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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What about effects pedals? The Quilter will bring new life to your
stomp box collection, but we also encourage you to try plugging
straight into the amp for maximum c la rity and tone.
What about different speakers? The “natural bias” output section,
like a classic tube amp, is designed for a specific output impedanc e
and works best with a matching 8-ohm load. Oth er 8 -ohm speakers
may be used with good results, but no provision is made for adding an
extension speaker since other impedances will result in reduced output
and impaired Master Volum e response. Connect the Direct Out jack to
a powered speaker or PA to boost or distribute the amplif ier’s sound.
Can I use the amp anywhere? The “One World” PowerLight supply
allows the Quilter to safely and efficiently operate on any standard
AC power source, generator, or in verter, anywhere in the world.
The standard IE C inlet allows all types of AC cords to be connected.
What if I still hear hum? The Quilter generates virtually no hu m, but
if placed on or near c onventional amps, dimm e r packs, or other AC
noise sources, hum may be induced in the reverb or guitar pickups .
SPECIFICATIONS
Power: 50 “valve” watts at 2% clipping, into 8-ohm speaker.
Speaker: Celestion G12 Neo Century, 8 ohms, 101dB sensitivity .
Input impedance: 2meg (HI input), 100K (LO input)
Tone Controls: Active Low, Mid, High with guitar-friendly frequencies
and slopes. Clean an d Cool switches select overall tonal person alities.
Reverb: Full-size 4-spring Accutronics tank with dual tone switches.
Direct Jack: XLR balanced, 600 ohms, 5K groun d isola tion, 300mv
peak output level.
Footswitch (not included): 1/4-inch ring-tip-sleeve controls Reverb
and Tremolo.
AC power: 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 120 watts maximum.
Dimensions: Weight: 25 lbs (11 kg), with in c luded cover.
Width 20” (51cm), Height 18.5” (47cm), Depth 11.5” (29cm)
DISCLAIMER:
This amp has been personally designed by Pat Quilter as a promotion
to commemorate the 40th anniversar y of QSC Audio Products, LLC,
and is not for commercial s a le. It is RoHS complia nt, and built and
tested to QSC production standards, but is offered “as is” with no
independent certification for safety and EM I c om p liance.
Manufacturer ’s liability is limited to refund of the purchase price upon
return of the defective pro duct. If the product appe a r s faulty or radio
interference is noted, disc on tinue use immediately and contact QSC
Customer Service for adv ic e.
QSC Audio Products LLC, Costa Mesa, CA, USA, 800-854-4079
40th Anniversary Model, User Guide
Welcome to the World’s First PowerLight Guitar Amplifier!
Pat Quilter presents the results of a 40 year dream – a great sounding
guitar amp using modern pro-audio construction. Many vintage amps
are treasured as “tone standards” but they are heavy, fragile, and
increasingly hard to maintain. The Quilter uses 21st cen tury analog
technology to match the performa nce of these 20th century classics.
You now have a single reliable amplifier for everyday use, with an
amazing range of natural tone that lets you preserve your vintage
amps for future genera tions to enjoy.
The first question most players ask when trying the Quilter is “what
kind of tubes does it use?” Using a deep understa nding of how the best
vintage amps behave, the Quilter has th e same warmth, lively musical
qualities, and intimate feel of the most beloved classics. In accordance
with audiophile design practice, high power QSC components are used
well below their norma l ratings for unstressed power flow and natural
clarity – this amp is studio clean, yet powerful enough for any sta ge.
Controls are simple and familiar. Standard rotary knobs provide quick
adjustments, with LED back-lighting and 21 detents to quickly locate
favorite settin gs. Pushbutton switches select major voicing and reverb
options, with m ulti-color LEDs that show settings at a glance. Premium
cabinet materials, a world-class neo speaker and exclusive PowerLight
technology combine to make the Quilter remarkably ligh t in weight,
yet strong enough to outclass most other amps its size. The cabinet’s
“jaunty tilt” lifts the sound off th e floor while keeping top and bottom
level for easy stacking and transport.
Best of all, we’ve ba nished the guitar player’s ancient enemy, AC hum.
The PowerLight supply converts all worldw ide AC voltages into p ure,
regulated DC, for impr oved clarity, sweetness, and hum rejection.
EXPLORING YOUR QUILTER AMPLIFIER
All great amps start with a remarkably good “clean s ound”. The
Quilter’s open-loop output stage, extra -high input impedance, and
world-class speaker brings out your guitar’s natural warmth and tone,
even with the E Q controls straight up, lea ving plenty of ran ge for your
own adjustments. Great amps also make a smooth transition from
clean to overdrive, increasing dynamic “touch” and supporting the full
artistic range of the electric guitar. To explore th is tonal landscape, set
the Master volume fairly low, and ex pe r im e nt with the controls and
your guitar, u sing the pictorial diagram inside for tips . All the controls
are highly active with many combinations, so you will find many
favorite sounds, and pos s ibly s ome new ones. Once you have found a
sound you like, use the Master control to adjust overall volume.
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AMPLIFIER FEATURES AND SETTINGS In case of doubt, start on 50% (half up) and HAVE FUN!
COOL CLEAN LOUD
INPUTS
HI LO
GAIN
LOW
MID
HIGH
LIMIT
FULL BRT
REV
PRE POST
TREM
MASTER
FOOTSW
REV TREM
POWER
INPUTS
VOICING SWITCHES
GAIN Control
Use the MASTER to set overall loudness.
LOW – MID – HIGH EQ Controls
LIMIT Control (Compressor)
FOOTSWITCH
REVERB Control
Reverb Switch FULL – BRT
PRE – POST Reverb Switch
MASTER Control.
TREMOLO Control
tremolo” effect.
AC POWER
normal.
DIRECT
HI Full gain, high impedance, 2 Meg
LO -6dB gain, medium impedance, 100K
COOL (BLUE) Switch
OUTPUT
XLR – on
rear panel
Balanced
600 ohm,
300mv pk,
5K ground
isolation
Selects a laid-back vintage-50’s
tone for classic blues or jazz.
CLEAN (GREEN) Switch
Scoops the midrange for a bright
60’s California sound.
LOUD (ORANGE) Switch
Boosts gain for more overdrive.
Switches may be combined.
Blends in the sound of a full size spring reverb, from “mild” to “wild”.
The switches on either side provide voicing and routing options.
FULL (ORANGE) provides a wellrounded, classic reverb sound.
BRT (GREEN) boosts “splash” and
“slapback” for a vintage sound like
early external reverb units.
PRE (GREEN) adds reverb prior to overdrive, like classic internal reverb amplifiers.
POST (BLUE) adds reverb after overdrive,
applying the affect to the overall sound,
similar to studio effects.
Regulates overall loudness without
changing the amplifier’s sound.
Use lower range for practice, upper
range for performance.
Ring-Tip-Sleeve type
controls Reverb and
Tremolo.
Effects function normally
when the footswitch is
not engaged.
Footswitch mutes the
reverb drive, so spring
noises may be audible if
amp is moved.
Switch – UP
Lights - ON
A small turnon thump is
Regulates how quickly the amp “pushes” into
overdrive. The LOUD button adds more range.
25% - clean range (without LOUD engaged)
50% - mild overdrive – for accents
100% - strong overdrive (LOUD goes to “11”).
Overdrive also affected by LIMIT control.
LOW controls fullness or ”thump”.
MID controls “bark” or “thickness”.
HIGH controls “chime” or “sparkle”.
Start on 50%, and try various blends,
in combination with the COOL and
CLEAN swit ch es.
Progressively converts overdrive distortion into
clean singing sustain.
0% (Off) – no limiting, full overdrive available.
10-25% - takes the edge off the overdrive.
50% - starts to sustain before distorting.
100% - maximum clean sustain -- only extreme
GAIN or LOUD settings will distort.
Wide frequency range,
moderate fixed depth.
Use TREMOLO and
LIMIT together for a
distinctive “singing
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