The Steel Guitar Forum

Can someone explain the main differences.
I'm considering but don't know how they differ.

I have a Tone Block 201, which I got when one of the big box stores was blowing them out for $249. It's a pretty startlingly good amp for a 4-pound 200 watt solid-state amp with a Class D power section.

The websites do a pretty good distinguishing between them. They're all 200 watts, but there are some differences:

Tone Block 200 - https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/p ... -block-200 - Older model with pretty straightforward controls - Gain, Contour, and Master Volume; no effects loop. I think it's a bit deficient in features in comparison to the others.

Tone Block 201 - https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/p ... -block-201 - Gain, Tri-Q (similar to Contour), Voice switch (5 different voicings), High-cut, and Master Volume; effects loop

Pro Block 200 - https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/p ... -block-200 - Similar to Tone Block 201 but loses Voice switch but adds Limiter and Reverb knobs: Gain, Limiter, Tri-Q, Reverb, High-cut, and Master Volume; effects loop

Tone Block 202 - https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/p ... k-202-head - This is the latest and somewhat different. Gain, Limiter, Bass, Mid, Treble, Reverb, Master Volume; effects loop and pre/post line out

There are others, but these are the ones I think are most appropriate for pedal steel. And I'm sure Quilter would point out additional differences in the intenals for the more recent models.

BTW, MF was blowing out the Pro Block 200 tonight for a while at $299, but they didn't last long.

For around the same money, I'd go for the 202 for its reverb and bass/middle/treble controls. But I think the 201 is very competitive, especially at the blowout price I got it for. I have gotten pretty comfortable using the Tri-Q control, external reverb is easy, and I'll take the 5 different voicings over the limiter on the Pro Block any day.

Very helpful. Thanx

I guess the 202 is supposed to be 'where its at' thats qhere I would put my money

I have tried every Quilter amp to date. The 202 is by far my favorite. In fact, I think it’s the best solid state amp I’ve ever heard.

I have a 201 and I have to admit the Tri-Q as a treble-mid-bass adjustment always has me second guessing myself. I’ll usually just play hoping it sounds right, but never truly sure.
I have a feeling the 202 would be more intuitive for me.

It is now a back up amp, since I got the F Twin Tone Master, which I can set with more confidence (confidence that is probably just the little schizophrenic devil guy standing on my shoulder whispering in my ear).

I started out on the 201 using the Surf voice (I assume brown/blackface/silverface Fender sorta' thing, it's definitely heavy bass/treble with wicked scooped mids) for steel, but I have generally been preferring the flatter, more full-range Full-Q voicing, using the Tri-Q for tone shaping. Some of my guitars prefer Tweed, my Super 400 likes the Jazz voice. And, shocker, playing Dick Dale, I like the Surf setting with an old Fender Reverb tank in front.

I agree that, in principle, I'd probably prefer Bass, Middle, and Treble controls. But for less than half the price, I decided to go with the 201, which I still like a lot. And I have to say, I have acclimated to the Voice and Tri-Q controls.

Hey, anybody wants to sell me a 202 for $249, I'm all over it. When it's next year's (or the following year's) old-hat in favor of the latest-and-greatest, I'll be happy to scoop one up.

Ron, I know a lot of people are all moving to the 202 and I’m not to far behind them. I’d pat that with TT12 or TT15. Light weight easy to transport!