Roland Cube 60, 80XL Unanimous?

[Double 07]

Reading these guitar, amp, and gizmo threads lately. So it seems pretty much unanimous that the cube 60 or 80XL are the best SS amps you can buy new for under $500? Most of you agree with that?

[ah.clem]

I mentioned this in another thread; I recommend you try the Ibanez WT-80 and see if it meets your needs. I don't know if it would be good for any style other than jazz, but my archtop sounds great (to me) through it. All I need it for is jazz. YMMV.

[jorgemg1984]

This subject has been discussed a lot here in the past - I like any 80's solid state amp I have tried so far much more than current cubes and they are usually much cheaper. I don't get the magic about Cubes honestly - they are decent and cheap and that's it for me.

The WT-80 is in the Polytone tonal area for a much cheaper price but I wouldn't gig with it - my Peavey Bandit 65 or Fender M80 were cheaper and sound much better imo.

[Atticus]

I think some people think it was a passing fad, but I still dig the ZT Lunchbox. My full rig goes over that price point (I use the extension cab and a Tech 21 Blonde pedal in front), but when I was just using the Lunchbox by itself, it was totally fine.

[msr13]

I have seen no agreement on the forum, so I may be way off in my experience. I like the Rolands, but I love the Fishman Loudbox Artist. Sounds marvelous and the tweeter knob really enables lots of adjustment.

[Lawrie]

I don't think you'll get a unanimous vote anywhere. However, I've been playing through a Roland Cube 60 for several years now. I don't use any of the modelled amp settings or the effects, with the exception of reverb. I use pedals for whatever effects I may need.

It's a great compact amp that is easy to carry around and can be used for practising, jamming, or gigging. I've played both blues and jazz gigs with it as well. Most importantly for me, it doesn't colour the natural tone of my guitar.

At one time I had a Fender DRRI. The tube tone was great, but I hated lugging it around and I had all sorts of tube/circuit issues. Haven't had any issues with my Cube 60.

[zigzag]

Originally Posted by Lawrie

I don't think you'll get a unanimous vote anywhere. However, I've been playing through a Roland Cube 60... it doesn't colour the natural tone of my guitar.

I just pulled the trigger on a Roland Cube 80XL and, in a different thread, asked for recommendations in this forum since I don't have access to do comparisons. As expected, I got a lot of feedback (in three or four different threads). Your statement really summed up what my goal was in making the decision to get this amp (+ price). Thanks. I also like that the amp is small, light, reliable, and relatively loud.

The feedback was great from everyone. The consensus seemed to indicate that while there are other amps that may do a better job, the Cube series is a quality line.

[Double 07]

This guy makes the CUBE 80 sound pretty good. Seems really versatile too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2wLsKtt4pk

One thing I HATE is when the high strings sound thin or harsh through an amp. I like them to sound thick and smooth with no harshness or brittleness in the sound. Still bright enough to cut through a live mix but fat and smooth sounding at the same time. George Benson gets that sound. Metheny also got that with his 175 and Acoustic 134 setup:

Pat Metheny - Jack Dejohnette - Herbie Hancock - Dave Holland - The Bat - YouTube

[jorgemg1984]

I have the same feeling about the high strings - the Cube is not overly bright I admit. It's a fine amp at a fair price but I don't hear the magic peope claim (the clip actually shows an accurate representation of the amp's sound). That guy knows licks for all styles of music right? He is a very good rock player but the jazz parts were clearly what usually rockers assume jazz is.

[jorgemg1984]

Was Metheny still using that amp at this time? That shirt is priceless! (Just wish Dave Holland had kept the double bass that whole gig, probably an Herbie Hancock request )

[Double 07]

Yes he was using that Acoustic 134
amp and mostly the ES175 until about the turn of the century