Quilter AV2008 Aviator Ultralight Eight Combo Amplifier

In a lifetime of playing I have owned vintage and new Fender tube amps. I also own a piggyback Mesa Boogie Express 5:25. Two years ago I bought a Quilter Aviator 12 and was astounded that a solid-state amp could sound this good. It sounds as good as the Mesa Boogie at half the price. So, now I just took delivery of the Quilter Aviator 8. With a Custom Shop Stratocaster this little amp sounds better than the larger amp. The smaller speaker is more articulate, and the bass is tighter. With the line out capabilities, this amp could replace my collection of amps. If I need more stage volume, I will use the Aviator 12. I bought the Aviator 8 to use with my Gibson ES335 and ES175. I bet it will sound good with a Godin Multiac as well. The best part is that this amp weighs 22 pounds.

This amp is everything they say it is, The quilter amp sounds better than most tube amps, I know, i have built at least 10. This new design is going to put a lot of tube amps up for sale, it is that good. The digital reverb enhances the tone like no spring unit can it is great, The tone is the same at all volumes. Controls have a lot of eq range. Quality made in USA.

I'm a Ft Worth area jazz and multi-style guitarist that has played professionally for over forty years (OUCH). Like most guys I feel that a real tube amp (especially with point-to-point wiring) is the only way to go. With that said, as a jazz guitarist, I have long been persuaded that great jazz guitar tone is possible from solid-state, Class D amps like my Henriksen and Acoustic Image. It's a great, musical, fat and somewhat Hi-Fi tone. The problem is that the Class D game has not been applied to a traditional Fender-like combo amp design, until now. So, an amp has arrived that delivers Class D fatness and warmth and couples it with twang and an "organic", "blooming" tube-like sponginess that you need for all other traditional electric styles. For my commercial gigs I need THAT sound. Modeling amps may sound "somewhat close" but THEY DON'T FEEL RIGHT, tend to be harsh, and they aren't fat and warm. Mind you, I'm not referencing the sound of an overdriven Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3). If that is your "tube sound" you may not be fully satisfied, though I think most working pros could deal very nicely with it's overdriven sounds. My ideal working tone is the clean sound of a vintage tube Fender Super Reverb or Twin. That palette, with pedals, gets the job done. My belief is that if THAT sound works for you, you will be very pleased with this Quilter. I believe my ears are sensitive to the subtleties of fine instruments and amps. If I were blindfolded, I believe that this Quilter could con me into believing that I was plugged into a quality old Fender amp. Hands down, I like it BETTER THAN a DRRI that I tweaked forever and never found peace with. I believe firmly that this Quilter is a real-deal amp that will serve a gigging professional very well. It sounds great with pedals and loves my Teles, Strats AND does well with my archtops (but here I prefer my Henriksen). Where the Quilter really wins is in it's lack of spikes and honks that plagued my DRRI. Everything it puts out is musical with no annoying EQ anomalies that taunt and torment my ears. From what I can make of the internet chatter regarding Quilters, the only folks dubious of Quilter amps are guys that haven't actually plugged into one. Hey, I get it. The history of solid-state amps that have failed to live up to lofty claims made me very skeptical, too. This Quilter fills my Fender amp needs with zero reservations. Perhaps better than a Fender as the sound is very flexible and predictable across volume ranges. I should mention that it is plenty loud and would easily compete with much bigger tube amps. It's pretty darned amazing performance for such a tiny footprint.

I've owned my generation one Quilter Aviator Eight since early 2014. It has replaced all five of my tube amps for good reason. It sounds as good as any amplifier I've ever used, weighs just a bit over 22 pounds and performs flawlessly. This amp with it's 8" speaker has been more than enough to get the job done...it sounds huge...it's always funny to watch people react to the amp when they hear it for the first time.

Keeps up with drums, bass, another guitar... etc! this amp is THE AMP! better than tube amps by far much more portable and reliable!If you want an amp for gigging , practicing, rehearsals... THIS is it :) you won't regret it! trust me!