New Steelaire Combo

Warren Johnston · Post by **Warren Johnston** » 16 Jul 2014 6:11 pm

My new Steelaire arrived last week so I would like to make some favourable comments on it. A fantastic replacement amp. Going from a 30kg lift with the Session 2000 to a one finger lift of the new steelaire is great. Have done away with the Profex and gone straight from guitar through the Lil'Izzy to amp.
Settings I have settled on are :- Gain=3, Bass=6, Hmid=4, Lmid=4Trb=3, Rev.=6, Dw=6,
Tone=5, Master=4-5. The Lil'Izzy put the cream on it. The amp is just so easy and uncomplicated to use compared to what I had. The settings are so responsive to any changes. I am not a great player but I had to replace the 2000 or give up. I know I have made the right choice and am more than satisfied with it. Anyone from Australia or New Zealand interested in these amps contact Brad from "the Amp Factory" in Brisbane. A very amicable gentleman to deal with. I am sure he would be more than happy to help you.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 16 Jul 2014 10:35 pm

You sure have a strong finger

Seriously, how light is it?

Warren Johnston · Post by **Warren Johnston** » 16 Jul 2014 10:58 pm

Consignment waybill stated 20kgs.About 10ibs

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Jul 2014 2:57 am

20 kilograms weighs just a tad over 44 lbs., which would make sense including the box and packaging,

Warren still has a strong finger, the Quilter website states that the amp weighs 35 lbs.

But he wouldn't be doing this one finger demo with a 2000, that's for sure!

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 17 Jul 2014 3:04 am

35 lbs is about 16 kg. I wouldn't try lifting that much with one finger, but for a biggish combo amp it's impressive!

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Jul 2014 11:59 am

And 16 kg is about 35 lbs...

For the metric, and non-metric among us:

1 pound = 2.2046 kilograms

Of course all the members who have been weed dealers already knew this!

We've have members who are able to pony up the dough for the likes of Milkman and Little Walter amps, and I wish I could be one of those guys but it will probably never happen.

I really can't justify anything "fancier" than a Peavey Nashville or a Roland Cube, but I like everything I've seen and heard so far about the Quilter Steelaire.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 17 Jul 2014 1:54 pm

mark....the kilos at san jose state were 2.2 lbs.

$60-$70 per....

Warren Johnston · Post by **Warren Johnston** » 17 Jul 2014 2:28 pm

Sorry about my maths.You are all quite correct.The one finger lift is not a fake.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Jul 2014 3:43 pm

chris ivey wrote:mark....the kilos at san jose state were 2.2 lbs.

$60-$70 per....

Chris, you probably got some of that from my brother's buddy who lived in an old house on 3rd street with a "head shop" in the front.

Or were you the guy who supplied my brother's buddy? Don't answer that - take the Fifth.

Or that might have been the guy at Underground Records down the street and a couple blocks over on 1st. A big dude with long hair and a beard...and wore a dress. I remember riding my bike down there in junior high to buy the first Led Zeppelin album and there he was. It was quite a shocker to my young eyes.

Sorry about the hijack Warren, but you can blame it on Chris, he jogged old memories about the scene around San Jose State University back in the day.

At any rate, the Steelaire is on the light side, not too many kilos for an electric amp, and if folks are happy with the sound and the features then Quilter seems to have a winner on its hands. And I like the idea that it seems to have plenty of value as an electric guitar amp as well. And that is still one strong finger you have there brother!

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 17 Jul 2014 4:59 pm

Hi Warren -- looks awesome mate, I had a good look at those amps at the Brisbane steel show last month, although I never played through it. You will have to bring it down to Christchurch on your next visit so I can give it a whirl

And yes they are very light, it was the first thing I checked... certainly a big step forward from the weight and complexity of the Session 2000. So the built in reverb is obviously very nice ??

Sandy Inglis · Post by **Sandy Inglis** » 17 Jul 2014 6:07 pm

Hi Warren
Great looking amp. Good to see you're still 'at it'.
I think you got strong fingers from lugging around the old D10 Sho-Bud!! or was it helping with the luggage?
I've enjoyed having a lighter amp and Pedal Steel.
Cheers Sandy

Ron Taylor · Post by **Ron Taylor** » 18 Jul 2014 10:49 am

Hi Warren,

What is the Lil Izzie for? This is supposed to a great amp, so I was wondering why this other device is needed. I ask because I'm considering buying a Steelaire myself.

Thanks!

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 18 Jul 2014 10:56 am

Ron, the Izzy matches impedence of the pickup. You don't need it, but once you try it (or a similar device like the Freeloader), you'll probably like what it does. I never play without my Freeloader, no matter what amp I use.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 18 Jul 2014 12:50 pm

The Izzy is an impedance-dropping buffer. So volume pedals and cables won't eat highs. It has an effect on what goes into the amp.