Tone Report Weekly Issue 140 | Page 56

Quilter Tone Block Series Quilter makes the best solid-state amplifiers in the world right now, especially for players that seek the ideal platform for using stompboxes, preamps, and other outboard tone sculpting devices. The company’s compact, inexpensive, and ultraminimalist Tone Block 200 was a revelation when it arrived on the scene. It’s remarkably tubelike in sound and feel, but clean and neutral enough to be a perfect “blank canvas” for effects usage. For 2016 Quilter has expanded the very successful Tone Block lineup with somewhat more feature-laden compact amps, including the Tone Block 201 and the ProBlock 200. The 56 TONE TALK // 201 features expanded EQ options, as well as a voice switch with settings for five different famous amp tones, while the ProBlock features extensive EQ, a limiter circuit, and a lovely onboard reverb. Both amps feature an effects loop. Like the original Tone Block 200, these tiny, 4-pound, all-analog heads can generate up to 200 thunderous watts of real world output, while also sounding warm and robust at whisper volume. They also do a remarkable job of amplifying basses, keyboards, or just about any other electronic instrument you might plug into the input jack. Solid-State Sweethearts: 5 Perfect Pedal Platforms