Roland Cube 60

Decent features. No effects loop. Did not come with footswitch. Cannot use the delay and reverb at the same time(bummer). not much control over effects. Decent control of reverb though. ''global'' eq. Would prefer dedicated eq per channel. Would like to have had the tuner wich is available in the Cube 30.

I play a ibanez 2xhumbuckers and a strat. No noise whatsoever.I beleive there is a gate hiding in there. Cant get feedback at all. It was tricky finding ''the tone''. Alot of bass.almost have to turn it all the way down. Clean channel is very good. Of the dist. tones, Tweed and Dyna-amp are the most usable. Sounds best with presence turned all the way down. R-fier too much gain for me. Clean channel takes pedals very well. You will smile when you connect a ext. cab. This amp can gig.

I dont see this thing failing anytime soon, but the jacks are plastic so you will have to tape your cords down. On stage it was plugged into 220v by mistake. Completly smoked it. Replaced it the next day. Knobs are on top pointing straight up so dont set your beer on it. I only give it a 9 because the jacks are plastic

I have never dealt with support. The amp is cheap enough to replace if there are issues. Like i said it was connected to 220v and i could smell the ''factory smoke'' from 3 feet! Not Rolands fault. They are common in music stores. easy to replace

Been playing 15 years. Ive got alot of gear. But there is no "do-all" peice of gear. The cube sounds decent, is loud, can be thrown into the back of my ****ty car on its side for 2 days and it sounds the same every day. You cant "throw'" a tube-amp around. And you wouldnt want to leave your good amp at somebodies house over the weekend. It fills a niche very well. Headphones sound is too bassy, wish it could be dialed out. Much more natural sounding than my Fender FM amp.

The features are covered well below.
I need clean headroom for small gigs and jams with an overenthusiastic drummer and a versatile practice amp at home, it covers these bases perfectly, plus the blackface model and the metal model are both very usable in gigs. The other simulations may be useful to others, but live I don't need them.
The lack of pedals accompanying purchase is plain wrong, and the need for a latched pedal has left me using an old Yamaha keyboard sustain pedal live as the only option that doesn't cost too much.
If it's not loud enough for you then you are playing too loud and any comments concerning tone are undermined by the fact that you are nuts.
The effects are undermined by limited parameters, as many have mentioned. but the reverb is excellent.

Primarily a B C Rich Assassin FX6, with Mafia humbuckers.
For clean rhythm, funk mainly, it's perfect and the single coil settings on the guitar give you superb definition through the amp. It breaks up a little at 6 or 7 but in a good way. A tube screamer is really made for valve amps, but it's a perfect lead boost on this one.
Using the bridge humbucker and the metal or rectifier settings delivers a superb metal tone, only bettered by Randall beasts in the solid state world. People ask me what the hell I'm using when they hear it and it has enough EQ possibilities to allow me to fit in with whatever the rest of the maniacs in the band are doing.
The practice room we use has Marshall 50 watt combos and a JCM stack, the roland beats the combos on any level and the stack only betters it for those AC/DC moments we are all prone to.
The rectifier setting is way too manic for me most times, but when the sonic terrorism takes hold it lets me enter Korn or Rammstein territory with ease.
Also important is the fact that every model is superb for home playing and most of us spend most time at home playing anyway, so it's a factor to value.
It works fine with any guitar I have used, and I have put about 50 different things into it. It is also a superb accoustic guitar amp and has delivered keyboards and vocals well.

No problems in over 3 years, never have had problems with roland/boss gear.

Not required yet


Touch wood

30 years playing, I have a clutch of other amps and regular access to a wide range: this is the one. God I only wish I could have got one of these 20 years back when $2000 wouldn't get you near this versatility and quality.
Stolen or lost I would replace it with a new one, like you would pick up a new screwdriver when you broke one, perfect tool for the job.
I knew I was going to get one having used the 30 watt, so didn't try others, but I know the other gear and this has a range of features unmatched in the price bracket.
Love: versatility. delicate acoustic sounds to ear shredding sonic hell. the classic crunch stuff bores me, but my blues nut mates find what they need here too.
For specific sounds there are better amps and various perfectionists have holy grail tones, but I'm tired of hearing about classic **** from kids with a 15 watt marshall in their bedroom.
This is versatile, good at most things, amazingly good at some, and it's easy to carry. Friends with Marshalls and so on use my roland at practices and tell me it's great but not a Marshall/fender/etc, but they never unplug until I force them.
Footswtiches should be included, but beyond that it lacks nothing a serious guitarist needs and has everything a beginner could wish for.
Don't be fooled by vague notions into paying twice as much for something with half the use.
I unscrewed the side bolts, put a strap on and screwed em back in, now I can take the bus to a gig and do everything a man could require, and no, I won't help you carry your Marshall stack to the bar.
I know it's all so subjective, and people have ideals that baffle me, so I'd not tell you to go buy one. But if you are in this ball park and don't at least try one out you are unquestionably a fool.

Features are ok, would be so much better if there were a knob to control effect amount... they sound like they are set at around 35 to 50 percent of total effect

Good sound.

Own it, the insert jacks are made of plastic... not roadworthy, not even practice worthy. Roland picked a bad thing to cheap out on. Hope this helps.

47 yrs old, play many styles

Bought brand new in August 2009. You know the feautures from the previous reviews. Two switchable channels, one featuring the fabled Roland "JC" clean sound, the other of which, the "lead" channel, rotates among an acoustic sound, Fender blackface ("black panel," presumably for copyright reasons), tweed, a "Brit" sound, and a few types of distortion. The "lead" channel has a gain as well as a volume control, and I think you need to add some gain even for good blackface "clean" sounds, otherwise it's a bit thin and weak. The EQ includes bass, middle, treble, and a usable "presence" control. The EQ controls are quite usable, as they span a wide range. A variety of built-in digital effects -- chorus, flange, etc. You have to choose between using the delay and the reverb. The reverb is pretty decent. I always give "no opinion" for features, because it's all in terms of what you're looking for, but I'm pleased with it -- more features than I need, but it isn't a difficult amp to master and to get a variety of good sounds out of.

I'm mostly a jazz player, with forays into blues, rock, and country. I play clean 90% of the time, otherwise with just a bit of grit to get a Scofield sound or to play blues. I play a Nash T-63 with a Lollar lo-wind Imperial humbucker in the neck; a Heritage Sweet 16 hollowbody with a Lindy Fralin P-92 mounted in the neck position; and sometimes a semi-hollow, when I own one.

I was quite surprised by this amp -- pleasantly surprised. I bought it as an all-purpose backup amp, but I'd be fine gigging with this. I was especially pleased with the Fender blackface sound (my other amp is a SF Princeton Reverb retrofitted with a 12" speaker). I guess it's a tad "colder" than the real thing, but very usable, and the EQ control give you quite a bit of control over the sound. For the money, you get what appears to be a pretty sturdy amp that you can thrown around more recklessly than you would a good tube amp and very passable tone besides.

I got a better, more neutral jazz sound out of the pumpkin-colored Cube 60 from the 1970s-80s that I once owned, but this is a much more versatile amp.

The JC clean sounds pretty authentic, although I've never been a huge fan of that sound. Obviously it's not a broad a sound as a JC-120, but it's fine. The tweed is nice. I haven't experimented too much with the various British or distortion modes.

Don't know yet.

Don't know yet.

Nice amp for the price. The modeling is well done. It's not a boutique amp, just something I can gig and practice with without being embarrassed, and I don't have to worry about treating it with kid gloves.

bought this amp new so I assume it was made within the last couple of years or so. There were two reasons why I bought this amp: its versatility and light weight. I play all styles of music so I needed something that could accomodate that. About the only thing I didn't like was the choice of either delay or reverb. Since reverb is a must I bought a Boss delay. Problem solved. There is more than enough power for my needs, but I find it makes a terrible bedroom amp. The noise suppession cuts off notes at low volumes. But it isn't noticeable at practice or gig levels. I also wish it had metal inputs but cost was obviously a consideration.

I use a Fender telecaster exclusively through this amp. I play everything from country to jazz and have no problem finding "my sound" in every style. I pretty much stay in JC mode for clean, and like the classic stack most of all for distortion, depending on the tune of course. About the only feature I don't use is the dyna amp setting. Can't get it to work for me. Others have commented on overt hissing. I only notice that on the Acoustic marking. Otherwise it is very quiet to my ears. As far as overall sound goes, well that is very subjective. I sold an ultralinear twin reverb and bought this. Maybe it's just my old ears but I actually like the sound of the Cube 60 better.

Been playing 40 years come next month. I've had a lot of amps in that period and now I'm down to a tele and the cube 60. Amazing. I did compare this to other amps in the store of similar layout, like Line 6 and Vox and Fender. Plugged into the Roland and it was like going home. Like I said I'm done to bare bones but enjoy the freedom that comes with that. The oldtimes will know what I mean. So, to sum up this is one hell of a bargain, but it's probably not for everyone. It is what it is, a great solid state amp.

Great modelling features and JC clean channels, decent effects but limited versatility.

Excellent sound and depth, super loud when needed, very quiet.

Blew up after 3 years, up in smoke while playing moderately. Disappointing as this was supposed to be a strong point for Roland Cube amps. Been in repair for over a week, waiting for parts etc etc. Bummer.

Never contacted them, but apparently it takes a while to get parts.

I would recommend the amp except it blew up on me which I am very surprised about. I figured this one would be a life long companion.

2008 Cube 60 1x12 amp.
I bought this as a jazz amp. I used to play through a 50 watt 2x 12AX7 and 4 x 6L6 head and 2x12 cab.

I play it with a Peerless Monarch and a Fender Strat.

2 channels.

1st is JC clean, 2nd is 2 modellers of jazz options (an acoustic and a blackface fender). Further up the scale we pass tweed, metal, rectifier etc as we progress up the distortion scale.

It is a bit noisy on the "JC" setting.
There is an appreciable amount of hiss but I do think this is because the JC setting runs a fair amount of compression in the mix.

I understand the clean is designed to develop some break up as the volume reaches halfway, mine does this and at jazz volumes, for club situations, this makes a good sound. I have played a jazz guitar through a very clean 200 watt amp and it sounds just the same as a 15 watt amp but your ears ring afterwards. An amp should sould like it is starting to work harder at higher volumes.

This amp suits singles or h/buckers but it is a real chameleon.

The no. 2 channel is a great way to step through from acoustic clean to heavy fuzz. I have no idea if the fuzz is authentic, but it is fun as a distraction.

I see the amp as a 3 voice jazz amp. JC clean. Acoustic jazz, Fender Blackface jazz.

The rest are games.

Solid

Who cares, it's Roland.

It is a very acceptable option compared to the high end solid state jazz amps - Polytone/Henrikson.

When I first plugged in, I immediately received compliments about the good tone compared to a tube amp!

I think that it scores because it is EASY to get a good jazz tone. That is where Cube 60's and Polytones score over tube amps.

I bought it in jan. 2008, for I needed a small amp for rehearsals and small gigs, so I don't have to take my bigger guitar-rig.
I think that in the previous reviews all the features are clear.
I only wished it had a tuner like the 30X that I had a few days, before I traded it for the 60, because I needed a little more power.
The 30X had some more presence and just recently I changed the original speaker for a Celestion V30. It takes some modification and therefore I've decided to get me a new enclosure for this amp and speaker with a more vintage look....

I use it for blues/rock and with a mostly with a Fender 62 VI Strat and a LP Standard. Both sound very good on this amp. I especially like the "classic stack"-sound on my Strat with little gain. A nice bluesy tone.
But also the other sounds are good and can be used on many occasions.

I think the amp is very reliable, but I usually use it on low volume and I also am pretty careful.
It's in fact the only piece of equipment that I have that's not in a flightcase, because when I take it with me I want to travel "light".

Never had the need for it.

I'm a professional player for almost 30 years and own a lot of guitars and equipment, but this Roland is important for me. Small, handy and with a good sound and I'm tempted too often to leave the big rig at home..... I checked out almost every other amp in it's catagory, but the Cube was undoubtly the best.

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further to my previous post....I agree with other comments about the noise gate on the "clean" channel.When playing at low volumes (knob at < 10.00am) occasionally the gate cuts off the signal completely or reduces it to a sound akin to passing wind.Very annoying.The volume control increase is by no means linear.In other words it is very difficult to play on this amp in an appartment at night at low volume.With the volume turned up I haven't experienced the problem.

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Since my last post I've discovered more pleasurable sounds so I'll bump the overall up a notch

covered extensively already but not up to scratch with the competition

you can get whatever you want.Plug an extension cab in and that's it, impressive.

died after 4hrs with an extension spkr connected,took amp to dealer with same result,sent amp to Roland Italy who couldn't fault it.Came back after 3 weeks the dealer and I just looked at each other to sort out who looked the bigger idiot.It's working fine..... for now.

good.2 yr warranty here.

I've been playing for 43 yrs so naturally I was brought up on Fender and I bought this amp to substitute those confounding heavy tube amps which I don't want to lug around anymore.The cube does the trick.For live work it's very restrictive in sound selection ,also because the eq is shared between channels.I have to use a pedal up front but be very careful in its quality; a noisy pedal will be noisier once through the amp.For me this is a "set and forget" amp but I AM satisfied with its sound (and volume).

Bog-standard modelling amp with a difference.

Made 2008 and made primarily for producing a good jazz tone (I suspect through an archtop).

All the usual whistles and bells on a smallish combo, headphones jack, speaker ext cab, tuner jack (very useful, the Korg GA30 just stays plugged in and it switched on once in a while to get the strings straight.)

This amp is a replacement for a 50 watt valve head that didn't have the flexibility of sound.

Mainly used as practice but I am looking to step up to playing live and the Cube would be great to play through.

It is two channel. Chanel one is JC Clean but although they are on channel two I would include the acoustic and black face as genuine jazz settings - depends on the sounds youo are after. A lot of jazz guys are playing Gibbo's through AER acoustic amps and black face twins have always been a fave.

It is warm for a solid state amp. There is some noticeable hiss when the guitar volume is turned down........secret.......this leads me to believe that the preamp may have a compression circuit in it on the JC setting. Chords vs single notes volume backs this up as does sustain - and may account for the hiss? (Hmmmmm! have I released rolands secret?)

So I use JC, acoustic, blackface twin, and play on the others.

I like a little reverb - nicely done. On acoustic setting an archtop
sounds like a 12 string acoustic with the minimum chorus - though it does go from nought to out a bit harsh.

Play an archtop, Vintage Brooklyn (Peerless Monarch)through it with a Kent armstrong floater jazz pickup installed in the neck posn.

The articulation of single notes within subtle jazz chord changes is brilliant. My wife smiles, when I come down stairs and says, "That sounded really sweet!"

A proper carved archtop will always sound less dark than a laminated Gibbo ES175 - but I am getting a really sound and a minor amp change of less than ??150 has got me way closer to "the sound" than forking out for a Gib 175.

It can do wild distortion solos on the other settings but I only like to explore these when I'm blind drunk!

It's a Roland road block - don't anticipate any problems.

Dunno - haven't needed it

Compared it to (financially) Jazzkats, Polytones, JazzKing- no idea how much better they might sound but for the money a budding jazzer would be barking mad to look elsewhere.

The NR is a bit of a pisser - but I suspect it comes from an onboard (not mentioned) compresssor.

If I put pedals in front (compression/EQ/reverb) then it hisses like mad - horrible.

Take is as it is, a cheap company copy of the JC120 (which is a hissy amp), with the addition of at least two other jazz channels to play on and you won't be disappointed.

Compact, ported closed back, good bass response, nice articulate tight jazzz sound, either electric or Gypsy jazz.

Emjoy!

First some ground rules. This is a review of a Solid State Modeling Amplifier. I will not compare this Amp to a Tube, Trans Tube or Solid State non modeling Amplifier. That would be comparing Apples to Oranges and could not be a fair and honest review. If you are in the market for a Tube Amp, nothing short of the $600.00+ required will do for you.

Made in 2007 The amp provides settings for Clean Acoustic Black Panel (Fender Twin, Brit Combo (Vox AC-30TB) Tweed (Fender Bassman) Classic Stack Marshall, Metal Stack (peavey EVH-5150) R-Fier Stack (Mesa Boogie Rectifier) and Dyna Amp. So this Amp is very versatile and can compliment most styles of play. Two Channels with Optional Pedals for foot selection. With Chorus, Flanger, Delay and Reverb onboard. Line Out, Tuner Input, and External Speaker Jacks. This is basically a practice amp for me however, it has the potential to be lightweight combo for small clubs and if the amp can be mic'ed properly good for average venues. With 60w (sort of) of power it is REALLY LOUD for such a small amplifier.

Controls
POWER Switch, SELECT Switch
JC CLEAN Channel
BRIGHT Switch, VOLUME Knob
LEAD Channel
TYPE Switch (ACOUSTIC, BLACK PANEL, BRIT COMBO,
TWEED, CLASSIC STACK, METAL STACK, R-FIER STACK,
DYNA AMP), GAIN Knob, VOLUME Knob
EQUALIZER
BASS Knob, MIDDLE Knob, TREBLE Knob
PRESENCE
PRESENCE Knob
EFX
EFX Knob (CHORUS, FLANGER, PHASER, TREMOLO)
DELAY/REVERB
DELAY/REVERB Knob

I would have liked separate Bass Mid and Treble knobs for both channels.

The Effects are misleading, yes there are Chorus, Flanger, Phaser and Tremolo Effects. Only ONE can be selected for use at a given time So If the Chorus is used the other three are not available.
Same with the Reverb and Delay. One OR the other can be in use at any given time. But not both simultaneously.
The effects all work and sound OK but you would be best served using your favorite stompbox instead. And if you are new to Guitardom and don't know what each effect sounds like. The effects are good enough to provide you with an understanding of what they actually do.

OK, lets all face facts "Sound Quality" is subjective. I have been playing for 38 years. I have owned Marshalls, Peaveys, Line 6s, Behringers, Traynors, Crates, Fenders. And other nameless Amplifiers in my lifetime. Both Tube and Solid State. I can compare the "Sound" of this amp to those that came before them and say that there are similarities to the sounds that this Amp has been designed to emulate. Based on this Amp being a Modeling Amp, solid state, in a small package, and lightweight. Based on a POOR, GOOD, VERY GOOD and EXCELLENT scale. The "Sound Quality" is VERY GOOD. Overall I firmly believe that if you are looking for an Amp that provides what this Amp is offering you would be making a wise choice. All the various AMP settings are easily distinguishable from the others, the Clean Channel is clean, and with 3 varying types of gain Amps you could dial in the sound you are looking for.

No Breakdowns, the before mentioned plastic Jack Nuts have and should be replaced immediately.

*Note to ROLAND Plastic Jacks, Jack/Nuts suck. The employee/s responsible for choosing Plastic over Metal should be summarily dismissed for recommending this cost slashing boner. The savings were small, the cost to your reputation extreme. I didn't buy an Amplifier "Kit" I bought what I hoped was a finished product.

Hmmm interesting category however, I cannot comment given that the unit works and no repairs have been necessary. Bought used with a 30 day seller warranty.

Recommendation, If you are looking for a Solid State Modeling Amp. You couldn't do better. This is a well built, very versatile, and reliable Amp. If you are looking for a Tube Amp this will NOT suffice. Tube amps have a "warmth" to their sound that cannot be replicated with silicone (At this time anyway). 60 watts (as presented) of LOUD sound, and if you are a Closet Clapton like me the various Amp settings are very cool to modify. Small enclosure is easily stored in a corner behind a dresser. And when I need to perform before my legions of fans I have the power to do so. At least I tell myself that, as I turn off the Amp, when my wife has announced "Dinner's ready".

This amp was made in the 2006 time frame.
The features can be found in the specification sheet for this amp.
This amp has enough features to handle most situations.

I use a Epiphone Les Paul - made in China with Seymour Duncan 59 in the neck and JB in the bridge.
The amp is quiet. I use the Brit Combo setting for lead and it sounds sweet with the Duncan pickups. You can cover a wide spectrum of great lead tones and quite a few people have made favorable comments on the tone that I am getting with this amp!

This amp is built well and I do not expect problems.

Never had to use customer support

This is a great amp. I have many other amps including a wide assortment of Fender, Mesa Boogie, Peavey, etc. but I reach for this amp for the size, power and tone!

The features have been discussed extensively.

I play a 1989 Epiphone Sheraton (made in Korea, but really damn good guitar!). I play mostly jazz (quartet, trio, and even duo stuff) as well as some rock and fusion. As has been discussed extensively, the clean channel on this amp is remarkable for reproducing the jazz guitar sound. However, I was surprised by the high noise floor and the unadjustable and permanently-on noise gate! I didn't see any warnings about this in the other reviews on this board. Admittedly, the noise and the sound of the gate are not noticeable when playing live with a group, but at home practicing, they do annoy. I haven't tried to record with this amp either, but I'm guessing any engineer would have a fit. The other problem is the reverb, which has a terribly unnatural decay. I know you will say, "well, it's digital!" but then it should be categorized along with the other crap-sounding effects on this amp.

Seems tough enough.

Overall, for jazz gigs, this amp is great. It is light, powerful, and has a great clean tone. I have been playing guitar for over 20 years, concentrating on jazz for the last 15 or so. My main gigging amp was a mid 60s Fender Princeton (4-knob variety) and I loved the sound, but it broke up too much at higher volumes, and I wound up playing crunchy jazz when the drummer used sticks. Strangely, the other musicians and even the audience usually seemed to like that tone! But I thought I should have it under a little more control. The other amp in the contention for me was the new Henriksen. I would still like to try one, but I have the impression that it is really only meant for one sound, and I like the idea of having some options. Obviously, the options on this Roland amp aren't so great, but I still spent less than half the price of the Henrikesn.

Plenty of 'em. Delay/Reverb and Chorus/Phaser/Flanger/Tremolo are onboard. Lots of amp models on tap, too. Footswitchable FX and channel, too. Very light amp to carry around.

Sadly, you don't have much control over the FX. You can't control the dry/wet mix, the feedback on the delay, etc. And it would be much better if Roland actually included the footswitches!

Also, it's a bit of a bummer that you HAVE to have only the JC120 sound on the clean channel. It would have been nice to have the Blackface model there, or even the acoustic simulator. So this amp is a bit more versatile on paper than what it's once you own it and use it regularly.

Also, where's my FX loop?

You really have to take into account the price tag on this thing before judging. Comparing it to a $2000 tube amp is ridiculous.

Also, I can't stress this enough: This amp really becomes alive at high volumes. From 5 and up. At low volumes, it sounds drowned and lifeless. Around 6 it starts to breathe, and will be loud enough for a band rehearsal and even a small gig. But for a bedroom, a Cube 30 might be better. Also, at high volumes, the cleans stay clean and don't distort. It's very dependable on that aspect.

I'm using this amplifier with two guitars: A Strat clone with a Duncan JB on bridge, and an Ibanez RG1550 which I don't play at all, really.

I'm mostly a classic Rock player, and the Strat clone is more handy here; with the JB split on the Marshall mode, you can nail something really, really into Blackmore/Roth/Malmsteen territory. It's amazing. And if I need to go heavier, say into EVH or Megadeth, then the Peavey mode is perfect. Sounds less organic, a bit more compressed, and more angry.

The acoustic simulator is impressive. Now as I stated, this would be much better if you could use it on the clean channel and not on the lead channel, but sticking to the sound, it's great. It will fool most of your audience.

The Blackface model is nice, too. It does get really muddy when you crank the gain a bit, which might be the way the real thing behaves; haven't tried a proper Fender with poweramp saturation. But it's a phenomenal sound; SRV fans will be pleased. A Strat on the 4 position, with a very clean setup will get surprisingly close to the Knopfler sound in Sultans of Swing!

The Vox amp model is interesting. It has a warm but gritty character which is what most layers recognize as the Vox sound. It won't give you the Machine Head by itself though, it's not bright enough. A Treble Booster might be handy here? That's what Blackmore did with his Vox at least... anyway. It's a thick, middy tone that can be creamy or a bit nastier if you want it to. It even sounds a bit 3D-ish... Brian May would be proud.

The Tweed model... I won't comment on it. I just don't use it. It doesn't suit me at all; not that it's good or bad, just not for me.

Now it's my favorite model... the Marshall. Now we're into serious high gain territory here. This model isn't a Slayer/Zakk Wylde modern Marshall attempt; it's actually closer to Hendrix and Page. AC/DC too. The only gripe I have with this model is that's extremely bright; If I'm playing really loud, be it by myself or jamming with others, the treble and presence have to stay around 2 at most or it will kill your eardrums. But again, the sound is phenomenal. Stuff like The Wind Cries Mary or Deep Purple's Burn are all right here. HUGE mids waiting for you.

The Peavey model is great, too. It has enormous amounts of gain though, anything past 4 on the gain knob is useless feedback. This is more like Judas Priest, Megadeth, early Metallica and of course, Van Halen all rolled together. It's very cutting and heavy. Good stuff here. Not really versatile, but then what did you expect?

I don't like the Mesa model at all. This will get close to Metallica's Black Album, and to other bands like Godsmack, Disturbed, Korn, etc. Doesn't sound really tight with my guitars, but then I don't have EMGs or Dimebuckers on them. It's extremely compressed and lifeless, and leads sound very thin through this. Not for me.

I won't comment on the DynaAmp mode again because I don't like it, and I haven't given it much of a chance really.

Delay and Reverb do their thing, they aren't spectacular but are effective. Phaser/Flanger/Chorus are a cheap, plastic bad joke, and the Tremolo is decent enough to be usable.

Overall, it's a very wide palette of useful sounds that don't sound overdone or plastic (excepting the cheap FX).

It's a 9, but it gets -1 for the terrible FX, so it's an 8.

Two years so far, and not a problem. The knobs work without noise, and everything is just like the day I bought it. No complaints! Looks tough, and has protection in all the right places.

Haven't had to deal with Roland, so far.

I don't think you can really beat this amplifier at this price range. It's an incredible amplifier, with tons of power, a very flexible tonal palette and great features that could be better in some aspects, but still more than worth the price. I compared it to a very common rival on it's price range, the Peavey Bandit 112. It ran circles around it. It weighs at least 20 pounds less, sounds better, it's louder and it's more versatile. And both amps smoke anything Marshall offers in their entry level range. What else do you need?

It's a great buy!

Could use a footswitch to control settings.

Sounds really good when it works.

Here's where the ratings start to drop. I've had this amp for a few years and only used about a dozen times. I have several others. It blew a fuse and I replaced it and it blew again. Still under warranty, I took it to a local repair facility I found on Roland's site. It cost me $120 in shipping and "bench fees". I got it back turned it on and it worked for about 3 minutes. I'm contacting Roland now and so far it's going well.

I've been passed around to different extensions and am still waiting for a reply from the service manager. If anything changes, I will submit a better review, but for now...not good.

I would be leery to buy any Roland product knwoing that it will cost a fortune to ship it back for "warranty service". If you're on the East Coast, DON"T BUY IT! It has to go L.A. OUCH!

Practically everyone on here that's reviewed this amp doesn't like the onboard effects, preferring instead to use pedals they've purchased separately.

Bummer - especially since 40% of the price is probably paying for the onboard effects, that are apparently useless.

Need to think about things like that before buying an amp. Cheap bells and whistles still jack the price up, when you could probably have found a comparable amp with one decent clean channel for a better price, or have put all your bread into a better amp sans cheap FX and clean channel.

After all, that's all anyone here that's purchased this amp seems to be interested in - the 1 clean channel, minus the 2nd channel and the onboard effects.

All seem only to like the clean channel.

Roland products are usually very reliable.

n/a

Sounds like the buyers paid 2/3 more for junk they didn't want just to get the 1/3 they did want.

Two channels, one clean, one with amp modelling and effects (chorus, flanger, phaser, tremelo), reverb/delay.
Nice solid cab, 60 watts, 12 inch speaker.

The effects are OK to play around with with but I don't think I could ever use them in a real situation. You can alter the rate, but the depth is set at a fixed (and IMHO too deep) level. There just isn't enough flexibility here for me, I'd prefer to use pedals rather than the on-board effects. You could happily lose the effects and it would still be a viable option.

I play a Vintage 335 Copy with Kent Armstrong P-90 in the neck for jazz.
I mainly play jazz, so I really bought this amp for its clean channel, which is superb, can't be faulted. Crystal clear, bright and with plenty of body, nicely balanced, just right for jazz. It's certainly loud enough for most situations and keeps a good tone with out dirtying up at higher levels.

I also play classic rock stuff (on a Vintage SG copy with Seymour Duncan Phat CAt P-90's), in a practice room it was plenty loud enough, even when turned up about half way. Never played it on stage, but I would perhaps want to run it thru an extention cab if not miked up.

When playing channel two I tend not to use most of the amp models. I just can't seem to find a tone I like, I found them a bit too tinny or harsh, just not my cup of tea - though this is not a criticism of them ; other users on her have certainly found them to be usable.
However one setting I can't get enough of is the 'dyna-amp' feature. Basically you go from clean to distorted depending on how hard you attack the strings. Pick lightly with your fingers for a sweet, warm, clean tone, and go at them with a pick for a warm, very usable distortion. I love the freedom of being able to go from one end to the other without running backwards and forwards to a pedal. It also makes you think a lot more about your picking technique, and it's put a lot more subtlety and versatility in my playing.

So, there are a whole lot of amp models and effects on there which I never use, but with the superb clean channel and the brilliant dyna-amp distortion channel, it's got everything I want and these alone are worth what I paid for it.

It's as solid as a rock, but is nicely portable. Very well made, built to last.

Never dealt with customer support.

This amp is just fine for jazz, and a very versatile and powerful little amp for when I need to turn things up a bit.

Top marks for clean channel, top marks for the dist. channel on dyna-amp setting, but forget the effects, they're not flexible enough to make them viable.

If this was stolen I'd get another one, no problem. I've not yet played rock thru this in a live situation, but while it would probably hold its own for a small gig or miked up thru the PA I'd probably want to run it thru an extention cab for bigger gigs.

This is a add-in to my previous review.
I've been reading the manual that came together, with this thing. And I was really stunned, when I discovered that Roland says that cracking the volume up on the JC Clean channel will change its sound and at around maximum volume it gets crunchy. Well I thought that should not be mentioned in a manual, since I would definetley call this a faul.
But I've tried it out really loud and this thing turned out not to be true. I was truely relieved.
But I still can't see why would they write down a thing like that... Why would the CLEAN channel get CRUNCHY??? But again, it stays clean, don't worry.
And also, I've found an other useable setting, then the jc. The Black Panel (Fender Twin Reverb) also sounds nice (although it reacts strangely to changes of the gain knob) with a bit of a boost on the middle. A bit bluesier than the JC, but still with a jazzy feel.

So. First things first, I LOOOOOOVE this amp. But this category is the one where it really sucks. I think, that apart from the jc clean chanel everithing elese is pretty much useless. All the modelled amps an the effects too. Maybe the reverb is not too far from OK.
So do not buy this for the lead chanel. It doesn't even worth to try out. But i am sure you won't get enough of the clean chanel.
My problem with the effects is, that if you just turn a tiny little on the nob the signal is way too modulated for my taste. You can get lots of Chorus/Flanger/Phaser/Tremolo or you can get even more. And there is even nothing inbetveen. It's like having a swich with 0,1,2 on.
The Reverb is quite useable until like 3-4.
The Delay seams like, if it would be taking away the guitar's real sound to produce the delayed sound. My guitar just looses all it's sustain when turned in. It's useless.
The EQ is also quite tricky. It works strangely. It doesn't mean it would be bad, tot at all. But I had to tweak it a lot to get "the sound". But it really worthed it.
One thing this thing is realy lack of is an effect loop. Least it could make up a bit for the bad effects.
So basicly I see this thing as an amp that is good for one seul thing. And the clean chanel is that thing. Quite basic, isn't it? That's why it gets only a 3.

Jeeez. I'm a JAZZ GUITARIST. And therefore I use only one setting on this amp: JC Clean chanel /w bright swich on; Bass: 10 o'clock; Middle: 1 o'clock; Treble: 2:30; Presence: 3 o'clock; Reverb: 1 o'clock.
It sounds like a real Jazz Chorus, but for third the price and it weights only 14 kilos. It is extremly portable and very loud! It makes my jazzbox singgggg. With the middles and highs boosted it souns twangy and woody, but still it stays warm an full.
Never thought that my relatively cheap (i mean for an archtop :)) guitar could sound this sweet.

LOVE IT!

Based on the other reviews it sould be built like a rock, and it really looks like it was.
But only time will tell.

Never han anything so far.

So I won't turn on the effects, unless I want some heavy flanged or chorused sound. So what.
This is THE amp for me. I am so very gratefull to Roland that I am planning to buy the 30W version of this, just to support them financially ;).
If it would be stolen I would buy two of them.
I can only suggest this it you are looking for clean tones. Like this: Go buuuy motherfucka' :D For this price... you wont find a this good sounding, portable, gig ready amp. I am completly sure,

The features have been covered below. Considering the price and purpose of this amp, I think they're generally beyond reproach, though I wish it came with the footswitches to switch channels and activate the effects. I bought these separately, and also use them with my Cube 100 bass amp.

Sound quality is very subjective, and in my view one must account for this amp's low price when commenting on its tone. I think Peter Hughes's thoughtful review below largely nails the essence: this amp offers fabulous clean tone that can't be beat for the price, but the effects don't measure up to decent pedals. The clean tone is an outstanding platform for good outboard effects, and is, in my view, a reasonable substitute for small tube amps at modest volumes. It has much more of a three dimensional depth of tone than most solid state amps, and "thumps" like a tube amp.

I, however, think the effects are okay and perfectly useable for experimenting and even for some gigs depending on your goals. The reverb and tremolo sound especially good in my opinion. The others are a little synthetic, but not too bad. If you just want to learn whether a particular effect would work in a specific track, they're fine. They might save lugging a pedal board to rehearsal.

I also like some of the models, especially "metal," which delivers an excellent hard rock tone. The "r-fier" indeed captures something like a Mesa tone, so if you're into that it would be cool. I like the "tweed" model, but think it sounds best when cranked hard.

The "dyna-amp," which is intended to mimic a tube amp's response to input volume, can be very useful under the right circumstances, and if I were playing without pedals I might use it the most. Basically, the higher you set the gain/volume ratio, the more easily it transitions from clean to distortion when you play harder or turn up your guitar's volume, and the deeper the distortion. I've found that keeping the gain relatively low allows a smoother transition, but even then it should be more progressive. It always has an "on/off" quality to some extent. But this means that with some guitars, it can be used like a pedal, which is cool. For example, I have a Double Fat Strat, which splits the humbuckers for a single/single "quack" tone in position two. I can keep that setting very clean with the dyna-amp, but get ripping distortion just by flipping my selector to the bridge humbucker. With my other Strat's Lace Sensor Hot Gold pickups (with the kickin' 13.2k bridge pickup) the effect is less dramatic, but also useful.

I've never played through this on stage, because I'm primarily a bass player. But in my last band, a "high-tech" sounding modern rock band, one of the guitarists used it, and we were all happy with the results. It really cut through our dense stage mixes at pretty high volumes in small clubs, and he grew especially fond of the dyna-amp setting once he learned how to use it. He also liked layering the Cube's effects with outboard effects or using the Cube's effects as alternatives. After a few gigs, he got a DiPinto Mach IV, which for whatever reason was a fabulous match for the Cube.

Did it sound like a good tube amp? No, but it sounded great. It's a durable, inexpensive workhorse that gets the job done and offers a huge array of sounds to play with. If I gigged on guitar in loud rock bands, I'd probably buy a decent tube amp, but this little sucker would always be in the trunk as a backup. (In fact, that might be one of its best uses.)

Considering the amp's purpose and price, and the corresponding limitations, I think it's a 10.

By the way, I also have a Roland Cube 100 bass amp, and I think its virtues and limitations are similar. I use it constantly. Unfortunately, 100 watts doesn't do as much for bass as 60 does for guitar, so it's less gig-worthy than the Cube 60.

It's been rock solid.

Haven't had to deal with this.

As mentioned, I'm more of a bassist than guitarist, and have gigged exclusively on bass for a long time in a variety of rock bands playing old-school metal, "indie" rock, punk, classic rock, etc. I have fairly serious pro-level bass gear, with U.S. Fender and G&L basses and G-K, Epifani, and SWR amplification. I haven't played guitar on stage since 1992.

But I do play guitar on my own for writing, arranging, and recording, and have come to appreciate great tone by working with great players who have excellent gear. I also have two outstanding guitars, the Fenders mentioned above.

So I can appreciate this amp's virtues, but also its limitations, which are more than acceptable for a small solid state amp that costs less than $350. I simply wanted a great sounding, reliable amp for playing at home, experimenting, and recording, that could work on stage in a pinch. The Cube 60 is actually more than that, because it's a great stage amp if: (a) the extra depth from tubes isn't essential; (b) you know how to use it properly and don't expect too much from the effects and models; (c) you don't need enormous volume from your stage rig, because, like most solid state amps, it can get harsh at high volume.

All in all, it's a winner.

I think it was made in 2005 but im not sure...
It is good enough for me in a lot of styles like metal, crazy technical melodic metal, classic, etc...
it has two channels ( the jc 120 and the lead part)
you can switch channels with a button on it or a footswitch (not provided) theres is also chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, reverb and delay and a headphone jack and stuff like that (i never use them)

The chorus is good, the flanger too but sometimes the phaser just sounds better as a flanger than the actual flanger, the phaser (when not used as a flanger) is pretty useless and the tremolo is probably the most annoying thing in the world...

i wish the phaser and the tremolo would disappear and simply have a better chorus and flanger (with other settings then ''more effect'' ''less effect'') the reverb goes from practically nothing to wayyyyy toooo much the delay isint powerfull enough and again, it would be nice to have more than ''more effect'' ''less effect''...

a compressor/sustainer would be extremely nice
thephaser and tremolo should not be included...

i use this amp in my appartment so i cant really play loud never more then 1/8 of the volume so yeah it is perfect and even if id play louder, 60 w is exelent

the jc 120 to me sounds just like a normal clean amp (i never heard the jc 120...) though it is nice with the chorus and delay/reverb

the acoustic dosent work at all (only sounds cool with distortion on)

the black panel is ''sweet-ass' even with the distortion cranked up it gives a nice smooth overdrive and with an additionnal distortion (pedal) it sounds great

the brittish combo, tweed and classic stack sound good
- brit combo sounds alike a real brittish dist.
- the tweed gives a nice, low toned distortion
- the classic stack sounds like a classic marshall amp

the metal is pretty cool though a bit useless since i always take the R-FIER in stead but still sounds cool

the R-fier sounds really good (intense dist.)

the dyna amp is cool too but dont work if you turn the knob too close from the extremes...

the eq section is good though it is still hard (like with any amp) to find the right settings...

never put the volume up so i dont know if it gets distorted or not on the clean channel...

the brutality of the distortions go in order

classic - nothing
black panel - smooth and subtil
brit. combo - depends on the setting
tweed - depends on the setting (is still more distorted than the B.C.)
classic stack - depends on the setting ( is still louder then the tweed)
metal - highly distorted
R-fier - crazy distorted
dyna amp - from nothing to highly distorted

i use it with a samick avion 3 (les paul kind) with two humbuckers

suits anykind of metal just fine

the chorus could sound a lot nicer
the flanger sounds good but you cant choose the rate, speed depth... same as in the chorus section

the phaser and tremolo are completely useless

the reverb is good but goes from not enough to too much
delay is not versatile at all; it goes from a practically muted slapback to a few ms... and is really not loud

the acoustic is completely useless because it sounds just like a normal clean channel... the js 120 with a low tone sounds closer to an acoustic than the actual acoustic

im being harsh because the acoustic simulator and the effects are a pain in the ass when you try to use them and yes you try to use them a lot... but the rest is 10/10

exelent, never broke, i use it in gigs

ive been playing for 7 years with the cube 30 a behringer amp, a samick guitar, a stratocaster and a roland od 20 (pedal) and yeah it is pretty good at the beginning but when you start to really use it you start to want to have the actual sounds... and this amp dosent give them (effect section and acoustic)

still i highly recommend it to anyone because it features a mass of great sounds and is very very versatile

a compressor/sustainer and a decent (by decent i mean that works) acoustic section, good settings for the effects, better delay...

Mine is a 2006 model. Very versatile amp if you use pedals or processors. Simple layout. Not too many frills. Other reviewers have discussed features. Big plus is jacks for external speakers / PA connection. Not many Amps in this range have em. I don't use the effects other than the reverb. Other reviewers here have criticised the effects on this Amp. They say they're crap - of course they're crap. Name one solidstate Amp on the market that has high quality internal effects. They're all crap and serious musicians never use them - so what else is new. Connect some good quality pedals or a top of line modelling processor like a Boss GT-8 and you're cooking with gas.

This Amp has a 12" Celestion speaker and a great clean channel and that's far better than any other solidstate amp on the market for $300. I tried about 30 different amps in the 30w to 60w range before buying this Roland and the Fenders, Marshall, Line6 and Peavey were all total rubbish compared to the Cube 60. THe only decent thing you can expect from a small solidstate amp in this price range is a decent clean channel.

I have noticed other reviewers here have compared this little Cube 60 with far more expensive valve amps. That's a totally unfair comparison and makes all their comments meaningless.

IMHO compared directly to 30 other amps I played in the 30W to 60W solidstate range this Cube 60 is by far the best on the market currently. It's the best for the folowing reasons.

1) Sound quality on the clean channel is excellent cause it has a top of the line 12" celestion speaker fitted.
2) Excellent volume levels for such a small amp. I use it live weekly for small venues in my jazz band and I've never had the volume past 5.5. I've had it on 7 with my rock band when my Marshall valve amp blew and I had to use it as a back-up. Another reviewer here said his tone brakes up past 5 - well mine doesn't.
3) The reverb is the only effect worth using on the Cube 60 in a live situation. But don't criticise this baby for that. All the other effects are pretty useless but they ALL are on ALL solidstate amps. THe effects are also rubbish on $1200 solidstate Fenders and Marshalls so don't waste your time with any of them. If you want good effects fit some pedals or a top of the line modelling processor and include a Radstone Harmonic Converger in the loop. Then you've got decent effects, everything else is shite.
4) As a home practice amp or a small venue clean tone amp the Cube 60 is fabulous. I wouldn't ever use it for a rock gig unless I was desperate and then it would have to be driving a PA with cabs both sides of the stage.

But be fair. This amp was never designed to do anything more. It only costs $300.

Built like a rock, padded in all the right places, heavy duty pots. It completely blows all its other competitors out of the water in this category. Check out the comparable Fenders etc. Fragile and tinny in the extreme.

Don't know. Hope I never have to deal with em.

I've been a professional musician on and off for 30 years. Have used a vast array of guitars, amps, pedals and modelling processors. Currently own 4 guitars (Gretsch, Gibson, Fender, Taylor) 3 amps (Marshall and Roland), a Boss GT-8, Zoom GFX8, a Radstone Harmonic converger (see spearate review for this) and a box full of pedals. I play in a traditional Jazz band and a rock/blues combo.

Comparing apples with apples I don't understand how anyone can criticse this amp. If you want good clean tones run straight thru the Cube 60's pre-amp. If you want quality distortion and effects connect up Boss pedals or a GT-8 (with Harmonic Converger).

So it doesn't sound as good as your $1500 Marshalls - duh. You can buy 5 Cube 60's for that.

Compare it on any point with a Fender Frontman, a Line6 Spider or a Marshall 50W solidstate amp and it's chalk and cheese. For $300 you can't beat it.

I purchased this amp new from AMS several months ago.I switch between the clean channel and "lead" channel using the BOSS FS-6 dual footswitch. I gig 4-6 times a month with this amp and also use it for rehearsals. The delay and other effects are somewhat adjustable with rotary knobs, but more control over the effect parameters would be nice. I play mainly 60s - 70s Soul and Funk music styles with Rock influenced solos.

The clean channel is "okay", but begins breaking up in an unpleasant "digital" way when the vol. knob is higher than halfway. I haven't found a useable tone beyond that point on the clean channel. I use the "Classic" amp model for solos. It sounds amazing with a Strat or Les Paul. Previous reviewers haven't mentioned one key factor to using this amp successfully on stage.. You have to use an extension spkr. cab to fully appreciate this amp! When connected to a 4X12 cab, this amp becomes a tone monster! A jaw-dropping Marshall eating lead tone! Don't believe me? Try it...

I've used it at a lot of shows with no problem.. If you use the BOSS footswitch, always check the condition of the 9 volt battery. If it drains, the amp will begin switching channels and effects on it's own! This amp works hard... I live in the Philippines and the tropical weather conditions here are BRUTAL on amps and guitars. I'm confident that this amp will serve me well for many years.

I haven't had to deal with them and therefore have no opinion.

I've been playing for 30 years. I also use a Line6 Flextone II For guitar, and SWR and Eden amps for bass. I had to leave the majority of my gear in the USA when I moved to Asia, and it is difficult to find good gear here in the RP. Without the Cube 60, I would go back to using the Flextone, which sounds almost as good. I would buy another if mine were lost or stolen (if I can find one!). My only complaint would be the lack of volume on the clean channel.

I bought this amp from new early 2006 by mail order on the recommedation of a friend and various reviews I'd seen. I thought I would like to have an amp with a few more chanels and a bit less weight than my Marshall 6101. Sure enough it had several amp models
but they did nothing for me. I suppose I should give it a good rating for features because it had them.But...

The only good sound in this amp jazz chorus and in a modeling amp
that's just not good enough. The other chanels were too digital.The overdriven chanels decay in steps. I absolutly hated it.

I play classic rock,Free, Bad Co.,Rolling Stones etc.
This amp might suit some of you young guys out there, it has a very modern sound but that's its flaw. It's kind of over produced like some recent music. Listen to the guitar on some old Rod Stewart tracks
then listen to Mc Fly or someone like that, you'll hear what I mean.

I have no idea about reliability. Sent it back after a week and bought a second hand Marshall 8080 valvestate fitted with a Mullard ECC81, I think, (brought down the gain a bit) and use it to jam with.

The company I bought it from accepted it back with no quibbles. I think I may have paid the carriage one way.

I'm 47,been playing for 33 years. I didn't keep this amp long enough for it to be stolen and wouldn't be seen outside the house with it to be lost. Gets a 3 for the jazz chorus.
My other amps are Marshalls. 6101 30th Anniversary with extention cab. I use that to gig with it cost 350GBP for the combo and 50GBP for the ext'n cab.
The Marshall 8080vs 150GBP I use to jam with the boys down the pub.
I have a selection of guitars including '69 Les Paul, '70s John Birch, Tanglewood and Fenix acoustics the rest of my guitars I made myself and are based on popular designs.