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Topic: Quilter and Telonics options |
Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2022 12:55 pm |
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I am very happy with my tube amps (Milkman, Dr. Z Surgical Steel), but I'm considering what options are best for pedal steel in the solid state field.
I tried a Quilter amp, but found it (and an Evans I had) lacked the bottom end I have in my tube amps, as well as what I had years ago in a Peavey LTD or Nashville 400.
Looking at the pedal sized choices that Quilter offers, what would you (who have first-hand knowledge) recommend for a pedal sized alternative, assuming one would be comparable?
How does the Telonics TCA-500C stack up in the low end department?
Thanks for any serious evaluations.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix.
Last edited by Daniel Morris on 20 Mar 2022 2:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 20 Mar 2022 2:01 pm
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In ref to the Quilters with no low end. I tried two Quilter Steelaire's and thought its all highs and no lows, that with a D-10 Franklin and using George L's cables.
Along with the Franklin we had a GFI Expo S-10. Never dawned on me to try the GFI, that was using "regular" guitar cables. The Franklin was sold and the GFI Expo S-10 was traded for a GFI D-10.
I had a chance to try a Quilter Tone Block 202 amp (what is used in the Travis Toy models) with the D-10 and "bingo" there was the clean highs and good lows, even on the C6th low strings. I changed to the George L's cables and back to too much highs and no lows. Put the "regular" guitar cables back on and the great sound was back.
I bought the full Travis Toy amp and "best steel sound" since I had a Twin Reverb in the 70's. The TB202 can even sound "Fenderish" with some settings.
The Travis Toy 12 combo is 27 lbs. |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2022 2:09 pm
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Thanks, Jack, that's the kind of info I'm after.
(I use cables from stompin-ground.com - usually Mogami.)
I'm curious about the Travis Toy model, as it would be easier to manage than a small head and large cab.
My Dr. Z Surgical Steel (Eminence 15") has the best low end I've ever had; maybe that can't be reproduced by a solid state amp, but the Steelaire just didn't have the bass end covered. I only play U12 guitars; I like those bass strings to sound like bass.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Steve Spitz
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2022 11:22 am Telonics low end
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I’ve owned all the amps mentioned , except the Dr. Z
At times, I think I’ve owned every amp ever made.
I don’t think you’d be disappointed at the Low end on the Telonics. Huge power and clean head room, with very efficient EQ capabilities. |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 22 Mar 2022 6:26 am
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My 12” Telonics 500c has all the low end I could ever use and doesn’t even blink at the low C6 notes (and is under 30lbs).
_________________
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2022 7:51 am
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I’m 100% a fan of the Telonics amps. Fantastic for my purposes, low end is huge but clear.
To me, the biggest selling point of the Telonics amps is their incredible versatility - I use a pretty dark sound, other guys use bright sounds, it’s all there to create to your taste.
Any video or recording I’ve made on steel in the last several years is a TCA500A direct to computer, and if you’ve seen any of the livestream I’ve done over the past two years on guitar, that’s a TCA500C. Both have Telonics 15” NeoDym speakers.
Unlike most people, I have one steel, one Tele, one archtop, and three amps - TCA500A and C, and an Acoustic Image Clarus I’ve had for years that I use for most small guitar gigs.
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 28 Mar 2022 5:13 pm
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Im with Chris - I have used my Telonics TCA500C in so many different locations and types of gigs, and it's never let me down yet, and always sounded amazing. it's incredibly powerful, and yet lightweight - I have flown it on many occasions without any issues either.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2022 6:26 pm
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| Maybe a touch of bad luck on my behalf but my Telonics has a serious problem with the mid control. Very scratchy pot that cuts out. I haven't opened the chassis yet to try a cleaner but I will. It's a little disappointing considering the price of these amps. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 28 Mar 2022 6:36 pm
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Larry, call the folks at Telonics - their customer support is beyond amazing !!!! They will take care of you and your amp.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Bill Ferguson
From:
Milton, FL USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2022 6:05 am
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Right Paddy,
Larry, don't work on your Telonics yourself.
Call and talk to Dave. He will do whatever is necessary to correct the problem.
No matter the brand, you WILL get a bad part here and there. That is no reflection on the amplifier or the company, IMHO.
Telonics is 2nd to none in the quality of their product and their customer service, before AND AFTER the sale.
_________________
AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter. |
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Tommy Boswell
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2022 6:23 am Quilter
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deleted
Last edited by Tommy Boswell on 31 Mar 2022 4:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2022 9:12 am
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| Paddy and Bill, thanks for the vote of confidence. I hesitated to call because this was during the period where Dave was recovering his heart condition. I did purchase this 2nd hand and I'm the 3rd owner. I know it can be resolved and I'm capable of an internal repair. Surprised nobody else had any issues. |
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Duane Dunard
From:
Troy, MO. U.S.A.
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Posted 11 Apr 2022 5:16 am
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| Another vote for the 12” TCA-500C combo amp. Yes, it’s expensive, but the tone and the excellent customer service makes it worth the price. Plus,,,”Made in the USA” is important to me. |
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