Roland Cube 80 - STILL A Relevant Modelling Amp (It's Really GOOD)

[@MrPolevaulter]

If you want to see more of my amp reviews, look here: kzbin.info/aero/PLNaLwTdlpQNHNo5bubVjV1OW04gkqU8rM

[@lucbos7516]

Into a PA also sounds gr8

[@stephanematis]

Managed to find a used Cube 80 in good condition. Lovely little beastie, good sound. Thank you for keeping people informed about it being still relevant.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad to help :)

[@MichaelMcGlynns]

I think you are the only guy on YT that isn't always chasing the latest gear. The fact is that these sound great and can always be picked up here in the US on Craigslist. I would also say, given the efficiencies of manufacturing by the means of using cheaper and cheaper materials, that these are build better and will last longer than the newer stuff by BOSS or the other usual suspects that release modelling combos.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I think you might be right. These might outlast many newer modelling amps.

[@GoFindAsafeSpace]

In my opinion, this is the greatest practice amp ever made! Ps, I've been watching your vids for about 5 straight hours now lol🤘😆

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Take a break once in a while :D

[@MrHenrikValentine]

You can get so many great sounds from this amp. Its a sin to not have any delay or reverb on this one though, just with a little it comes so much more to life. Amazing clean sounds and a variety of gain sounds wich you can play around with if you know what to do

[@Kadotus]

Micro Cube is the most common "picnic" amp you can see in parks during warm summer days. You can usually tame their owners with a beer or two and then you ask to test their guitars. Roland set a standard with the Cube amps, too bad some big manufacturer's still fail to meet it, all these years later. * *Cough cough* * _Marshall Code_ * *cough* * _Fender Mustang GT._

[@MrPolevaulter]

I'm totally with you on that.

[@MrOzgooner]

The marshall code is far better than this cube crap..

[@Kadotus]

@@MrOzgooner If you say so. You go with the sound that you like and there's nothing wrong about that.

[@lateralus9244]

I used to run a CUBE 60 with 2 SREET CUBEs, splitting the signal right after the guitar with a BOSS LS-2, sending one line from the LS-2 right into the CUBE 60 & the other line into a GT-8 effects processor & then from there, a stereo output to the STREET CUBEs. I ran the built in amp models & effects in the CUBE 60 as is but used the effects processor to enhance the overall sound through the STREET CUBEs. It was kind of like a satellite subwoofer amp setup for a guitar. It worked quite nicely & made the CUBE 60 sound a lot better than by itself. I want to do this with a CUBE 80 XL now.

[@davidsant5729]

Fantastic review, thanks very much. I couldn't agree more. Fabulous old tones!

[@jkelley14701]

It certainly DOES do pedals. I've been using mine with the Boss me-70 for years. I don't care for the amp modeling on my original Cube 80x, but appreciably, my Boss has amp modeling and I use the Tweed setting with both my Les Paul and my Artcore.

[@Smurf431]

I started out with a Micro Cube...changed the speaker to a 6" Jensen...still have it. When drums got to be too much for my joints after 50 years, I went full time git-fiddle and grabbed a Cube 30x Cheap, great for practice & small gigs mic'd. Then last Oct I grabbed a Cube 80x. This thing is PLENTY loud enough for a live gig (classic / any rock & various other styles) takes pedals like a champ, both my board and multi-effect floor unit. I just picked whatever sounds best ATM and run with it.....the amp emulations don't really mean that much in reality, NONE are going to sound, let alone feel, like a tube amp IMHO. For a solid amp that has done well giging, the Cube series is hard to beat, again IMHO. And as an aside, the Blues Cube with the NY Blues "tube" sounds GREAT for blues / mid 60's to late 70's rock & country.....but the price is really dear for that set-up! Solid review, I am off to check out some more!

[@muhammadfitriidris4381]

haha I'm starting using from 80xl.. but it hard to take out because I'm only have a motorcycle that time, then i buy small micro cube.. 🤣

[@guitareMTL]

On my cube 40xl I use the black panel for my clean tone and use analog drive pedals over it, and it is very good for low to medium gain, for practicing at home at low volume. The second I crank it, I miss my tube amps! But I play it almost daily. However, if I was into distortion, and metal, I don't think I would stand it...

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, they're no substitute for the real thing.

[@shirleyallen7960]

I like the acoustic simulator and rectifier models. A guitar with humbuckers makes a big difference on the rectifier! Some chorus and reverb makes the acoustic sim sound much better too.

[@gregmckitrick888]

I have a Roland Cube 80XL and it's fine with most pedals. Doesn't like a Boss Blues Driver for some reason but it's fine with a Boss OD-1X.

[@hermespadilla]

Came back to this video to share my joy, since I just bought a cube 80xl in mint condition for 100 bucks 🎉🎉🎉

[@richardhart8533]

Love your playing Elmo! Thanks.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@carver555]

I have used a cube 80x for 10 years. The classic stack model is great. I have a Nextone Artist, a Blues Cube Stage and a Katana 100. Will never part with the Cube. Great video thanks

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@NiRo_90125]

One thing I found while playing around with one of these is that if you put a compressor pedal in front of the amp, set the amp on the acoustic simulator, scoop the mids slightly, boost the bass and treble and add the chorus in the amp, you can get that sort of 80s studio clean sound.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool :)

[@jazznotes3802]

Had a Cube 80XL years ago and it was quite good, (especially going into a external cab) Quite fizzy on the very high gain settings but was still worth the price. Better than the “Boss Katana MKII 100?” Not even close! Trust me, Roland didn’t take a step backwards with their research and technology. Sure the smaller single speaker Katana’s sound 💩 but get a 2x12 or the head version and your golden.

[@teknomanning]

I’ve taken it to gigs.my friends love it because I you can slam it,not worry about tubes ,drop it. And crank it. And I get feedback etc. my friends go like wtf where can I buy one .thanks sir I gotta check you out 👍🏿✌🏿

[@johnnorth9355]

Shush - the Roland amps are extremely affordable second hand at the moment and I have been looking to supplement my two micro cubes with a third - preferably 60 or 80 watt. They sound different with humbuckers .Don't want the prices pushed back up ! Loved the face on Rectify setting by the way :-) .

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D I promise I'll keep it quiet :D

[@trueworld3857]

My 80xl does pedals brilliantly not sure why you say if doesnt

[@spivvo]

I have a cube 60 and use the clean channel as a pedal platform. Never needed to pur the volume above halfway. Been gigging it since they came out 20 years ago. Never needed the other amps on the cube. Actually bought it because back then FRFR wasn’t a thing so seemed like a pair of cubes on the clean channel would work well with my (back then) Boss GT-8 set on the Roland JC120 output setting. It’s light, reliable, rugged and loud!

[@davecooper360]

I got a really great deal on a Cube 80X.. then a week later got another really good deal on a Cube 80GX. They sound so amazing I really love them. Only problem is I really want to get a Cube 80XL but they don't come up very often. These amps are so versatile without menus. Just turn knobs. Brilliant.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Absolutely. It's crazy to think how old they are, and still they can hold their own.

[@aliffdzulhailie4599]

Whats the different gx and x?

[@HarrySinanian]

Hey, I own an XL80 and decided to read the manual, did you know if you hold the TUNER button down, it switches to Auto mode!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Nope.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

Matt Pike said some funny shit about Yngwie Malmsteen. “He’s Swedish, he can’t help it”.

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@MagisterTuomo]

"Rectum" :D. Good call. I used to check these out when they were still in production. Almost bought one, but went for a half stack with a solid state and a Boss Metal tone-pedal, as that felt better to use in the rehearsal space. Back then I only used to count the watts. 150 vs 80? 80 is too low. Ah, them views of a young man with a Gibson flying V ;). I prolly would have viewed things differently today as I acknowledge tone being a fairly relevant factor today :). Fine review.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Man tackar :)

[@timberwolvesxx7250]

i have a cube 20 model, its very well made. never tried any pedals yet

[@MrPolevaulter]

Good amps :)

[@mattsmitchger259]

I have one of those and it does pedals just fine.

[@matouscervenka7248]

Roland Cube 80 - main amp of Robert Smith from The Cure.

[@pieve5516]

Have the exact amp. Bloody great.Used $225! Okay,my Milkman has a better clean. This is a noodling amp. So.many tones and effects and the unique JC tone. Grab one when you can. Love the channel.

[@juanestebanhernandez8406]

I almost didnt buy this, cause the video said it doesnt taks pedals. Thank god i read the comments. The amp DOES take pedal pretty well in the clean channel

[@alanknott363]

It definitely does using the clean / JC120 channel, I've used a Zoom G3X and a few different Digitech multi fx pedals through mine, occasionally separate pedals (Digi delays, etc) too and it does just fine imo.. Enjoy your Cube amp.

[@normasnockers323]

I suppose Marmelade is better than Twinkle Fingers.... :) Its dec 30 2020 now i got one arriving in the next day or two... ive been using the XL20, Happy new year to you Elmo. Really nice reviews.Love from London.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! Have a great 2021!

[@zackd6168]

After searching around for a while, I decided to get a cube 30... only paying 85 euro so, not too bad

[@jvanb231]

You can really hear the small box but other than that it's ok.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah.

[@matthewblack7206]

Try a Boss DS-1X distortion pedal through the Cube 80's JC Clean channel and see what you think.

[@pakujewpiwnicy6701]

Roland Cube 80 sounds better than Marshall MG ??

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah.

[@yusrihamid]

Hi This is Roland Cube 80XL right?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah.

[@keithrushmore9809]

Love your videos bro….very informative but you keep the viewer hooked with your demeanor and quirky comments (rectifier…rectum fryer 😂). Keep them coming!

[@TheRayfield77]

I've played in the rectum fire mode with the gain turned way down and it works out ok. Think I covered a ZZ Top song like that.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool 😊

[@normasnockers323]

Thats it Elmo old mate........Your new nickname is 'Marmelade'............ Golden Shred...

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@petesbeats4829]

I'm looking for one of these at the moment... Can anyone tell me whether the Boss GA-FC footswitch works with the 80X & XL? Or only the later GX? Another awesome demo, Elmo! Thank you!

[@markiszak]

Hello there 👋 perhaps you’ve already sorted out your questions. I was curious so I checked and boss’s website does not specify that the ga-fc is compatible with the 80/80xl models. I have a 40xl and just checked the manual and they make no mention of ga-fc. Manual does talk about the boss fs-5u and fs-5L foot switches. Lastly, if you do happen to get an 80xl model, check out bright onion pedals online, they make footswitches specifically for 40xl and 80xl, and some other models, which basically equates to having several individual foot switches in one pedal. That’s all I’ve got, hopefully a piece of it may be useful to you 🙌👌

[@petesbeats4829]

@@markiszak Thank you so much! Yeah, in the end I went with the fs-5.

[@markiszak]

@@petesbeats4829 awesome and you’re very welcome!

[@darkestfugue]

what do you mean it doesnt do pedals? i have a cube 60 and can run an overdrive straight into the clean channel and its fine

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool!

[@darkestfugue]

@@MrPolevaulter maybe you are just more particular than me lol

[@chrishyde1216]

I have an 80GX, which doesn't sound like what Elmo is demonstrating. Of course, in terms of playing ability I'm not on the same planet as Elmo. But how does the 80GX measure up to the 80X or 80XL? Have I missed one, and which one is Elmo playing? Are they all similar in terms of sound and with some inconsequential difference in features?

[@MrPolevaulter]

It's the older one (although I can't remember which one that is). The newer one has a Celestion speaker if I remember correctly, but does sound fairly similar.

[@RapttorX]

poor Code50 getting bashed by Elmo with every chance. Roland was ahead of the time with digital amps, but they didnt evolve (much) for some reason.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Yeah, sorry to anyone who likes the Code.

[@accentontheoff]

I am thinking of resuscitating an old Cube15. Do you think it’ll work well with a basic digital multi fx pedal. Mainly for practise and effects like chorus, delay, phaser etc. Thanks!

[@MrPolevaulter]

It might. Can't see why not.

[@accentontheoff]

@@MrPolevaulter Great thanks!

[@zszoranst]

Great amp. I use 40xl.By the way, is the gauge you use 0.09?

[@MrPolevaulter]

9-46. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3-oanePn8h6gtk

[@Ren-X]

I'm actually trying to sell an 80gx at the moment. Great condition, never gigged. Msg me if you're interested

[@Rightsideup]

How do you inbox on here??

[@Ren-X]

@@Rightsideup nae Botha, it's sold now

[@conartist267]

Hey Tickle me Elmo, I use my Digitech GNX3 with mine and it sounds awesome. I only use both mine on clean. Are you just talking for the dirt channels that it doesn’t like pedals?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Actually I'm not sure about that anymore. I have to give it another go :)

[@FLdb-wj4wc]

If the classic stack is just like the roland cube i want one. I use the cube for learning songs by the computer and i can't believe how good the classic stack channel sounds. You can even roll off the guitar volume for rythm and then turn it up for solos at any volume. I had the blues cube artist & katana artist and i sent both of them back. The katana artist was the worst. I have no idea why people like that amp. The blues cube artist was good but limited for a cover band. It had one good tone. One really good tone but that was it. Tried pedals and it didn't make the cut. I'm still searching for a light weight solid state amp to gig with and haven't found one. Once you play them with the band, you realize they suck. I've A/B them at rehearsal and it takes one second to figure it out and send it back.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've used this live, and it's fairly good. It's no valve amp, but then again it beats the Katana by a country mile.

[@БигСмоук-с7д]

is cube 40xl better than fender mustang 25/50? I found one on a resale

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure. Can't remember exactly how that one was.

[@RickMichaelis63]

This is out of the blue but what brand noise gate do you use

[@MrPolevaulter]

Boss NS-2

[@rickenglish8038]

Why turn the eq all the way up for all amp styles??

[@davidbrassard9125]

But how does it perform at bedroom level for practice 🤔

[@MrPolevaulter]

Great.

[@henrylfuller]

Anyone know any good setting for the Jimmy page led zeppelin sound, I have a tube screamer as well, from a les Paul??? In need

[@BladeDoomer86]

Hey guys, i bought mine a couple od years ago and the volume is VERY loud for practice.. i have an LP Studio, do you think anything is wrong with it?

[@MrPolevaulter]

It's loud even with the volume way down?

[@BladeDoomer86]

@@MrPolevaulter it literally goes from tolerable, all the way down, to way too loud way before reaching half volume... It's almost impossible to play the distortion modes bcuz of that!

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@BladeDoomer86 That's strange. Sounds like it might be broken.

[@garychristie9526]

Hi Elmo, how long would an amp like this keep going?

[@MrPolevaulter]

What do you mean? I still have mine and it still works.

[@garychristie9526]

@@MrPolevaulter I have a cube 60 which I bought used. It sounds great. Was just wondering typical life span of solid state equipment. Whenever I am looking at buying amps etc always check your channel first. Thanks for all your work

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@garychristie9526 Can't say how long they last in general, but I am under the impression that they're quite well made.

[@teknomanning]

I have to disagree w you respectfully. I run my pedals through the clean channel which is jc channel and I’m fine

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've actually heard that as well later, and I'm not sure where I got that impression that it doesn't handle pedals. My bad.

[@yourfrienddahlia]

I’m not sure how to run my pedals through it? Can you do a setup vid?

[@Guaz65]

So this amp it’s the cube 80xl ?? Thank you maestro!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah.

[@conartist267]

Alberto Guaz Nah, it’s just the 80x. Sorry Elmo.. I’ve got both. You can tell by the plastic corner protectors.

[@helio1055]

Replacing the speaker would probably make it just that much better to be quite honest

[@teknomanning]

I’ve y

[@timmypagee]

Why you are not showing your settings?

[@MrPolevaulter]

I'm showing you the sounds. Besides, back the I'm not sure I had two cameras.

[@timmypagee]

Elmo Karjalainen Thank you for your answer. I really love how you sound, and I’d like to copy your setting. Great reviews btw

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@timmypagee I think it's mostly EQ up on full, gain up on full (that way I don't need an overdrive). Might drop treble and presence depending on the guitar. Add delay and voila :)

[@conartist267]

Hey Tickle me Elmo, How come you say it doesn’t use pedals? I use pedals with my cubes all the time? Cheers bro!

[@RapttorX]

it probably saturates the gain way too much and you lose its dynamics. At least that usually happens with digital amps.

[@conartist267]

RapttorX I only use my cubes clean with effect in the front.

[@RapttorX]

@@conartist267 thats why it works for you, clean tones cant suffer because of that :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

I do actually sometimes use a slight clean boos in front of the amp. I heard somewhere that they don't take pedals. Great if I'm wrong :)

[@conartist267]

Hey Elmo Karjalainen yes they take pedals really well my dear friend. I have 4 cubes and run them all on clean channel with effects pedals. The only onboard effect I like on all my cubes is the chorus and I don’t use it. I leave the modelling side alooooone.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

For practice it would be fine. Great videos.. Have you tried the tech 21 fly rig? It SOUNDS LIKE A PLEXI. 👍✌👍💪👍 Regards from the midwest USA.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! I haven't. I think I might have to 😊

[@danellsworth6203]

I just bought a used cube 60 in great condition to do gigs in other states via airplane. Did you play any gigs with the 60 and if so was it loud enough? I will be mic'd into house p.a. so probably fine just hoping I dont have to crank her up to max volume. Thanks!

[@MrPolevaulter]

I did, but they were quiet gigs. But I think it should be loud enough.

[@Rightsideup]

You can DEFINITELY gig with a 60, it also has good headroom to run pedals. In the right hands (as seen here), these are great amps!

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

Brit combo. Is that a Vox?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, I think so.

[@shanemichaels8289]

Do yourself a favor and get a tube amp. A peavey classic 30 or fender blues jr. Those solid states sound so thin and scratchy no matter how loud you put it

[@MrPolevaulter]

Or a Marshall Plexi.

[@HarrySinanian]

Nah, the 80XL has a bright switch for acoustics, no it's not a Deluxe reverb, but it's a great amp none the less, specially if you're new and want a looper. Using the solo option allows you to add Delay and have looping available. The grill can rattle, and there's no dedicated send and receive and mine's been solid for 7 years... Yeah we own a Jazz Reverb deluxe re-issue, no it's not quite the same tone, but it has many other versatile aspects the Fender doesn't. I even play my bass through it.

[@DenisMoysienko]

Another one that doesn't sound like plexi 😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yep. But it sounds better than the Code imo...

[@MarioBohorquezE]

Shut up, it sounds great.

[@miloandersson3786]

Första bossen600

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D