Quilter Labs 101 Reverb 50-Watt Head with Reverb

This was my second Quilter purchase after trying out the micro blocks. I chose this because I wanted reverb and the limiter function, plus the standard tone controls this has. I pair it with a little 1 x 10" cab for a super portable clean amp on Jazz gigs. Between my homemade cab with neodymium speaker, the entire rig weighs less than 15 pounds! But, if I need it to, it CRANKS! I generally use it with tone controls FLAT, then use a Carl Martin Plexi-Drive as a preamp. I’m currently designing my homemade wet-dry-wet ( stereo plus center) rig using this plus two of the micro blocks in a super small super portable lightweight rig. I’ll let you know when that is finished! I LOVE the internal “limiter” function with adjustable control knob! It does not sound like a compressor and does not kill picking dynamics. Instead, it applies the most transparent and noiseless limiting I have ever heard in any guitar amp or processor. It’s similar to the high-quality pro limiters radio stations use to maintain peak broadcast power without over-modulating and getting fined by the FCC. Occasionally, I host jam sessions where I must let others use my amp. One reason I elected for this model was its straightforward controls. These simple familiar controls are easy for anyone to operate, so I don't have to give an engineering lesson to each new guest at these jams. It's just FUN to see the expression on people's faces when I crank this little guy up! It is truly shocking, amazing, astonishing, unbelievable. So far, EVERY guitarist who has played through my little homemade combo with this head has asked the same thing: "Where can I buy one and how much?" The tone controls on other Quilter models are not difficult, but they are different. The “tone blocks” have a “tri-Q” function which is actually quite logical… but then, guitar players are not always so logical, are they?! Most of the guitar players I’ve showed this amp to prefer its familiar “Bass-Mid-Treble” format. Like all Quilter amps, these are designed to be super-reliable. That’s always a plus when amateur guitar gods try to destroy my gear with their uber distorto detuned djent. These amps supply FULL RATED POWER. Unlike most guitar amp manufacturers, Quilter does not play “specs-manship” games with power ratings. Quilter power rating are REAL RMS no BS. He doesn’t lie. He doesn’t need to! I have gotten fast and thorough answers through Quilter-labs support lines. They have real people who answer the phone during business hours too! From that information I acquired, I learned that Quilter amps are made in the USA at the same type of high-tech state of the art facility that QSC uses! I also learned that Quilter designs these amps to have MASSIVE internal headroom. That’s why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you have a good speaker and cab with this ( or any other Quilter) amp! All the Quilter combos and extension cabs use premium drivers, so if you elect to buy their cabs, you’ll be on “sound” footing. If you want to use existing cabs you own, just make sure they can handle the power Quilter amps provide. I have A-B’d this and the Aviator with Marshall and HiWatt amps through 4x12” cabs and can say with authority, these RAWK! I don’t mean they are merely LOUD either. Yes, they are capable of face-melting volume, but they are also clear, articulate, expressive. It is no exaggeration to say they “FEEL” like my favorite prized tube amps. They just sound clearer, weigh much less and require ZERO maintenance. Don’t spill beer into them, and you should be good for several decades. For those who do not yet know, Pat Quilter is the quirky sonic genius behind these amps, and his last name is the “Q” of QSC audio. I’ve been using QSC amps and speakers for about thirty years now, and they have never let me down! Considering the thousands of gigs I’ve done with them, that is impressive. It's just FUN to see the expression on people's faces when I crank this little guy up! It is truly shocking, amazing, astonishing, unbelievable. So far, EVERY guitarist who has played through my little homemade combo with this head has asked the same thing: "Where can I buy one and how much?" I started by getting the $150 micro block. Then I ordered this. After that, I got the MACH2 head and an Aviator combo. In fact, that's the only problem I can see with these. Buy one, and you'll want more. For most applications, I think this is the best model to get, especially if you like the small form. If you do not need reverb, then get the 101 (same specs but without reverb) for about $100 less. If you are an effects-pedal magnet, you could use TWO micro blocks to power a formidable STEREO rig without carrying a large cumbersome amp anymore. Need more power than that? Do the same thing with the power block 200s. Bring earplugs! Want the convenience of a combo? Quilter makes their Aviator and MACH 2 combos with different speakers from 8 inch to 12”. They even have a super duty 12” ( HD for Heavy Duty) that features an amazing Celestion neodymium speaker. For most practical players, this 101R is a good choice because of it’s small size, and it has the “normal” tone controls we all understand, a simple reverb, PLUS that delightful limiter. Some Quilter manuals are quirky like Quilter himself, but you do not need the manual. Just plug it in and start playing with the knobs. There are no bad sounds here. Even radical settings retain musicality. Apply a little taste and judgment, you can find your ideal tone in minutes. This is PLENTY loud enough for any bar gig, and with 4x12 cabs, you could rock large theaters or play outdoors in a sweaty summer rock band. Bring deodorant. From my personal testing here in a peaceful suburban cul-de-sac, I know this can summon the sheriff with a noise complaint in about ten minutes. No, you can’t come in without a warrant. BTW: If you prefer to get a Quilter combo, this is similar to the Aviator models because of its simple "normal" controls. The MACH 2 series is a bit tweaky, even for an audio engineer like me. It sounds great and has the most features, plus is even more powerful than this thing. You will need to read the manual for that one and experiment some to fully realize just how versatile and amazing it is! If you elect to go that route, I’d recommend investing in the large format foot pedal they sell for it. No matter which Quilter you choose, Don’t let the size fool you! Even the Holy Hand Grenade Of Antioch will not stop these cute little bunnies!

I've now been around the block a few times, know the block well. This tube vs SS debate. Well, I've always liked both. Each has merits and sounds they tend to be better at. But I still keep getting amazed at each newer generation of SS eating away at that holy grail frontier that makes tube amps unique. This amp seems to have tremendous dynamics. Doesn't quite sound like a tube amp, but OK. Tube amps also don't sound quite like this guy either. Comes down to if you like it. I'll admit that I was not floored when I first plugged this in. Seemed kinda bass heavy. And just not the sound I expected, or was looking for. After playing with it awhile I found the sweet spots of what it provided that I liked. Very nice - articulate - driven clean. That tends to be me in general. Again as mentioned before - this amp has great dynamics from your playing. Literally matches any tube amp I've played and liked in that area. Very punchy - present - sound. This guy needs - and will definitely drive - a good speaker cab. The reverb is good, and also interacts with other aspects of the overall sound to get more adjustable range from the reverb in the most aggressive settings. Also I found that the mids knob of the EQ seems to have an overlap and impact on either the bass or treble, depending on it's adjustment. Once you get that - I found good range on the adjustability. The gain and power/volume attenuation work great together. You will find that tweakabilty to getting anywhere from a very clean to quite ballsy driven at your preferred volume. Yes - it takes pedals well too. Seems to be built like a tank. Good durable knobs - nice size - easy to see and use. What you won't miss is that there is a lot of missing weight! Very light - quite compact. Good workman amp all the way down to bedroom amateur range. Really does it all well for a good price...

Wow! Fantastic device, extremely lightweight, powerful, robust, sounds better than basic Fender stock tube amps. The main question is: Does is sound like a decent tube amp, can I replace mine? To be short: it sounds a little bit different so it takes a few hours to get used to. After that you will love it. It's of the same class and tradition, being somewhat better: more clarity, headroom. And it's much more convenient. At the same time guys with vintage Fender amps who take care about them: best transformers, speakers, fresh parts & matched tubes would say that those amps sound more interesting, and they would be right. So I generally recommend having both: cool vintage Fender amp and a Quilter ;) But if you want to buy a stock Fender in $1000 range to use as a main amp, I would recommend considering Quilter with some nice cabinet.

I tried several modeling amps and they just sounded artificial and too complex to use. Also they were not pedal friendly. This amp is great at all sound levels, simple to use, and pedal FX switch friendly. I use it with headphones so it doesn’t bother family members. I don’t need an attenuator or Little Black Box like you would need for a home tube amp and there is no noise either like the tube amps produce in a small room. This is a great no frills amp that just works. The only down side is it won’t use 16th much speakers so you choice of cabinets is less but no problem. Just buy an 8ohm one. Side note is I wasn’t too sure how to use the Limiter and Gain knobs but I’m still learning.

I've been using a Wang's 1 watt tube amp head for recording guitar into my DAW. I recently got a Squier Contemporary Active Strat and decided I wanted something that could stay clean with that guitar's hot pickups. This did the job, but I'm not fond of the tone I get. It isn't bad, to be sure, but it's not what I want. Plugging in my Carvin DC145 or Bolt (basically a standard Strat copy) yields a nice, clear tone. But.... ah it's still not fully what I want. But this amp is so straightforward to use, I can't complain about it, hence it's higher rating. And again, it really does sound good, but it doesn't have that warm tone, not quite anyway. So, I bought a Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 36, which gives me the clean (and overdriven!) tones I want. I guess I'm more of a tube snob than I want to admit..... I'm keeping this amp though. It's so easy to run this into my recording interface into my DAW, and I do find the tone favorable with my other guitars that have passive pups and non-floating bridges. I may use such a guitar and run this amp in stereo with the Tubemeister. I think I'll get a really wide sound!

sounds great and plenty of power. sounds and feels alot like a tube amp. im actually quite surprised. i use a fender blues jr IV, and this little thing is pretty darn close. have it paired up with a 1 10 cab, jensen 10/50. very happy with this purchase.

Only got the Quilter 101 mini Reverb a couple of weeks. I paired it with a Hughes & Kettner 10 inch speaker cabinet with an Eminence Ragin Cajun. The rig only weights around 19 lbs. I play mainly jazz. The Quilter head sounds absolutely amazing with my ES175, ES335 and Les Paul Deluxe. It actually sounds better than my Fender tube amp. Very responsive and warm. The construction is excellent. Wish it came with a case. I read a review that the head might be tuned a little too bright. This is definitely NOT the case. You can easily dial in a warm/dark tone, if desired. Have not played it in a live setting yet, usually small to medium (drums, electric bass and keyboards), but i think it should have enough headroom. Really an excellent product.

Great sounding clean. Can really dial in your tone. Takes pedals well. Light and trouble-free. Driving a Vintage 30 in an Avalon cab. Great match. Designed in USA - made in China.

Fantastic little amp. Great and fast service Thanks.

Very nice amplifier. Enough small to fit to your pedalboard. Great EQ, Great reverb (not the best). This amp love pedals. I had a Princeton but this Quilter is better. For me. Unfortunatly the gig bag was missing in the package.

great product, sounds tube like, surprisingly loud! and plays fine at low volume unlike my late tube amp which had to be cranked up to obtain what you wanted... matched it with a celestion type v 70w speaker... a good match!