Roland Cube 80GX ( not XL ) - Opinions?

**blackcat** · 01-31-2015, 12:37 PM

I am thinking of upgrading my trusty Roland Cube 60 ( with it's plastic jack input ) to the new Cube 80GX which would appear to have better effects - and a metal jack (!). Seriously though, soundwise + does anyone here have direct experience. Not the same animal of course as the xl. Particularly interested of course in 'Jazz Clean and Blackface settings. Thanks in advance for any input.

**vinlander** · 01-31-2015, 12:50 PM

Have no experience with the 80GX having a 80XL.
To be honest I never compared them side by side if there was any difference in the quality of COSM or effect.
Some others with actual experience with it might chime in.
Thing is the absence of Looper for practicing and no speaker out to hook an external cab is enough to make me track down a used XL should mine fail at any point.

**blackcat** · 01-31-2015, 12:59 PM

Thanks for that Vinlander. I know that many loved their XLs and can see the convenience of the Looper although I already use a Boss RC-2 but had not noticed the no no spkr out point. The smaller cab and better effects of the gx do appeal ( I have no use for the i-link thingy ) + more robust jack but may look out for an xl after all.

BTW, great ( ambitous ) project on the Regent there!

**blackcat** · 02-01-2015, 08:37 AM

Thanks to all for the input. However, looks like the Cube 80GX has not been an outright hit given the 18 months since it's debut. For those of us wanting cleant tones and decent reverb/delay + 12" speaker and unable to afford 800€ + that would seem to leave little choice. Tempted to look at DV Mark 12" but now put off by the current thread highligting problems with the fan. The Mambo is perhaps too dark given that I need something to use with Tele ( prefer some sparkle at times ) as well as archtop and the Superchamp XD ( 10" speaker of course ) is perhaps too much of a Swiss-Army knife? Too many things to potentially go wrong? Also, does anyone know if Fender have glued the speaker fabric to the baffle board without a spacer here as they did on the Frontmans leading to many problems with the metal strands in the fabric rattling/buzzing at volume?

Lots to go at there guys!

**drbhrb** · 02-02-2015, 06:27 PM

I've had a Cube 80gx for about 6 months and it has been great. I only use the reverb, blackface(tele), and JC(archtop) features. All sound great. I'm sure the rest of the stuff does too but I just dont use distortion, modulation, octave fx etc. The tuner is handy.

**blackcat** · 02-03-2015, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by drbhrb

I've had a Cube 80gx for about 6 months and it has been great. I only use the reverb, blackface(tele), and JC(archtop) features. All sound great. I'm sure the rest of the stuff does too but I just dont use distortion, modulation, octave fx etc. The tuner is handy.

Thanks for that. Can you confirm please that the main jack input is not plastic? It looks shiney, but in a photo only. I hear that the reverb and delay are an improvement over earlier versions. Thanks again.

**drbhrb** · 02-03-2015, 11:11 AM

Yeah it's metal. I like the plate reverb personally. I dont use delay but it does sound good.

**jads57** · 02-03-2015, 12:27 PM

I've owned both Cube 80's and the new one seems to have improved the speaker. Better fuller clean tone, 10-20% wise. I don't really use the effects or features much other than reverb, so no comment there. Great value and sounds great w/ my 17" Eastman 810CE w/ a real Kent Armstrong floater, and very good w/ my Martin OM 21 (yes flattop)
But I've since moved on to Quilters mostly, so that might say it all.

**blackcat** · 02-03-2015, 01:11 PM

Thanks to last two commentators - really appreciated.

**Strickland** · 02-05-2015, 04:04 PM

The jack is metal. I have one. I'm a tube amp guy, but the 80GX has been my get to the gig in two handfuls choice for about a year. It has plenty of volume for any room that I would ever play. I use the JC setting and the Tweed when I'm looking for a vintage sound with a touch of break up. Both are nice. It has given me no problems. The built in tuner is nice, because it keeps my headstock clear of clip-ons. I also like the 1/8 input jack, as I plug my ipad into it to jam along with tracks when practicing at home. No complaints. Oh and I also like the plate reverb, and just a touch of delay, the minimum on both works nicely.

**blackcat** · 02-06-2015, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by Strickland

The jack is metal. I have one. I'm a tube amp guy, but the 80GX has been my get to the gig in two handfuls choice for about a year. It has plenty of volume for any room that I would ever play. I use the JC setting and the Tweed when I'm looking for a vintage sound with a touch of break up. Both are nice. It has given me no problems. The built in tuner is nice, because it keeps my headstock clear of clip-ons. I also like the 1/8 input jack, as I plug my ipad into it to jam along with tracks when practicing at home. No complaints. Oh and I also like the plate reverb, and just a touch of delay, the minimum on both works nicely.

Thanks for that - really helpful. Now definitely on my hit list.

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-14-2015, 10:46 AM

Just got the 40GX. Seems clean enough, and useable at bedroom volumes. It will take a little while for me to get the best out of it, as I'm not used to many amps, but it seems straight-forward enough, and I'm getting decent tones by turning the JC volume up to 10, and the Master Volume down at 1 or 2.

**newsense** · 04-14-2015, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Just got the 40GX. Seems clean enough, and useable at bedroom volumes. It will take a little while for me to get the best out of it, as I'm not used to many amps, but it seems straight-forward enough, and I'm getting decent tones by turning the JC volume up to 10, and the Master Volume down at 1 or 2.

Interesting - I'm just awaiting delivery of a 40XL off eBay, as the latest in my attempts to find a good, small, clean practice amp after my failure to love the DV Little Jazz (sound familiar Rob ?). Still have a Fender Champion 20 on test (and for comparison with the Cube) - its not great but I still prefer it to the DV which was 3x the price !

**DanielleOM** · 11-09-2015, 08:51 AM

I am considering a 40GX myself. I want to keep the weight under 20 lbs. I see the the 40GX does not have a DI but I suppose we can always mic it.

I was wondering how the 40GX is for hiss at home practice volumes. Is there an audible hiss?

I recall hiss being mentioned by others, but do not know if that applies with the latest models.

Not sure if there is anything in that price range that will be hiss free.

Danielle

**lawson-stone** · 11-09-2015, 04:42 PM

I've had the 80GX about a month. Haven't really cranked it up, but so far I really like it. I like the tone, I've enjoyed playing with the COSM "lead" channel, but mainly I just use the clean channel. I like the input/i-link system because I like to use my iPad and iReal Pro to practice, which works nicely. It also seems to me to be a very sturdy, solid amp though not too heavy. For the price, I'm happy to have something that can handle the jazz and also work in other contexts.

**EarlBrother** · 09-19-2016, 07:11 AM

All the attemps to hear a clean Jazz tone without sounding like the Jazz chorus which i have never liked personally fail.Any sound samples of someone getting a jazz tone with out the J C sound?I really want to like this amp.

**Gitfiddler** · 09-19-2016, 10:20 AM

Another GX owner here. I mostly use the JC Clean with a touch of Reverb and/or Delay. The octive effect is also very good on this little amp.

Mine keeps up with a loud RnB/Jazz band at rehearsals...not a clubs however. For live performances I prefer a tube amp with larger cab. My only beef with the GX is that it has no external speaker out.

**Dennis D** · 09-19-2016, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by EarlBrother

All the attemps to hear a clean Jazz tone without sounding like the Jazz chorus which i have never liked personally fail.Any sound samples of someone getting a jazz tone with out the J C sound?I really want to like this amp.

What don't you like about the JC sound ?

Thx

**greasy0015** · 09-19-2016, 02:01 PM

I'm another that would like to know about the noise of the GX models. I had an XL that was so noisy it was distracting. Any of you with the GX notice noise/hiss?

**EarlBrother** · 09-19-2016, 02:58 PM

I think it's more not finding someone playing on just a clean jazz no chorus setting.It's like it's trying to be sold cause it does sound like a Jazz Chorus.I personally never liked the reverbery chorusie sound.I'm sorry I don't know how to discribe it.This was in response to Dennis D. BUT Lawson are you getting a nice jazz tone with out it sounding like the J C sound of the 70s fame?

**EarlBrother** · 09-19-2016, 07:47 PM

That last was a response to Dennis D.Hay Lawson if you r getting a nice jazz tone out of it with out it sounding like the Jazz Chorus of the 70s.Then i will probably go that way.

**Longways to Go** · 09-19-2016, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by greasy0015

I'm another that would like to know about the noise of the GX models. I had an XL that was so noisy it was distracting. Any of you with the GX notice noise/hiss?

My old 60 watt version was noisy too at quiet practice levels. That's why it's gone now.
Otherwise, I think the Roland Cube series is great -- for anything but quiet practice.