Roland Cube 80XL alternatives?

**23skidoo** · 06-17-2011, 04:11 PM

Sorry to hear about the trouble, Meggy. Truly unfortunate.... I've been really paranoid these last few days that I just haven't noticed the issue with my Mustang III, but I'm convinced mine is fine. I've listened to all of the samples that others have posted of both types of unwanted noise and I just don't hear it in mine. Tried multiple guitars, all the presets, turned it up to 11.... just not there. Had it for several weeks, aware of the issue from day one when I logged into the Fender site to look around..... it's too bad Fender can't deal with this better - it really is great fun and a great value. Good luck with your exchange - I played the Roland 80 while shopping and it's a fine sounding amp as well......

**matt.guitarteacher** · 06-17-2011, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by strumcat

Hi, Matt. Turning down gain/volume would help more with a generic buzz or hum. This fizz comes in as a clean note or chord fades. That sounds like a compressor trying to maintain the sound level instead of letting it fade naturally. It could wind up boosting nothing but noise that's normally imperceptable. If Fender set up their clean presets with compression (for more sustain) that could cause a problem of just that nature. Just a thought.

Yeah, I figured out that you were talking about that on the reread. That's the "hiss crescendo" I referenced in one of these threads.

I really noticed it a lot on soft, clean, sustained chords at the end. Noticeably better after the firmware upgrade, but I understand there are probably still some noise issues.

The 80XL is a great amp at its price point. Takes me about thirty seconds to dial in a great tone regardless of who's been on it previously.

**strumcat** · 06-18-2011, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by matt.guitarteacher

The 80XL is a great amp at its price point. Takes me about thirty seconds to dial in a great tone regardless of who's been on it previously.

I suspected that the Roland would be super-easy to use live, with its real knobs and clear layout. I just wish it had a master volume. But at least it has a line-out, which simplifies going into a board if necessary, or recording at home. With the chorus (etc), delay, and reverb on-board, an fx loop wouldn't be missed too much.

The funny thing is, I had already narrowed my amp search to exactly those two amps (Mustand III and 80XL), plus the Vox VT50, before I even heard of these threads or problems, so it's reassuring to know that real musicians hold them in high regard.

I'm a retired computer tech, so the complexity of the Mustang line really activated my inner geek. I'm gonna wait a few weeks for the possible announcements by Fender addressing this problem. Then I'll make my decision.

It is nice to know that I can count on the the 80XL if all else fails. Thanks to all of you guys for providing all of this information, especially Meggy, whose reports have probably clarified the issues for many people. We should all pitch in and buy him a Princeton Reverb or something.

**Meggy** · 06-18-2011, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by strumcat

Thanks to all of you guys for providing all of this information, especially Meggy, whose reports have probably clarified the issues for many people. We should all pitch in and buy him a Princeton Reverb or something.

No problem strumcat, a Princeton Reverb will do nicely thank you!

The nice people on this forum have helped keep things in proportion for me too, which has been appreciated.

I was somewhat concerned by my reporting of the issues to be honest, since I really loved the Mustang after trying it in the shop, then a sudden change of opinion after getting it home. Really a bit of a roller-coaster ride to follow there, but at least I have tried to report my experiences honestly - if it's helped anyone else then I'm glad. Perhaps the main lesson is just to be super-careful when buying anything like this.

**Meggy** · 06-20-2011, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Meggy

Sad, but at this point, I have to return it. I'm going to swap it for a Roland cube 80xl if possible.

Took it back an hour ago, the shop, to give them credit, did not question what i said, or even ask me to demonstrate the fault. They just wanted to sort things out to my satisfaction, no questions asked. They have ordered in a Roland Cube 80XL which should arrive in the next 2 days, and I am paying a bit extra for that. So the Fender is out of my life - I feel both relieved and still a little sad as it could have been a truely great amp. Ah well...

**Arnesto** · 06-20-2011, 12:32 PM

I have a Cube 60, what do you think if I replace it with a VOX Valvetronix Pro VTX150?

Roland Cube 80XL alternatives?-vox-valvetronix-pro-jpg

**Pierrot** · 06-20-2011, 04:48 PM

So what's wrong with the Cube 60? I have two (among other amps) to run them in stereo and I'm really happy with them. I bought them used (as new) and I can't see any reason for getting rid of them.

Just saying, you could regret your decision later, the Roland Cube 60 offers a (some) very usable jazzy sound(s).

**BobD** · 06-20-2011, 09:58 PM

I didn't read all the posts but it seems to me that the general consensus is that the Cube 60 has a better sound than the Cube 80.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-20-2011, 10:18 PM

After playing both vox and roland modeling amps, my opinion is the voxes do dirty tones better and the rolands do cleans. So for jazz, the cube is a better choice imho.

**Arnesto** · 06-21-2011, 12:16 AM

Thanks everyone, I am looking for more power.
I like the cube but I m not convinced with that "filter" it has.
What about the valve that has the vox. It really makes a difference?
I also like the Fender Frontman 212R.
Unfortunately not much budget management.

**Pierrot** · 06-21-2011, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by BobD

I didn't read all the posts but it seems to me that the general consensus is that the Cube 60 has a better sound than the Cube 80.

True

**pingu** · 06-21-2011, 04:36 AM

that Vox is 150 watts and 27lbs tho ........

Doesn't necessarily mean its got more clean volume I know
but could be worth checking out

**strumcat** · 06-21-2011, 08:04 AM

Anyone know what the VTX150 is going to cost?

It uses a different tube than the VT series, an EL84 instead of a 12AX7. That makes more sense, since the 12AX7 is usually a preamp tube instead of an amp tube. They kept the weight down by making the speaker magnets out of some very light metal. They put some decent i/o on the thing, too: fx loop, ext speaker jack, aux in.

Looks pretty interesting, but I don't want to wind up as Vox's volunteer beta tester at my own expense. Something to keep an eye on for the next year or so, though.

**Arnesto** · 06-21-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by strumcat

Anyone know what the VTX150 is going to cost?

1k in my country (not very cheap)

**strumcat** · 06-21-2011, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Arnesto

1k in my country (not very cheap)

Holy cow! Sounds like Vox have priced themselves out of the market on this one. After all, it's still fundamentally a solid-state modeling amp. I wouldn't pay more than $500 (US).

I'd sooner just buy a Fender Deluxe VM or Blackstar HT Club 40 and save two or three hundred dollars.

**Sphereacidburn** · 06-21-2011, 09:40 PM

I purchased a Roland Cube 80X 2 years ago, and it has been an amo that keeps o giving. It is very versatile and produces a very rich and full sound to a bright sound. It is very reliable, mine only has a few battle scars from gigging which is expected. But it has never broken down on me, it is called the poor man's Polytone by some, but I see it as more. The Roland cube 80X is more versatile and more reliable.

**Meggy** · 06-22-2011, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Sphereacidburn

I purchased a Roland Cube 80X 2 years ago, and it has been an amo that keeps o giving. It is very versatile and produces a very rich and full sound to a bright sound. It is very reliable, mine only has a few battle scars from gigging which is expected. But it has never broken down on me, it is called the poor man's Polytone by some, but I see it as more. The Roland cube 80X is more versatile and more reliable.

I agree with all that you say, having tried the Roland before. I will have one soon anyway, so that will be that. I already have the Polytone minibrute, which I do find to be terrific for jazz use, but as you say, the Roland is a lot more versatile, so should fit my needs for a more versatile backup/practice amplifier very well. Wish in a way I hadn't got distracted by the Mustang, but of course that is with hindsight.

**Meggy** · 07-01-2011, 05:24 AM

Just an update for anyone still interested

, but I finally took possession of a Roland Cube 80XL yesterday - it took a bit longer to reach the shop than both they and myself expected! But at least I have an amp now.

I already had experience of this amp, but just to put in a few impressions/comparisons with the Fender Mustang 3:

The Roland is really built very well, with a regard to being resistant to the perils of gigging - full length corner protectors (the Mustang doesn't have these) and metal speaker grill (cloth on the Mustang). Not to say that the Mustang wasn't well made - it certainly was.

I prefer the more compact, cube-like dimensions of the Roland.

Soundwise - the Roland's clean JC120 model channel really is a very nice voice for jazz indeed. To me it has an appealing softness, while still bringing out a lot of detail. Its other amp models can be set to give reasonable jazz tones, although I think I preferred the Fender Mustang's various Fender amp models to these for getting jazz sounds.

In terms of flexibility to have a large range of pre-set sounds, plus the ability to add effects, and to tweak the settings for all of this, the Fender was clearly ahead - bigger range of sounds, more programmable. By comparison, the Roland is a simpler beast, although simplicity can have it's benefits too I think.

I do like the looper on the Roland - it is nice as a practice tool for quickly playing through a chord sequence and then soloing over the top, and I'm sure I will be using it quite a bit for this. For me this feature is a definite plus for the Roland.

No footswitch included with the Roland

so I will probably end up buying one at some point - an extra expense.

Overall, I'm happy with the Roland - I like it, and I feel it will do everything I need. But still, the Mustang was very nearly a brilliant amp, a real shame mine did not work properly. If they get the problems sorted out it would have to be a great choice. So there you go, and these are of course just my own subjective impressions, cheers.

**mambosun** · 07-01-2011, 05:59 AM

Thanks Meggy for these really informative and helpfull feed back; I like very much the "no compromise approach" regarding the Roland vs Mustang.
Usually posters are reluctant to admit shortcomings or flaw of there recently purchased device.
I too tested the Roland 80xL, but soundwise, it didn't do it for me.

**Meggy** · 07-01-2011, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by mambosun

Thanks Meggy for these really informative and helpfull feed back; I like very much the "no compromise approach" regarding the Roland vs Mustang.
Usually posters are reluctant to admit shortcomings or flaw of there recently purchased device.
I too tested the Roland 80xL, but soundwise, it didn't do it for me.

Cheers mambosun, hope it helps someone out there! If the Mustang had not had a fatal flaw, it would have been the amp for me, so it is a shame. But the digital noise issue just stopped it being usable. As to the Roland, I always liked it, having tried it in the past, so I was fairly confident in what I was getting. But it is subjective, so I must respect your views on the amp too - we just have to try these things to know for sure. And I also think that for pure jazz gigs, I will continue to prefer my Polytone Minibrute.

**Atticus** · 07-03-2011, 04:26 PM

Much gratitude to Meggy for all the effort that has gone into examining both the Mustang and Cube.

I've been to a number of different music stores around town and none of the Mustang IIIs I've tried have had the fizz issue, so I'm going to pick one up when my next pay check rolls in. If I do manage to avoid the dreaded fizz, I'll try and contribute some info on setting it for jazz tones.

**mambosun** · 07-03-2011, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

Much gratitude to Meggy for all the effort that has gone into examining both the Mustang and Cube.

I've been to a number of different music stores around town and none of the Mustang IIIs I've tried have had the fizz issue, so I'm going to pick one up when my next pay check rolls in. If I do manage to avoid the dreaded fizz, I'll try and contribute some info on setting it for jazz tones.

I'm pretty interested in the Mustang II as micro cube replacement for "homework", but wonder if it would fit the bill for pure and classic jaz tone.

**matt.guitarteacher** · 07-03-2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by mambosun

I'm prtetty intersted in the Mustang II as micro cube replacement for "homework", but wonder if it would fit the bill for pure and classic jaz tone.

I'd definitely try it out in the store for a while. We've got the mustang 2 & 3 where I teach. I haven't found a preset on it that I like much for jazz. I get curious after reading these threads, but after messing with it for 5 minutes or so, I lose my patience and plug into the roland. It might be different if I spent the evening with one and could actually save some settings.

See if you can find someone else's description of how to dial in good jazz tone on the thing. It's definitely not an easy tweek. The interface is crappy compared to the mustang 3. Is this the one that doesn't even have a 'mid' knob?

**Meggy** · 07-04-2011, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Atticus

Much gratitude to Meggy for all the effort that has gone into examining both the Mustang and Cube.

I've been to a number of different music stores around town and none of the Mustang IIIs I've tried have had the fizz issue, so I'm going to pick one up when my next pay check rolls in. If I do manage to avoid the dreaded fizz, I'll try and contribute some info on setting it for jazz tones.

Thank you Atticus, you are very welcome! although the work was not entirely intentional - I did not originally intend to return the Mustang. But I guess the whole saga did at least put me in a good position to make comparisons. Not saying you are wrong either, but just be a bit careful re the Mustang - the one I got worked great in the shop but not when I got it home! Seems bizarre, but apparently may be something to do with sensitivity to variations in the AC power supply, or something (from reading various forum threads). Try clean tones a lot, especially with all the effects dialled off. Play sustained single notes on the bass strings, and listen for digital ghost tones/sounds as the note decays. If all seems fine, then you will probably be OK, and have a great amp - I certainly hope so, and don't want to seem too much of a scaremonger re the Mustang.

**mambosun** · 07-04-2011, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by matt.guitarteacher

I'd definitely try it out in the store for a while. We've got the mustang 2 & 3 where I teach. I haven't found a preset on it that I like much for jazz. I get curious after reading these threads, but after messing with it for 5 minutes or so, I lose my patience and plug into the roland. It might be different if I spent the evening with one and could actually save some settings.

See if you can find someone else's description of how to dial in good jazz tone on the thing. It's definitely not an easy tweek. The interface is crappy compared to the mustang 3. Is this the one that doesn't even have a 'mid' knob?

Yeah you're right, not mid setting knob here. That's a "must have" feature for me, since most of the tone fine tuning resides in the mid range frequency, but from my experience as with some Roland Cube, it could be there and not that much helpfull to get the right tone. Few exception were my trusty SF Twin Reverb and a tech 21 TM60.