Fender Twin VS Roland Cube

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 24 Aug 2012 7:03 am

the overwhelming majority have positive things to say about the Roland Cube 80 XL amp. There will always be a few negative naysayers but that is to be expected when talking about any product, be it Guitars, amps, cars and on and on. It is always good to have more than one amp and the Roland Cube 80 XL is a great addition to your musical toolbox.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Aug 2012 8:49 am

Brad, nobody is implying anything negative about the Roland Cube Xl, I think you missed the entire discussion..

What they are saying is "it ain't a Twin Reverb and should never be compared to one " and it should not be...

IF anything folks are dissing the Twin for it's 69 pound weight...which is 2 pounds more than the world famous and revered Nashville 400 ! Somehow 2 pounds more put the TR in the mammoth excessive weight category...which pulls arms out of sockets...

The Cube80 is a kool little amp...

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 24 Aug 2012 5:18 pm

If you judge how good an amp sounds by how little it weighs and the fact that it is cheap enough to buy a new one when it craps out rather then replace a tube then the Roland sounds fantastic. Other than that I have heard them up close and played through them and in my opinion the are indeed crappy sounding amps<<

Tong Prior, Bob H. made the above statement on this thread..if that is not negative, what is it?..you better learn to read before you post.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 25 Aug 2012 12:32 am

Brad Malone wrote:If you judge how good an amp sounds by how little it weighs and the fact that it is cheap enough to buy a new one when it craps out rather then replace a tube then the Roland sounds fantastic. Other than that I have heard them up close and played through them and in my opinion the are indeed crappy sounding amps<<

Tong Prior, Bob H. made the above statement on this thread..if that is not negative, what is it?..you better learn to read before you post.

Well Brad, so what if someone says the amp is crappy..maybe to them it is !

Now with regard to the statements, it is apparent that many here are using the smaller amps specifically for the weight...this entire thread is bashing the TR for it's weight and that IS why some folks are heading to lower weight country, such as the Cube...

Even if someone says an amp is crappy..that's an opinion...no different than the TWIN weighs too much..that's an opinion and can be perceived as a negative comment...

Somewhere above it is stated that a reason many , like me, use Vintage Twin Reverbs is to impress the 2 or 3 musicians in the room....I suppose that can be perceived as negative, but more probable it's a ridiculous notion...one I've never actually heard before...

But the fact of the matter is, are people not allowed to make a negative comment about an amplifier or say it is crappy ? Good Grief... We are talking about an amplifier here, we are not talking about World Peace.

" Oh the Humanity of it all".....

Just sayin'...

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 25 Aug 2012 2:30 am

The Fender Twin - in all of its various guises - is a classic amp, and possibly the best amp ever built. No modeling amp or device that I have heard has ever been able to accurately replicate one.

It is just ludicrous to even think about comparing the Cube with a Twin. The Twin is a completely different beast for all round versatility. However, the Cube does have its merits, and to dismiss it out of hand as a crappy amp is missing the point somehow. The fact is that it does have a pretty good basic tone for a non-tube amp, and is highly portable and lightweight. I have an expensive array of amps at home, so price or weight is not something that influences me about quality.

Heck, I loved my Twin so much that I bought its big brother, the Super Twin. Now that was a heavy beast, but nevertheless a great amp. But if I could have had the choice of a 80XL Cube some 40 years ago, I would have got one immediately. Not everyone's cup of tea I will admit from Bob's view above, but we all hear things differently and I respect his facility to give a different critique on this particulr amp.

To go back to the original question - Fender Twin or Roland Cube? It just depends upon what you want from an amp in the first place. But in an A/B comparrison, there is no contest and never will be.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 25 Aug 2012 6:23 am

With school starting soon, perhaps it would be appropriate to start the school year out with a "Compare and Contrast Essay". 500 words. Please create an effective thesis statement, telling us why your comparison and contrast is worthy of note. You may choose either the "tandem" or "alternating" pattern in your essay. The first rough draft will be due on Friday, August 31.

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 25 Aug 2012 8:48 am

But the fact of the matter is, are people not allowed to make a negative comment about an amplifier or say it is crappy ? Good Grief... We are talking about an amplifier here, we are not talking about World Peace.<<

Tony, I agree, people can say what they want to say but according to my list of over 40 users, 38 had positive things to say and three were on the negative side..I just want to point out that the positive remarks were in the overwhelming majority. The TR is a great amp...The Roland Cube 80 XL is a very good amp for the smaller jobs that most local musicians usually get..the question one must answer is; is it good enough for the job I have to play? Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good and never take a bigger tool than you need to do the job..usless you like to waste your energy carrying the bigger tool. LG was very smart when he said: I'm playing the E9th neck 97% of the time..why should I have two necks?

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 25 Aug 2012 10:08 am

I use amps that sound crappy to me on a regular basis with no problems. I will be looking into a Roland cube for myself as a backup work amp when I get rid of my Nash 400 (another amp I don't like).
I think the Roland and amps like it serve a very solid service and have there place. I'm just not going to pretend that I like how they sound. They are acceptable for work but I don't feel the love or hear the shimmer.

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 25 Aug 2012 2:58 pm

I will be looking into a Roland cube for myself as a backup work amp<<

Bob Hoffnar, Yes it is always good to have a backup amp and the Roland Cube 80XL only weighs 35 lbs, easy to toss in the van and get if your favorite tube amp blows a tube while playing a gig..it does sometimes happen..it is a great value for $360..it is still hard for me to understand how they give you so much for so little.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Aug 2012 2:51 am

the title of this thread is...

Fender Twin VS Roland Cube

thats a contest...

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 26 Aug 2012 7:21 am

Tony Prior wrote:the title of this thread is...

Fender Twin VS Roland Cube

thats a contest...

I agree... three flights of stairs, one in each hand... first one to the top wins!

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 26 Aug 2012 7:43 am

Can we choose?

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 26 Aug 2012 10:10 am

Fender Twin VS Roland Cube

There is one thing I don't like on the Fender Twin: weight
There is one thing I don't like on the Roland Cube 80XL: picking dynamics

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 27 Aug 2012 6:38 am

Also, the life time of a Twin is 45 years and counting (we know this because many are already that old). Lifetime of a cube? No way its going to last even close to that.

Twin was made in the good old USA - owning one generally supports US technicians and businesses.

Could you elaborate on this timeline? I buy a 45-year-old amp, and I'm supporting....

admin · Post by **b0b** » 27 Aug 2012 7:12 am

Politics - don't go there.

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 27 Aug 2012 7:28 am

supporting your local tech. Thats all I meant by that.

Brent Torgrimson · Post by **Brent Torgrimson** » 27 Aug 2012 3:08 pm

I have played Twins extensively since 1978 - most of that time exclusively. I bought a Roland 80XL recently. They're both GREAT amps with mostly minor differences (except weight). For tone, I'm not sure which one I prefer. They sound different; the Twin thinner, the Roland bassier/midrangier, but they both sound good to my ears. The Roland is a small, lightweight, punchy amp. So, for me, a 50 y.o., the Roland is a far better GIG amp because it's easy to tote & smaller & thus easier to deal with. The Twin is not easy to deal with - in my opinion. A Twin is also comparatively top heavy can tip over transporting. But I still love the Twin/tube/analog thing... so it's now my "at home" amp. The Roland goes on dates (but it's a horrible kisser.)

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 27 Aug 2012 5:13 pm

So, for me, a 50 y.o., the Roland is a far better GIG amp because it's easy to tote & smaller & thus easier to deal with. The Twin is not easy to deal with - in my opinion. A Twin is also comparatively top heavy can tip over transporting.<<

Brent T. I just added you to my list of recent Roland Cube 80XL owners. Also, besides being a great little gig amp, the Roland is a great value and so easy to own..I got mine from AMS, made three $120 monthly payments and presto it is mine. The shipping was free and the guy brought it right up to my door..no sales tax either..what a great buy.

Edward Byrne · Post by **Edward Byrne** » 28 Aug 2012 4:38 am

I have been watching these Roland cube 80xl discussions for a while now,just as i watched the Gallien Krueger mb200 discussions last year, and while i was a little sceptical about going the mb200 route,[it still involved lots of setting up and adding fx and speaker etc] i liked the idea of a self contained amp with f/x, ie the cube 80xl, but would not consider buying one, my nashville 112 was still going strong, that was until i read all these glowing reccomendations, i thought, there must be something in all this? so i took the not too expensive plunge, and brought one over to Ireland from the UK, it arrived last friday, and i actually unpacked it from its box at an outside festival i was playing at, i used my n112 for the steel, but plugged my strat straight into it, we couldnt even sound check as there were other acts already performing, so i literally adjusted it on the fly as we started our set, and i can tell you this, it was awesome, loud and clean, with a decent sounding reverb, i think i prefer the blackface setting, its slightly darker but sweeter to my ears than the JC setting, i have since tried it at home on the steel, and it sounds wonderful, completely blowing my n112 away, its everything the majority of you guys have been saying, particulary Mickey Byrne, i love it so much, that i am going to buy a second one for the steel, thank you guys for your glowing reports on this amp, the very reason why i bought one, as for the Twin Reverb vs Roland Cube 80xl, i did own a re issue twin reverb,with jensen speakers, and it was awful for steel, shrill, trebly and thin sounding, i got rid of it fairly quickly, but i would not condemn the older Twins with point to point wiring, they are the real deal in my opinion, i just cant afford one, nor do i want to have to carry one, Well done Roland, the cube 80xl is fast becoming a modern day classic, it will be interesting to see if Peavey can respond to this, cos they have been left standing by Roland, and nobody is talking about the mb200 now,

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 28 Aug 2012 5:47 am

Hi Edward....we must be related somewhere down the line

..I'll put in this thread something I put in another Cube thread earlier today...seems alot of threads on the Cube.
Yesterday I took 2 of my Cubes to a Jam session I do every month,Last month I just took one and that was fine, so I thought I'd give both an outing...boy was I pleased. It's not a strictly Country venue...sometimes there's 8 musicians all jamming..last night there was even a Sax player and things can get "VERY" loud..c/o the trusty lead guitar players

who tend to want to be "heard" more than most

..I was in heaven with the 2 Cubes behind me. I use the "black face" settings...like you say it is a tad sweeter sounding. There was more than enough volume when I took my "rides" and the volume was only on 12 o/clock, and gain on 9 o/clock.
The stage is very small just enough for a drum kit and a Bass player, so we set up in the front...Edward, if you're pleased with 1...just wait till you hear 2 behind you. Consider how inexpensive they are...As you know, now in U.K. we can get 2 Cube 80's for the price of 1 Nashville 112..and change to spare. I usually have them side by side, but the dance floor was busy so I just placed 1 on a stand. Sorry the picture is a little dark.

Micky Byrne

U.K.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 28 Aug 2012 7:01 am

i did own a re issue twin reverb,with jensen speakers, and it was awful for steel, shrill, trebly and thin sounding,

The trick with a Twin is to set the bass on 10, then add mid and treble until you get your sound.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 28 Aug 2012 8:18 am

Bob that's what I used to do years ago with my twins...one with and one without JBL's .... but this was years ago before guys used to Mic up at a gig, and I never had the head room to compete with a loud lead guitarist

that's when I switched to a Session 400 when they first came to UK, and stayed with Peaveys, and Evans until recently when my back said "NO MORE"

Micky Byrne U.K.

Edward Byrne · Post by **Edward Byrne** » 28 Aug 2012 10:10 am

Hi Mickey, on my Fathers side we are from County Wicklow, Byrne being a wicklow name, anyway re 2 x cubes, my reason for wanting two is that i double on lead and steel guitar, so i would use two different eq settings and volumes,i dont like a/b switches, i need instant change from lead to steel without my feet dancing all over the stage, so what your saying in effect is i should have four for an awesome sound??? i would start to look like Brian Maye with his stack of AC 30's ha ha, i really am impressed with this little amp, just experimenting now if i prefer the steel with my EB pot pedal or my Goodrich electronic pedal? i think the goodrich ldr 2 is winning, i just hate the short adaptor and extension lead cluttering my stage area now that i can dispense with my outboard fx pedals thanks to the self contained Cube

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 28 Aug 2012 10:53 am

Well I was under the notion that the RI Twins came with the Gold Label Eminence speakers, which is what I have in my 71 Twin...also the same speakers in my Hot Rod Deville which is what I use on the few sessions that I do.

I can't say why the RI Twin was sounding bad..but my opinion of the Emmy speakers is pretty good !..Deep bass.strong mids and yes, the hi's can get out of control if you let them...

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 28 Aug 2012 12:01 pm

b0b wrote:
i did own a re issue twin reverb,with jensen speakers, and it was awful for steel, shrill, trebly and thin sounding,
The trick with a Twin is to set the bass on 10, then add mid and treble until you get your sound.

b0b
I also found the other trick with a Twin when I used to use one was to knock the bright switch off. Too cutting with pedal steel otherwise. Also I didn't notice much difference with bass control between 6 to 10. The bass really used to come alive at around 5 or 6.

Eddie
Welcome to the Cube 80XL club. I must have been responsible for about a dozen of the guys in the UK to get one following recommendations since I got my Cube last year, and they all love them. The only downside is that Roland have now increased the retail price by £25 in the last week.

Still, with the Peavey 112 now retailing at over £700 the Roland Cube is still incredible VFM.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Fender Twin VS Roland Cube

According to my list of over 40 users

negative comments.

Re: negative comments.

Cube 80XL vs. Twin

another positive for the Roland Cube 80 XL