hear the RM series. Must get to a bass bash this year!

I do like the sound of EICH amps, but a bit confused as specs show 500W into 2 ohms per Speakon output (unbridged) whereas whatever cab configuration I want to use would amount to total 2 ohms i.e. 4 ohms per Speak on output. wondering if that would reduce the 500W quoted?

Yeah I always prefer clean and on the rare occasion I need extra drive or grit, I have a Sansamp and an MXR 80 DI which can deliver far more drive than I would ever use. Ideally I would like to try head to head comparisons, but it would cost less to get the Quilter than the logistics of getting back to UK and finding enough stockists. Just need to persuade the good lady it is an appropriate birthday present, no more jumpers please!

Many thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.

Thanks QSC power amps have a great reputation. I have always loved all Jeff Genzlers amps, but at well unde 500 quid the quilter has to be worth a try. I have often bought amps with all the features, bells and whistles etc, but never use them so I think simplicity is my aim this time around.

Many thanks that's a very helpful and well written review.

Ah thanks Ian, how you keeping? You may have swayed me. A great amp for under €500! Want the possibility of using two 4 ohm cabs for clarity rather and headroom than volume.

Many thanks, I'll look into that. Cheers

Thinking of a birthday present of a new head. Have been using mainly Genz Benz Shuttlemax, or GK MB500, very happily over last ten years or so, backed up by Markbass 121P or Phil Jones D400 for smaller gigs, rehearsal/home practice etc. I use Vanderkley, Barefaced Super 12T cab, or Phil Jones C8 cabs, all of which I am very happy with. Clean, transparent, uncoloured. My main parameters are lightweight Class D, 700W plus, (operating down to 2 ohms would be nice but not essential) I use mainly clean sounds for a wide range of pop, rock, funk music. Was thinking about the Quilter 800 Bass (which seem great VFM), possibly a Mesa Boogie subway 800+. (which go to 2 ohms) or maybe Aguilar 700. Ideally like to hear them, other than YouTube demos, but hard to find any i republic of Ireland. Welcome comments and thoughts from owners of Quilters and Mesas. Any thing else I should be considering?

Fill ya boots Ezzy Boy, you know you want to!

Hi Tom, thanks, please let me know if you change your mind. Cheers Graham

Are you willing to split? If so how much for the Mesa Subway D 800? Thanks

Any of these luthiers specialise in repairing or retrofitting active electronic circuits? Many luthiers are great at the guitar build and set-up side of things, but often sub-contract out the electronics, I have issues with a dead 2 band Glockenklang Active circuit in my Elwood. I have been sent a Delano Sonar 2 to replace it, but far too complex for me?

Hi, Where are you based?