1 – Read and keep these instructions.
2 – Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
3 – WARNING: To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. Do not use this apparatus near water.
4 – Clean only with a dry cloth.
5 – WARNING: To prevent excessive temperature rise, operate product only in free air with unrestricted ventilation. Do not install in confined spaces or near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
6 – Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a grounding prong. The wide blade or third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
7 – Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
8 – Unplug the apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
9 – The appliance coupler (or attachment plug) is the mains disconnect device and should remain readily accessible when amplifier is in use.
10 – Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
11 – This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
12 – Changes or modifications made by the user that are not expressly approved by the manufacturer may void your authority to operate the amplifier.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WARNING: To prevent fire or electric shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
The Bass Block 800 compact bass head provides exceptional power and tone for the modern bass player. The proprietary 800-watt power section provides a “big stick” to get full performance from any speaker, with a quiet, variable-speed fan for heavy duty usage. Innovative tone controls are
voiced specifically for bass guitar, and internal limiting provides the feeling of “bottomless” power resources without suppressing musical dynamics. The power amplifier is “tighter” than our guitar amps, for better control of large bass speakers, while retaining the warmth and smooth power flow that Quilter is famous for.
DUAL INPUTS provide two appropriate input levels for traditional passive pickups, as well as hotter active pickups. The GAIN control regulates drive and sensitivity. DEPTH regulates only the frequencies below 100Hz, providing control over the lowest strings, and adjusting the overall roundness of the sound. CONTOUR regulates the midrange voice of the bass guitar, ranging from a crisp scoop to a mellow treble rolloff. The MASTER control regulates the overall peak power delivered to the speaker, for matching any size and speaker rating. A MUTE button allows temporary silencing for changing instruments, with a bright red LED as an alert. A HEADPHONE outlet supports quiet practicing. The AC POWER LED also acts as a thermal warning light, “winking” if the amplifier is limiting itself due to overload.
The rear panel provides DUAL QUARTER-INCH SPEAKER JACKS, plus a SPEAKON™ connector, for compatibility with all popular bass cabinets. XLR LINE INPUT and LINE OUTPUT connect to external preamps and/or consoles. A LOCKING AC CORD ensures uninterrupted service. Please consult this manual for further details on these features, to obtain the best results.
Quilter Labs uses the latest Class-D power technology to maximize warmth and dynamics without the weight and drawbacks of traditional technology. We receive advice from musicians far and wide, but our constant goal is to make products that we ourselves are proud to use. The result is a serious
professional tool with performance that meets or beats handmade amps costing several times as much. We hope you enjoy your new amplifier. May it give you many years of flawless service and provide a source of inspiration and creativity
The Bass Block 800 provides a full-gain PASSIVE input for conventional passive pickups. The ACTIVE input has 10dB less gain to allow convenient use of hotter active bass pickups without having to make big changes in your Gain setting.
A small pushbutton between the INPUTS and the GAIN control mutes the input for noise-free instrument changes. A bright red LED above MUTE will illuminate during muting. Avoid accidental muting while adjusting GAIN.
The GAIN control regulates the overall volume and sensitivity of the bass. The Bass Block 800 is designed not to distort on peaks, and incorporates an effective but transparent limiter. Depending on your playing style and pickup volume, you will start encountering limiting somewhere in the upper half of the control’s range. The limiting action is subtle and easy to overlook, but it prevents abrupt bottoming and can be used to stretch notes. To get the “feel” of this interaction, set the MASTER very low, and increase GAIN until you feel the volume holding back on peaks. This is the limiter in action. You will also notice a tendency to “auto-equalize” the volume of high and low tones when pushed well into limiting. All these behaviors can be used as musical effects, or can be avoided by reducing GAIN below the limiting threshold. Once you have found the sweet spot that works for your tone, adjust the MASTER for the desired overall volume.
The DEPTH control is a highly selective low frequency boost/cut that acts only on the lowest half of the bass guitar’s range. Boosting DEPTH will produce a deep rounded tone. If pushed into limiting, the overtones and higher notes will “catch up” with the bass foundation, preserving dynamics and attack without bottoming out.
The higher strings and harmonics are shaped in two distinct directions.
Turning to the left introduces a mid scoop that produces a crisp snappy tone.
Turning to the right progressively reduces treble for a rounded vintage tone.
After you have adjusted your tone as described on the left, use the Master control to match the overall output power to your speaker's capacity. The wattage markings will provide initial guidance, but if you hear any popping or other signs of speaker overload, reduce the Master wattage until the speaker is operating comfortably. This allows the amp to be matched to a wide range of speaker ratings. On full MASTER the amplifier can be driven to its maximum power of 800W/4 ohms by using sufficient gain, although limiting will begin to cushion the peaks at about 80% of full power. If you are unable to achieve the desired bass output with only one speaker, consider adding an additional speaker for more capacity.
Headphones may be plugged into the mini-jack located under the input jacks. The speaker may be unplugged for silent practice. It will normally be more comfortable to keep the Master below about 50%.
A thermal sensor is embedded in the heat sink to monitor temperature rise. As the amp is worked increasingly hard, the fan will gradually speed up to improve cooling. If temperature continues to rise, either due to extreme power demands, or lack of ventilation, the amp will eventually reduce volume until temperature recovers. Thermal limiting is indicated by the POWER LED “winking”. Ensure that side vents are clear and the amp has access to cool air.
The Bass Block 800 provides dual ¼-inch speaker jacks, as well as a SPEAKON™ outlet, for compatibility with all popular bass cabinets. The Bass Block is ideal for driving 4-8 ohm loads. 16 ohm power will be reduced, and the amplifier will begin to protect itself as described above if driven hard into impedances less than 4 ohms. However, no harm should result. Be sure to monitor speakers for signs of distress and reduce MASTER level if required to prevent popping or bottoming.
An XLR balanced line input may be connected on the rear of the amp. The signal enters prior to the Master control, but bypasses all preamp EQ and limiting. Thermal limiting and short circuit protection are still effective.
An XLR line output may be connected to outboard power amps, powered speakers, or consoles to reinforce the output of the Bass Block.
The power cord that comes with your amplifier is designed to lock into the AC inlet to reduce the
chance it will come unplugged during use. Press the yellow button on the cord to release it. Any normal 3-prong IEC cord may also be used with the amplifier. Always ensure that the ground contact is intact on both the cord and receptacle.
The Bass Block can be used on all known worldwide AC voltages (100-250V), which allows you to play just about anywhere on the planet. Nothing to change but your AC cord type.
Clean the outer surfaces with a clean, damp cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. Never use any abrasives, harsh cleaners or solvents. The Tone Block amplifier is manufactured with high quality components using modern industrial processes that greatly reduce production defects. Each amplifier
goes through an intensive testing process before it leaves the factory ensuring that your amplifier will give you years of flawless service. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the amplifier. Any repairs should be performed by a trained service professional. Always use the amplifier in a well-ventilated environment and protect from external heat sources such as furnaces or direct sunlight. Prolonged high-volume playing causes heat buildup in the speaker which reduces its working lifetime. If you find it necessary to consistently use the amp at full volume, we recommend
using an extension speaker to prolong speaker life and improve sound coverage.
| Amplifier Module Specifications | |
| Power Output: | 450 watts-8 ohms, 800-watts, 4 ohms |
| AC Power Req.: | 100–240Vac, 50–60 Hz, 250 W typical, 1000W peak. |
| Input Connections: | PASSIVE: ¼" mono (full gain), 2 meg |
| ACTIVE: ¼" mono (-10dB gain), 30K | |
| LINE INPUT: XLR 10K balanced, 1V full scale. | |
| Headphone Output: | 3.5mm mini-jack, 20 ohms per side, 2V peak. |
| Speaker Output: | 4-8 ohms, 90V, 25A peak |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| H x W x D: | 8.5”(218mm) x 7.5” (190mm) x 3” (76mm) |
| Weight: | 4.5 lbs (2kg) |
Circuitry used in Quilter amplifiers is stable and there are no internal connections that might go bad. Generally, the amp works normally, or it doesn’t pass a signal at all, or in rare cases noises or dropouts occur due to cracked parts. Movable parts such as controls and inputs can be damaged or corroded, but these faults are usually apparent when cycling controls or re-inserting inputs. Most faults are traced to external causes such as cables, speakers, or instruments. The following troubleshooting chart should help narrow down the cause.
| Symptom | Action | |
| No power, no lights | • Ensure that the AC cord is fully seated and connected to a live source. • Check the AC source by trying another device. |
|
| Amp shuts off then after a short time, turns back on | • If amp feels very hot, thermal protection is activating. Reduce Master at least 30% and keep the amplifier out of direct sunlight or enclosed spaces. Amp normally runs only slightly warm. • Continued intermittent behavior indicates need for servicing. |
|
| No audio (using a guitar) | • Check the MUTE switch: confirm that the red LED over the MUTE button is not illuminated. • Confirm that the MASTER control and the GAIN controls are turned up • Try using a different guitar cable. • Check that the pickup selector switch and volume on the guitar are set correctly. • Try a different instrument or audio device. • Ensure that the rear panel speaker plug is fully inserted into the SPEAKER jack. • Ensure the guitar plug is inserted fully at each end. |
|
| Volume level slowly reduces. | • Thermal protection may be activating. The Power LED “winks” every 1-2 seconds when thermal protection is active. Check that side vents have full air flow, check the load impedance and look for cable shorts. If everything is normal, reduce Master about 25% to reduce overload. | |
| Background hum | • Ensure the guitar plug is fully inserted. • Try using a different guitar cable. Make sure it is properly shielded. • Any AC powered sources or effects should be plugged into the same receptacle or AC strip as the amplifier to help avoid ground loops. If the hum goes away when you turn down the guitar: • Single coil pickups can pick up hum, especially from light dimmers or neon lights. Some guitars have “phase switching” pickup selectors that can sometimes help. • Check that the guitar’s cavities are well shielded. • A thin “buzz” especially at partial guitar volume may indicate that the AC cord’s ground pin has been defeated. This is dangerous and leads to noise. |
|
| Bass is too thin or thick | • Adjust the DEPTH control. | |
| Harmonics or high notes don’t sound right | • Adjust the CONTOUR control. | |
| Amp sounds garbled at all volumes | • Try a different speaker, especially if headphones sound clear. Caution: reduce MASTER volume until sound level has been confirmed. • Try plugging instrument directly into the amp, and unplugging Effects Loop. If sound is then clean, check outboard processing for problems. |
|
| Tone sounds “dull” with no high frequencies | • Confirm EQ settings. • Check your guitar’s tone controls. |
|
| Desire clean tone, getting too much overdrive | • Turn down the GAIN control and turn up MASTER. • Plug active bass guitar into ACTIVE input to reduce input overdrive. |
|
| Desire overdrive tone, not getting enough overdrive | • The Bass Block is designed to remain clean but the limiting system can be overdriven with extreme Gain settings. • Using an active bass on the PASSIVE input will provide more gain. • “Lead bass” players should consider a Quilter Tone Block or Pro Block which are designed to produce vintage-style overdrive tones. |
|
| Amplifier Requires Service | If any of the events below occur, immediately unplug the amplifier and refer to a service technician. • Amplifier or AC cord emits smoke • Amplifier is dropped or chassis is dented or bent • Liquid has been spilled into the amplifier • Loose parts inside the amplifier are heard • AC breaker trips |
For warranty and service information, visit our support website at support.quilterlabs.com
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the product into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.