Roland Blues Cube

**zephyrregent** · 08-22-2017, 10:16 PM

I've had a Roland Blues Cube Hot 30 since May of last year and still like it. I think it truly has a tube amp type response and feel. I like the simplicity of the controls compared to the higher wattage, more expensive versions with the extra channel for distortion that I don't need. It has more than enough power for my purposes, playing at home. My friend uses it when we get together for a lesson while I use my other amp, a Henriksen Jazzamp 112ER and the two amps sound very similar.

**beetle_rist** · 08-22-2017, 10:31 PM

It's okay... Wouldn't rate it too much in my opinion. It sounds a little dry for me.

**TN Pat** · 08-24-2017, 07:45 AM

So that is one yea and one nay so far.
I am starting to think that this amp was sensationalized due to a lack of responses….
It wouldn't be the first time on a guitar forum!

How about offering alternatives in the $500 range if you have any? I didn't really like the Blues Jr I had way back when, and actually thought the Pro Jr sounded much better with the 10 inch speaker. But I have some doubts as to the long-term reliability of their current version, and probably need more clean headroom these days. (Before you tell me to save up for something more expensive, know that I need to stick to this price range).

Cheers!

**Fidelcaster** · 08-24-2017, 09:24 AM

I have a BC Stage. When GAS hits me, I ponder which Tone Capsule to buy. Then I plug the guitar in the amp and realize the sound is already fine as is... Still, I think I'll end up buying a TC.

**rolijen** · 08-27-2017, 09:29 AM

My Cube 80GX is pretty good sounding, but rattles at certain frequencies when moderately cranked. Tried everything. Still buzzes. I fell out of love with it pretty quickly. Still kicking myself for selling my Polytone and thinking the cube would replace it. New Katana is open back, higher wattage, and exactly the same weight as my cube. We'll see...

**TN Pat** · 08-27-2017, 10:33 AM

Appreciate the input Rolijen. I was actually referring to the newer line of Blues Cubes which are alleged to affect a tube-like quality. Have you checked those out?
Hope you enjoy your new Katana! There is certainly a lot of buzz about them. I just want to plug in, twist a few knobs, and play, though. Call me old fashioned, but downloading and sifting through simulations and tweaking settings in this fashion is not really my thing. To each his own, of course. The price is certainly hard to beat!

**rolijen** · 08-27-2017, 11:59 AM

Got it! Have no experience with the new Blies Cube. Did watch the Eric Johnson video though. Pretty impressive. Regarding programmable amps, I too am not too keen on having to connect to a computer so I'm hoping it's a once and done kind of thing with the Katana. Since I play mostly clean, am hoping it won't be a big deal. Two Fender amps I've had (and sold) had the USB/Fuse capability and it wasn't my thing. Thanks for setting me straight!

Roli

**Boogaloo** · 08-27-2017, 04:53 PM

I have the blues cube 30 hot. It is not my number 1 amp. However it does what I bought it for. Nice clean useable tone at low volume around the house and in my teaching studio. I do find that distortion comes on rather quickly with humbucklers.

**Fidelcaster** · 10-26-2017, 07:20 PM

**Fidelcaster** · 11-10-2017, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

I have a BC Stage. When GAS hits me, I ponder which Tone Capsule to buy. Then I plug the guitar in the amp and realize the sound is already fine as is... Still, I think I'll end up buying a TC.

Damn, I can't choose!

Sent from my Redmi Pro using Tapatalk

**rpjazzguitar** · 11-10-2017, 04:10 PM

I think the OP raises a good question. How is the piece of gear after you've lived with it for a while?

One thing I'm certain about after all these years is that I can't tell much about equipment based on playing it in a store.

So, I usually buy things at GC because they have a 30 day (or more?) return privilege. They honor it. I've had the experience of it taking longer to buy the thing than to get the refund.

A couple of words about the amps. I played the Katana 50 and 100 in the store. Can't tell much, but I thought the 100 sounded better. 32 lbs or so. The 50 is 26 lbs iirc.

I've been using a friend's fairly new Cube 40x at jams lately. I'd rate it as okay. I did one outdoor gig with it and it was easily loud enough to keep up with an octet.

I'm guessing that sound dispersion counts on gigs -- and I don't know how to assess that in a store. In fact, it's not so easy to figure it out on a gig. Amps differ in this respect and I guess you need some experience with it in different settings to figure it out

Another thing is that lots of players love amps that I don't like. For example, some guys adore old Polytones -- but I have never been happy with one. I'm sure the reverse is true as well.

Also, I find that my usual gear, set up my usual way, usually sounds good to me, but occasionally sounds horrible and I can't figure out why.

So, overall, I suggest buying with a return privilege and taking others' recommendations with some care. Not that they're wrong -- just that the right tool for your job may not be the right tool for theirs.

**LtKojak** · 11-10-2017, 04:20 PM

The stock version of this amp was made with a collaboration with the late Chuck Loeb, and as you can hear for yourself in that Gary Cook video, it sounds terrific, specially with that Eastman archtop.

**Fidelcaster** · 02-08-2018, 04:04 AM

**velja** · 05-13-2023, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the two videos above. Does anyone know about any other on stage recordings using blues cube? Anyone gigging with it for a year? I don't see it often and can't find any videos of live performance which makes me wonder ... I have dozens of videos using all amps I've had so far and I am not playing professionally. I am about to buy something and am trying to narrow down the choices.

**ruger9** · 05-14-2023, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by velja

Thanks for the two videos above. Does anyone know about any other on stage recordings using blues cube? Anyone gigging with it for a year? I don't see it often and can't find any videos of live performance which makes me wonder ... I have dozens of videos using all amps I've had so far and I am not playing professionally. I am about to buy something and am trying to narrow down the choices.

I've been rehearsing and gigging with a Blues Cube Artist for over 2 years. Not playing jazz tho. Is there something specific you want to know?

**mrblues** · 05-14-2023, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

I would gladly jump on the Cube bandwagon, if I had one of these:

Attachment 33592

This is the old Roland Cube 60 that came out in the 1980s. I remember the first time I heard someone playing into one at my local music store. The guy was using a Gibson ES-175d he'd pulled down from the wall. The fellow was a pretty good jazz player. I was stunned by how good the rig sounded. At that point, I was a dyed in the wool ES-175/Polytone MiniBrute snob. Well, I had to admit to the guy from my jazz combo that I was in the shop with that (1) the guy on the guitar was awfully good, and (2) the brand-new Gibson and Roland amp rig sounded fabulous.

I later learned that Ed Bickert used this little Roland Cube 60 all the time. I admired Bickert's sound (Telecaster/Cube) greatly.

THIS is the Cube to get. They are a little scarce, but they are no frills and EXCELLENT sounding jazz amps.

I absoultely, 100% agree with Greentone. I had one of those, sold it, regretted it. A few months ago I had the opportunity to get one adn i did! Yesterday, and the day before I was using this one in my gigs, and I cant tell you guys that I got the jazz sound what I wanted with my Aria. No need to spend for anything else but this....

**velja** · 05-14-2023, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by ruger9

I've been rehearsing and gigging with a Blues Cube Artist for over 2 years. Not playing jazz tho. Is there something specific you want to know?

Well, the fact that someone is using it for 2 years is a good info. What genres do you play? Do you have any recordings from gigs or rehearsals? It obviously is loud enough. The thing I am most away from is aggressive and "in the face" tone, than too bright, glass braking tone. I once played a blues cube for few songs and to my remembering there wasn't enough bottom end (maybe because it was lifted on a Roland stand).
I went through two DV Mark amps, and tried some solid state / digital Fender amps and I didn't like them, although they were light. I have a hand made amp that works for me, but it is 34 kgs in total (head + box) so I am trying to find a combo that gets me in the mood. I am playing small clubs. Jazz and blues are on the subculture level in my country. I would see some stage now and than but then there would be an amp waiting for me, and I would set the tone best I can and survive with it. I have a MIJ Roland Cube 40 (orange one) and that one is actually good for my ears with the lil buddy in it, I didn't like the stock speaker because of qualities mentioned above, and on the end the 60w version isn't that light.

**velja** · 05-14-2023, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by mrblues

I absoultely, 100% agree with Greentone. I had one of those, sold it, regretted it. A few months ago I had the opportunity to get one adn i did! Yesterday, and the day before I was using this one in my gigs, and I cant tell you guys that I got the jazz sound what I wanted with my Aria. No need to spend for anything else but this....

I am leaning in that direction. I could buy 2 for 250 euros each in the past 2 months and I skipped. Now, I am ready to spend a thousand for an amp that may not exceed stock MIJ cube 60.

**ruger9** · 05-15-2023, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by velja

Well, the fact that someone is using it for 2 years is a good info. What genres do you play? Do you have any recordings from gigs or rehearsals? It obviously is loud enough. The thing I am most away from is aggressive and "in the face" tone, than too bright, glass braking tone. I once played a blues cube for few songs and to my remembering there wasn't enough bottom end (maybe because it was lifted on a Roland stand).
I went through two DV Mark amps, and tried some solid state / digital Fender amps and I didn't like them, although they were light. I have a hand made amp that works for me, but it is 34 kgs in total (head + box) so I am trying to find a combo that gets me in the mood. I am playing small clubs. Jazz and blues are on the subculture level in my country. I would see some stage now and than but then there would be an amp waiting for me, and I would set the tone best I can and survive with it. I have a MIJ Roland Cube 40 (orange one) and that one is actually good for my ears with the lil buddy in it, I didn't like the stock speaker because of qualities mentioned above, and on the end the 60w version isn't that light.

Classic rock and blues. Definitely not a brittle or glass-breaking tone. Actually the Artist is one of the amps I have owned over the years where I don't feel like I'm fighting too much high end (this means you, Fender). It's got a very powerful EQ on it, that is not interactive (meaning, turning up the bass don't affect the treble, etc. This happens routinely on tube amps). The EQ on the Roland works like an EQ for a stereo. Very independent of each other.

Plenty of low end. I keep the bass control around 4, and sometimes that seems like too much! For a jazzier tone, I'd simply turn the treble and presence down.

IDK what weight you are looking for, but the 1x12 Artist combo is light. Anything smaller than that would likely be even lighter.

IDK how the newer Tone Capsule models (the Stage, Artist, and Tour) compare to the older models (before the Tone Capsule tech was developed), but the newer amps sound and feel fantastic. And I'm a tube amp guy. For me to say I don't need to bring my Bad Cat tube amp to gigs because the Roland sounds and feels THAT great, is saying something.

re: the Tone Capsules. They aren't cheap. You may be very happy without one (the stock Artist amp is supposedly designed to sound like a Fender tweed Bassman). But they do offer the ability to drastically change what the amp IS... for example, the stock Artists is a "tweed Bassman", but the Ultimate Blues Tone Capsule changes it into a Fender Super Reverb on the clean channel and a Marshall Super Lead (Plexi) on the lead channel. There are several other tone capsules with varying characteristics. Just something to keep in mind.

But if I had to use a backline/house amp, and I saw it was a Roland Cube, I would be breathing easy compared to if it were many other amps that could be sitting there (like a Deluxe Reverb or AC30).

**DRS** · 05-15-2023, 10:23 AM

I read the power transformers in the new Blues Cubes can be faulty. Maybe research that before buying.

**ruger9** · 05-15-2023, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by DRS

I read the power transformers in the new Blues Cubes can be faulty. Maybe research that before buying.

Yes, I've read on forums where 2 people had the power supplies fail. IDK how many cubes have been sold vs how many of them had power supply failures, but it's not something that's rampant. Musician forums can oftentimes blow a tiny problem out of proportion, simply due to the sample size.

I've also read where people have had immediate issues with new Fender tune amps, as well as their ToneMaster series. Again... how rampant a problem is it really? There's no way to know.