roland 60 vs 80

[larryb]

I am looking for an amp to replace my egnater rebel 30 combo. It's way too much amp for me as I am not a professional musician. Also looking or something versatile primarily for home use and jamming with friends. There i a new roland 60 at a local music store that I could get for a good price. How does this compare with the 80? Is the 80 much better and worth the extra bucks?

[jazzbow]

IMO the preset amp modelling on the 60 is more 'Rock' taste where the 80 is more 'Metal!'
But....
The 80 has a built in looper which is a great tool for improving solo's.

Cash is king so 60 + looper pedal = lots $
Whereas 80/extras = saved $

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jazzbow

IMO the preset amp modelling on the 60 is more 'Rock' taste where the 80 is more 'Metal!'
But....
The 80 has a built in looper which is a great tool for improving solo's.

Cash is king so 60 + looper pedal = lots $
Whereas 80/extras = saved $

Well, not looking for either rock or metal, but more blues and jazz. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I played both of them, but not at the same time. I was just using the JC clean channel and the blackface model, and they sounded similar. The 80 wasn't noticeably louder -- I've read that some people feel the 60 has more clean head room while the 80 get gainier.

I wasn't impressed with the looper - I thought it was too short, but then I didn't have a foot switch to work it.

I'd go for the 60 if the price is nice because it has all that I need, then I'd get a separate looper pedal I could use in front of any amp.

[mr. beaumont]

I've definitely heard people say they like the 60 better and that they can tell the difference...

I've tried both (I still own a 60, it lives at the studio where I teach) and I'd be lying if I told you I could hear a difference...

[Pat Clare]

I own both a 60 and an 80. After listening to a playback from a gig last april, I noticed the sound was sightly breaking up, not a lot but enough to be a hassle. At that time I read on a thread Allabout jazz, that some 80X owners had said it was a trait that they were noticing, and not in the 60X which was discontinued.

[Soco]

Is the cube 60 still being made or is it discontinued?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Originally Posted by Soco

Is the cube 60 still being made or is it discontinued?

Both the 60 and the 80X are discontinued. The current model is the 80XL.

[Lawrie]

The Cube 80 has an AUX IN which comes in handy if you want to plug in an mp3 player to jam with. It's one of the features that I would have liked to have on my Cube 60.

[vinlander]

The XL also has double the time of the X for the looper 80sec instead of 40 which is handy for practicing.

[Jazzman301]

Compare the price and savings. I have a Cube 80XL and it definately has a very useable jazz tone. I have described it as a poor mans polytone. Both the 60 and the 80 will provide good jazz tone on the JC clean side. I think both have an AUX input for .mp3 players or whatever you you want to put through it. I have found I use the looper almost not at all.

'Mike

[larryb]

Now all i have to do is sell my current amp.

[jorgemg1984]

I am not sure the Cube will be a big improvement on the Egnater.

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I am not sure the Cube will be a big improvement on the Egnater.

OK, that's good info to have. Thanks. Egnater is a bit heavy and a bit overkill for what I do these days.

[jorgemg1984]

You are looking for a light small amp to use at home? For jazz purposes?

[larryb]

Yes, jazz and some blues at home, and maybe some "basement jamming." Kicking myself for selling my Blues JR a few years ago to buy the Egnater (which is way more amp than I need).

[jorgemg1984]

Ok - so it seems like it's not something you need right away so try as many amps as you can. Cubes are cheap and easily available but there are other good options for jazz out there - just check the numerous threads on this forum.

The Blues jr is quite good for home playing but it's a little bright and not very sweet for jazz at gig volumes.

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Ok - so it seems like it's not something you need right away so try as many amps as you can. Cubes are cheap and easily available but there are other good options for jazz out there - just check the numerous threads on this forum.

The Blues jr is quite good for home playing but it's a little bright and not very sweet for jazz at gig volumes.

You are right on both counts. And I also have an Ultrasound DSX for my acoustic, which actually sounds pretty good with my G&L ASAT Bluesboy Classic. Just have to be careful about not pushing it too hard so I don't wreck the tweeters.

[jorgemg1984]

If I had that amp I would take it to a tech and add switches to turn the tweeters off - easy and cheap mod to make to amp more usable with electrics. Taking the tweeters out of the way lets you play louder without worries, use distortion (if you're into that) and take those high frequencies that are great for acoustics but a little annoying with electrics.

Some builders are already using this solution stock (sometimes with an L-PAD to control the tweeter from off, on and in between)

Maybe this is your solution

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

If I had that amp I would take it to a tech and add switches to turn the tweeters off - easy and cheap mod to make to amp more usable with electrics. Taking the tweeters out of the way lets you play louder without worries, use distortion (if you're into that) and take those high frequencies that are great for acoustics but a little annoying with electrics.

Some builders are already using this solution stock (sometimes with an L-PAD to control the tweeter from off, on and in between)

Maybe this is your solution

Great suggestion. Is that hard to do?

[jorgemg1984]

No, very easy for a tech actually. Maybe eventually study the amp a little to know if there are any issues with doing with that but I doubt it. It's just a switch that will turn the tweeter on and off.

I have that done to a Bandit 65 that I bought with a Tweeter added. Very simple and easy! I actually have a switch on two of my amps that make them a regular combo (stock), a head (internal speaker off, I need to use the external speaker out to drive an external cabinet) or a cabinet (to plug an head to the speaker of the combo).

Any good tech will do this in half an hour.

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

No, very easy for a tech actually. Maybe eventually study the amp a little to know if there are any issues with doing with that but I doubt it. It's just a switch that will turn the tweeter on and off.

I have that done to a Bandit 65 that I bought with a Tweeter added. Very simple and easy! I actually have a switch on two of my amps that make them a regular combo (stock), a head (internal speaker off, I need to use the external speaker out to drive an external cabinet) or a cabinet (to plug an head to the speaker of the combo).

Any good tech will do this in half an hour.

Would I be able to add the stack to the ultrasound later on and would it then need an additional mI'd, or is all of this just taking place in the amp portion?

[larryb]

Mod, I meant, not mid

[jorgemg1984]

For you I would just recommend a simple switch to turn the tweeter off, don't do the other mods - I did them because I needed them. I assume the amp has space somewhere in the back to have a jack switch installed right?

[larryb]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

For you I would just recommend a simple switch to turn the tweeter off, don't do the other mods - I did them because I needed them. I assume the amp has space somewhere in the back to have a jack switch installed right?

Yes. Sounds like a great idea. And if I get the additional cab that goes with the Ultrasound DSX, it would probably be all the amp I need for electric or acoustic. Then I could sell my Egnater, install the switch in the Ultrasound, get the additional speaker, and still wind up with $300 or so in my pocket. Thanks for the tip.

[jorgemg1984]

Yeah and the good thing is: it's very cheap and if you don't like the sound without the tweeter just leave it on all the time!

Henriksen is using an L-PAD on the convertible, Redstone and Raezers Edge also I think, the Henriksen Tweety also has a volume button, the new Loudbox Artist has three positions for the tweeter, I think some Genz Benz cabinets have on / off switch, Chamaleon Buscarino and even the new Acoustasoniic have electric and acoustic mode although I am not sure if the tweeter is off on the electric mode.

[larryb]

I'm wondering if the ultrasound dsx (formerly ds4) has a separate tweeter or if they are just built in to the speakers. As you can tell, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to all of this.

[jorgemg1984]

Just checked the web and it seems that model doesn't have separate tweeters - just full range speakers :/

But if already sounds good with your jazz box just use it - I don't think you will blow the speakers. Maybe send an e-mail to Ultrasound and ask them.

I know some jazzers use the AC-60 and AER with archtops at loud volumes with no issues - but I think they don't use any pedals.

[larryb]

Ah well, back to the drawing board. Thanks for all of your thoughts on this.

[jorgemg1984]

You're welcome! I understand your idea to sell the Egnater but be patient on buying the replacement - maybe you don't even need with the Ultrasound! Everytime I hurry in a ger purchase I usually do a mistake.