Steelaire vs. Toneblock 202
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
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Steelaire vs. Toneblock 202
I would love to hear any comments and opinions concerning the differences between the two amps. I had a Steelaire rack mount but it wasn't for me. I'm considering a 202 but not if it's pretty much the same as the Steelaire.
Thanks
Thanks
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- Roger Rettig
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George
I had a Steelaire combo a few years back and didn't care for it. It was too bright for me and lacked a satisfactory bottom-end.
I was actually happier with my tone through my Roland 80xls.
Recently, and after having heard from a couple of good players who were very impressed with the TT-12, I took the plunge.
I don't pretend to understand how or why, but the 202 block in the TT 12" cabinet is the best steel amp I've had since my beloved Vibrosonic (15" Fender Twin in effect) I used in the '70s.
To think that all this range of tone and power comes from a unit that seems to weight next to nothing! In that respect, it beats my Vibrosonic by a mile.
I had a Steelaire combo a few years back and didn't care for it. It was too bright for me and lacked a satisfactory bottom-end.
I was actually happier with my tone through my Roland 80xls.
Recently, and after having heard from a couple of good players who were very impressed with the TT-12, I took the plunge.
I don't pretend to understand how or why, but the 202 block in the TT 12" cabinet is the best steel amp I've had since my beloved Vibrosonic (15" Fender Twin in effect) I used in the '70s.
To think that all this range of tone and power comes from a unit that seems to weight next to nothing! In that respect, it beats my Vibrosonic by a mile.
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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- Jack Stoner
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- Location: Kansas City, MO
I'll echo Roger, The TB202 teamed up with the Quilter Block Dock 12 enclosure and the Travis Toy 12 speaker (basically a Quilter TT12 combo amp) is the best steel amp I've had since a Twin Reverb amp I had in the 70's.
I'm one of those that talked Roger into the TT-12.
I'm one of those that talked Roger into the TT-12.
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings (all for sale as package)
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit
- Roger Rettig
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George:
In summary, let me add that I hear no similarity between the Steelaire and the TT-12. It's as though they're from different manufacturers!
I nearly bought Jack's TT-12 - I didn't meet his price which, in retrospect, was totally reasonable! He sold his locally then immediately regretted it and found another, I believe.
Russ Wever came to visit me in the Summer; he spoke of doing a steel-show somewhere and hearing another player's set being played through a TT-12. He was so taken with it that he asked if he could use the same rig!
On top of that, two good friends - Rick Schmidt and Dale Rottacker - spoke highly of the Quilter TT-12 and I was convinced.
It's impossible to get a bad tone from this amp!!!
In summary, let me add that I hear no similarity between the Steelaire and the TT-12. It's as though they're from different manufacturers!
I nearly bought Jack's TT-12 - I didn't meet his price which, in retrospect, was totally reasonable! He sold his locally then immediately regretted it and found another, I believe.
Russ Wever came to visit me in the Summer; he spoke of doing a steel-show somewhere and hearing another player's set being played through a TT-12. He was so taken with it that he asked if he could use the same rig!
On top of that, two good friends - Rick Schmidt and Dale Rottacker - spoke highly of the Quilter TT-12 and I was convinced.
It's impossible to get a bad tone from this amp!!!
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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Tone block
I hope y'all are right, I just ordered one.
- Foster Haney
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Hi Larry,
You'll be happy with your purchase I'm sure.
I just posted on this topic if you want to read about how I felt about the differences.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... 42#3128742
You'll be happy with your purchase I'm sure.
I just posted on this topic if you want to read about how I felt about the differences.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... 42#3128742
1975 MSA Classic, AA1164 Princeton clone, Quilter Tone Block 202, Custom Warmoth Jazzmaster, two Kazou Yairi Alvarez Acoustics from the 80's, Acme Low B2 bass cab.
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- Foster Haney
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- Roger Crawford
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I got a TB202 in March of 2022. I got to much treble and could not get the amp. to sound right. I had to turn the Treble down to 0 or 1, I was using George L .155 cables.
I got a D'Addario Cable kit and made a set of cables. The heavier cables made a big difference. I now can adjust the TB202 and get the sound I want.
I also had trouble with an Evan's AH 200 that I could not get the sound I wanted. Now with the heavier D'Addario Cables I get the sound I want from it too.
I got a D'Addario Cable kit and made a set of cables. The heavier cables made a big difference. I now can adjust the TB202 and get the sound I want.
I also had trouble with an Evan's AH 200 that I could not get the sound I wanted. Now with the heavier D'Addario Cables I get the sound I want from it too.
- Chuck Blake
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George I owned two Steelaire Rack mounts. Paired to my Eminence Esp 15c cabs, as well as, SICA 15" cab. My sound always seemed sterile, I even tried different reverb pedals to add warmth and presence (my lame description).
I decided on a ToneBlock 202 based on 6 stringer reviews, BINGO...WOW, using the same cabs, I can now get that Twin Reverb sound....lush and warm.
Sold both Steelaire's and haven't looked back. I did ho back to regular guitar cords for connections. Changed from George L's to clean up the highs....just MTCW
I decided on a ToneBlock 202 based on 6 stringer reviews, BINGO...WOW, using the same cabs, I can now get that Twin Reverb sound....lush and warm.
Sold both Steelaire's and haven't looked back. I did ho back to regular guitar cords for connections. Changed from George L's to clean up the highs....just MTCW
2010 Rains 3x5 SD10, 2006 Rains 3x5 SD10 Powered by Quilter Tone Block 202 and 15' and 12' Custom Speaker cabs