Roland Blues Cube Stage Amp Review

Roland’s long-running Cube amp range has always represented great value, quality and reliability. And whilst Roland amps have often been amongst the most popular solid-state amps on the market (and the Jazz Chorus model has attained something of a legendary status amongst guitarists), guitarists are creatures of habit and the general opinion is that a solid-state amp is somewhat lacking in feel and response when compared to a valve amp.

And while modelling has come a long way, it is still not quite there (though getting closer all the time). The Roland Blues Cube range hopes to change all that.

Roland have developed a technology they have named ‘Tube Logic’; an approach to design that starts from the input socket and extends all the way through to the speaker. In doing so Roland have sought to duplicate the response and dynamic range of a vintage tweed amp.

The Blues Cube Stage offers the player the following:

  • Performance-ready 60-watt combo guitar amplifier with authentic tube tone and touch response
  • Roland’s comprehensive Tube Logic design delivers the interactive tonal behaviors of famous fine-tuned vintage tube amps, including preamp and output tube distortion characteristics, power supply compression, and much more
  • Independent Clean and Crunch channels, plus unique Dual Tone mode for blending channels to expand tonal possibilities
  • Master volume and three-band EQ, plus Boost and Tone switches on each channel
  • Four-way Power Control (0.5 W, 15 W, 45 W, Max) allows for cranked-amp tones at any volume
  • Onboard high-quality reverb
  • Classic open-back design with custom 12-inch speaker and poplar cabinet for enhanced presence on stage
  • Stylish, modern look with a vintage vibe
  • Efficient, lightweight design provides easy portability without sacrificing tone quality
  • USB output for high-quality direct recording to a computer
  • Channel selection and Dual Tone can be controlled with optional footswitches

Most importantly, how does it sound? The amp produces a wide range of tones, from silky clean to the roar of a Fender Bassman that has been dimed. It is very responsive to the player’s attack in the same manner that one would find when playing through a valve amp, but can be lifted and moved easily…unlike most valve amps!

With serious players such as Don Felder of The Eagles fame and legendary guitarist Eric Johnson being involved in its development you would expect a lot from this range of amps, and Roland has delivered.

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Comments

Massi - December 2, 2018

I have the same amp, and i love it. It’s very light (14 Kg) and i love the clean tone for jazz, soul and funk, it’s very warm.
Massi

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