Quilter Toneblock 202 vs Fender Deluxe Reverb - Jazz guitar comparison

⚡️Which amp works better for playing jazz guitar? The Quilter Toneblock 202 solid-state amp (with Blockdock 12) or the Fender 65RI Deluxe Reverb valve amplifier? I put both amps through their paces with a Telecaster with Charlie Christian Creamery pickup, 63RI Gibson ES335 and a Gibson Super V archtop (a blingy L5).
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 Quilter ToneBlock 202 vs Fender Deluxe Reverb
00:38 1/2 a chord on each over Black Orpheus backing track
00:44 EQ and Reverb
01:14 Telecaster Deluxe
01:55 Telecaster Quilter
02:39 335 Deluxe
03:22 335 Quilter
04:04 Super V Deluxe
04:47 Super V Quilter
05:30 Backing track over on Patreon lowest tier
05:37 Deluxe thoughts....
06:30 Mass produced problems?
07:04 An attachement
07:30 TB202 thoughts.....
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#jazzguitar #quilter #fenderdeluxe

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Please note this is NOT a sponsored video. I bought the Quilter in November and this is my review after my experience so far with it. Let me know which one you prefer? I'm seriously thinking of moving my Deluxe on - should I keep hold of it?

[@Chimp_No_1]

Really interesting and helpful ! Thanks !

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Which model are you considering?

[@DrJoshGuitar]

I got a Quilter MicroPro Mach II HD recently and I really like it. Way easier to deal with then my Fender Twin. Light as a feather, very loud and totally clean. I like the limiter up about half way and put the bass down a little more than you did. I noticed on your demo that the Fender compressed your sound a little more which I think makes it sound more "mellow" and less "brittle". With the limiter off some of the notes pop out a little louder with the Quilter. I also really like the Quilter with an OD pedal (set with gain all the way down), sounds really nice on solos with at the jazz jam, kind of like a warm cranked up tube amp. Nice playing and backing track btw

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Thanks. I've not had the opportunity to try a Micro Pro. I'll play with the limiter. I agree re with an OD. I've been very impressed with how it handles pedals.

[@jjazzyt8588]

A very complete and very well done review, well done! I really like Quilter amps. I have the 101 mini Reverb and the Toneblock 202. I find the TB202 a little more difficult to set in the FullQ Voicing position, where I often lower the mid EQ, but they are great amps for jazz! Merci à vous !

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Thank you. I'd really like to try out some of their combos one day.

[@raygehring]

They are different sounds, and they both provide a beautiful tone sharing characteristics that put us in the sweet spot where we want it to be. The Quilter is solid state and is noticeably different from the Fender in the high end- the Quilter is puffier (like a soft quilt), and that's exactly why I love them. They give a Fender style sound of course but you might end up using this more than a Fender because of its versatility and portability. I play through one a few times a month for rehearsals. I can quickly find a great tone and forget about it, no matter the room. Very rich, warm, and full- and again the high end feels "softer" to me, really pleasing. It loves pedals too. If you have an opportunity to run a stereo set-up split to a Fender and a Quilter, that's so nice.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I've found it such a useful amp to have. I'd love to try it paired with some different cabs at some point. What do you play yours through?

[@raygehring]

It's an mid 70's Ampeg cab (2 Twelves) at the rehearsal spot. I just have to tame the low end some but wow, sounds beautiful. When it's stereo,them other signal goes into a Peavey classic 30 or a Hot Rod Deluxe. Great, great amps and heads from Quilter, so nice. @@jazzguitarwithandy

[@glevumguy7850]

Nice to see you playing a Super V, the best jazz guitar Gibson ever made. By a stroke of very good fortune, I own the 78 prototype. It was used at dealer shows for a couple of years to promote the model. Then raffled off and won by a dealer/ collector in Seattle who had returned home. Not wanting to trust parcel post he drove back to the NAAM show, in Texas, to pick it up. I bought it from him about 7 years later. Unfortunately the guitar is far better than I am, it requires a pro standard player to do it justice, one of the nicest jazz sounds I’ve ever heard.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

That's one hell of a guitar to own! Is it blonde or sunburst?

[@TheDeedeeFiles]

Awesome jam

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Thanks man

[@Giaco54]

ok so the L5 with the Deluxe is hard to argue with - I love tele's for jazz but i also thought the 335 with the deluxe also sounded great - the dlx had more bottom for me in all cases.......here we go.....

[@patrickmckinney8610]

I'd be curious to know what you might find out between the two in the studio. I find that when you play into a really great mic and great pre amps you can hear things that you might not in this context. But I agree with other viewers that the A/ B on my computer speaker sounds pretty good. I sure know a lot of solid pros who are using Quilters exclusively now. I will most likely head that way soon than later, if only for the weight. But man I really love the strange inconsistencies of old tube amps and I do worry as head into a digital AI driven age what nuances we may not even realize we are missing. Great playing as always!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I agree re the studio. Gig wise and in the context of on stage sound the Quilter works so well. My only worry with these kind of amps is getting them repaired if there's ever a problem.

[@PM-yz8fx]

The telly with the Deluxe is something else!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

They do pair well together

[@AJHillis]

I have the Quilter Aviator Cub with US channels (Tweed, Blonde, Black) and love it. It's not the same as having one of each style Fender deluxe, but it's light, sounds great, and has a line + headphone out for home use. Only complaint is the reverb is a little meh, but that's easily solved with a pedal in front or the effects loop. Total winner IMO. I didn't want a tube amp, so I was comparing the Cub to the Tonemaster. But when you factor in cost, smaller size, and the multiple voicings it was no contest.

[@johnandre5558]

I have been mulling this over for awhile now. Tone Master - OG - Or Quilter AV Cub. Quilter ticks all the boxes even if it is not as good sounding.

[@AJHillis]

@@johnandre5558 Yep - I think the Tone Master does sound more like a real deluxe, and the reverb and tremolo are great. But I found the Cub used for $450 and it does have more sounds in it than the Tone Master does. Way better value, new or used. You can make up the difference with pedals easily.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

In the UK there's not many places that sell them, so not much opportunity to compare. I'd love to try out that model. Sounds great! I prefer to use a reverb pedal too :)

[@horstlippitsch]

Great playing and sound!! Which kind of pick do you use". Dunlop Jazz 3?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I do those, but I think in this video I was using the Dunlop prime tone

[@mikea75201]

I agree with you about the tone from the Tele being more pleasing with the Fender. But honestly, eyes closed I couldn’t really tell a difference between the two amps with the other guitars. Could be my unsophisticated ears, but the this helps nudge me closer to a decision on a new amp later this summer. Thanks!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I'm really happy with the Quilter. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I use it all the time.

[@mikea75201]

@@jazzguitarwithandy of course anything would be an improvement on my Fender Mustang LT25.

[@titosmith7942]

Hi, Andy, interesting comparison. Did you have a Fender Tone Master Deluxe at one point?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I had the Twin tone master. It was very good, but I prefer the portability of the Quilter.

[@titosmith7942]

@@jazzguitarwithandy Ah, got it. Nice playing on this!

[@fusionmanfender4568]

Hi , do you maby know how that Toneblock combo is vs the Aviator Cub ? Or would the Toneblock sound very different from the Aviator Cub? Bcs it would be easier to buy the Aviator then wich is also more cheaper.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Hi, I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to try any of the combos. They are super responsive to queries, I'm sure if you emailed them they would advise you on the best option that's similar to the toneblock.

[@johnandre5558]

We get fed a constant diet of A B comparisons and “Why you need a….”, media. Its hard not to feel like you are missing out on something. Keep the Fender for 6 months and just don’t use it. If you go back to it and feel, “Ah…I miss that”, maybe keep both. In the end, you are a working musician and practicality seems solidly on the Quilters side. All that being said, I just play at home for enjoyment and have been trying to decide on a small tube amp or a quilter myself. It’s hard to pull the trigger sometimes.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I think we also get fed the idea that we need lots of amps. I'm on a big downsize mission, so think the Fender will go. As you say - good to keep it for a while and sell if it really doesn't get much use. What amps are you looking at? It's so tough when we have so much choice!

[@johnandre5558]

Interested in a Quilter Aviator Cub or a Princeton Tone Master. Something I can use at home without too much fuss.

[@WestsideRyan]

Curious as to why you chose the 202 head and Blockdock 12 over something like the Mach 3 combo?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I did consider that, but I wanted the head so if I was playing a festival I could just take the head rather than lugging the speaker/combo around. I also like the idea of being able to pair it with a custom cab.

[@erikl6988]

I've had a Quilter Tone Block 200 for several years. The thing is incredibly useful, powerful, and light. Works well with all cabs and you can just throw pedals in front of it to get more sounds. My only gripe is that the gain get's a little goofy when fully cranked, so I don't put it past 75%. Overall, they are incredible amps and prove you don't need heavy tube heads anymore to get a good sound. Gigging is much easier these days!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I agree re the gain being goofy when turned up, that said I really just use it for cleans. I love using it for recording given how silent it is.

[@JoaoAugusto-zy2iz]

do you know how to play Spoooky by george barnes? i cant find the tabs

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Yes - drop me an email

[@vibearato]

I'm a year late, but I was wondering if the 202 loud enough for a rock 4-piece with the blockdock 12hd?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

It's pretty damn loud. Surly you'd mic it or take a line out of it if you needed more volume?

[@vibearato]

@@jazzguitarwithandy thanks! and i'm from a small town. the venues here don't mic anything. but everyone said the 202 should have no problem. Thanks for your time Andy!

[@stevegamiello6476]

Try a Nocturne Jr Barnyard pedal with the Tele thru the Quilter. That might help

[@arturohernandez3324]

Wow excelente demo nice play I love quilter labs amps

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Cheers Arturo. I'm converted to Quilters!

[@arturohernandez3324]

@@jazzguitarwithandy they’re great amplifiers I got 3 of those. hey bro nice guitar play keep uploading videos👍👍👍

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

Just got a quilter101R thru a HD12 with texas eminence neo spkr. My es335 sounds great but I'm still working on my LP Deluxe which has more mids and highs than the 335 - humbucker vs mini hums. Everything sounds great thru my Victoria :)

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Nice. I've found it's taken a little while to dial it for each guitar. So you changed the speaker on your HD?

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

@@jazzguitarwithandy I bought the DIY speaker cab from Quilter. The stock cab comes with a celestian (made in China). I used celestian's years ago exclusively when i was clubbing (because they clipped early - marshall sound), i now prefer a more American sounding speaker. So, i bought the DIY cab and put a lil texas eminence in it.

[@kingcormack8004]

I'm beginning to buy Quilter products having their Superblock US. I'm thinking this Toneblock 202/Blockdock 12 is the one to get.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I'm super happy with my Quilter. I'd love to try it with another speaker one day, but the Blockdock 12 makes for a very convenient package to transport to gigs. I did consider the Blockdock 10, but figured it made sense to have something that can handle the full power of the head.

[@kristofer603]

How id like to know does the Blonde Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb compare to the Quilter?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I use to have TM twin. There's not a massive difference. The thing I like about the Quilter is the flexibility to pair it with what speakers you want or just use the head at a gig. I was very impressed with the TM Deluxe when I played through it. Don't think you can go wrong with either!

[@kristofer603]

@@jazzguitarwithandy Thanks very much.

[@lenmusic123]

IMHO the Quilter is cleaner sounding, but the Deluxe has more character and warmth which is my preference

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I think the Deluxe does have more character overall.

[@wallyhynds8067]

Like some others, I could not tell the amps apart. Not part of what we am supposed to be listening to but that Super 5 wins the guitar comparison in my book. And the palm tree wins the lighting comparison.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I think that's a good thing Wally, the Quilter is doing what it aims to be then! :)

[@drjonado]

I have the same Quilter head...I have bounced between most Quilter cabs for the best tone....I LOVED the 10" speaker cab, but it is only rated at 100w and the head is 200w....so I was always a bit uneasy of that set up even though the factory states both can be used together but need to use caution with the volume. I tried the HD12 cab. I did not like it...found tone wise was not what I was looking for and was too boomy sounding (open back)....I have settled with the 15" cab.....so so nice. clean, balanced, chimey. I much prefered the size of the 10" . I did consider getting a two 10" cab set up, and use the second cab if needed more volume...just have not gone that way yet since I am happy with the tone of the 15". I play clean jazz style. what I do really like about the overall tone is I can get this slight grit with the tone so doesn't sound too sterile....very much like alot of Musician's Friend guitar videos when he tests out high end Gibsons through a deluxe reverb....

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I'm yet to try it through any other speakers - but must do! I nearly got the 10 inch, but like yourself I'd be a bit uneasy with the power. Interesting how you much preferred the 15 inch. I might have to try something else one day. I'm happy on most gigs, but in some rooms it can be a bit sterile.

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

Not a huge difference in sound, which probably means no-one but you would know at a gig, and that’s mainly because of the weight

[@kaybhee6]

how old are spkrs used...

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Fair point! The Deluxe speaker is from 2008 and the Quilter has probably had a few hundred hours.

[@TheMrCull]

The 202 also makes for a great bass amp. Something I wouldn’t try with the DR. Both great amps…

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

That's good to know :)

[@RustyShackleford-pf3lz]

The quilter cabinet is a bit deeper and more of a cube than the Fender. of course they do not share the same speaker, but deeper cabinets are often produce “woofy” lows. any thoughts on this?

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I find it has quite a tight bass response. Prefer it to the Deluxe.

[@matthewcasey892]

The fender amp has a rounder sound, there is a harshness on the quilter. But you are in the room. Do you have to sell it? Just like a guitar, different use.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I know what you mean re rounder. I did find the Quilter a bit harsh to begin with, but have gotten used to it.

[@matthewcasey892]

That is the “problem” with a:b, you can get used to “alot”. If you don’t have to sell it…no harm in keeping it😉

[@picker63028]

Having been raised in the 50s where tube amps were everywhere I own a stable of Fender, Twins, Deluxe Reverb, and Bassman. Also a Super Champ, Hot Rod Deluxe amps. I dipped into the modeling pedals with Line 6 and others plus the Boss Katana and Fender Mustang, and a ToneMaster Twin. My experience with Quilter is the 101 head and Micropro mach 2 12 inch. Quilter is great for lightweight and almost a great tone. The harsh high range is just not curable even with high end EQ devices. It just doesn't work for me using a boatload of Archtops and various pickups. I should have put that money on Henriksen 9r AER. Someone needs to convince me they love the jazz archtop tone with any Quilter amp. I'm just not satisfied with mine.

[@takeawaybenji]

The Quilter sounds much more transparent in the mids, and the Twin has a bit more sparkle. I think the best combination with the Quilter was the Gibson. That being said, carrying a Twin around will certainly stretch your arm out....

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

That is a good way to describe the tone! It works really well with my Gibson archtop.

[@alexanderpotts8425]

Love my TB202 😍 unless it breaks or I convince myself I need an OD202, I probably won't buy another amp again

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I'm super happy with it. I'm very glad I bought it when I did as they have massively gone up in price in the UK.

[@alexanderpotts8425]

@@jazzguitarwithandy andertons just started reviewing the superblocks too so no doubt UK demand will go up...

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

@@alexanderpotts8425 about time they did a video on them. I'm sure that will increase demand.

[@waitaminute7257]

Deluxe was warmer.

[@SGM-RobertAndres]

I bought this same Quilter 202 and block 1 year ago. Love it for any genre and guitar I use: 50’s Fender Tele, Fender Strat Standard, Eastman Semi-Hollow Arch-top, and Martin electric acoustic. Selling my Benson HotRod as much as I liked it. Do not use it anymore.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Nice. What speaker do you use with it?

[@SGM-RobertAndres]

@@jazzguitarwithandy same one Andy: 12”. Glad I went with that one over the 10”.😊

[@SGM-RobertAndres]

@@jazzguitarwithandy BTW: Using your EQ settings with the onboard reverb and like it! (Don't have reverb pedal). And...really like your guitar playing.

[@danhusband6154]

The Tele sounded crisp… which is good in some jazz applications. The 335 sounded full and round which is great in many jazz applications , the L5 sounds fantastic, you can’t argue that BUT, nothing sounds better for jazz than a full hollow body arch top .. full stop … nuff said!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

The archtop has to be king of them all for playing jazz!

[@danhusband6154]

@@jazzguitarwithandy I have an Ibanez AG95 artcore and a Hagstrom H550… both full hollow body, both sound amazing each in their own way…like the Tele, the 335 and the L5 ( but at a price point that I can manage for my skill level)

[@Santaheckler]

You should have gotten a Deluxe Reverb TM…even lighter and sounds just like your DRRI. You know…

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Maybe, but I fancied trying something different. Also, the cool thing about a quilter is for some gigs I can literally just take the head. Now that is a light rig! Used to have a TM twin. It was quite nice, in a mix I think it’s hard to tell the difference. Could tell the difference when practicing at home though. Think the TM series are great, Quilter offers a bit more flexibility with pairing it with different speakers or just right into a PA.

[@johnkliewer2516]

I think you are letting the lighter weight and serviceability of the Quilter fool you into thinking it sounds as good as the Deluxe. It does not. The Quilter sounds flatter and more one-dimensional. Hard to describe in words, but the Deluxe brings the sound to life somehow. Just IMO of course.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

It's definitely different! I've since done lots of gigs on the Quilter. Overall, I still love it. Very occasionally I play a venue and I can't quite get the tone I'm after. I know what you mean about the one dimensional thing, that said, once in the mix with other instruments it really becomes immaterial. Since offloaded my Deluxe and Princeton for a Toneking imperial MKII, that is fulfilling my tube needs these days!

[@JackTheSkunk]

​@@jazzguitarwithandyThe audience doesn't care and won't be able to tell the difference. Use the Fender for recording and the Quilter for live gigs. I would love to have a Mach 3 head with a 1X15 cabinet.

[@natearchuleta2003]

I have a Superblock UK so I know it's different in multiple ways but I've found that it is most dynamic in either end of the middle. Edge of breakup or almost distortion. I don't care for the drive sounds but with the limiter applied it takes clean boost to distortion and fuzz very well.

[@TwilightontheTrail]

Fender rumble = poor mans quilter!

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

💯

[@user-lh3si8sl8o]

I find both of them not very inspiering. I would not go for either of them. They sound sterile. I get a better; warmer jazz tone out of my old Roland Cube and my old Polytone Mini brute.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Yet to try a Polytune, heard great things about them.