Recently took advantage of a great deal and acquired the REVV D20. I scoured the web for weeks in exploring all similar options with respects to price point and features — No YouTube Video was left unwatched. The choice was narrowed down between the Laney L5 Studio & the REVV D20 and, in the end, the smaller form factor, extra wattage, and built-in two notes pushed me to the REVV D20.

My thought process on the acquisition: I currently have a nice SS Quilter Combo amp w/ 12″ Extension Cab — this offering me a great range of voices. In wanting to add a simple tube amp for exploration and diversity of tone, I thought I could run something like this into the extension Cab (offering me a second amp) while also taking advantage of the headphone support and direct recording. A main component of my rig being the pedalboard — yes, I do love pedals — the notion that the REVV D20 could serve as a great platform (much like the Quilter) really peaked my interest. From this perspective, the REVV D20 checked off so many boxes.

Initial Feedback: Very happy so far with the purchase, still really getting to know the amp. I am open to suggestions and helpful information. In the normal gain channel (4watt setting), I have found that the greatest, most open tone, comes when the volume is almost fully turned up and gain control then sitting around 9pm. As I turn down the volume or turn up the gain, the tone starts to darken. With the Gain Knob pulled out but kept lower, it adds fullness without very much breakup at first but then I can roll back the Volume control some. I have ordered better headphones AKG 240s, as the gain tones were a bit tinny (I have adjusted the EQ to compensate.) It does seem to take and work with all of my pedals quite well.

[NAD | The first few days with the REVV D20 -> Some more feedback & thoughts]

I’ve spent the last few days playing around with all sort of settings and configurations, mostly focusing on use through a 12″ Quilter Cab loaded with a BN12-300s Celestion but, also to include some time running through the headphones and cab sims. I do not pretend to be an expert/connoisseur of every classic amp sound but, with enough years of playing guitar through various amps, I would offer (and as others have described) that the REVV D20 has a very base/neutral sound, providing a robust pedalboard platform to then sculpt one’s desired tone. This should not be viewed a negative mark against the amp — the flexibility this voicing provides should be considered a positive — just don’t expect to turn on the D20 and have is scream out “I’m a Blues Jr or a VOX AC15”. This being said, with both the onboard EQ and, the virtual EQ options within the Two Notes Virtualization, there is a lot of tone tweaking one could do with just the amp and thus, getting closer to some of those more iconic amp voices.

So what about that Pedalboard interaction? The REVV D20 takes all of the pedals I have thrown at it like a champ. At first, I ran the entire board into the front of the amp before switching last night to a split configuration with drives into the front and EQ, Delay, and Verbs in the effects loop. At this point, I am quite sure that, with the right AIAB (Amp in a Box)/Pre-amp/EQ pedal … one could very easily get the REVV D20 to sound like a vintage amp of lore (if it is something one desires).

I should have taken pause when mentioning this little tidbit of information earlier … I am not using a typical guitar speaker that would lend itself in helping to achieve certain voice characteristics. I would suspect that if one’s cab has a Creamback, Alnico Blue, or other classic speaker — this might go a long way in helping to establish a more vintage tone.

The controls, as straightforward as they are, are very interactive. Little adjustments between Volume and Gain, 4-Watt or 20-Watt, Normal Gain vs the Gain Boost can often may dynamic changes to the resulting voice and how the EQ adjust from there. As an example (and mentioned in my previous post): on 4 Watt Mode, with Volume around 12pm on the dial, as I turn up the [Gain] dial, the amp gets a bit darker and more compressed. If I crank the Volume to around 4/5pm on the Dial, the AMP opens up a great deal (treble shines through) and I can roll back the Gain control. While still on 4-Watt mode, if I turn on the Gain Boost, the resulting tone is more open/full and I can lower the Volume back down to around 12pm. On 20-Watt mode, the amp is just more full/open sounding and, unless I want to blow my ear drums, I need to keep the Volume around 12pm. I have certainly found settings where the amp has some nice chime and a touch of breakup — and other settings that are more mellow jazz feeling (all in just playing around with the front-facing controls).

[ … as to the Two Notes System & Headphones]

Last night I spent some time with my laptop connected to the REVV D20 to start, with purpose, exploration of the Two Notes system — I walked away with a pretty big smile on my face.

While I have played around with various multi-effects units that provide amp/cab simulation (think: Line 6 Pod HD, Yamaha THR, and the like), I haven’t invested the time, nor the desire, to be a ‘go to’ expert on the subject but, certainly have racked up enough hours to know what sounds solid and, what just sounds ‘Meh’. The Two Notes system sounds great, is easy to navigate, and has both depth of settings and options. Through the virtual EQ, I was able to dial in some rich & organic, cusp of breakup blues tones – or – with a quick swap of the cab and virtual tubes, dial in a bit of British chime. While it is not going to be 100% authentic, I don’t believe that many of us have the physical room or budgets to have all the amps/tones that the REVV D20 & TWO NOTES system come very close to delivering on. I had a great time playing around with the various cabs, mics, spaces, and tube choices provided by default and certainly can see/feel a wealth of possibilities. My exploration was rather limited when one pauses to consider all of the various cabs and other options that can be unlocked/purchased from Two Notes much less, loading your own IRs of choice.

To note: While covered in the manual, I had sort of jumbled the logic/working of the Pre/Post button on the front of REVV D20. For starters, the button only applies to the Two Notes system and thus, the difference thereof can only be heard via the headphones or the XLR port. Users should understand that the terms ‘Pre’ & ‘Post’ are specifically in reference to the position of the Two Notes integration specific to the physical Power Tube section of the D20. If the switch is pushed in, the Two Notes system will kick in just after the Pre-Amp, bypassing the 6v6 Power Tubes of the amp [ Guitar In -> Preamp -> Two Notes Simulated Power Tubes and Cab]. If the switch is set on ‘Post’, the Two Notes system kicks in after the power section of the REVV D20 [ Guitar In -> Preamp -> 6v6 Power Tubes -> Two Notes w/ Simulated Cabs etc.] Important to understand, one will need to access the Two Notes Systems via a computer to engage/disengage the virtual power tubes depending on how you want to set that switch — at least to get the best tones/response out of that experience. Of course, once you make your choices, it can be saved to one of the selected presets on the switch so one doesn’t have to use the computer again.

Initial Impressions: First few days

SOUNDS FANTASTIC! In the first few hours of playing, there are just so many sounds one can dial in and it seems to handle anything I throw at it. The versatility of the EQ & Tone settings just seem endless and provide such a rich foundation to build on. The thought occurred to me as I was playing around — the clarity/crispness/fullness makes the whole experience feel like I was listening to an “HD” amplifier if there was such a thing.

Also … not that I can sing nearly as well as I can play, but I did plug-in the Microphone and the whole combo things works as advertised. Compared to my Fender and Crate, this thing is very light. As it is loud enough for small performances, and expandable for bigger venues, this is truly a great AMP for all purposes and occasions.

[Update: A few weeks later and additional thoughts]

This past evening I was playing around with my Strat & the MicroPro 200 (sans Pedals). I was just trying to keep it simple and try out a few things both with the Guitar and Amp. I had added a LP to my gear this past year and have been spending most of my time playing with that thus, it was nice to revisit the sound and feel of the Strat.

I wanted to share specifically to the Quilter MicroPro ….

This amp is fantastic, such a rich organic sound, and so very tweakable. I continue to find great sounds every time I try/do something different. It is important to note, for those that might be interested in this amp that my experience with using it has been a bit different from any amp I have ever owned — not that I have had that many. To clarify, while the basic tone/foundation is solid from the minute it powers on, you really do have to know and understand what all the controls do — even more so — how they interact with each other.

Beyond the base tone, this is not the type of amp that you push a button or turn a knob to get the sound you want. Instead, you will have to tweak more than a few different settings to dial in the tone you want — this does make for some great trial and error. For instance … you can turn up the gain for some distortion but you will probably also want to turn on the loud boost setting, dial back the presence, and add a dash of Limiter to get a great edge-of-breakup blues sound. While this can equate to a bit more work, I feel like I understand the function and interaction of different circuitry (i.e. gain and limiter) which is worth the price of admission for such an amp. A helpful way to think of this is to consider the difference between throwing a tv dinner in the microwave vs gathering the ingredients and cooking fresh on the stove top. Now certainly, for some sound and functions of the amp, it is just that easy to turn it on, adjust the EQ and then you’re off and running — it’s just nice to know how deep the user control and tweakability is if desired.

Finally, I would share that I had an opportunity to sit-in for part of a set with a long-time friend at a private event a few weeks back. There were a lot of other musicians in attendance and many of them commented on how great the amp sounded — not to mention how easily it held it’s own outdoors competing with a drummer and PA system. As for having to carry it around — so light and easy 

[Update: After six live performances]

The Quilter MicroPro 200-8 is Fantastic. Super Light and Easy to Carry with NO Sacrifice of RAW Power. It holds its own and stands proud. Having played at some smaller venues, with up to about 30 to 40 people in attendance, I haven’t had to turn the amp but a smidgen past half-way on the volume level. Fellow musicians in attendance are honestly amazed in both the strength and quality of sound; very rich and full spectrum. The Quilter MicroPro has become my main/”goto” amplifier.

[SIX YEARS LATER – Added: April 13th, 2021]

Here is a quick and honest update to share …

6 Years & many gigs of all types later the MicroPro 200-8 is still my main Amp. I’ve teased a few other amps throughout this time but they’ve only at best played a supporting role. Further, I have enjoyed a few other Quilters to include the 101, 101 Reverb, Tone Block 200, and the Microblock — the Reverb 101 paired with BlockDock 10 being the preferred amp out of that particular bunch.

A year or so after writing the review above, I ended up getting the matching Quilter 12″ Extension which I later upgraded to the HD speaker — It has been Fantastic! Even when not needing more volume, the 12″ Cab just added some more fullness and bass. That said, when performing at outdoor gigs, while the amp would honestly be just fine, the larger speaker again helped disperse the sound a bit better and added some oomph. Currently, in the home studio, I have the pedalboard outbound signal split into two with one side going to the MicroPro and the other into a REVV D20 which is then hooked up into the Quilter Cab. With the various voice settings available to me on the MicroPro, I can mix and match various amp types for all sorts of fun combinations between the two —- all without taking up very much space.

Final note: During this 6 years, my pedal board as grown and changed exponentially and, no matter what type of effect, boost, or gain I threw at the Quilter amps, they handled it all like champs. I am always excited to see what Quilter brings out next — oh yeah, and my back sincerely appreciates the lighter weight