Roland Cube-40XL

jayx123 · #1 11-04-2011, 03:59 AM

Has anyone tried this amp?

jorgemg1984 · #2 11-04-2011, 05:00 AM

I think I have tried almost all cubes - both old and versions. In my conservatory there are plenty of them... what do you want it for?

jayx123 · #3 11-04-2011, 05:08 AM

I want it for small venue gigs playing straight ahead jazz (clean + hint of reverb)

mambosun · #4 11-04-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayx123

Has anyone tried this amp?

Yes I did, and didn't like the clean sound settings very much; rather dry and lifeless to my ears, at least.
I Initially planned to buy as an upgrade to my micro Cube, because of it's features (eg: built-in looper) and spec.
Never buy without trying it first.

jorgemg1984 · #5 11-04-2011, 07:46 AM

I agree 100% with the previous post. The Wholetone is best for jazz than the cube in that price range but I didn't like it much either... Said this many times mas in that price range nothing beats a good 80s solid state amp...

BobD · #6 11-04-2011, 07:55 PM

jorgemg1984,

So what are the good 80's amps?

jorgemg1984 · #7 11-04-2011, 08:02 PM

I have tried Peavey Bandit 65, Fender M80, old Polytones, old Cubes.. like them all - very cheap, loud, clean.. if you want to invest in better op amps and speaker you can end up with a very good amp. Never tried Yamaha G series but always heard great reviews from them also - two guys on the forum bought an 80s Cube and Yamaha G series really cheap recently and they both love them.

But if you don't have any expertise in amps and a good tech to help you in some issue going to the store and buying something new is the best advise. When I bought my Fender M80 I hated the reverb and it was very noisy but I already knew two things: the tank was the same Blues Junior had and a Belton could be a better choice (and I had one spare); and the noise was exactly the same issue with my Peavey, just needed to stay away from the transformer. But this would be a deal-breaker for a lot of people.

Lets put it this way: if I only had 300€ to buy an amp I would go for one of those I have mentioned not for a new Cube.

jayx123 · #8 11-05-2011, 02:48 AM

jorgemg, thanks for your reply I already have a 1980 yamaha Jx30 which I love, I'm looking to buy another amp for backup. What do guys think of the Vox?

0zoro · #9 11-05-2011, 04:06 AM

I spent some timethis summer looking and listening to the 40xl and the 80xl, an older Roland 60, as well as the Mustang II and III. I finally got the Roland 40xl. I didnt like the sound or the dial ability of the Mustang models, too much fluff for me. I really liked the R 80xl, but for my purposes it was fysically too big and weighed too much. I should explain that has to do with the fact that I have hip problems and cant carry, were it not for that it would have been the R 80xl. I cant say that I thought there to be a tremendous difference in sound between the 40xl and the 80xl at the volumes I played, but I thought the 12" speaker a little fuller. I use the amp for practice at home and am very pleased with the 40.The clean and the tweed sound fantastic to my ears. AS for the record function, it has about 80 seconds of time, which I thought was a lot. I started recording something as a backing track and 80 s disapeared in no time, so I usually use BIAB or a looper. If this helps, so much the better! Have a good day, and go listen at the shop.

jorgemg1984 · #10 11-05-2011, 06:24 AM

I have no experience with Vox... My ears tell me they are too bright but never tried one.

I would like to say my opinion on the Cubes is a rare one here on the forum - most people here seem to like them so go to a store and try one, don't trust just in my opinion - maybe you re idea of good sound is not even the same I have. Or your guitar or way of playing might suit the Cube better than mine.

But having a Bandit 65 and a M80 that with the mods and new speakers costed me around 400€ each I can say that to my ears they are vastly superior to Cubes...

benjazzman82 · #11 11-09-2011, 09:04 AM

I use a 40XL for all my restaurant jazz gigs. The sound is coloured but not too much and for a portable jazz amp its great. All i use is the clean channel with a hint of reverb which is great i must add. For a ten inch speaker, it packs a punch and i get nice warmth from all my archtops....Mostly Peerless, an ES175 and a Custom Artcore.
For larger gigs, i use the Roland Super Cube 100w from 1984. It is a dream but heavier.
All the best.