Which Roland? Blues Cube or Cube?

weemikey · March 2nd, 2005, 02:49 AM

Hey folks. I'm a freak for overanalyzing potential purchases so I've come down to a few choices for a new amp.

I had a Microcube for a while which I really liked. Turn it on, crank the gain on the Bassman model and go! So that leads me to think a higher power Cube model would be great.

My current amp is a Silverface Vibrochamp, which is great in all the ways people talk about. But it only really does one thing, and it's not that loud. So... I'm going to get a bigger amp that will allow me to play rockabilly/country with some other folks (finally the shyness is passing).

I really like the Cubes, and people rave about them so that makes me feel pretty secure in that choice. If I want to play with drums and a band is the 30 enough power? I'd be happy with either the 30 or 60, but money's always a factor, and if the 30 is loud enough I'd get that.

I've never heard a Blues Cube though, and lots of people rave about those as well. Are they that much different than the Cubes? All I need is the Bassman with a bit of delay and I'm pleased as punch. Does the Blues Cube make up for in tone (or volume) what it lacks in effects?

I know they're popular amps in the Tele crowd so I thought I'd fish for some opinions.

Thanks! :D

teletwangler · March 2nd, 2005, 01:02 PM

My rig is Nashville Tele>Barber Direct Drive>H2O Chorus/Echo>Blues Cube 30. I can get close to all the popular tones (Hendrix, SRV, Santana, U2, etc.) plus jangly Beatles/Byrds tones, country, jazz, reggae, you name it. The EQ really affects the sound so you should try lots of different settings to see what works for you. It's held its own in a jam situation but definitely needs an overdrive to get good distorted sounds.

weemikey · March 2nd, 2005, 11:39 PM

Thanks for the tips. Seems like I could get away with a Cube 30. I've NEVER played with anyone but my teacher, so I have no concept of what I need to bring to the table. I love Gene Vincent/Les Paul music, so it's not like it needs to be LOUD. They'd probably be happy to take my Vibro Champ as a trade for one of those babies.

snap · March 3rd, 2005, 05:47 AM

I've got a Cube 30 and I'd agree that you deffo need a decent drive pedal really for any authentic OD sound. Whilst the clean sounds are superb, crank the gain up and certainly the VOx & Marshall emulations aren't that good. Effects and EQ are v good however. Like the way you have a separate delay setting. Saying all that I recently bought a Marshall AVT 100. Knocks the Roland out of the water. Yes I know it's a lot more cash. Have you though about the VOx Valvetronics? They get rave reviews and I'm tempted to buy one out of curiosity. Like the AVT, they have a preamp stage valve;certainly in the case of the AVT it really adds a valve warmth and break up to it.

bluescube · March 4th, 2005, 09:04 AM

My bluescube 30 with 2 10" speakers is LOUD for 30 watts. I can keep up with a Laney VC30 tube amp(30 watts, 2 10" speakers).

gls500 · March 4th, 2005, 10:34 AM

I have a Cube30, and although I love it and use it all the time, I'm not quite sure it's enough for all band situations. If you can swing it, the Cube60 isn't much bigger or heavier, yet has plenty of punch.

weemikey · March 4th, 2005, 02:19 PM

Okay! Thanks all. So the real question that remains is.... what does the Blues Cube do that the regular Cube doesn't?????

teletwangler · March 4th, 2005, 10:09 PM

The Cube is a modeling amp with built in effects. The Blues Cube is a more traditional solid state amp with a fairly tubey sound. The clean channel kinda has that Fender tweed sound. If you're looking for that particular sound on the cheap and don't mind buying effect pedals, the Blues Cube is your amp. If you want a JC 120, Fender Blackface, Tweed, Marshall stack, etc. all rolled up in one with lots of effects, get the Cube.

teletwangler · March 4th, 2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weemikey

Does the Blues Cube make up for in tone ... what it lacks in effects?

IMHO, yes. For the money, anyway. Like everyone else who ain't got one I'm jonesin' fer a tube amp! Maybe a Reverend Goblin or Kingsnake?!?!?!? :)

March 2nd, 2005, 02:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
weemikey Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 206	Which Roland? Blues Cube or Cube? Hey folks. I'm a freak for overanalyzing potential purchases so I've come down to a few choices for a new amp. I had a Microcube for a while which I really liked. Turn it on, crank the gain on the Bassman model and go! So that leads me to think a higher power Cube model would be great. My current amp is a Silverface Vibrochamp, which is great in all the ways people talk about. But it only really does one thing, and it's not that loud. So... I'm going to get a bigger amp that will allow me to play rockabilly/country with some other folks (finally the shyness is passing). I really like the Cubes, and people rave about them so that makes me feel pretty secure in that choice. If I want to play with drums and a band is the 30 enough power? I'd be happy with either the 30 or 60, but money's always a factor, and if the 30 is loud enough I'd get that. I've never heard a Blues Cube though, and lots of people rave about those as well. Are they that much different than the Cubes? All I need is the Bassman with a bit of delay and I'm pleased as punch. Does the Blues Cube make up for in tone (or volume) what it lacks in effects? I know they're popular amps in the Tele crowd so I thought I'd fish for some opinions. Thanks! :D

March 2nd, 2005, 01:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
teletwangler Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: STL,MO Posts: 152	My rig is Nashville Tele>Barber Direct Drive>H2O Chorus/Echo>Blues Cube 30. I can get close to all the popular tones (Hendrix, SRV, Santana, U2, etc.) plus jangly Beatles/Byrds tones, country, jazz, reggae, you name it. The EQ really affects the sound so you should try lots of different settings to see what works for you. It's held its own in a jam situation but definitely needs an overdrive to get good distorted sounds. __________________ Did you know that the hole's only natural enemy is the pile?

March 4th, 2005, 10:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
teletwangler Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: STL,MO Posts: 152	The Cube is a modeling amp with built in effects. The Blues Cube is a more traditional solid state amp with a fairly tubey sound. The clean channel kinda has that Fender tweed sound. If you're looking for that particular sound on the cheap and don't mind buying effect pedals, the Blues Cube is your amp. If you want a JC 120, Fender Blackface, Tweed, Marshall stack, etc. all rolled up in one with lots of effects, get the Cube. __________________ Did you know that the hole's only natural enemy is the pile?

March 2nd, 2005, 11:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
weemikey Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 206	Thanks for the tips. Seems like I could get away with a Cube 30. I've NEVER played with anyone but my teacher, so I have no concept of what I need to bring to the table. I love Gene Vincent/Les Paul music, so it's not like it needs to be LOUD. They'd probably be happy to take my Vibro Champ as a trade for one of those babies.

March 3rd, 2005, 05:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
snap TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sheffield England Posts: 61	I've got a Cube 30 and I'd agree that you deffo need a decent drive pedal really for any authentic OD sound. Whilst the clean sounds are superb, crank the gain up and certainly the VOx & Marshall emulations aren't that good. Effects and EQ are v good however. Like the way you have a separate delay setting. Saying all that I recently bought a Marshall AVT 100. Knocks the Roland out of the water. Yes I know it's a lot more cash. Have you though about the VOx Valvetronics? They get rave reviews and I'm tempted to buy one out of curiosity. Like the AVT, they have a preamp stage valve;certainly in the case of the AVT it really adds a valve warmth and break up to it.

March 4th, 2005, 09:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
bluescube Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Greensboro NC Age: 41 Posts: 1,071 6 Photos	My bluescube 30 with 2 10" speakers is LOUD for 30 watts. I can keep up with a Laney VC30 tube amp(30 watts, 2 10" speakers).

March 4th, 2005, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
gls500 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 894	I have a Cube30, and although I love it and use it all the time, I'm not quite sure it's enough for all band situations. If you can swing it, the Cube60 isn't much bigger or heavier, yet has plenty of punch.

March 4th, 2005, 02:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
weemikey Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 206	Okay! Thanks all. So the real question that remains is.... what does the Blues Cube do that the regular Cube doesn't?????