Quilter Mach 2 Micro Pro
Hey Skip,I'm looking into quilter amps. Testing out the Micropro HD with 12" speaker.
I'm looking to maximize volume before feedback, playing with a loud rock band with 2 overdriven guitars...If you've ever been in that position you know what I'm talking about.
Amp has an XLR line out which is very helpful.Using a LW Harp Shield and carbon copy delay Also have a Harp Attack. Trying to dial in a Boss GE7 EQ but I don't really know what to do with it.Any input would be appreciated.Thanks!!Tom
So I have tried a Bassman....still couldnt cut through the mix even when Mic'd to to the PA.
The Quilter has an XLR line out which works really well. The HA weas recommended to me to get more of a Bassman sound. Lot's of players rave about the LW Harp shield, I'm still feeling it out. The Boss EQ is still a mystery to me.
I have a few more weeks to tweak the settings and decide whether to keep this amp, it is tiny and weighs next to nothing. I also play acoustic guitar with this band and put that through the second channel on the Quilter with no issues. These are the Pro's.
I can get a really nice tone out of it even at low volume but when the band is going full tilt I find myself playing too hard and of course tone suffers, if I try to up my volume feedback (low end) occurs....the plight of the harmonica player in a rock band!!
Thanks again!
Oh man, I feel your pain Tom.
The XLR line out is the same as a mic'd amp, so that won't make a difference in overall volume (the only nice thing is that you don't need an extra mic, cable, and stand).
Are you getting the Bassman off the floor?
Getting the amp off the floor, closer to you ears, makes a big difference.
Are you getting away from the amp?
It's very important to not have the Bassman right behind you... get the amp as far behind you as possible (the Bassman needs room to form its sound).
These are the two most important elements. If the amp is on the floor, and right behind you, the amp is at half its capable volume (for you to hear).
Let me know how you're setting up the amp and we can go further in the discussion.
So I have tried a lot of things. Amp is Bassman LTD, all stock except one tube swap.
I have the amp up on a stand with a slight tilt up. I try to get as far from it as possible but most of the stages I've played on are tiny so it's impossible to get out in front of it. I used a 57 to mic it but never could get enough sound through the PA. Playing through an astatic with Heuman element.
Settings as follows: Bass-7, Treble-2, Mid's around 3-4. Could never get volume past 5-6 before feedback. Still it sounds super loud..... until the band starts playing!
Never used any pedal with the Bassman other that the delay.
Has been an exercise in frustration, have been going straight through the PA. Not at all the tone I want but at least I can get sufficient volume.
I read some good reviews on the Quilter so decided to give irt a try. James Harman (RIP) was using one and Westside Andy uses one as well as some other great players.
I get more volume through the PA with the Quilter than I ever could with the Bassman. Not sure why. Tone is decent...FAR better than going straight through the PA but still issues when the band is going full tilt.
The guys I play with are really good but they are rockers, not blues musicians. If there was more of a blues scene around here I would look to swiitch bands but I live in PA, kind of rural so not much going on around here!
Thanks for your expert advice, it's much appreciated!!
Tom
Okay, great... you've already tried a lot of things.
Tip... when you can't get away from your amp, putting it on the side of the stage (called a side fill), can be a great choice. I saw Musselwhite do that many times.
The main issue is hearing yourself, right?
If so, you could try...
1) Using a line out of your amp and going into a powered monitor. Your monitor, your control of volume.
2) In-ear monitor from your line out.
Thanks Dave,
I'll try the side fill approach. Never heard of that one.
I can (usally) hear myself but when I hear recordings from out front I don't have enough volume.
When playing straight through the PA I turn one of the PA speakers a bit towards me and I can hear myself. Problem there is I feel like I'm stuck in a little corner because if I move in front of the speaker bad things happen. Also just don't like the tone of course!
The Bassman does not have a line-out. The Quilter line out works pretty well but I'm still running away from feedback all the time.
Maybe I just need a new band lol!!
Well, you did hit on the main issue... the other musicians refusing to play at a reasonable level... but I too have played with musicians that I like to play with that are loud, and still decide to play with them.
Yeah, try the side fill, it's a good option for you to hear yourself.
You can have a local tech instal a line out for you on your bassman. Another option is to use a splitter, or an A/B/C box where you can plug your mic into the box and then split one signal (via instrument cable) to your Bassman and the other to your powered monitor on the floor in front of you.
"I can (usally) hear myself but when I hear recordings from out front I don't have enough volume."
Okay, this is a much more simple option, so what I mentioned above doesn't really apply.
Mic your amp and run your sound through the house. This way you have your amp as one source of sound, as well as the other two (L and R) speakers to get your sound out.
Hello Tom.
Skip is not really the person to answer this question, since his specialty is vintage tube amp repair, so I'll chime in.
I don't have any experience with Quilter amps, but I can speak in general. When playing with a loud band, the rule is more wattage pushing more speakers. The Fender Bassman (see the Bassman Chronicals on the site) with 4x10" speakers is the industry standard for gigging harp players, so I recommend that. Some players use two Bassmans chained together when needed!
In regards to the Boss EQ, first set up the amp to sound good for you, and when/if feedback comes, listen to what range is feeding back. A low ruble requires you to lower the lower frequencies... a mid feedback you'l lower the mids... a high-pitched feedback you'll lower the highs. This will lower the offending frequencies, thus allowing you to play louder.
To be honest, the only piece of gear you need is the delay pedal, the low/mid/high adjustments on the amp do everything you need.