Quilter Aviator Cub UK ($649) vs '77 Marshall JMP ($2500) & Vox AC30 ($2200) | Hi/Lo Pass EP 4

[@cubistguitar]

It is refreshing when a new product demo doesn’t steer away from the flaws of the new product and just gets them out there for everyone to hear. Well done.

[@robertmcdonald59]

One thing the video really skips over is the eq section on the quilter. I have the tone block US and if you play with it you can get really really close to the amps they are based on. Much more useful then the eq on most of the tub amps I've had.

[@JonNewquist]

Exactly. The Quilter tone stack is active, so each knob boosts and cuts.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Additionally speakers are huge in the voicing of an amp. With all the cabinets available, it would have been cool to hear the quilter through the other cabinets too if the ohm loads matched.

[@JamieWoodfinJr]

Nice demo, sounds like a great amp to have in an arsenal.

[@robertprice5039]

Recently bought a Superblock UK, and while I will not selling my boutique tube amps, it’s an acceptable backup. If I was minimalist touring an Aviator UK would be a decent choice especially with the shortage of tubes.

[@tommc49]

If this operates the same as the Aviator American version (tweed, blonde, blackface), all three channels are active. So, you can use an A/B/Y switch and plug into two channels at once and select one or the other or both. Opens up a lot of versatility.

[@threeonamatchventura]

The one thing this and other Quilter demos can’t show is how fun it is to play the Quilter. What it feels like. How the notes and chords seem quicker, more defined, still spongy in a good way. There’s no fighting to get the sound and leads me to better performance when I’m not afraid to take a chance

[@LeviBulger]

I agree. That limiter control is so nice on these amps. If not for Quilter, I probably would have never taken the chance on the Fender Tonemaster series. But since Quilter showed it could be done, I put my trust in the TM Twin and haven't looked back. I will always prefer the warmth and fullness of tube tone, but I'm glad we have these things at our disposal now that actually do convincing jobs.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@LeviBulger You would hear the differences more clearly if you were in that studio

[@LeviBulger]

@@vincentl.9469 Hear difference in what? I don't understand your response to my comment

[@alessiovitali315]

Not sure if it can recreate those sounds even more perfectly, but it still sounds really great

[@al271987]

I have the prior Aviator Cub and I absolutely adore it as a pedal platform, it even takes fuzzes well. Loud as can be too. All that legitimate praise being said, the one thing I don’t turn to Quilter for is the gained up overdrive sounds. They’re just not great. This video demonstrates that, to my ears anyways, that’s still the case with the UK version. I’m glad they’re making a UK version of the Cub, it’s a great grab and go amp, but it’ll still need pedals to sound excellent at anything besides clean tones.

[@timholtguitar6999]

The mach 3 has great on board gain. I agree about the cub series though.

[@vincentl.9469]

no effects loop

[@thepatzer]

@@vincentl.9469 The Quilter does have an effects loop.

[@RokDAWG1]

I have a couple of Quilter amps & the latest being my Superblock UK. Playing with the eq I can really dial in tones that are almost identical to the amp's counterparts. That does include throwing a pedal on the front end. I'm pretty certain that some person has this amp and just worked the eq & threw a pedal in there as needed then nobody would be able to tell the difference. Especially in a mix.

[@bigjimponder9183]

I have the Quilter and completely agree that it is a great amp. I also think in a band setting you wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

[@kevinberthoud9347]

Really love it Joe you and the Reverb team demoed this Quilter amp. Thanks.

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

works for me. no one would be able to tell the difference if they were blindfolded. sound is so subjective.

[@75YBA]

This video clearly shows the limits of a combo amp and is a good argument for a cab with 4 speakers.

[@cgavin1]

Hahahah you've clearly never heard a good 2x12 mate. I grant a 4x12 has something more but its a different beast.

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

have fun lugging that stuff back and forth from your basement to the club.

[@cgavin1]

@@ragnadrabinowitz7629 To be fair the heaviest combo I ever lifted was an AC30CC2. Made circa 2004. WAAAAY heavier than even an 77 ultralinear twin. I am not ashamed to say that it broke me. I still have it though and it still sounds ridiculous with 2 alnico blues at 100db ..

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

@@cgavin1 yikes! i bet it sounds like the voice of god. hopefully, you can still bust it out for those special gigs (if you are a working musician). i'm just a mere mortal who likes to play guitar and learn music.

[@cgavin1]

@@ragnadrabinowitz7629 The finest sound there is. AC30CC2X (British Blues). Channels linked. Vintage filtering. A little verb. Normal channel on 5 ish. Top boost dimed. Master on 6. Plug in a 335. Bridge pickup. If God does not speak to you then, he never will. ;)

[@timholtguitar6999]

With humbuckers, both the Vox and quilter sound great. With single coils, the vox takes the cake.

[@MK-oz2lf]

Just shows how the speakers make all the difference. A 3rd experiment would have been to hook all 3 amps to different cab to see how they stand. This demo was ehhh.

[@robertcaple5165]

Their demoes are always "meh."

[@Healcraft]

yeah its like 90% speaker here

[@coupe-lee]

Also, it sounded more like the quilter has more highs not that it was lacking bass and mids like he said in the video. The speaker would have something to do with that of course. Also, it looks like the Quilter was mic’ed right on the driver?!

[@jordanritkes]

just got my UK Cub and it sounds great, absolutely nothing like this video. I do not know how it compares to Marshall or Vox, but it does have an inspiring tone. It's not fizzy and punchy like in this review. I also have the US Cub and it is very similar to that, but with more gain on tap.

[@memphismick7010]

I've had the US Cub for awhile. I really like it and get compliments on it's tones. I play it more than my other amps. I also have Quilter's Steelaire amp if I need lots of volume.

[@radioriot870]

I own the Superblock UK & run boost & OD pedals in front through the JMP voice, direct to a PA with very satisfying results for your typical rock club gig. But I did not like sound of any of the amps in this demo. Muddy & fizzy across all settings.

[@richardnish6469]

The recordingmethod and guitar playing on videos make a big difference.

[@scottcarruthers5127]

Great demonstration of how great the AC30 and JMP are, and how the Quilter isn't even close. Disappointing to me, but I'm glad i watched this prior to buying.

[@coupe-lee]

It’s honestly a poor demo. If you can, find a shop to test it out. I wasn’t convinced about Quilter until I tested one in person. They mic’ed directly on the driver on the Quilter and compared a 1x12 to two very different cabs. Boosting the bass and mids didn’t make sense either when the quilter just had more highs.

[@markdavidofficial4274]

Like a lot of the quilter stuff, but I think even Quilter would say they don’t sound as good as the original amps. However, I think it’s a cool amp, and I’d love to get one

[@usagi2988]

Would love a shootout between the Quilter Aviator and the new Line 6 Catalyst!

[@toddlogan9023]

I did this same thing at guitar center the other day…the speakers might play a lot into it….but the quilter blows it away. Clarity, feel. The line 6 does effects, but the price tag does reflect the quality. Overall I found the quilter inspiring…the line 6 was more meh…

[@bryanherward4679]

@@toddlogan9023 digital vs analog...both amps are great...but if you want to use a 2 amp rig...the Line 6 might cause phase issues due to the slight latency...

[@Seeds-nl7ql]

There is no comparison. Apples to bananas

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Quilter should bring back the Aviator Gold 1x8 200 watt amp. It didn't try to "be" any other amp; it has its own identity and it's really an amazing little beast. It's the size of a Fender Champ and can get as loud as a Blues DeVille 2x12. It's a *perfect* pedal platform. C'mon, Quilter!

[@Hoodrio]

Jeez, do you think they could find a player without such a ridiculously heavy-handed pick attack?

[@willdenham]

Why are so many of these demos done favoring the neck position? The Quilter I just played through sounded amazing in out of phase settings and treble on a Tele. I am a bridge pickup player, almost exclusively on my Les Paul.

[@jaricklosey4607]

Really good and fair comparison. Would love to hear the amps through the same speaker too!

[@AJHillis]

I own the Aviator Cub (US?) and love it. To my ears, and listening to many recorded shootouts on youtube, it does a great job replicating the Fender amps it seeks to emulate. The UK model has a much harder task I'm afraid. The cleans sounded great to me, but the gain from the Quilter here is a bit harsher, and lacks the warmth of the JMP and AC30. I'd be curious to try it with a Vox style and Marshall style drive pedal instead of using the amp gain. Still an awesome option, and I may pick one up to pair with my Cub.

[@jjulch]

Nope, Chinese made…

[@AJHillis]

@@jjulch oh I know it's MiC, i was saying US as in the voicings, which are fender. As opposed to this new UK model.

[@RokDAWG1]

Using my Seymour Duncan Dirty Deed Distortion pedal in front of my Superblock UK gives me a real close authentic Marshall tone. The touch sensitivity is really close as well.

[@bryanherward4679]

Perhaps down to speaker choice in the UK...pretty hard to make a speaker sound like a greenback and an alnico blue

[@acid-mask]

I prefer the quilter on the AC stuff - it feels harmonically wide open with like a nice even sprinkle of dirt.

[@davidcudlip6587]

Love for the AC30 is reconfirmed by this. By a mile.

[@vincentl.9469]

is there a mile of difference ??

[@davidcudlip6587]

Well, may be just 5279 feet. @@vincentl.9469

[@ritchieblackmore7812]

Sehr gute Vergleich. Der Quilter ist ein absoluter Verlierer in jeder Hinsicht.

[@imoldcraig]

Great demo to accurately show what these amps sound like. That Quilter is a victim of the video’s quality and does not sound great in comparison, though.

[@coreymineard]

I have been using the Superblock US for almost a year, as well as the microblock 45. I have been impressed by them so far, and I am planning on getting the Superblock UK too!

[@willdenham]

I just tried out the aviator cub (Fender style) and like this one it nails cleans and dirty cleans but I don't feel it can mimick cranked tube breakup. It also really only shines with single coil tele's and strats in the clean and slightly dirty settings. Otherwise what a great sounding!

[@jacobbockover1628]

I kinda feel the be same about the quilter and the hw that I feel about vox hw vs regular

[@jakedacres9153]

I own the Cub US and have AB'd it with a hand built Princeton and I can get it remarkably close. I'm unsure why they didn't take the time to craft the tones that are possible with a Quilter. Most of the tones, even with handwired amps in this video, left a lot to be desired, but people will come away thinking the Quilter is subpar because of it.

[@TheOldFlyguy]

Agree that none of them sounded 'great'. KZbin ain't the place to really hear them. The Quilter held its own. If you are a professional musician then you are going for the originals. If you are playing at home, Jamming with friends or an occasional player the Quilter is a great choice. Just like golf. If you need every advantage to compete you buy the best. If you play just to enjoy you don't need the same equipment. The advantages are smaller than the added costs. You also find that the average player doesn't play side by side either and you don't miss what you can't hear.

[@189pinto]

I always wonder how well the speakers are broken in on each of the different amps when I see a video like this.

[@jacobbockover1628]

Nice sounds

[@TheOldFlyguy]

I agree with the Radio Riot, who posted that all the amps sounded muddy nothing here sounded great not even that good. I own a AC30 and its GREAT. Far better than what was heard here. So what ever was used to record is the problem? Since nothing sounded great, the Quilter wins for going toe to toe at a much better price. Seemed like on the playing nothing was controlled. Just hit it hard and let it ring out which with gain isn't the best thing sometimes.

[@JimThompson-i3u]

Well, this video answered the question of whether or not I need a Quilter amp. There were some usable tones but not enough for me to add one to my stable.

[@brucedelgallo4114]

I’ll take the 27 pound quilter all day long, It sounds as good as the other two and about a third price ,no-brainer

[@DavidCaris]

very garage rock playing which is not flattering to the amps and kind of raspy and fizzy. I own the superblock UK and love it.

[@jjulch]

Wonder if they fixed the power jack? The power cable is supposed to lock but my Cub doesn’t have the right power jack for their locking cable…

[@bryanherward4679]

not all Quilters have that Blue locking iec cable....

[@jjulch]

@@bryanherward4679 mine came with it. So either they shipped the wrong cable or they didn’t put the correct receptacle on the amp.

[@bryanherward4679]

@@jjulch weird...probably the wrong cable at the price point

[@anothamatt]

I need an AC30

[@jobiazgarza9571]

quilter getting pretty close and much cheaper and lighter. kind of interested

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

It's obviously a very capable amp and could certainly sound better than what this demo portrays!! At the end of the day, SS is never going to rival the warm mids of a tube amp, simple! There are some great SS amps out there and there has been since the early 80's. Why are we still trying to convince tube users that SS can replace their tube amps? Well they can't!! JFWIW, I use a few different amps, tube and SS. I am currently gigging an early 80's Peavey Special which is SS. It sounds great at gig volumes.

[@greghenderson4582]

I wish they spent more time on the JMP settings ...and that Quilter had done one vox and 2 Marshall settings ..but I am ordering one of these !!!

[@greghenderson4582]

And why did he play a tele for the High gain JMP for the most part where is the power chord sounds ??

[@politicus56]

This was a good demo as far as it went. However the speaker ,and how well it is broken in, are a big part of an amp's sound. It's really apples to oranges to compare a single, brand new 12" speaker in an open back cabinet to 4, 45 year old speakers in a huge Marshall closed back cabinet or even the two speakers in the Vox. Additionally, you're not really hearing an amp properly until the speaker is broken in.A single new 12 vs 4 well broken in speakers is a night and day comparison. Try comparing that new Vox or Marshall to an old one. The same would be true. Also, instead of pointing the knobs the same way, it would hve been better to really attempt to clone the sounds of the Vox and Marshall with the extremely powerful EQ of the Quilter. Of course the amps are going to sound somewhat different if you just set the knobs the same way. The EQ sections, especially the active set on the Quilter, are completely different. Just putting the knobs on the same settings doesn't really give you a fair picture. That said, To my ears, the Quilter still aquitted itself well and came very close. Thanks for the Demo. In spite of any minor gripes it was interesting and helpful.

[@ronj9448]

50 Watts - how loud is that vs a VOX tube 15W or 30W?

[@themomentkiller9167]

Very loud. I have the US version and even with a heavy hitting drummer I sit around 10 o’clock on the volume dial. It is unbearably loud if you dime it

[@ronj9448]

@@themomentkiller9167 amazing. Thanks for sharing your experience with this Amp.

[@RBHuckleberry1]

Why would you match the EQs, when one amp has one set of EQ knobs covering 3 different voicings?

[@jhowellkc]

That Quilter's pretty good, but I'd like to hear it and this AC30 a/b'd against a vintage AC30.

[@mihailsotkov658]

Well, this definitely cannot be used as a promotional clip for the UK Cub. Personally, I think that Quilter amps sound pretty good clean, but the overdrive sound doesn't get anywhere near my tube amps.

[@Seeds-nl7ql]

A I’d pedal takes care of that just like the real things This demos sound is really terrible and please don’t judge these amps by this demp

[@aaronmajchen982]

Wow, introducing any gain makes the Quilter sound like someone threw a wet blanket over it.

[@jordantolentino6653]

The limiter is not utilized at all. This knob gives the quilter its tube like "sag" and takes away the fizziness, especially when the gain is turned up. Not a fair comparison without the limiter.

[@deezee8508]

The quilter sounded really good, it definitely does a nice job emulating a British sounding amp. But there's no way this was a fair comparison.

[@chrisb8193]

I mean, the Quilter sounds decent enough but as the old adage goes: “You get what you pay for”.

[@tomolewine5743]

Everything in this demo sounds really bad. I'm not sure what's wrong.

[@joemasse4568]

The guy playing? Sounds like a beginner?

[@19581998]

How did you make that Marshall 2203 sound so bad? Farty fuzzy tone. WTH?

[@duasmus]

Interesting

[@Nowandthen-zen]

Quilter may be close but it’s no horseshoe or hand grenade

[@savagehenry5158]

if i showed up to a club and teh guitar player sounded like any of this... i would put my drink down and leave.

[@marknettles]

The Quilter doesn't even come close to the Marshall, at least to my ears.

[@richardworkman5416]

This cellphone sounds like crap. It's no indication of how good a Quilter sounds compared to most solid-state amps ...or even tube amps, for that matter.

[@ryanern18]

When it’s not muddy and lacking definition, the Quilter is fizzy and buzzy like a burning beehive. It’s remarkably consistent and producing sounds that are generally unpleasant.

[@balderdashsir]

oof, this does not bode well for the quilter. I mean, *maybe* with more tweaking it could get closer, but when it's not sounding way way way too fizzy (and I love/value fizz more than most), it's entirely undefined, muddy. Hard pass. I just wish this company would make old school style slave amps and skip the preamp entirely. Their power sections are great, but their preamps leave a lot to be desired, and honestly, with so many great emulation boards (headrush, line6, etc) along with a bunch of excellent pedal pres, they should consider crapping out their version of the Orange Pedal Baby.

[@carguy3460]

Was this supposed to make me want to buy a VOX? That Quilter isn’t even close.

[@Eugene05]

Not a fan of the quilter

[@tomolewine5743]

It doesn't sound anything like this in person. I don't know how he got it to sound this bad.