Bass Videos
Review – Quilter 800 Bass Block Analog Amp
In this issue I take an in-depth look at the Quilter 800 Bass Block Analog Amp.
The long awaited solution for bass players is here! (Suggested price: $599)
Built from the Ground up:
Built specifically for the bass guitar, the Bass Block 800 represents the culmination of years of research and development. Unlike many of today’s compact bass amps, the Bass Block 800 is not simply an existing consumer-grade power module married to a pre-amp, but a comprehensive power system that responds dynamically and musically to the player’s instrument and touch.
Ultra-Light, Ultra-Strong:
The Bass Block is so light you might forget you are carrying it to the gig! Using an ultralight aluminum
chassis, internal fan-cooled heat sink, and ferreting out every ounce possible, the Bass Block manages to pack
800 watts into a sturdy and insanely lightweight 4-lb package.
Real world power at any voltage:
Using high power technology developed for world-class pro audio touring, the Bass Block 800 delivers effortless reserves of power to maintain tight control of the speaker without clipping or bottoming out. The universal-voltage power supply delivers smooth and powerful response regardless of “club voltage” surges. The amp works on any voltage, anywhere. Plug it in, turn it up, enjoy the effortless beauty of the tone!
[svp]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gONrrngWB9A[/svp]The most “musical” bass head ever?
Pat Quilter’s first amp was built in 1967 for his brother’s bass player, and great bass tone remains a key passion. The modern bass is a full-range instrument, with much different dynamic requirements than electric guitar. Low frequencies require more horsepower to move air, and the instrument demands percussive response without bottoming out or obtrusive limiting. The Bass Block provides 800 “real watts” to build on, and the preamp is optimized to make the best use of that power, providing more effective headroom with less stress on the speakers. Unique bass-specific EQ controls allow the bassist to quickly dial in a wide range of tones to match any instrument, and a special 2-stage limiter prevents bottoming out without suppressing dynamic response and feel.
A Master control allows the peak power point to be adjusted to safely power any size of speaker, from giant stacks down to compact studio units. A prolonged field testing program has confirmed that every component in the Bass Block 800 is focused on creating the ultimate musical instrument for bass players. You will feel it every moment of every gig. Effortless, powerful, and exacting tone at your fingertips. The ultimate tool in your arsenal.
Specifications:
Includes Deluxe carrying case!
Power Output:
225 watts-16 Ohms, 450 watts-8 ohms, 800-watts, 4 ohms (2 Ohm use possible, but may experience clipping at high volume.)
AC Power Req.:
100–240Vac, 50–60 Hz, 250 W typical, 1000W peak.
Signal Connections:
PASSIVE INPUT: ¼” mono (full gain), 2 meg
ACTIVE INPUT: ¼” mono (-10dB gain), 30K
LINE INPUT: XLR 10K balanced, 1V full scale.
LINE OUTPUT: XLR, quasi-balanced, 400 ohms, 1V full
scale
Controls:
GAIN CONTROL MUTE BUTTON (with red warning LED)
DEPTH CONTROL (100Hz Hi-Q bass control)
CONTOUR CONTROL (Low-mid scoop, flat, treble cut)
MASTER CONTROL (adjusts peak power from 0 to 800W)
PILOT LIGHT (“winks” if the amplifier is driven into thermal limiting)
Speaker Connections:
4-8 ohms, 90V, 25A peak
Dual ¼” jacks, 8 ohms each
Speakon (2 wire) 4-8 ohms.
Headphone Out:
3.5mm mini-jack, 20 ohms per side, 2V peak.
Dimensions:
H x W x D 8.5”(218mm) x 7.5” (190mm) x 3” (76mm)
Weight:
3.7 lbs (2kg)
Available online at MusiciansFriend.com.
Find out more at www.quilterlabs.com
This month, we discuss right-hand techniques to minimize injury while playing bass.
Dr. Randall Kertz is the author of The Bassist’s Complete Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health. Click here to get your copy today!
View More Bass Health Articles
Adam Russell, bassist for Story of the Year, hasn’t slowed down for a second.
With the band’s latest album A.R.S.O.N. dropping on February 13, 2026, they’ve not only delivered new music but also pushed their creativity further through a series of visually striking videos, several of which Adam himself co-directed and edited.
In this interview, we dive into the making of the new record, explore how Adam shapes his signature bass sound, and get the inside scoop on the band’s upcoming Camp Screamo Tour with Silverstein and Origami Angel.
Here’s Adam Russell.
Photo: Ryan Stephens
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Get ready for a conversation with one of Southern rock’s enduring forces, Tim Neilsen. For over 35 years, Drivin N Cryin has been delivering a powerful blend of grit, melody, and heart, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. With their brand-new album “Crushing Flowers” set to drop on April 10th, the band is gearing up for another exciting chapter.
At the core of that signature sound is bassist Tim Nielsen, whose driving grooves have helped define the band’s identity and earned them a place in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
In this interview, we sit down with Tim to talk about the new album, the secrets behind his unmistakable tone, and what lies ahead for Drivin N Cryin.
Here is Tim Nielsen.
Photos: Chris Neilsen, Carlton Freeman, Ted Lanthangue, and courtesy Tim Neilsen
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Oteil Burbridge & Lamar Williams Jr. Champion Love Over Hate in New Single “Hush” | New Album ‘The Offering’ Out May 1.
Bassist Oteil Burbridge and vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. continue the rollout of their forthcoming collaborative album The Offering, with the release of its second single, “Hush”. A slow-burning Southern soul meditation rooted in love, peace, and emotional clarity, the track is a centerpiece on the album with a potent, thematic statement, in Williams’ words to “block out all of that nonsense” and “remember that there is more love in the world than hate.” The full-length album arrives May 1 via Flóki Studios, recorded on Iceland’s northern coast and produced by drummer, engineer, and Soulive co-founder Alan Evans.
While much of The Offering grew out of Burbridge’s banjo-based writing, “Hush” emerged from he and Williams’ shaping a deliberate sonic vision. Burbridge says they were “trying to capture a more old school Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals vibe,” leaning into a Southern soul feel that fits Williams’s phrasing. The end result is a song that is unhurried with a deep pocket that allows the groove and the song’s message breathe and stand at the forefront.
The album features an all-star lineup of drummer John Morgan Kimock, percussionist Weedie Braimah, organist Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band, pianist and violinist Jason Crosby, guitarists Tom Guarna and Jaden Lehman — musicians whose overlapping histories connect the Allman Brothers Band, Dead & Company, the Jerry Garcia Band, Soulive, and West African percussion traditions.
CONNECT WITH OTEIL BURBRIDGE
Website // YouTube // Instagram // Facebook
When I heard that American Vanity, formerly known as Burn the Jukebox, was gearing up to release a new album this summer, it felt like the perfect moment to catch up with bassist and vocalist Virginia Franks.
With a fresh name unveiled just this past January and a clear shift in musical direction, the band is entering an exciting new chapter, one defined by both sonic evolution and a deeper, more focused message.
In this conversation, Virginia opens up about the inspiration behind the upcoming record, how she crafts her distinctive bass tone, what fans can expect from their upcoming tour, and where she sees both herself and the band heading next.
Join me as we dive into it all.
Here is Virginia Franks.
Photo, Devin Kasparian
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