Roland 80XL Cube Amp

**gary mitchell** · 06-10-2012, 08:40 AM

I guess your right, I had a Fender Blues Deluxe reissue. It seem every time I did a gig with it, the next day it was in the shop. It never was abused volume never turn past 3 or 4 no pedals. Power tubes replace 3 times, it was work on by Lic. Fender people. So I got rid of it and bought this cube, because right now I am layed off. 9 more months I can retire. Well anyway like I said maybe played tubes to long. i miss my Hiwatt 212, I used to like playing clean tru those, pedal steel amps Peavey use to make with the 15 Black Widow. Are some of the old Black Widow loaded amps Peavey made.

**Frank67** · 06-11-2012, 03:36 PM

Actually, before you throw away the cube: I recently experimented with plugging a Fender mustang Floor into the cube. Using the Twin Reverb or Princeton or deluxe emulations I got results that I found very pleasing - much more alive and "tuby" than the cube itself and, very much unlike the blackface model of the cube they do sound like the originals they are modelled after (sure you cannot expect 100.0% of the original at that price point. But it sounds good and can be loud enough to play with a band or quiet enough for living room practice) - and the Mustang is cheap (250$ or so). I understand that after a negative experience with the cube you must be reluctant and it sounds weired to plug one modeller into another modeller ... Just saying I liked the outcome of this experiment much better than the cube itself (starting to be in Jorge's camp saying the cube itself on the clean channel is ok for jazz but still leaves something to be desired).

**jorgemg1984** · 06-12-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by barrymclark

I don't find it over-rated. I think it is a very good amp. I have had well respected amps come and go yet the Cube stays. That isn't saying that everyone is wrong about the Cube. Just saying that the Cube isn't for everyone... just like every other amp.

Some amps which I play with I can think "it's good but not for me". That's not the case with the cube, to me they are very far from good. But I know I am a minority around here.

**barrymclark** · 06-12-2012, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Some amps which I play with I can think "it's good but not for me". That's not the case with the cube, to me they are very far from good. But I know I am a minority around here.

That should tell you something.

Not saying that this amp IS for you and you just don't know it but there is a quality to it that some people look for that you don't. That's all.

People would really think I am nuts if I put out my list of amps that I just don't like the sound of. Not a "good but not for me" but just don't like it in any capacity.

**gary mitchell** · 06-12-2012, 10:00 AM

I know the amp sounds a lot better with humbuckers, then single coil guitars. I don't mind it so bad with my Prestige Heritge LP, its Loaded with TV Jones classics. And it sound okay with my ES335, but with my strat it really stinks. The best I can get to sound is using the acoustic channel, with my strat. Roland suggested that. My only problem trading for the Wholetone WT80, is I heard it won't take OD pedals very well. I do play a little blues here and that is a must with some guys around here. I don't know when I will get to try the Ibanez amp.

**jorgemg1984** · 06-12-2012, 10:00 AM

Of course Barry, we all like different things. Unfortunately I have to play with cubes all the time at the Conservatory, I wish I liked them as you do...

**barrymclark** · 06-12-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Of course Barry, we all like different things. Unfortunately I have to play with cubes all the time at the Conservatory, I wish I liked them as you do...

Ah! I could see that frustration. If I had to play through amps that I was just unhappy with, I could see getting a bit ragy from time to time.

**Retroman1969** · 06-12-2012, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by gary mitchell

I know the amp sounds a lot better with humbuckers, then single coil guitars. I don't mind it so bad with my Prestige Heritge LP, its Loaded with TV Jones classics. And it sound okay with my ES335, but with my strat it really stinks.

Yeah, that was my impression too.
I really liked the 80XL and was going to make it my next amp, but now that I'm getting accustomed to using a tube amp, I go back and it doesn't sound as good to me as it used to. I can't even pinpoint why, but it's just lacking something now.

**Buster Loaf** · 06-12-2012, 12:02 PM

Same here. I used to love my micro cube, but now that I have a Greta, the cube is used mostly for for keyboard or aux line in. The tube amp seems more lively or something.

**zigzag** · 06-12-2012, 12:28 PM

The cube is cold and lifeless- perfect for jazz.

**FrankyNoTone** · 06-12-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Buster Loaf

The tube amp seems more lively or something.

Yes, tube amps compress and add harmonics (i.e. distortion). They are basically big effect pedals with speaker level outputs so care must taken or you'll fall down the slippery slide into a full-on pedal board playing in a jazz-metal fusion band.

**gary mitchell** · 06-12-2012, 02:10 PM

Like I said in my last reply, the 80XL is alot better with humbuckers then single coils. My strat really stinks on it to me, a guy still wants me to look at his Wholetone WT80. But again like my last reply, heard their not good for blues and OD pedals. I just want to Thank You guys for letting me bitch and moan, it helps to unload. I am still sort of new to the JAZZ sound, but I like a clean sound.

**ooglybong** · 06-14-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by gary mitchell

Like I said in my last reply, the 80XL is alot better with humbuckers then single coils. My strat really stinks on it to me, a guy still wants me to look at his Wholetone WT80. But again like my last reply, heard their not good for blues and OD pedals. I just want to Thank You guys for letting me bitch and moan, it helps to unload. I am still sort of new to the JAZZ sound, but I like a clean sound.

I have the Wholetone amp, and I *love* it. I also have a Cube 30—I used it a lot for a few years, but now it's become more my porch practice amp—but I prefer that Wholetone. Decide what you *need*, though since the Wholetone IS a one trick pony (that does a GREAT trick, IMO). Realize that it will *NOT* distort, either. I read somewhere that you plug in and it "sounds just like jazz" and I'd pretty much have to agree.

You have also heard correctly that it will not take pedals very well at all; anything that tries to overload or dirty up the signal just gets kinda squashed. (I tried it a while back, was very surprised, but didn't care because I have other amps that take pedals fine.) Hmm... Come to think of it, I have not tried outboard delays, reverbs yet, but since they're not "pushing" the signal hard (AFAIK), they'd probably be all right.

Whatever you do—esp. since you'll end up with one amp in the end—*definitely* get to try the Wholetone out first, preferably in direct comparison with your Cube. Honestly, my own first impressions were a bit surprising since it doesn't seem to "work"/adjust like other amps, so do be ready. (TIP: Have the Master all the way up, then use the Gain for your overall volume. Sounds backwards, I know, but that's once of its, um, quirks.) Also play around with the 3-band EQ *plus* the Tone control a bit. Like I said: it's certainly an interesting amp.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Larry

**jorgemg1984** · 06-14-2012, 04:28 PM

When I tried one it would not distort with a Sparkle Drive which is weird... the henriksen and the jazzmaster ultralight take drive pedals well (as amps are supposed to).

When I tried the WT I didn't liked it, sounded quite artificial, sort of what non-jazzers usually think a jazz sound is. I think I would prefer a Cube to a WT but I hope I never have to make that choice.

**Frank67** · 06-14-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

When I tried one it would not distort with a Sparkle Drive which is weird... the henriksen and the jazzmaster ultralight take drive pedals well (as amps are supposed to).

When I tried the WT I didn't liked it, sounded quite artificial, sort of what non-jazzers usually think a jazz sound is. I think I would prefer a Cube to a WT but I hope I never have to make that choice.

Hey Jorge, i understand what you are saying about the cube. If you are forced to use it and have a chance try to plug in a mustang floor in twin or deluxe modes - sounds so much less cold and artificial (and is cheap and versatile ... Sury won't beat your JMUL of course)

**Al_F** · 06-14-2012, 05:02 PM

Yep, I've had a Fender Mustang II for well over a year and still like it very much.

**jorgemg1984** · 06-14-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

Hey Jorge, i understand what you are saying about the cube. If you are forced to use it and have a chance try to plug in a mustang floor in twin or deluxe modes - sounds so much less cold and artificial (and is cheap and versatile ... Sury won't beat your JMUL of course)

Hi frank I am only forced to used them in my conservatory and to tell you the truth it's actually a good thing, it has developed my ability of working with bad amps. I just did an ensemble exam today with a crappy Line 6 amp and I was sounding good according to everyone... of course in my gigs I have the jmul and my pedalboard, thank god!

I also noticed some guitar players sounded good with it others sounded quite bad... so it's also about us.

I would like to try the mustang floor but just for fun... don't need extra gear these days!

Funny thing I have an AC-60 and I think it sounds fine with my two archtops, much less digital than the Cubes.

**AlsoRan** · 06-14-2012, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I have the jmul and

Man, I hate that I ran out of money before I got my hands on that Jazz Master Ultralight (JMUL)!

You are a blessed man, Mr. Jorge. As we conversed before, it is a such a hard amp to get now.

Well, I hope the original poster is able to get something he can really love. For me, there is no greater motivator than to play through a nice-sounding amp (what I think is nice-sounding

) and have at it. Conversely, playing through an amp that annoys you can be as very irritating. It is like the amp is mocking you saying," This is how you and your guitar sound."

Sad thing is that it may be true...

**jorgemg1984** · 06-15-2012, 12:45 AM

Yes, I am a lucky man; I like it so much I am searching for a good backup.

I also hope the OP find something likes too... nothing like having good dear to focus on what's important

**ooglybong** · 06-15-2012, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

When I tried one it would not distort with a Sparkle Drive which is weird... the henriksen and the jazzmaster ultralight take drive pedals well (as amps are supposed to).

There's some kind of proprietary limiter built into it. "A DSP-based precision limiter ensures your sound will stay clean even at a high volume." from the Ibanez site. Apparently this screws with overdriving the amp in any way, even via a pedal in front. Weird for sure, but I don't really care since I never use distortion for my jazz tones.

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

When I tried the WT I didn't liked it, sounded quite artificial, sort of what non-jazzers usually think a jazz sound is. I think I would prefer a Cube to a WT but I hope I never have to make that choice.

"What non-jazzers usually think a jazz sound is."? Well, clearly YMMV on the tone. Besides my Cube 30, I, too, have a Jazzmaster Ultralight (love it!) and spent more than 3 hrs a couple of weeks ago purposely comparing the three amps via an A/B/C box, feeling almost guilty that the JU wasn't really coming close to besting the sound of the WT. Different but not really better at all. IMO. These are simply two different loud-and-clear amps with two different sounds, both utterly applicable to jazz—albeit the JU is clearly the more versatile amp with that second channel (which I never really use). Using my Pisano, my Jazzica and my '85 Fender D'Aguisto Elite, all plugged straight in, each of the guitars were coming to the same conclusion to my ears: two great amps. Depending on the gig, I'd happily use either one. Again, YMMV.

Interestingly enough, it's the Cube that's technically the (artificial) modeling amp since the Wholetone is apparently simpler solid-state technology, no preamp modeling involved. (BTW, I also compared these amps to my great little Cube 30, which was not quite in the ballpark of either, but I'm chalking that up to the smaller power and speaker. The Cube 80 is probably much better, and I wouldn't mind checking one out sometime, but there would go my little Cube 30 which weighs nothing'. Anyway, I don't need any more amps!)

Larry

**jorgemg1984** · 06-15-2012, 10:07 AM

My electronics knowledge is limited but there are plenty of amps who are clean at all volumes but take overdrive pedals well; the jazzmaster ultralight and the henriksen are good examples.

Well then we disagree about the jmul and the wt. Yes they are both designed to be clean and voiced differently but the WT sounded artificial to me (as does the cube). But hey we're all different... I have even read people saying the Cube is better than an Henriksen so...

I think my point is made here, enjoy your cube and wt

**ooglybong** · 06-15-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

My electronics knowledge is limited but there are plenty of amps who are clean at all volumes but take overdrive pedals well; the jazzmaster ultralight and the henriksen are good examples.

Well then we disagree about the jmul and the wt. Yes they are both designed to be clean and voiced differently but the WT sounded artificial to me (as does the cube). But hey we're all different... I have even read people saying the Cube is better than an Henriksen so...

I think my point is made here, enjoy your cube and wt

Ha! Besides the odd Gain and Master Volume relationship (!), I almost wondered if the WT was broken when I tried an overdrive in front of it. I've been playing a long time and never experienced something so odd. It just...won't... DO it.

I think the Ibanez designers must have thought that, for the "jazz" goal of this amp, then clean headroom was so important as to not worry about ever throwing a TubeScreamer in front, y'know?

Still, I wish pedals would work, of course.

Whatever, yeah. Different perspectives for sure. In a way, though, I can almost get what you're saying about the WT sounding artificial, mostly because I'm not used to hearing such a sound out of, say, a tube amp. I've also noticed that it seems to award an "equal" dynamic across and up the neck as I play: higher notes somehow seem to subtly "pop" just a bit on their own (although nothing weird-sounding at all). I've actually been having some fun with that responsiveness. Still, I do like that one trick it does, but yeah, it does feel a bit, um, constructed via the marvels of electronic engineering.

This might belong on a different thread, but do you find yourself using the distortion channel much on your JMUL? If so, how? As a louder solo clean boost somehow? Settings? Thanks.

Larry

**jorgemg1984** · 06-15-2012, 06:43 PM

"Whatever, yeah. Different perspectives for sure. In a way, though, I can almost get what you're saying about the WT sounding artificial, mostly because I'm not used to hearing such a sound out of, say, a tube amp. I've also noticed that it seems to award an "equal" dynamic across and up the neck as I play: higher notes somehow seem to subtly "pop" just a bit on their own (although nothing weird-sounding at all). I've actually been having some fun with that responsiveness. Still, I do like that one trick it does, but yeah, it does feel a bit, um, constructed via the marvels of electronic engineering"

Man, thanks. This is I wanted to say in the first place

I never messed much with the distortion on the jmul but when I did I thought it sounded quite good... but I am far from an OD specialist. It sounded like something I could use in a gig but I usually play clean; when i don't my rat or m ts into a rc booster for volume / eq shaping is all I need

PS - I don't use boosts for solo. I set my volume for solos and then use a volume pedal to lower it for comping IF I need it.

**Two5one** · 06-17-2012, 12:28 PM

Yesterday I checked the Cube 80XL in my local music shop. I was very curious about this amp. It was easy to dial in a nice clean tone. Reverb is decent also.
For me the biggest disadvantage of these modeling amps is the low picking dynamics. It is not possible to emphasize some notes in a melody line or to shoot in some chords. It's all compressed to the same level. With a tube amp that is very easy. I need an amp with good dymanics to make music.

**barrymclark** · 06-17-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Two5one

Yesterday I checked the Cube 80XL in my local music shop. I was very curious about this amp. It was easy to dial in a nice clean tone. Reverb is decent also.
For me the biggest disadvantage of these modeling amps is the low picking dynamics. It is not possible to emphasize some notes in a melody line or to shoot in some chords. It's all compressed to the same level. With a tube amp that is very easy. I need an amp with good dymanics to make music.

Now, I don't have an 80XL but an 80x. Something must have really changed between them as I get plenty of dynamics with the 80x. It isn't tone character change though like what you get with tube amps. Which is good... I don't want that. It just playing volume dynamic. It gets louder and quieter.