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Post new topic Milkman "the amp" vs Quilter Toneblock 202
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Author Topic:  Milkman "the amp" vs Quilter Toneblock 202
Brett Hansen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 6 Mar 2021 6:51 pm    
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Anybody have a chance to demo these 2? They both look good but it looks like tone Quilter might have more eq options?
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Asa Brosius

 

Post  Posted 6 Mar 2021 9:09 pm    
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Yes and yes. Two small versatile amps, lots of differences.
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Don Christy

 

Post  Posted 7 Mar 2021 9:29 am    
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Brett, I found a YouTube video that might help you see the difference between Tube amps and the Quilter Tone Block 202.

Check it out...it will help.

Here is the link.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAEdc1l-t6g
Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2021 9:51 am    
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I've never seen (heard) a Milkman so I can't compare to that amp.
But my 202 amp with the Voice switch set to VINT gives it a very "Fenderish" sound. If I were using it with a lead guitar I'd probably use the VINT setting. Many 6 string guitar players are ditching their Fenders and other amps for the Quilters. The lead guitar player I've worked with for 20 years is a "must have Fender tube amp type and mostly uses a blackface Pro Reverb" likes my 202 and is considering getting one.

I normally have the Voice switch set to Full Q for steel but occasionally have used the VINT setting.


Last edited by Jack Stoner on 8 Mar 2021 3:17 am; edited 1 time in total
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Steve Mueller

 

From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2021 10:19 pm    
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I've owned both. The Milkman 100 is far superior for my taste possibly because of the 12AX7 in the preamp. If you like the non tube sound, you may prefer the Quilter.
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2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland
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Brett Hansen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2021 7:32 am    
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I'm wondering now if running a black box with the quilter might be the way to go? Does not having a mid control of any kind on the Milkman limit tone control in a bad way?
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Jim Cooley


From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2021 8:24 am    
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Brett Hansen wrote:
I'm wondering now if running a black box with the quilter might be the way to go?


YES! I used to put a Black Box in front of every solid state amp I used. I took it out of the signal chain when I started using my 202. That amp didn't seem to need it. Then I took my TT12 combo to a friend's house one day so he could play through it. I had the Black Box with me, and suggested he try it with the 202. We both noticed an immediate improvement. I put the Black Box back into my signal chain as soon as I got back home.

Of course we're talking about tone, which is one of the most subjective subjects we discuss, so you might not like it as much as I do, but if you already have a Black Box, give it a shot. Mine isn't going any where.
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Steve Mueller

 

From:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2021 10:12 am    
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I just purchased an MXR 10 band equalizer to use with my Milkman 100. Very quiet, works great, allows you to adjust the tone the way you want. They're very inexpensive too. $129 new and used ones out there.
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2016 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2015 Williams D12 8 x 8, 2023 Williams S12 4 x 5, Milkman Amps, 1974 Gibson Byrdland
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2021 12:12 pm    
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Although this thread is about comparing two amps, I can't see having to add something to make it sound like you want. If I can't dial in what I want with the amp, its sold and history.

I had a black box (very good engineering and audiophile quality components). It didn't do anything for me either with a Peavey Nashville 112 (stock, not modded) or a Quilter Steelaire.
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Patrick Fleming

 

From:
South Dakota, USA
Post  Posted 8 Mar 2021 1:11 pm    
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For what it worth, I have played through the milkman "the amp" and "amp 100" and I liked them but the lack of a mid control is what i think kept me from loving it. The tone is very warm and thick I could not get the bell like chime and clarity i was hoping for, I was going straight in from a volume pedal with no other effects. I am thinking about trying the half and half since it has the mid control.
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Aren Orsen

 

From:
Electric City, WA
Post  Posted 9 Mar 2021 4:57 pm    
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I have not used the Quilter 202, but use the Milkman 100 and love it. The lack of a mid dial bugged me at first but I got over it after dialing it in with the two knobs. The simplicity of it is a plus for me. After getting it set how I like it, the only control I've touched in months is the "on" switch.
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Douglas Schuch


From:
Valencia, Philippines
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2021 5:30 am    
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I've owned both for pedal steel. Soon after getting the Quilter, I sold the Milkman to a guitar player. If you want a more traditional tone for pedal steel, the Quilter is the way to go IMO. If you want a bit darker, jazzier sound, or more modern sound, then the Milkman might suit you. The Milkman "The Amp" is NOT a tube amp - only the preamp has a tube.

Bear in mind that the amp, while rather significant in shaping tone, is only a part of the equation. Speakers, pickups, technique, etc all have an impact. I like a pretty traditional tone for pedal steel, and found it very easy to find that with the Quilter. With the Milkman, I could get close, but never quite there.

YMMV
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Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental!
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Brett Hansen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 10 Mar 2021 6:46 am    
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Thanks everybody, I'm ordering the Quilter toneblock 202.
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