roland cube- 40XL or 80XL

[andrenighthound]

Hey users of these roland amps,

Are there any differences, (sound, quality, ect.), between these two amps, besides the 80XL being double the watts, is there any thing better about one or the other?

I use the zt lunchbox for gigs. (always miced and never past 7 on volume), which roland would be better for me the 40XL or 80XL?

Is the 40XL as loud as a lunchbox or do I really need the 80XL? I'm leaning toward the 40XL because its much lighter and smaller.

I'm looking to get nice clean tones from the roland and use my rat and fuzz pedals.

Thanks for any suggestions and opinions!

[lareplus]

what's wrong with the lunchbox? are the cleans not nice?

[andrenighthound]

I'm tired of blowing the speakers in the lunchboxes, also the direct out on one of them went out. So far I had 2 speakers go out and the direct out not work. This morning when I turned on one of my zt stacks and it sounds very scratchy. I don't know what's wrong. I trouble shooted a little by running one speaker at a time but they both sound grainy. Could it be I blew out both speakers or something wrong with the the amp itself I don't know, but I'm tired of things failing on me with these amps. I bought like 3 and I keep on having problems. I'm done.

Plus the cleans are ok in the lunchbox, but I wouldn't mind a little more clean. I think the cube will give me a cleaner and warmer sound as well with the 10" verses the
6 1/2" I figured I have to use the lunchbox with the ext speaker to get a decent bass sound out of the speakers, but only one speaker gets miced. I think the cube will be better because I will just carry the one unit instead of carrying the lunchbox and ext cab, its basically the same size but in one piece.

Also I have a micro cube for around 5 years and give it lots of abuse and it still holds up great so I think the quality is better with roland.
I always loved the JC clean tone.

[Ringo]

The 80xl has a 12" speaker, 40xl has 10" speaker, 80XL has more amp models I think, and an ext speaker out jack. Plus it's not much larger but a lot louder.

[ProToneThinline]

The 80XL makes me happy. I really wanted the 40, but it just didn't have enough acoustic volume. The 40 is okay for very small gigs, but all in all I like the 80 better. Not much difference in size, but a big difference in volume.

[andrenighthound]

Does the 40XL sound as loud as a zt lunchbox?

With the size of the 40XL I think I can still bring it on an airplane as a carry one or put it in my luggage. I think the 80XL is too big for that. Also all the gigs I play mic the guitar all the time.

[ProToneThinline]

Originally Posted by andrenighthound

Does the 40XL sound as loud as a zt lunchbox?

With the size of the 40XL I think I can still bring it on an airplane as a carry one or put it in my luggage. I think the 80XL is too big for that. Also all the gigs I play mic the guitar all the time.

I've never played the zt, but I was surprised at the volume of the 40, or rather the lack of volume. It's really not a particularly loud amp. It would really need to be mic'd for just about all but the smallest gigs.

Even though it's not too loud, the tone is to die for. The clean channel stays clean almost until it's wide open.

I went with the 80 to get away from having to mic the amp. If you're going to mic 100% of the time, the 40 should do just fine.

[andrenighthound]

I decided to go with the 40XL. Thanks for everyones help. If I like it, (which I think I will), I will buy a second one to have as a back up or to daisy chain. For 100 dollars more than the 80XL, I can get two 40XLs. I think that's a better deal for me.

[ProToneThinline]

I'm sure you'll like the 40. I'd have gone with the 40 myself if it had been just a shade louder.

[andrenighthound]

Just to clear things up. I know i said I was having some noise problems with one of my zt amps but it turns out it sounds fine today. I did have the aux plugged into my computer, maybe I was getting some noise from there I don't know.

I still like the lunchbox but I'm getting a roland cube to get a little cleaner tone with a bigger speaker.

I set the lunchbox with the gain on the low side and the volume pretty high up. Its loud but its not very loud for super cleans.

[brookdalebill]

Considering the small difference in weight, size, and expense,
I'd opt for the 80XL.
I have two, and absolutely love em'.

[andrenighthound]

Yeah I thought about the 80XL. Its like 12 pounds heavier and a few inches bigger on 2 sides, thats enough to make much harder thru airports. I really think the XL40 will be loud enough but I will have to see. I might buy an XL80 instead of the extra 40XL. This way I can be more versatile with traveling. I really like tiny amps. No problem traveling with the van with the 80XL but I really hate the back line I'm always offered like cold overly loud twins and muddy deluxes when I have to fly. Lol

Btw there is something wrong with this ZT after all. The volume and clarity dropped out.

[andrenighthound]

I got the XL40 today! First chord I hit, I knew that was the tone I was looking for. Super clean!! It's louder and cleaner than my zt amp and a much bigger sound,(thanks to the 10" speaker, verses the two 6.5). I don't see me turning up the volume past 5-6 at a gig so its plenty plenty loud,(for me at least). I'm glad I didn't go for the XL80 its just two much for me, although I may get the XL80 for my accordion player because now I will get a second XL40 for my self real soon.

I thought the Giggity was going on sale but actually the pedal works real real good as a booster for that amp, and gives it that tube hair,(if needed), being that the cube is super clean. I swapped out my eq pedal on my board for the Giggity...

I'm don't care too much and knew it already from having the micro cube, the other amp sims on there so I'll be still using my creepy fingers for fuzz and distortion. The modulation effects sound good to me though. I like the chorus a lot in it.

[Ringo]

I like the Vox and Marshall amp models a lot on the Cube amps, the Fender models are just ok, prefer the JC for cleans.

[Revv23]

Ive been wanting to try a cube xl for a while now.

[andrenighthound]

I been getting this weird hiss sound with the cube when I use certain digital pedals, it really shows up. Has anyone had this problem? I think I may have to get exchange this for a another one. Its really noticeable when I play clean. It seems like the harder I attack the strings, the louder the fuzzy hiss noise it makes. Never had this type of noise problem with any other type of amps. This is frustrating me as I was looking for a new amp for some work I coming up. Anyone care to comment?

[Desertcaster]

I use the 80 XL as my main gigging amp. Sold my Fender tube amps. This gets loud and stays clean. I only use the clean side. Tried the 200 watt Lunchbox thing the Club. No comparison what so ever to the Roland. Played it once and sent it back. Personally would not run a MP3 player through it. I would not be afraid to try the 40XL considering what the 80 does.

[garytelecastor]

Get the 80XL