All user reviews for the Chillamp 100's

See previous opinions, head inspired by Hiwatt DR103!
See www.chillbass.fr

UTILIZATION

It has been over 6 months that I use this head to the apartment, and again in concert, it's just a lamp with the perfect compromise between power and weight!

I'm a big fan of plug and play, no équalo space on the head, just the gain, master, treble, mid, bass and presence I do not really use. Brief each knob does its job perfectly, in the frequency range that goes well!

Nice little detail is the ability to bridge the inputs with a patch (very) short. So I plug the bass in the entry "HI" Normal and patch between the two inputs "LOW". Other configs are possible with 4 inputs, to be tested. In my case it was the main gain control with volume "Normal" but also the opportunity to play on the volume knob "Bright". This allows to increase a little more definition sound a little more very very usable!

To quibble could just report the absence of DI.

Regarding the manual, if it is not supplied with the head just send a mail to Fred Chillbass that fits without problem by attaching a manual of best practices to adopt this type of amp.

SOUNDS

This is a head which seems to me its really "own" it is clearly not in the Ampeg or Ashdown. If I had to compare it to a "big" brand, I think it is rather in the spirit MESA. All at noon was a basic setting that gives a big clear sound difficult to twist the preamp with a passive type PB / JB, even in the HI input. Pushing the gain obviously increases the grain until a slight saturation but not drive crazy! Luckily, I was just looking for a big potential in the clear.

Another plus, the sound is usable even at very low volume, I use this head also work quietly at night in my apartment and it is perfect, I spend 2 hours searching for the perfect volume, gain and the master are very linear!

After I found that even when the head gives the best once you override midday the gain knobs and master, with the lamps do not hesitate to push, where also the interest of not having head lamp 300W!

Then I'm not a big user effect, but when I plug my big muff in the head and I do the same in the poor combo rehearsal studio that is really not the same world ... I think if I had plugged the big muff only in the combo I would have sold immediately while there was absolutely nothing ... Pluggée in Chillbass pedal is truly sublime!

OVERALL OPINION

Great stuff that sounds, wired carefully welded in the rules of the art, with quality components, Pau! On top of that the look is customizable!

In terms of power, it really depends on the performance of baffles or used but frankly I play rock and I am mostly at 14h on the knobs gain and master, there is under the pedal! After he really need more power to the Stade de France, all be transplanted ...

In conclusion I would say that only the inexplicable and unjustifiable impulses of GAS could make me change gear because in fact I have absolutely nothing against the head, I am very pleased!

So head lamps 100w purpose, based on the Hiwatt DR103.
This version was, however, improved, more grain, more heat and especially a loyalty extended spectrum.
And finally it is wired by hand in France!

Specifications:

Pre: 3 x ECC83, 1 x 12AT7
Power 4xEL34
Configuration: 2 inputs (normal and bright) bright and normal gain gain
bass, treble, middle, presence and master volume.
2 speakers jack outputs (in parallel)
Impedance: 4, 8 & 16 ohm (with switch)
Send & return (used with line out and power slave)

Weight: 18 kg
Sun: 54 x 29 x h27 cm (+ handle)

To quibble, we may regret not having DI output. But this is nothing unusual vintage head.
I still removes a small point because perfection does not exist and because objectively, it is not always easy with the sound engineers when no DI.

However, I found the solution. A passive DI placed between the head and cabinet. You just have that DI is equipped with a pad of at least-40db.
Otherwise the microphone to the speaker, it works very well too! Just buy a good mic.

Please also note Tolex. It is nice and quality, but seems quite fragile. I already made some marks and nicks on mine.

UTILIZATION

It's great!

I play jazz as metal so I need versatility as well, it is!
Heat lamps is present but the rendering is more linear than some kind Ampeg and Ashdown heads. The sound of my bass is perfectly developed, the amp is in the service of low and not vice versa!
The passive eq is effective but do not be afraid to turn the knobs, unlike the class D. Before I liked the eq with 7 or more lanes and finally I realize that with only 3 knobs j 'seem to get what I want.
Balance gain / master is also very effective and very progressive. One can easily manage the volume of the head in all situations and especially its grain.
It is possible to saturate badly but it depends on the bass and it requires still high volume! This is a rather clean head, especially in 100w.

In any case, you can turn the knobs in all directions, impossible to have a bad sound!
I use it on bass, but I tested with a guitar and it's great too, for the rest, it works with everything (bass, guitar, keyboard, etc.) and with all the techniques (slap, playing fingers , mediator, etc.).

Finally, the normal channel is normal .... (this is the one I use), the brilliant channel gives a made clearer, with less bass (handy for guitar among others).
100w is perfect for my use, that game at home, metal band and jazz group concerts.
Prefer 50w only if you want more grain.

SOUNDS

This head is therefore suitable for all styles of music and different instruments!

Difficult to make more versatile.

Before I had this head combo class D and head lamps 400w Ashdown.
Ashdown was clearly too powerful and too typical rock in sound compared to what I was looking for.
So I replaced the 100s and there it is cool!

Friendly instrument sound, simple and effective settings, excellent dynamic and a very pleasant heat.

It's all good for me.

OVERALL OPINION

Great stuff and made in France!
I recommend it to all those who love the lamps!

What I like most is that it really is a head that respects the instrument. I play with several low and I think their different qualities are fully developed.
What I like least, nothing!

In addition, very good contact with the manufacturer, he was able to advise me to be patient and deal with my doubts, my requirement and my questions!
We thoroughly exchanged before I start buying and I'm not disappointed with the result.
A craftsman who is also an avid fan and humanly super friendly!

I also know, having been in contact with another user, it is accommodating when there is a concern.

In short, go for it!

100 watt all-tube (3 ECC83, 1x12at7 preamp; 4el34 power). Hand made in France, welding point by point (haute couture what!). Very nice finish (white and black Tolex grillcloth, matching my standard 212 brand, visually it throws!). Inspired by the famous HIWATT DR103.
4 inputs (normal and bright channel with each channel input to adapt the gain of the instrument). Setting normal gain, setting shiny gain. 3 band eq: Bass, mid, treble. A filter presence to boost the treble. Master knob (master volume). To the rear an effects loop. Two speakers output jack. Impedance setting 16, 8, 4 ohms (I would have liked 2 ohms simply because my 212 runs at 4 ohms, so I can not add it a second cab). Lack Di also true for return a console, but hey I will opt for a micro transplanting.

UTILIZATION

This head is very simple, it avoids the pitfall of too chiadés EQ with a million useless settings, unnecessary filters. The EQ is my well set and all settings are usable even pushed into extreme taste. Any flat that already sounds great and allow adjustments quickly to get the sound you are looking for, highlight or erase certain frequency. Each knob EQ works well independently, is not observed overlapping frequencies (this allows fine adjustments). No manual, but mister Chillbass is always available to answer questions.

SOUNDS

This head is terrible and should in my opinion all kind musical.Les bass are generous, warm and textured. The sound is very defined, very clean, with beautiful clarity. High mids and highs are crystalline without being aggressive. You can get a muffled sound and vintage through the normal channel, a modern sound through the bright channel, short it seems that the head can offer everything! The dynamic is very good. The power is more than enough even surrounded by two lamps mesas and a bodybuilder drummer! Reserve its light is comfortable. But pushing the gain there way out pretty natural drive. The sound is full, we feel very comfortable in the mix (my buddies can confirm). For its fat will require ironing, however according to the cab and bass, it growls sympathetically. Whatever the effects used it works very well (overdrive, fuzz, compressor). Most of this amp is to patch the bright and normal channels to obtain an even wider range of sounds (setting independently each channel). All sounds are usable and feasible in game situation

OVERALL OPINION

This is my first all-tube and it corresponds in all respects to her that I had in mind: beautiful thick but defined bass, treble ranging from cozy to slamming but without aggressiveness, mediums that pierce the mix without drafts . The association with my Chillbass 212 is very convincing (212 sounds better than the head that I was able to connect). In short it is great, it sounds superb, what more? The value for money is in my opinion very well placed considering it does not come out of a Chinese factory that is handmade and the satisfaction index is high. Congratulations Chillbass!