cube 30 vs. blues cube

[lobotomyactivist]

ok, so I posted on the other board asking what would be a good 30 watt rehearsel amp for my band (with my Tele) and it was established that a Roland was in order. The question: which? The cube 30, well, I like the models and effects, but from what I've heard, it's less toneful. the blues cube (30) is very simple and has good tone but supposedly the distortion sucks, and sometimes, you just gotta crank it. so, does anyone have opinions?

[kinolo]

when i went looking for a decent sounding 30 watter at a decent price i tried a bunch and settled on the bluescube--i like it simple and don't care for all the stuff on the cube 30---especially when i already have a box of pedals....anyhow....the bluescube does everything i need it to--has enough volume for small places and mics well for larger--tone is as good as it gets and the distortion works fine for my styles of music--but then again i don't play metal stuff either....the bluescube has been a solid performer for me--i recommend it unless you're a metal head ---but it would probably do fine with a heavy metal pedal too.

[lobotomyactivist]

yeah, I hate metal, but I'm a hardcore punk fiend. One minute I'll be playing some nice roots rock and the next I'll be ripping through Dead Kennedys songs...that was my concern.

so how's the distortion, specifically, on the bluescube?

[bluescube]

The normal channel nails the classic 60's overdriven fenderish/jtm tube amp crunch. Turn the normal channels volume all the way up and then turn the master volume up enough to get the speakers working hard. IT is very tubelike for a solid state amp. Picking dynamics are wonderful. You can play light and get that classic Fender tweedish sound that has a hint of dirt and then hit the strings hard for that overdrive crunch and sustain. Turn down the guitars volume and it cleans up nice.

The lead channel is voiced similar to a Boss DS-1 so it adds some hair to the sound.


I am using an EHX Double Muff into the normal channel for great crunchy fuzz-distortion. The Double Muff in single muff mode also adds some beef to the lead channel.


I've found that a tubescreamer takes away from the full volume tone but does ok at bedroom levels where the amp doesn't have as nice a tone adn I want that tubescreamer tone.


I have the 2x10 combo version and have not heard the 1x12 version of the bluescube. I have played the bluescube60 1x12 and it is nice with many more options to play with.

I like mine but i wish i could crank it more!

I also compared my Roland to a Laney VC30 2x10 tube combo and the Roland and Laney were about the same max volume (both 30 watts). The Roland had more high end bite and a flabbier low end. The Laney had more mids and tighter low end (more voxy).

[lobotomyactivist]

wow, excellent description. thanks.

[CharlieO]

I own one, and I think it will provide you with more versatility than the 30-watt version. They're so inexpensive that the slightly higher price shouldn't be a concern.