Roland Cube 60

[Dutchbopper]

Bought it for 100 bucks. The amp is practically unused.

It has more bottom end and "body" than the Cube 20 that I tried out earlier. My Mambo sounds better but ... the Cube 60 has some very usable sounds. For the money really excellent.

Here's a demo. It was a quick take. The guitar is my 1983 Ibanez FG 100. So this is basically a 1000 bucks rig give or take (both guitar and amp).

I added the demo for the Cube 20 so you can compare.

DB

[citizenk74]

I thought both demos sounded good, with the twenty being noticeably brighter. Does, the 20 have a smaller speaker? Conjecture on my part. Of course you playing is superb, as always. You always sound like you. Tone is in the hands and ears of the artist (IMHO).

At any rate, congratulations on your fine new amp, and play it in good health!

[Dutchbopper]

I thought both demos sounded good, with the twenty being noticeably brighter. Does, the 20 have a smaller speaker? Conjecture on my part. Of course you playing is superb, as always. You always sound like you. Tone is in the hands and ears of the artist (IMHO).

Thanks citizen. Yes, the 20 only has an 8" speaker and lacks the headroom and bottom end the 60 has. I took the 20 to a rehearsal with trio Chet and it did not cut it. I'm sure the more powerful 60 with its 12" speaker will do better.

I turned down the highs on the 60 when I recorded the track. Same for the track I did with the 20 but not so much. Both amps are a little too bright (if not shrill) sounding with all EQ flat. The highs are usually the weak spot of cheaper amps. My Mambo has much more balance in its sound in all registers.

But for 100 bucks ... good enough!

DB

[Greentone]

DB,

The Ibanez/Roland Cube 60 rig sounds great, to me. Exceptional, bargain rig.

[Dutchbopper]

For a more detailed review on Cube Amps for Jazz check out my latest Blog entry here.

DB

[John A.]

Sounds really cool, Dick. Classic tone from both guitar and amp. I played through one of those 60s at a jam session once and was really impressed. It sounded great. This was in a decent sized restaurant full of people, with a couple of horns, bass drums and piano, and it had plenty of clean headroom. I can't imagine needing anything louder for small-group jazz.

John

[Dutchbopper]

DB,

The Ibanez/Roland Cube 60 rig sounds great, to me. Exceptional, bargain rig.

Thanks Greentone. I must admit I changed the Ibanez classic 58 pup for a Gibson classic 57 ... But the FG 100 already sounded great before that. Very nice guitar.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Sounds really cool, Dick. Classic tone from both guitar and amp. I played through one of those 60s at a jam session once and was really impressed. It sounded great. This was in a decent sized restaurant full of people, with a couple of horns, bass drums and piano, and it had plenty of clean headroom. I can't imagine needing anything for small-group jazz.

John

Thanks. Yes, I am looking forward to trying it out in my Trio. That's where the real proof is ...

DB

[Little Jay]

I am not really a Cube fan, but I can get good tones out of them when I find one in a rehearsal room or at a jam session. I sold my Cube 30x, it had a high hiss that drove me crazy when practising quietly at home. Also the 30 Roland watts did not cut it at jazz gigs when the drummer did a little more than just brushing his brushes (I say Roland-watts because the 22 Session-watts of my BluesBaby are much louder!).

May I ask what advantage the Cube 60 offers over your Mambo? I am under the impression the Mambo is an even smaller and lighter amp to take? Plus the Mambo sounds better you say....

[Dutchbopper]

May I ask what advantage the Cube 60 offers over your Mambo? I am under the impression the Mambo is an even smaller and lighter amp to take? Plus the Mambo sounds better you say....

None. The Mambo sounds better, goes louder and is lighter. It is a superior amp in every aspect. I want an extra amp for leaving in a rehearsal room or as a practise amp and I kind of dig going cheap for once.

You can't beat a Mambo in these three dimensions. But it's way more expensive of course.

By the way, the Cube 60 is not unlike the Katana 50 sound wise.

DB