Roland Cube 60 (Orange)

[rmendozajr]

Hello all,

Like most people who visit this site...I have spent countless hours reading thread after thread. I have been primarily a blues/classic rock cat for over 12 years but have been really digging on Jazz for the last 8 months. I'm getting back into the music scene since going on a 3 year cold-turkey hiatus affter becoming a father, and my first purchase was an Orange Roland Cube 60 I snagged from Guitar Center for $99 +15 shipping. I had literally bought a newer Cube 30 the day before and returned it when I saw the Cube 60 online and I bought it site unseen. :-)

Well it came in last night and, although totally different from the newer black box layouts, the sound is very warm. I opened up the back and noticed it has a Celestion Silver Series G12-60 which I don't think is the original. Still very nice but I haven't really cranked it yet...that's tonight!!!

I have a few questions for you all:

1) Is there any recommendations on the footswitch for engaging the Reverb? I'm a bit confused on the whole momentary vs latched deal. I ask because no one locally has an FS-5 or 6 and I really want to test to see if the Reverb is working...I'm thinking it needs to be "switched" on since there doesn't appear to be anything happening when I turn the reverb knob but I want to make sure.

2) Are there any benefits to go from the Cube 60 orange to the Cube 60 blackbox? Obviously there are many more modeling options on the newer cubes but are there any other benefits "sound" or "warmth" wise? I come from just using an overdrive pedal into 68 Super Reverb with a splash of reverb back in the live band days. Just curious...you know how musician GAS is...we love our options. Lol. i'm also thinking realiability wise. Are the Orange cubes pretty reliable. This is going to be an at-home late night but occassional jam/gig amp.

Again, thank you all for all of the inspiration to start learning and appreciating JAZZ!!!

[jorgemg1984]

Thats a great amp - it's good enough for Vic Juris so... I think those are much better than the new ones! Enjoy it

[Bill C]

+1 - the Orange Cube is an excellent amp for jazz imo

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Did Ed Bickert use an Orange Cube?

[rmendozajr]

@ jorgemg1984: I didn't realize Vic used an orange Cube. N-I-C-E! I feel a bit honored.

@ Bill C: Thanks...I'm excited for the buy as well :-)

@ BigDaddyLoveHandles: Don't know if he used it but I have to say...that you have one of the best usernames I've seen in a while!

[Greco]

I had an orange Cube 60 that had been treated very badly by the previous owner(s) It had been "decorated" with black spray paint and duct tape...and that is just some of the "customizing" that had been done to the poor thing.
It cost me next to nothing. I fixed it up (to a limited extent) and donated it to a music program. I then lucked out and found a Super Cube 60 in pristine condition and at a decent price. I like these amps...I guess that is a bit obvious...LOL

The one thing I can warn you about is that you might have difficulty if you try to replace the speaker. The basket shape/contour on the (old) cube 60's is not the same as on many of the newer speakers. I tried several brands (Weber, Eminence and some old Fenders...some I had on hand and some I borrowed from friends) of speakers and they would not fit UNLESS you reshape the outside of the hole in the baffle. This could likely easily be done with a router. The baffle would not have to be removed to do it. Also, the transformer will not allow for a very "deep" speaker basket... but it can be relocated.

The reason I mention this is that I don't think the stock speakers are optimal, IMHO.
Maybe you will be lucky and find a speaker that fits without a problem....OR.....possibly other forum members will know of replacement speakers that don't require a modification of the speaker hole in the baffle.

Congrats on the purchase !!

Enjoy you new amp.

Cheers

Dave

[RonD]

@BDLH. Yes, Ed did use them in the 70's and 80's. I moved after that so I don't know about later.

[jorgemg1984]

Vic uses them on small gigs according to the AAJ forum.

[RonD]

I had an orange Cube 60 that had been treated very badly by the previous owner(s) It had been "decorated" with black spray paint and duct tape...and that is just some of the "customizing" that had been done to the poor thing.
It cost me next to nothing. I fixed it up (to a limited extent) and donated it to a music program. I then lucked out and found a Super Cube 60 in pristine condition and at a decent price. I like these amps...I guess that is a bit obvious...LOL

The one thing I can warn you about is that you might have difficulty if you try to replace the speaker. The basket shape/contour on the (old) cube 60's is not the same as on many of the newer speakers. I tried several brands (Weber, Eminence and some old Fenders...some I had on hand and some I borrowed from friends) of speakers and they would not fit UNLESS you reshape the outside of the hole in the baffle. This could likely easily be done with a router. The baffle would not have to be removed to do it. Also, the transformer will not allow for a very "deep" speaker basket... but it can be relocated.

The reason I mention this is that I don't think the stock speakers are optimal, IMHO.
Maybe you will be lucky and find a speaker that fits without a problem....OR.....possibly other forum members will know of replacement speakers that don't require a modification of the speaker hole in the baffle.

Congrats on the purchase !!

Enjoy you new amp.

Cheers

Dave

I thought the stock speaker sounded like crap. I replaced mine with Altec Lansings that I got out of some old P.A. bins. (I had a couple of them.) Drilling new holes was, well, drilling new holes.
To accommodate the depth of the new speaker, I used some 1/2" rubber as a spacer, so I could replace the back plate.
I did this on a couple of cubes. Improved the headroom significantly.
Wish I still had one of them.

[Greco]

I thought the stock speaker sounded like crap. .....
To accommodate the depth of the new speaker, I used some 1/2" rubber as a spacer, so I could replace the back plate.

Your idea of using 1/2 inch rubber is very interesting.

Can you please tell me more?

Did you use 1/2 inch rubber all the way around the speaker rim or just something like rubber "standoffs"/"washers" at each screw?

I'm not sure that I understand what you mean by:
"so I could replace the back plate" ...do you mean the typical "fibre" mounting material on the speaker?

Apologies to the OP for the derail. However, the result might be that this information could be helpful to you.

Thanks

Dave

[RonD]

Sorry, Friday night... wine with dinner... I guess I slur when I type, too!
The speaker was too deep to replace the... uh, I'll call the piece of wood that covers the speaker and amp components, the back plate.
I used some rubber gasket material I found that had an adhesive on one side. The adhesive just made it easier to keep it positioned.
The amp became significantly heavier after the speaker replacement, but the improvement in sound was SIGNIFICANT!

Cheers, Ron

[RonD]

I attached the speaker directly to the front plate.

[rmendozajr]

So in your experience...what are some good speaker options for the orange Cube 60? Currently their is a Celestion silver sseries G12-65 in it. According to celestion website, its a higher power version of a greenback. Just curious!

[RonD]

I'm not the person to answer that question. I know there are lots of members here who know more of the tech stuff than I do.
My thinking at the time was, cleaner speaker... better Jazz sound. I think I just lucked out with the Altecs. They sounded good to my ears, and I had more than a few comments from audience members who agreed.
Bottom line... listen. Your ears won't lie!

[jorgemg1984]

I think you have a nice speaker in there - don't change it unless you don't like the sound... of course an EV is always an upgrade imo! (but it's a big 12 speaker so it won't fit probably).

Check Jensen Neo or Neo Tornado if you want to save same weight.

[Greco]

I am considering trying an Eminence Cannabis Rex (hemp cone) as I have one available.
....IF I can get RonD's concept to work for me.

@RonD...your term "back plate" is known as the "baffle"

Cheers

Dave

[Greco]

So in your experience...what are some good speaker options for the orange Cube 60? Currently their is a Celestion silver sseries G12-65 in it. According to celestion website, its a higher power version of a greenback. Just curious!

That Celestion does seem like a very nice upgrade from the stock Roland speaker.

[RonD]

Told ya I wasn't a tech guy!
I think if was, I probably wouldn't have tried what I did.
I installed the speaker, then realized I couldn't put the baffle back on.
The rubber spacers allowed me to do just that.
Trust me Dave... no concept involved! LOL

[Greco]

Told ya I wasn't a tech guy!
I think if was, I probably wouldn't have tried what I did.
I installed the speaker, then realized I couldn't put the baffle back on.
The rubber spacers allowed me to do just that.
Trust me Dave... no concept involved! LOL

Ron...The "cover" on the front of the amp is called the "grille" or "grill"
(hence also the term "grille/grill cloth" when describing all the fabrics/colours/textures, etc available...

NOW what you are saying makes total sense.

Sorry to confuse you.

Cheers

Dave

[rmendozajr]

So big update...I jammed with the cube and was digging the sound but I couldn't get the reverb to work at all! I tried 3 different switches and even built one of my own and nothing seemed to engage it! I was getting somewhat irritated because I was told it was fully functional with no issues. I decided to open her up to see what was going on! I was amazed at how basic the amp really is on the inside. Heck, it even has a spring reverberations pan-its a smaller one but still a pleasant surprise. Upon further inspection, I noticed one of the ground wires going to the reverb pan had broke at the solder joint. I proceeded to begin minor surgery, put it back together and wouldn't you know....Reverb!

Sounds good enough to get the job done for now! I love amps I can fix on my own :-) and now everything is right in the world!

[dmorash]

Cool amps especially at that price. I had the 100 watt one which I thought had a little better reverb. I'm pretty sure the 60's are lighter though. I gave it away after I bought a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight. Truth be told, I preferred the overall feel of the cube to the Fender which was very stiff feeling. I figured the Fender must be better because it was so much more expensive lol.

[rmendozajr]

I'be made that same mistake so many times because of GAS. I once bought a PRS custom 24 ten top thinking because it was over 2k...I would be that much better with such an expensive guitar. And guess what....I couldn't play it! It was too damn beautiful and the neck wasn't chunky enough for me. I have a graveyard guitar hand and did t want to mess it up. Longer story short...I sold it and used the money as a down payment for my house and since then....I pay close attention to cost vs. Feel! So now I have a very customized epiphone dot studio with my new Roland Cube 60!

New challenge- dial in Breezin' tone from my amp!

[jorgemg1984]

Cool amps especially at that price. I had the 100 watt one which I thought had a little better reverb. I'm pretty sure the 60's are lighter though. I gave it away after I bought a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight. Truth be told, I preferred the overall feel of the cube to the Fender which was very stiff feeling. I figured the Fender must be better because it was so much more expensive lol.

Have you tried it with other cabinets? I love thart amp and even like the stock cabinet but a lof of people don't. It sounds great with my open-back with an EV and I will get a convertible 2x12 with Tornados soon. Maybe even a Redstone RS-8...

[rmendozajr]

That is my next experiment! I plan on getting or building an extension 1x12 cab. What ohm rating does the extension cab need to be?

@ georgemg1984 - do you remember any settings you used to like to dial in! I read one recommendation of keeping bass and treble at 0 and putting the mid at noon. That was a nice scooped tone.

[jorgemg1984]

That is my next experiment! I plan on getting or building an extension 1x12 cab. What ohm rating does the extension cab need to be?

@ georgemg1984 - do you remember any settings you used to like to dial in! I read one recommendation of keeping bass and treble at 0 and putting the mid at noon. That was a nice scooped tone.

The amp works at anything equal or above 2 ohms. Watts decrease as Ohms increase. It sounds loud with an efficient 8 ohms EV. I am really curious about the 2x12 and the Redstone.

Hmm I don't have any specific settings I like. At small spaces I tend to cut frequencies - at bigger spaces I might boost some a little. I usually keep treble pretty low because I like that sound but the amp sound also good with the treble higher. I really dont have a "sweet spot" with this amp as I have with the Henriksen... I think the EQ is active and the Q must be wide because I can take a lot of different sounds from it.

And I am also using a Fromell Shape Eq pedal these days so the amp stays flat a lot. The amp is at the tech now and I will probably change the treble frequency center from 10k to 5k.

I only played an old Cube once and it was a good amp - I also like my fender M80 and my Peavey Bandit 65 but the jazzmaster ultralight is really in a whole other league... also better than the Henriksen - please try a different cab!

(This amp nails from blackface rock tones - nora bucci and the guy from kiss kiss - to sweet jazz - Vince Lewis with redstone cab)