Opinions please

magicguitar · May 11th, 2008, 08:54 AM

I'm going to spend my tax rebate on a new amp. I have two in mind and not sure which one to settle on. Choices are Fender Frontman 65 or a Roland Cube 60. Any pros or cons to either?

eugenedunn · May 11th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Set up properly, I think the Blues Junior would be as loud as either of those 2 amps...... it's 15 watts, but tube amplifiers are rated differently and can easily approach those other amps in the sound pressure level.

But the BJ is more expensive and it doesn't have all those digital effects onboard, so maybe it's not what you want. But it's tone is much more touch sensitive and vibey.

Of the 2 amps you asked about, I think the Fender has better input potential with the front panel RCA jacks, and I think the tone shaping capabilities are better. However, the Roland has an Extension speaker-out jack, so you can run another speaker in concert with your amp and get a bit more volume and sound coverage.

If you never intend to buy another extension speaker, then I say Fender. Both amps have Line Out capability so you can slave another amp, but that's another story. If you had another amp, I would just suggest you sell that and take the extra cash and buy a Blues Junior.

e-merlin · May 11th, 2008, 11:26 AM

What kind of music are you going to be playing through it? I'm not sure I'd recommend either of those for Death Metal.

A 5150 half-stack wouldn't be my first choice for Jazz, either. Other people's opinion of an amp are often based on their type of music.

Tony474 · May 11th, 2008, 12:07 PM

I own among other amps both the Roland Cube 60 and an older relative of the Fender Frontman 65, the Deluxe 112+.

I'd say the Cube 60 is much the more versatile of the two, having a choice of terrific clean voices ("JC Clean" with a "bright" button, plus "Black Panel") as well as an acoustic simulator and a number of other digitally modelled and very convincing voices. It has built-in digital delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser and tremolo, all of which are very good if a little limited in their adjustability. The three-band EQ plus presence control are highly effective. There is an extension speaker jack but it mutes the internal speaker. However, the amp is easily loud enough to gig with and can be slaved up through the PA via its voiced line out socket if even more volume is required. But it also sounds great at living-room volumes.

I can't comment on the Frontman 65 directly, but unlike the Roland or the older Deluxe 112+ it only has 2-band EQ on the clean channel, which is however likely to sound nice, full and "Fenderish" if the older model's anything to go by. I've never been a fan of the overdriven side of Fender amps in general, so you'd have to make your own mind up about that aspect of it.

I've seen a number of Cube 60s (including my own, of course) being used by pro guys on gigs but not many SS Fender amps of any type. In the end it's a question of checking out both models and seeing which suits you better. Me, I'd have the Roland.

magicguitar · May 11th, 2008, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll be using a GNX4 and I'll be playing a combination of Surf tunes, RockaBilly, Country.

Colt W. Knight · May 11th, 2008, 05:25 PM

Hard to beat a Fender Tube amp for country tones.

Tony474 · May 11th, 2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicguitar

Thanks for the info. I'll be using a GNX4 and I'll be playing a combination of Surf tunes, RockaBilly, Country.

That being the case, given your two choices I'd definitely go for the Cube 60. You don't have to use the built-in effects and I'd say that the Roland would be much better at reproducing drum-machine sounds, particularly high-frequency things like cymbals and hi-hat, if you choose to use them.

JohnnyCrash · May 11th, 2008, 06:39 PM

I've never tried either for any long period of time. The Frontman has a lot of bang for buck if I remember correctly.

If you can, go try them both with your guitar at a local shop.

6942 · May 12th, 2008, 07:26 AM

My daughter gigs with a Roland Cube 30, and it's pretty nice.
I've heard some positive comments on the Roland 60 also.

Steve

FirstBassman · May 12th, 2008, 08:55 AM

Both are popular models and should be in stock at your local GC.

Try 'em out and see which you like better.

Let us know.

magicguitar · May 12th, 2008, 08:58 AM

I would like to try each one before buying, but no music store out here in the boonies. So I'll just pick and order via the net. And thanks to all for your info and comments.

Tony474 · May 12th, 2008, 09:30 AM

I just checked out some reviews and the Frontman 65R seems to have some question-marks hanging over it regarding both sound quality and reliability. Could be be worth considering if you're buying off the page with no opportunity to try amps out before purchase.

Maybe you'd like to let us know what you decided and, in time, how you're getting on with whichever amp you settle on.

magicguitar · May 14th, 2008, 04:43 PM

I decided to get the Roland cube 60. Ordered it today and will hopefully get it sometime next week. I'll let you all know what I think after I plug the sucker in.

hockey_head · May 14th, 2008, 05:48 PM

the carvin nomad, single 12 looks pretty coll could you maybe try one and let us know, ha ha you can always return it in 10 days.
really, i hear good stuff about them.

Tony474 · May 14th, 2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey_head

the carvin nomad, single 12 looks pretty coll could you maybe try one and let us know, ha ha you can always return it in 10 days.
really, i hear good stuff about them.

I had a Carvin Nomad for a while - great clean sound indoors, but very limited clean headroom for a supposed 50-watt tube amp, and the pre-amp tubes rattled and buzzed as well. It certainly wasn't the worst amp I ever had by a long way, but the inexpensive little Cube 60 has it beat in a lot of ways.

Fellow British TDPRI-er Steve G seems to agree with me - after a bit of discussion he's recently bought one and says he's delighted with it.

Michaell · May 14th, 2008, 09:20 PM

fender

outbreak · May 14th, 2008, 10:24 PM

good choice imo, a friend has a frontman65r and it's reverb is completelty worthless! duno if its just his amp or their all like this but it would suck for surf

ASAT-Sean · May 14th, 2008, 10:29 PM

A buddy has the Roland and he loves his. I've played through it (not at a gig) and it sounded good.

magicguitar · May 20th, 2008, 05:14 PM

The Roland Cube 60 arrived this morning. I've only had a small amount of time to play around with it. It is loud!! it has several settings of which I have only tried a few. So far I'm quite pleased. I can get twang and verb so I'm happy. I did notice that some of the stuff I already have recorded on the GNX4 might have to be redone to sound better thru the cube. My old amp was a PofC 30amp but didn't have to do any tweaking to get a good sound with the GNX4. I don't have any immediate gigs so I'll have some time to dial in a workable mix either on the Cube or the GNX4. All in all I'm very pleased with this amp.

Tony474 · May 20th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Congratulations and Happy New Amp! My own Cube 60 is just one of many amps I own and I don't use it all the time or for everything. But I'm really very pleased indeed with it, to the extent that if it were the only amp I could have, I could live with that quite happily.

May 11th, 2008, 08:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 458	Opinions please I'm going to spend my tax rebate on a new amp. I have two in mind and not sure which one to settle on. Choices are Fender Frontman 65 or a Roland Cube 60. Any pros or cons to either?

May 11th, 2008, 09:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 54 Posts: 564 33 Photos	Set up properly, I think the Blues Junior would be as loud as either of those 2 amps...... it's 15 watts, but tube amplifiers are rated differently and can easily approach those other amps in the sound pressure level. But the BJ is more expensive and it doesn't have all those digital effects onboard, so maybe it's not what you want. But it's tone is much more touch sensitive and vibey. Of the 2 amps you asked about, I think the Fender has better input potential with the front panel RCA jacks, and I think the tone shaping capabilities are better. However, the Roland has an Extension speaker-out jack, so you can run another speaker in concert with your amp and get a bit more volume and sound coverage. If you never intend to buy another extension speaker, then I say Fender. Both amps have Line Out capability so you can slave another amp, but that's another story. If you had another amp, I would just suggest you sell that and take the extra cash and buy a Blues Junior. __________________ Ono Boy says "good n' swampy....."

May 11th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
e-merlin Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 5,552	What kind of music are you going to be playing through it? I'm not sure I'd recommend either of those for Death Metal. A 5150 half-stack wouldn't be my first choice for Jazz, either. Other people's opinion of an amp are often based on their type of music. __________________ WARNING:This post may contain items including, but not limited to, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole intended to bring humor to this discussion. Those of you who are overly sensitive or who have no sense of humor are better off ignoring this post.

May 11th, 2008, 12:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tony474 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Bushey, near London, England Age: 61 Posts: 1,782	I own among other amps both the Roland Cube 60 and an older relative of the Fender Frontman 65, the Deluxe 112+. I'd say the Cube 60 is much the more versatile of the two, having a choice of terrific clean voices ("JC Clean" with a "bright" button, plus "Black Panel") as well as an acoustic simulator and a number of other digitally modelled and very convincing voices. It has built-in digital delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser and tremolo, all of which are very good if a little limited in their adjustability. The three-band EQ plus presence control are highly effective. There is an extension speaker jack but it mutes the internal speaker. However, the amp is easily loud enough to gig with and can be slaved up through the PA via its voiced line out socket if even more volume is required. But it also sounds great at living-room volumes. I can't comment on the Frontman 65 directly, but unlike the Roland or the older Deluxe 112+ it only has 2-band EQ on the clean channel, which is however likely to sound nice, full and "Fenderish" if the older model's anything to go by. I've never been a fan of the overdriven side of Fender amps in general, so you'd have to make your own mind up about that aspect of it. I've seen a number of Cube 60s (including my own, of course) being used by pro guys on gigs but not many SS Fender amps of any type. In the end it's a question of checking out both models and seeing which suits you better. Me, I'd have the Roland. __________________ Proud to be The Man From Uncool.

May 12th, 2008, 09:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tony474 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Bushey, near London, England Age: 61 Posts: 1,782	I just checked out some reviews and the Frontman 65R seems to have some question-marks hanging over it regarding both sound quality and reliability. Could be be worth considering if you're buying off the page with no opportunity to try amps out before purchase. Maybe you'd like to let us know what you decided and, in time, how you're getting on with whichever amp you settle on. __________________ Proud to be The Man From Uncool.

May 11th, 2008, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 458	Thanks for the info. I'll be using a GNX4 and I'll be playing a combination of Surf tunes, RockaBilly, Country.

May 11th, 2008, 05:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,331	Hard to beat a Fender Tube amp for country tones.

May 11th, 2008, 06:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 6,976 39 Photos	I've never tried either for any long period of time. The Frontman has a lot of bang for buck if I remember correctly. If you can, go try them both with your guitar at a local shop.

May 12th, 2008, 07:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,297	My daughter gigs with a Roland Cube 30, and it's pretty nice. I've heard some positive comments on the Roland 60 also. Steve

May 12th, 2008, 08:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 808	Both are popular models and should be in stock at your local GC. Try 'em out and see which you like better. Let us know.

May 12th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 458	I would like to try each one before buying, but no music store out here in the boonies. So I'll just pick and order via the net. And thanks to all for your info and comments.

May 14th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 458	I decided to get the Roland cube 60. Ordered it today and will hopefully get it sometime next week. I'll let you all know what I think after I plug the sucker in.

May 14th, 2008, 05:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
hockey_head Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: shortsville, ny Age: 50 Posts: 200	the carvin nomad, single 12 looks pretty coll could you maybe try one and let us know, ha ha you can always return it in 10 days. really, i hear good stuff about them.

May 14th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#16 (permalink)
Michaell Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on the bus Posts: 592	fender __________________ WWLD

May 14th, 2008, 10:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
outbreak Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Age: 20 Posts: 415	good choice imo, a friend has a frontman65r and it's reverb is completelty worthless! duno if its just his amp or their all like this but it would suck for surf __________________ '07 MIM std tele '07 Epiphone Studio Dot '04ish J&D Luthiers LP copy '07 VOX ad50vt

May 14th, 2008, 10:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
ASAT-Sean Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ozark,MO Posts: 129	A buddy has the Roland and he loves his. I've played through it (not at a gig) and it sounded good. __________________ "I am Jack's total lack of surprise."http://www.thehighriders.com

May 20th, 2008, 05:14 PM	#19 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 458	The Roland Cube 60 arrived this morning. I've only had a small amount of time to play around with it. It is loud!! it has several settings of which I have only tried a few. So far I'm quite pleased. I can get twang and verb so I'm happy. I did notice that some of the stuff I already have recorded on the GNX4 might have to be redone to sound better thru the cube. My old amp was a PofC 30amp but didn't have to do any tweaking to get a good sound with the GNX4. I don't have any immediate gigs so I'll have some time to dial in a workable mix either on the Cube or the GNX4. All in all I'm very pleased with this amp.

May 20th, 2008, 05:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tony474 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Bushey, near London, England Age: 61 Posts: 1,782	Congratulations and Happy New Amp! My own Cube 60 is just one of many amps I own and I don't use it all the time or for everything. But I'm really very pleased indeed with it, to the extent that if it were the only amp I could have, I could live with that quite happily. __________________ Proud to be The Man From Uncool.