¶ The Quilter Pro Block 200
¶ IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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.
¶ Forward by Patrick Quilter
The Pro Block 200 personal power amplifier provides an ideal link between any good loudspeaker and the musician’s instrument or electronic tone source (pedal board, digital processor, or keyboard). Despite its small size and streamlined control panel, this little powerhouse can replace almost any stage amp ever made.
The INPUT accepts normal guitar cables. The GAIN control ranges from line level to overdrive. The LIMITER control provides separate control of sustain, with or without overdrive distortion. A single TRI-Q control blends three distinct voices, providing far more tone shaping than an ordinary “tone” control. The REVERB is clean and lively, and the HI-CUT controls the overall bandwidth. The MASTER adjusts the amplifier’s warm, musical power output from 0 to a full 200 watts, offering clean headroom and/or rich overdrive at will. An EFFECTS LOOP completes the front panel features, and the rear provides twin SPEAKER outputs and a DIRECT OUT for easy interface to stage or studio audio systems. A rack mount kit is also available, mounting one or two Pro Blocks in a 2RU rack adaptor.
Please consult this manual to obtain the best results. Quilter Labs uses the latest power technology to maximize warmth and dynamics without the weight and drawbacks of classic tube technology. Every component and circuit is selected solely on the basis of superior results. Where advanced design or premium components significantly boost performance, we have made the investment. Costs are kept as low as possible using a well-managed high volume production process.
The result is a serious professional tool with performance that meets or beats handmade amps costing and weighing several times as much.
We hope you enjoy your new amplifier. May it deliver many years of f lawless service and provide a source of inspiration and creativity.
¶ FRONT PANEL:
INPUT: Accepts standard guitar or any other signal.
FX SEND: Sends post overdrive signal to external effects units at approx. 1V peak. May also be used as a line output. RETURN: Returns effects signals to the Master and into the power amplifier. GAIN: The left half of the range is suitable for line-level signals such as keyboards, mixer outputs, or external pre-amps. The right half of the range will produce increasing amounts of overdrive.
LIMITER: Turning up the Limiter progressively reduces overdrive distortion while maintaining low-level sustain.
TRI-Q: The frequency response is flat, or neutral, in the middle. The left end of the control accesses a “scooped” EQ with full treble and bass, but less midrange, often used for greater “chime” and clarity. The right end of the control accesses a midrange-treble boost with reduced bass, often used for a more forward leadguitar effect. These three main voices are blended smoothly on in-between settings.
REVERB: Adds a bright clean sense of spaciousness to your sound.
HI-CUT: "Takes the edge off" the amplifier's naturally wide bandwidth as it is turned up, creating the effect of a mellower speaker.
MASTER: Sets the overload or clipping point of the amplifier, from zero to 200 watts, approximately as shown on the panel.
¶ REAR PANEL
¶ International Power Supply
The Pro Block works with all known worldwide AC voltages (100-250V), which allows you to play just about anywhere on the planet.
¶ Locking IEC Power Cord
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.
¶ Direct Out
Provides a mic-level, isolated signal that may be used instead of placing a microphone in front of the speaker. The signal is equalized to match the response of most cone-type speakers.
¶ Speaker Outputs
8 and 4 ohm jacks support optimum matching of single or dual 8-ohm speakers as well as 4 ohms. 16 ohms may be used in the 8-ohm jack with good results, and almost any impedance will work safely, including no load. The amplifier will adjust the output impedance and tone balance automatically.
CAUTION: The Pro Block can provide enough power to blow many popular speakers. For safer results, use the MASTER to select a wattage limit that is reasonable for the speaker being used.
¶ MOUNTING THE TONE BLOCK
Multiple holes are provided in the cover to enable the Pro Block to be mounted in a variety of situations. The rubber feet may be removed if desired; save the mounting screws for re-use to ensure proper fit and retention.
¶ CARING FOR YOUR AMPLIFIER
Clean the outer surfaces with a clean, damp cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. Never use any abrasives, harsh cleaners or solvents. The Pro 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. Also, consider investing in a cover. Quilter makes an excellent cover designed to protect your Pro Block from a world of snags, scrapes and spills.
¶ SPECIFICATIONS:
| ELECTRONIC PERFORMANCE | |
| Power Output: | 0 to 200 watts maximum, 4-8 ohms |
| AC Power Req: | 100-240Vac, 50-60Hz, 250W maximum |
| Input: | ¼" mono |
| Direct Out: | XLR-M, 300mv full scale, balanced, ground lifted 10K min. |
| Speaker 1 Output: | 8 ohms, up to 200 W recommended rating |
| Speaker 2 Output: | 4 ohms, up to 200 W recommended rating |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| H x W x D: | 2.5” (6.35cm ) x 8.4” (21.3cm) x 7.2” (18.3cm) |
| Weight: | 4 lbs (1.8kg) |
¶ Troubleshooting
| 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) | • Confirm that the MASTER control and the GAIN controls are turned up. • Ensure the guitar plug is inserted fully at each end. • Try using a different guitar cable. • Check that the pickup selector switch and volume on the guitar are set correctly. • Ensure that the rear panel speaker plug is fully inserted into the INT SPEAKER jack. |
| Weak or fluctuating audio | • Plug guitar directly into amp and unplug the FX Loop to isolate bad pedals. Check connections and power supply or batteries in pedal board. • The amplifier almost never “loses power” without completely stopping. Look for external causes. |
| 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. |
| Excessive noise | • At high gain settings, some audible hiss or whoosh is normal. • Check your cables, guitar and other effects in the signal chain, especially for hum or buzz. • “Chattering” and other recurring noises are usually caused by cellphones close to the guitar or amp. |
| 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. |
| Weak or fluctuating audio | • Plug guitar directly into amp and unplug the FX Loop to isolate bad pedals. Check connections and power supply or batteries in pedal board. • The amplifier almost never “loses power” without completely stopping. Look for external causes. |
| Desire clean tone, getting too much overdrive distortion | • Turn down the GAIN control and turn up MASTER. • Confirm that speakers are in good condition. |
| Desire overdrive tone, not getting enough overdrive | • Turn down MASTER and increase GAIN until the desired overdrive is obtained, then reset MASTER to desired loudness. • Turn up guitar volume. • Try higher output pickups. • More MID will promote overdrive. |
| 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 |
¶ WARRANTY & SERVICE:
For warranty and service information, visit our support website at support.quilterlabs.com
¶ FCC NOTICE
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 equipment 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.