This sounded way better than I thought it was going to. Let me know if you have had a chance to test one of these Roland Blues Cube amps. 😎🎸 Links and timestamps below: ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/YWDLO ►Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A ►Sky Music - alnk.to/1C1l0kY (affiliate links) Timestamps: 0:00 - Jam Track 3:38 - Amp Overview 6:18 - Stratocaster 8:52 - Les Paul 12:25 - Telecaster 16:02 - Review
I have the BC Stage and also a Marshall DSL, Jazz Chorus and a Bandit, have to say I love the Blues Cube, I use it more than any other, awesome sounding amps! Currently have a compressor, an EHX OD Glove and an Echoplex going into the low input, really love the sound and cannot recommend these highly enough.
I haven't tried one.. but thanks to your review I want this exact version! It's great thank you.. one question would you recommend this amp or a fender champion 100? What is better in your personal opinion?
This Blues Cube series is AMAZING. I recently picked up the Blues Cube Hot. My god, what a revelation to hear a non-tube amp sound better than many tube amps that are on the market.
My 3 year old blues cube hot has been a fine amp indeed. Not into the whole tube amp vs ss amp thing. I just think my amp sounds great to me and it’s lightweight and easy to use. And the power control switch makes it perfect for practice, recording or a gig. Great with pedals too although I usually just plug straight in. I’ve been really impressed with the blues cube hot.
I have had one now for a couple years and it is absolutely great! Using either the line out or mic'ed on-stage it will absoultely hold it's own at full volume with very little fuss & bother. It truly is a "set it & forget it" amplifier, and I would put it up against any tube combo it's size!
Wonderful little amp got mine when they came out more than 4 years ago gigged many times with it usually used with a J Archer Klon alike pedal simple great setup
@@timnewman1172 They are great amps. I have had mine for a couple or three years but I don't think I have ever got mine past the 45 watt setting, let alone full volume.
Walked in to Sky Music today (much to my wife's annoyance) and came back home with the Blues Cube Stage. Truly, the musician's IKEA, which incidentally, was just across the road.
I have the blues cube hot and after having a blues jr I can say I much prefer the cube. The reverb is MUCH better and the switchable power levels are great.
I know a few blokes with insanely expensive amp collections who absolutely love their Blues Cubes - especially for live gigs. This video shows why as it sounds really good. I have a Blues Cube Artist but I rarely use it as I spend most of my time on a Carr Rambler - because it does everything better only it costs four times as much so hardly a victory is it. I tend to use the Blues Cube away from home or when I have an idea and want to quickly turn an amp on for only a few mins - as a tube amp doesn't appreciate that sort of thing.
Incredible playing Shane. Now that's how blues is supposed to be played on a guitar mate.. So, Blues On....💙 👍🏼👍👏👏👏👏 PS. Sometimes we forget just how good the Not New & shinny thing is...
Maaaannnn you get the soul out of that amp! I bought it, exactly right now! But wait... where can i buy your smooth phrasing and touch. Totaly great video ❤
That is good to know because I am interested in the Katana 50 due to its affordability and compact size.I have a silver stripe Express 112 (65 watts) that starts to sound good when people start to give the "too loud " grimace lol
This is the best sounding amp I ever had. I recommended it to a pro friend and he plays 50s and 60s mostly and sound brilliant. It does this every time.....
Had my Stage for a little over a year now and still love it. It weighs almost nothing and it kicks at higher volume. My Peavey Bandit silver stripe stays at home now. Cheers!
I’ve owned the stage and the hot version. I actually preferred the smaller hot version. I found it more focused in sound. May have been the smaller cabinet. I preferred the hot over my blues jnr. These are great amps. I think the only thing that let these down was the cost and lack of availability of the tone capsules. The hot doesn’t take tone capsules and was a bit more simple to tweak which is what appealed to me.
Wow that really sounds amazing! One of the few reviews of a solid state amp that you can hear great tones even through youtube's compression, says a lot about the amp. I think the single coil pups suit the amp better than humbuckers, which makes sense since it's a 'tweed' emulation.
Just when I think I need another amp to gig with other than my Blues Cube Artist some one comes out with a great video reminding me just how good these are. Result no new amp, thanks Shane...
That opening jam track was excellent, great chops great tone. This offering of the blues Cube is light years ahead for their previous offerings, the tones you were getting out of it were extremely useful and there’s a lot of extras on the amp to make that it great choice in today’s market, I thought it handled the humbucking pick ups extremely well, and it seems like it’s got plenty of power to cut through the mix of a gig
I have had a Blues Cube Hot for a couple years now, and I think it is fantastic! I'm not somebody that likes to dink with a bunch of pedals, so having an amp that is so easy to dial in is perfect for me. In the literature that came with it, they mention that they based it's tone on a '59 Fender Bassman. IMHO, I would put the clean tone much closer to a Princeton. It'll hold it's own onstage at club volume and is much easier to schlep around than a tube amp!
I swapped a blues deluxe reissue with this amp. Because it is very loud AND you can adjust the volume very very sensitively - the deluxe reissue was unusable in way of volume. Too less - no sound, you have sound = it is way too loud, driving the drummer to his limits. No carrying around tons, no problems with weather conditions and no tube changing anymore. Plus: Turn it on 0,5 Watts = play in your bedroom enjoyini great overdrive sound. It is not too expensive - considering all the efforts and expenditures you pay for tubes, biasing, carrying and worries going hand in hand with tube amps. For me this is it. I am happy with this. Especially when you turn up the volume of the clean channel resulting in sweet mild overdrive (great to be pushed with a booster, seymour duncan pickup booste for ex.) and turning the master volume as necessary. Amen.
That intro jam alone is going to sell quite a few of those amps. Great tone and amazing playing! I wasn't expecting this at all, but it sounds better than certain small and affordable tube amps (Blues JR etc.).
omg - playing and sound in the intro jam were utterly amazing !!! 👍 I love these amps! works great on stage .. ..and also for home use also at low volume when using the low power modes. I have collected 3 different sizes of these over the years and love them to use for all different occasions. Love to use them also in parallel in a wet-dry-wet rig.
same with me btw - I use either the one channel or the other - not really the both at same time setting. I think the tone button works great when you have a darker sounding guitar otherwise the standard is just fine :)
finally u noticed you've been saying "SEE how it sounds" instead of "HEAR how it sounds". you're not the only one who says it too, most youtubers all around the world says the same thing. With english not being my main language, I thought I was wrong !
I have the Blues Cube Hot version and the more I've tried to find fault, but that's typical of me with amps, the more it finds a way to reward me. I got a great deal on it from a guy who wanted to sell it to buy the one in this video. I like mine much better!
Great playing dynamics Shane. That amp sounds really good. Surprisingly good. If I was in the market based on this video I’d definitely give it a shot. Normally I’d pass right by something like this. Hey, you learn something every day..
I really love this amp. I wasn't sure if I would keep it when I bought it, but after a few years it's now a keeper. One of the reasons for the great tone of this amp is its discrete components sections, as mentioned in the description of Roland "TubeLogic": " ...the preamp section uses a high-impedance FET input and a differential transmission method to preserve the pure guitar signal as it travels throughout the circuit. The power amp section consists of a discrete solid-state amp, driven by a high-impedance circuit to interact with the speaker characteristics... "
I've had the Artist for a few years now and I'm pretty impressed with it. These are a good line of amps which are maybe too pricey for many people but you do get what you pay for. The clean channel takes pedals and FX units really well. Everything from acoustic tones to metal sounds good.
Lee Anderton picked this as his favorite sounding amp out of a lineup of tube combos; his mind rejected so hard that he never seemed to try the Blues Cube again! I was somewhat disappointed because I would have loved if he would have bought or used a Blues Cube for an extended period of time and would have given us a long-term follow up on how he was getting along with the amp! Ahhhh, se la vie!
@@cchavez248 Thx for reminding me. Does sound better than the typical fender tube combos. I've been really wanting a ss amp instead of giving into valve. I just don't trust it without playing it in person first, but I have yet to see one.
@@wyattsdad8561 At this time, I have to agree with you. What's missing, IMHO, is the dynamic range is still limited in any solid state amps. You can tell a tube amp to jump and it asks," How high?", on the way up, whereas a solid state amp can sound almost exactly the same as the tube amp, at the same volume, but when slammed, it just misses the mark! The next 2 generations of modelers after this new generation should be very interesting though!
I love Roland amps, I own a 90’s Blues Cube 30 2x10. I was initially bummed it didn’t have reverb, but it sounds so good I don’t care. The sound is reminiscent of an old Silverface Champ I once owned. It sounds awesome with a tubescreamer in front of it as well. I want one of the new series BC amps, or a Jazz Chorus… or both.
These amps are great. The first time I played one I didn't realize it wasn't a fender until I went to mess with the controls. They actually feel/sound like a small tube combo.
Hey Shane. I played at home through a Bugera V22 (tube amp) for a while and just found it very blah. Especially the crunch tones through the gain channel. I typically practice through a Boss JS-10 because it's soooo convenient and has all my tones as presets, and it actually sounds pretty good, surprisingly. But man... when I take out my BC Artist... anything coming out of either channel, with or without pedals, well it makes me want to play more. It's just so inspiring to play through sound-wise and it just feels so natural under the fingers. I have not felt that "spongey" feeling in such a long time since chasing tone through other tube alternatives. It may be kind of expensive up front, but if your looking for a long haul amp with none of the tube/cap maintenance, this is the one to get.
Very well done Shane. Great playing and great intro. I have to jump and get one, it has all the tones I'm looking for. The tones at 7:27 and then at 13:05 sold me. In the absence of an effects loop, I am hoping that putting a delay for slapback in front of the amp does not negatively affect the tone coming out of the amp.
I have all the CUBEs. 60 watt, 40 watt, 30 watt, 2 minis, eyc. They have a bassiness on lead that I love. All the effects you need except for compression... You can get any of them used for $100.00 or less except for the Blues Cube. Used ones are generally in new condition; maby dusty from non use... Tela cah sta sounds great!
Awesome video! So informative and super entertaining. From the sound of it, combining the channels doesn't sound as good as each individual channel to my ears as well. Cool playing man!
This is the ubsolute best test of this amp I have ever listened to. Thanks a million! It is expensive staff though and maybe more expensive than some tube amps out there! Blues it is then!!
this sounded better than most of ur other videos. probably because u managed the volume in the recording. it's very easy to put the player and the amp in the same room at reasonable volume with the blues cube.
Impressive amp. I just subscribed to your channel for a few good reasons. One I like the Way you play, also that little amp grabbed me by the ear, LOL and last but not least your left handed. So Rock on and keep impressing me.
I have the Blues Cube Hot, and love it. I have to travel between two places a lot. Just ordered the the Blues Cube Stage for my home and I'll take the BC Hot to the other place. The BC Stage sounded great in this video (much of that is thanks to your playing) which cemented my decision.
I'm torn between the 2. Which one would you recommend for home use and small jam sessions? I also use a klon style pedal and tube screamer. I play with a Gretsch double jet, and a strat.
@@Mr-Safology I wish that I played well enough to be qualified to answer this question. The Stage is pretty much all I’d ever think that I need. It’s amazing to me how good it sounds. The Blues Hot would do what you’re asking very well. Honestly the Hot impresses me every time I plug into it. The Hot is plenty loud and quiets down nicely, plus it’s easy to carry around, and it would handle your pedals. I have a Gretsch Tri-five and a Vintera Mod 60’s Strat, and the differences come through nicely on the hot. Both amps blow away my first amp, a Fender Mustang 50 modeling amp.
@@pinkiewerewolf Thanks for the honest reply! We are all qualified to share our opinion, and I can't tell the difference between the 2 in tone, if there is any. Stage has more gain tweaking, and I'm into cleans. For my purpose, Blues Hot is the way to go, unless I find a great deal on Stage! Thanks 👍🏼
Shane, It has been too long since I watched you. You have really gotten good at these reviews. You have a good balance of talk and demonstration, and your playing just keeps getting better. Thank you for your work.
Hi Shane. Great video. After lengthy research and consideration and coming across a number of posts on forums of 'tube guys', retiring their heavy combos after tryng the RBCs, I got the 2x12 Artist version (+ GA-FC) and could not be happier. I feel this to be one of my better purchases and am very smug about it ha ha.
reminds me of the joe bonamassa tone from his sing "stop!" really great sounding amp, i have a vox valvetronix ad30vt and the only reason i bought it was for the power level on the back but thats why i favor transister over valve/tube amps, brilliant video ❤
Enjoyed your review of the Roland’s blues cube stage amp. I didn’t really care for the dual channel. I was in one of the music stores in my neighborhood and they had a blues cube but it was a 30 or 33 watts which I love. 30 watt amps are hard to find and most amp companies don’t make em anymore. One of my favorite amps is the Peavy classic 30. Wish it had a wattage selector like the blues cube and the katana. The other thing I liked about it was the selection which is 30/15/5/0.5 watts. I don’t like the wattage selection on the blues cube stage. From 45 to 15 is too much of a drop and to leave the 30 watt setting out, which to me is magic, doesn’t make sense but I understand it. I gotta get one. When it comes to reviews you are one my go to guys. Thanks for what you do.
These are awesome amps. What you hear is true. I had the Katana, then this one. Loved the Stage so much got the Artist version. Fantastic amp, it is an instrument in itself, and takes pedals very well as well. Home at last, no need for anything else.
I have the Artist and have gigged with it. It really sounds great, and will be my long term amp. Be aware that because of the way the settings interact it takes time to find the right combination of settings for your style and guitar. When you find it, note it down. Its a way better amp than my previous Hot Rod Deluxe, and also the Tonemaster Deluxe which is very shrill. Downsides - very soft tolex and no cover provided. Also you need the foot switch to get the best out of it and its not included. You have to buy separately.
Every time I mean every time I hear a Strat and you played awesome by the way I think WoW that sounds good then the buckers come in with menace and bite and growl and then realise why I have never played a Strat in 40yrs of playing. There is something about them I just can’t get my head around. And I so so nearly bought this amp recently but was fortunate to have the cash to buy a Flynn 5e3. But the amp sure sounded good👌👍
Those are some Extremely Tasty Licks you played at the beginning of the vid! When I had that exact Amp I thought it sounded really good for a solid state amp! But what I heard on the video, tells me that alot of that sound must come from your heart, through your fingers! Thanks it sounded great! Blessings!
I own the artist version that adds tremolo and an effects loop and have the ultimate blues plug in. The ultimate blues plugin changes it to an amp with more headroom with clean tone compression to let you easily play some of the Mayer and SRV clean tones in the super reverb territory without the amp being spikey and unforgiving. Remove the plugin and you have compressed tweed tones again. It would be cool to be able to switch from the stock amp to the plug in tone with a foot switch for more live versatility but that’s nitpicking. I love this amp and will never get rid of it. The fact they haven’t needed to change anything in like 7 years is wildly impressive
I have a Roland Blues Cube Artist 1 x 12 with the GA-FC footswitch, FV-500H volume pedal and FS-5U switch. I like and use the amp regularly (I also have Fender, Marshall and VOX tube/valve amps). I chose the 1 x 12 over the 2 x 12 as it is easier to carry, and I chose the Artist over the Stage because of the addition of Presence, Tremelo and EFX loop. I have not tried any of the additional Tone Capsules.
Update - I now have the New York and Ultimate Blues Capsules, I also picked up a perfect condition second hand Blues Cube Tour Head and Blues Cube 4x10 Cab for a great price.
@@elsizzle2000 Yes I like the “Tour” Head/Cab. I don’t think the Head and Cab were worth the original full new retail price but are well worth picking up at a reasonable second hand price.
I know this is an older video, but I'm about to get one I think. I play clean, blues, metal, etc, and I can use pedals to push it over the edge and I like the feel and the great blues tone since I kinda of live in the hot blues area you might say.. Very cool.. Good demo.. Thanks so much.. Tim
I play in a bluesband and also own a Peavey delta blues, Vox ac30, and owned a fender Blues deluxe , but play my blues cube artist all the time. Great amp? Btw great playing Shane!
I got one 2yrs ago and have never regretted it. Best combo I’ve ever played through. Great demo btw.
This sounded way better than I thought it was going to. Let me know if you have had a chance to test one of these Roland Blues Cube amps. 😎🎸 Links and timestamps below:
►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/YWDLO
►Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
►Sky Music - alnk.to/1C1l0kY
(affiliate links)
Timestamps:
0:00 - Jam Track
3:38 - Amp Overview
6:18 - Stratocaster
8:52 - Les Paul
12:25 - Telecaster
16:02 - Review
You have tested Cube hot also. Is there difference soundwise?
I have the BC Stage and also a Marshall DSL, Jazz Chorus and a Bandit, have to say I love the Blues Cube, I use it more than any other, awesome sounding amps! Currently have a compressor, an EHX OD Glove and an Echoplex going into the low input, really love the sound and cannot recommend these highly enough.
Yay! We have one of these at home and I was just scouring UA-cam a few days ago for info on dialing in tone on the Stage. Perfect timing!
I haven't tried one.. but thanks to your review I want this exact version! It's great thank you.. one question would you recommend this amp or a fender champion 100? What is better in your personal opinion?
Keen to know your opinion on Blues Cube vs Nextone, I think I have narrowed it down to one of these 2.
Best intro ever. You and the amp sound fantastic. Really enjoyed this video.
I agree
This Blues Cube series is AMAZING. I recently picked up the Blues Cube Hot. My god, what a revelation to hear a non-tube amp sound better than many tube amps that are on the market.
Agreed. It doesn't sound like "a" tube amp, it sounds like a very high end boutique tube amp.
I have had my BCH for a few years now. Fantastic sounding amp.
My 3 year old blues cube hot has been a fine amp indeed. Not into the whole tube amp vs ss amp thing. I just think my amp sounds great to me and it’s lightweight and easy to use. And the power control switch makes it perfect for practice, recording or a gig. Great with pedals too although I usually just plug straight in. I’ve been really impressed with the blues cube hot.
I just bought a like new Blues Cube Hot, and it is Hot! Very loud, loves my overdrive pedals and weighs only 27 lbs.
I have the Blues Cube Hot and it's great! Love this amp very much.
I have had one now for a couple years and it is absolutely great! Using either the line out or mic'ed on-stage it will absoultely hold it's own at full volume with very little fuss & bother. It truly is a "set it & forget it" amplifier, and I would put it up against any tube combo it's size!
Wonderful little amp got mine when they came out more than 4 years ago gigged many times with it usually used with a J Archer Klon alike pedal simple great setup
@@timnewman1172 They are great amps. I have had mine for a couple or three years but I don't think I have ever got mine past the 45 watt setting, let alone full volume.
I also have the hot which I got 3 years ago and have zero complaints.
I've watched you for years, that is the best I've heard you play, that was awesome.
Sky music store employee: oh great here comes Shane. I wonder what he will ask to borrow this time. lol.
Walked in to Sky Music today (much to my wife's annoyance) and came back home with the Blues Cube Stage. Truly, the musician's IKEA, which incidentally, was just across the road.
I have the blues cube hot and after having a blues jr I can say I much prefer the cube. The reverb is MUCH better and the switchable power levels are great.
I know a few blokes with insanely expensive amp collections who absolutely love their Blues Cubes - especially for live gigs. This video shows why as it sounds really good. I have a Blues Cube Artist but I rarely use it as I spend most of my time on a Carr Rambler - because it does everything better only it costs four times as much so hardly a victory is it.
I tend to use the Blues Cube away from home or when I have an idea and want to quickly turn an amp on for only a few mins - as a tube amp doesn't appreciate that sort of thing.
I love these classic reviews of great products. Thanks Shane! The amp performed really well. Fantastic video.
Love my Roland Blues Cube Hot.
Incredible playing Shane. Now that's how blues is supposed to be played on a guitar mate.. So, Blues On....💙 👍🏼👍👏👏👏👏
PS. Sometimes we forget just how good the Not New & shinny thing is...
Maaaannnn you get the soul out of that amp! I bought it, exactly right now!
But wait... where can i buy your smooth phrasing and touch.
Totaly great video ❤
I've been using a Katana 50 for the past two years for small, medium and even a few large gigs with great success. They are super amps
That is good to know because I am interested in the Katana 50 due to its affordability and compact size.I have a silver stripe Express 112 (65 watts) that starts to sound good when people start to give the "too loud " grimace lol
I love Katana amps, got the 50 too.
Did you get a good blues tone on the Katana? I have one, but I can't get anything close to the Blues Cube.
This is the best sounding amp I ever had. I recommended it to a pro friend and he plays 50s and 60s mostly and sound brilliant. It does this every time.....
SWEET INTRO BRO!!.. LOVE your playing..Sounds GREAT coming through the AMP!!!
Had my Stage for a little over a year now and still love it. It weighs almost nothing and it kicks at higher volume. My Peavey Bandit silver stripe stays at home now. Cheers!
I’ve owned the stage and the hot version. I actually preferred the smaller hot version. I found it more focused in sound. May have been the smaller cabinet. I preferred the hot over my blues jnr. These are great amps. I think the only thing that let these down was the cost and lack of availability of the tone capsules. The hot doesn’t take tone capsules and was a bit more simple to tweak which is what appealed to me.
This sounds so good!! I have not come across any demo of the smaller blues cube Hot that impressed me very much. I think this one sounds better
Wow that really sounds amazing! One of the few reviews of a solid state amp that you can hear great tones even through youtube's compression, says a lot about the amp. I think the single coil pups suit the amp better than humbuckers, which makes sense since it's a 'tweed' emulation.
Just when I think I need another amp to gig with other than my Blues Cube Artist some one comes out with a great video reminding me just how good these are. Result no new amp, thanks Shane...
I have a Blues Cube Hot....what a great amp! These are a fantastic range of amps. Great demo as usual, 👍
These amps are so good, they’re classics imo. Got the two hot versions and thinking of buying this one as well 😃👍🏻
I enjoyed the review. The amp sounds great. Your intro jam was the best.
That opening jam track was excellent, great chops great tone.
This offering of the blues Cube is light years ahead for their previous offerings, the tones you were getting out of it were extremely useful and there’s a lot of extras on the amp to make that it great choice in today’s market, I thought it handled the humbucking pick ups extremely well, and it seems like it’s got plenty of power to cut through the mix of a gig
Nothing beats 1st note that sounds perfect. Sold! MAN, and the rest of the Jam sounds perfect. Thank you so much Shane!
Beautiful , and I love that the demo was done with Stratocaster and Tele, the LP sounded like a metal guitar.
I have had a Blues Cube Hot for a couple years now, and I think it is fantastic!
I'm not somebody that likes to dink with a bunch of pedals, so having an amp that is so easy to dial in is perfect for me.
In the literature that came with it, they mention that they based it's tone on a '59 Fender Bassman. IMHO, I would put the clean tone much closer to a Princeton.
It'll hold it's own onstage at club volume and is much easier to schlep around than a tube amp!
I swapped a blues deluxe reissue with this amp. Because it is very loud AND you can adjust the volume very very sensitively - the deluxe reissue was unusable in way of volume. Too less - no sound, you have sound = it is way too loud, driving the drummer to his limits. No carrying around tons, no problems with weather conditions and no tube changing anymore. Plus: Turn it on 0,5 Watts = play in your bedroom enjoyini great overdrive sound. It is not too expensive - considering all the efforts and expenditures you pay for tubes, biasing, carrying and worries going hand in hand with tube amps. For me this is it. I am happy with this. Especially when you turn up the volume of the clean channel resulting in sweet mild overdrive (great to be pushed with a booster, seymour duncan pickup booste for ex.) and turning the master volume as necessary. Amen.
That intro jam alone is going to sell quite a few of those amps. Great tone and amazing playing!
I wasn't expecting this at all, but it sounds better than certain small and affordable tube amps (Blues JR etc.).
omg - playing and sound in the intro jam were utterly amazing !!! 👍
I love these amps!
works great on stage ..
..and also for home use also at low volume when using the low power modes.
I have collected 3 different sizes of these over the years and love them to use for all different occasions.
Love to use them also in parallel in a wet-dry-wet rig.
same with me btw - I use either the one channel or the other - not really the both at same time setting.
I think the tone button works great when you have a darker sounding guitar otherwise the standard is just fine :)
Great review. I really like the way you do your reviews. Amp really sounded incredible.
Love the off clean tone with the tele!
Sounds BETTER than any tube amp ive heard tbh
finally u noticed you've been saying "SEE how it sounds" instead of "HEAR how it sounds". you're not the only one who says it too, most youtubers all around the world says the same thing. With english not being my main language, I thought I was wrong !
I miss watching music back in the MTV days.😆
And you would be RIGHT! It's a figure of speech in English, but it is logically incorrect!
Lol, even in Spanish we say a ver, "let's see"....
@@cchavez248 Ay carumba!
@@DMSProduktions LOL, are you planning to vacuum....Rumba? lol
That was some beautiful soulful playing on that intro Sir....amp had great tone to, think you sold it to me! 👍
I have the Blues Cube Hot version and the more I've tried to find fault, but that's typical of me with amps, the more it finds a way to reward me. I got a great deal on it from a guy who wanted to sell it to buy the one in this video. I like mine much better!
Great playing dynamics Shane. That amp sounds really good. Surprisingly good. If I was in the market based on this video I’d definitely give it a shot. Normally I’d pass right by something like this.
Hey, you learn something every day..
On fire with that intro Strat solo. Very, very good. 🙏🏻👍🇦🇺
I really love this amp. I wasn't sure if I would keep it when I bought it, but after a few years it's now a keeper. One of the reasons for the great tone of this amp is its discrete components sections, as mentioned in the description of Roland "TubeLogic": " ...the preamp section uses a high-impedance FET input and a differential transmission method to preserve the pure guitar signal as it travels throughout the circuit. The power amp section consists of a discrete solid-state amp, driven by a high-impedance circuit to interact with the speaker characteristics... "
I love my Blues Cube Stage, in my opinion sounds better than my Fender Blues deluxe
I've had the Artist for a few years now and I'm pretty impressed with it. These are a good line of amps which are maybe too pricey for many people but you do get what you pay for. The clean channel takes pedals and FX units really well. Everything from acoustic tones to metal sounds good.
'get what you pay for' ...sometimes.
I think this amp sounds better than a lot of the tube combos on the market 👍
Lee Anderton picked this as his favorite sounding amp out of a lineup of tube combos; his mind rejected so hard that he never seemed to try the Blues Cube again! I was somewhat disappointed because I would have loved if he would have bought or used a Blues Cube for an extended period of time and would have given us a long-term follow up on how he was getting along with the amp! Ahhhh, se la vie!
For the price I thought it was a tube amp.
@@cchavez248 Thx for reminding me. Does sound better than the typical fender tube combos. I've been really wanting a ss amp instead of giving into valve. I just don't trust it without playing it in person first, but I have yet to see one.
Nah, a tube amp will always have a better sound and feel for that matter.
@@wyattsdad8561 At this time, I have to agree with you. What's missing, IMHO, is the dynamic range is still limited in any solid state amps. You can tell a tube amp to jump and it asks," How high?", on the way up, whereas a solid state amp can sound almost exactly the same as the tube amp, at the same volume, but when slammed, it just misses the mark! The next 2 generations of modelers after this new generation should be very interesting though!
I love Roland amps, I own a 90’s Blues Cube 30 2x10. I was initially bummed it didn’t have reverb, but it sounds so good I don’t care. The sound is reminiscent of an old Silverface Champ I once owned. It sounds awesome with a tubescreamer in front of it as well. I want one of the new series BC amps, or a Jazz Chorus… or both.
Wow! Your playing and that amp sound great together. Fantastic video, Shane.
These amps are great. The first time I played one I didn't realize it wasn't a fender until I went to mess with the controls. They actually feel/sound like a small tube combo.
Hey Shane. I played at home through a Bugera V22 (tube amp) for a while and just found it very blah. Especially the crunch tones through the gain channel. I typically practice through a Boss JS-10 because it's soooo convenient and has all my tones as presets, and it actually sounds pretty good, surprisingly. But man... when I take out my BC Artist... anything coming out of either channel, with or without pedals, well it makes me want to play more. It's just so inspiring to play through sound-wise and it just feels so natural under the fingers. I have not felt that "spongey" feeling in such a long time since chasing tone through other tube alternatives. It may be kind of expensive up front, but if your looking for a long haul amp with none of the tube/cap maintenance, this is the one to get.
Very well done Shane. Great playing and great intro. I have to jump and get one, it has all the tones I'm looking for.
The tones at 7:27 and then at 13:05 sold me. In the absence of an effects loop, I am hoping that putting a delay for slapback in front of the amp does not negatively affect the tone coming out of the amp.
I have all the CUBEs. 60 watt, 40 watt, 30 watt, 2 minis, eyc. They have a bassiness on lead that I love. All the effects you need except for compression... You can get any of them used for $100.00 or less except for the Blues Cube. Used ones are generally in new condition; maby dusty from non use...
Tela cah sta sounds great!
This and a Jazz Chorus is all you need. But wait...they are transistor amps! Nice review, as always.
Awesome video! So informative and super entertaining. From the sound of it, combining the channels doesn't sound as good as each individual channel to my ears as well. Cool playing man!
This is the ubsolute best test of this amp I have ever listened to. Thanks a million! It is expensive staff though and maybe more expensive than some tube amps out there! Blues it is then!!
this sounded better than most of ur other videos. probably because u managed the volume in the recording. it's very easy to put the player and the amp in the same room at reasonable volume with the blues cube.
Hey Shane, CHEERS FROM ARIZONA! Nice tasty chops there. Nice amp for sure!
My Blues Cube Hot rules for home use - love it!!
OMG,as the kids say,that sounds amazing 🥰 also love that creamy look.your Strat sounded killer Shane.
Just ordered one on Sweetwater can't wait for it to be delivered
Nice! Are you coming from a tube amp?
really nice playing on this video bud. thanks
I do not stray from tube amps but this amp sounds amazing. $749.00 (US) is a pretty decent price
Hey Shane, cool review! It kind of resembles the Katana in some of its features. A comparison video between the 2 of them would be really cool!
Impressive amp. I just subscribed to your channel for a few good reasons. One I like the Way you play, also that little amp grabbed me by the ear, LOL and last but not least your left handed. So Rock on and keep impressing me.
I have the Blues Cube Hot, and love it. I have to travel between two places a lot. Just ordered the the Blues Cube Stage for my home and I'll take the BC Hot to the other place.
The BC Stage sounded great in this video (much of that is thanks to your playing) which cemented my decision.
I'm torn between the 2. Which one would you recommend for home use and small jam sessions? I also use a klon style pedal and tube screamer. I play with a Gretsch double jet, and a strat.
@@Mr-Safology I wish that I played well enough to be qualified to answer this question.
The Stage is pretty much all I’d ever think that I need. It’s amazing to me how good it sounds.
The Blues Hot would do what you’re asking very well. Honestly the Hot impresses me every time I plug into it. The Hot is plenty loud and quiets down nicely, plus it’s easy to carry around, and it would handle your pedals.
I have a Gretsch Tri-five and a Vintera Mod 60’s Strat, and the differences come through nicely on the hot.
Both amps blow away my first amp, a Fender Mustang 50 modeling amp.
@@pinkiewerewolf Thanks for the honest reply! We are all qualified to share our opinion, and I can't tell the difference between the 2 in tone, if there is any. Stage has more gain tweaking, and I'm into cleans. For my purpose, Blues Hot is the way to go, unless I find a great deal on Stage! Thanks 👍🏼
@@Mr-Safology 👍 Have a great day!
I own a BC Hot, they are absolutely voiced for single coil guitars, so this is the amp's wheelhouse.
Shane, It has been too long since I watched you. You have really gotten good at these reviews. You have a good balance of talk and demonstration, and your playing just keeps getting better. Thank you for your work.
Hi Shane. Great video. After lengthy research and consideration and coming across a number of posts on forums of 'tube guys', retiring their heavy combos after tryng the RBCs, I got the 2x12 Artist version (+ GA-FC) and could not be happier. I feel this to be one of my better purchases and am very smug about it ha ha.
The amp sounds great. as does the reverb too.
I’m always on the lookout for a good deal on a used one of these. I played one in TX and I loved it
Roland always has magnificent tones.
Great vid 👍. I was surprised that it wasn’t a tube amp. Great sound.
reminds me of the joe bonamassa tone from his sing "stop!" really great sounding amp, i have a vox valvetronix ad30vt and the only reason i bought it was for the power level on the back but thats why i favor transister over valve/tube amps, brilliant video ❤
Oh my, that is some beautiful playing my friend!
If I owned this amp I don’t think that I could ever sell or trade it, absolutely amazing sound and perfect for my needs
Opening song had the tone of SRV Tin Pan Alley from the In The Beginning live album
Great playing
Holy cow man! you need to record an album while your cooking like in that intro mate, that was top class blues. Thanks for all the informative vidz .
Never mind the awesome amp. That is some truly soulful playing
I got that amp and love it, great playing btw
I don't understand why people have not shot out the blues cube vs. the nextone. I recently played them both. I really liked both.
Great sounding amp thanks for demonstrating!!
Enjoyed your review of the Roland’s blues cube stage amp. I didn’t really care for the dual channel. I was in one of the music stores in my neighborhood and they had a blues cube but it was a 30 or 33 watts which I love. 30 watt amps are hard to find and most amp companies don’t make em anymore. One of my favorite amps is the Peavy classic 30. Wish it had a wattage selector like the blues cube and the katana. The other thing I liked about it was the selection which is 30/15/5/0.5 watts. I don’t like the wattage selection on the blues cube stage. From 45 to 15 is too much of a drop and to leave the 30 watt setting out, which to me is magic, doesn’t make sense but I understand it. I gotta get one. When it comes to reviews you are one my go to guys. Thanks for what you do.
These are awesome amps. What you hear is true. I had the Katana, then this one. Loved the Stage so much got the Artist version. Fantastic amp, it is an instrument in itself, and takes pedals very well as well. Home at last, no need for anything else.
I have the Artist and have gigged with it. It really sounds great, and will be my long term amp. Be aware that because of the way the settings interact it takes time to find the right combination of settings for your style and guitar. When you find it, note it down. Its a way better amp than my previous Hot Rod Deluxe, and also the Tonemaster Deluxe which is very shrill. Downsides - very soft tolex and no cover provided. Also you need the foot switch to get the best out of it and its not included. You have to buy separately.
Great video! You sound amazing Buddy! Some tasty licks there!!!
Many thanks 🙏
Every time I mean every time I hear a Strat and you played awesome by the way I think WoW that sounds good then the buckers come in with menace and bite and growl and then realise why I have never played a Strat in 40yrs of playing. There is something about them I just can’t get my head around. And I so so nearly bought this amp recently but was fortunate to have the cash to buy a Flynn 5e3. But the amp sure sounded good👌👍
Hey Shane, Great video. Quick ????: Fender Tonemaster Blonde or Blue Cube?
I got the black version of the Blues Cube Hot for practice, but used it on stage a few times, it's a great sounding amp.
Great playing. Made me pick up a guitar and jam along
I play with the same amp and it is a very good choice 👍clean and crunch sound great but both channel together I not use, I agree with you,
Those are some Extremely Tasty Licks you played at the beginning of the vid! When I had that exact Amp I thought it sounded really good for a solid state amp! But what I heard on the video, tells me that alot of that sound must come from your heart, through your fingers! Thanks it sounded great! Blessings!
Suspicions confirmed. From the first few bars and your face Shane - this is a good amp. Roland/Boss do their homework don't they?🌵
Great sounding amp. Excellent playing!
You're one of my guitar heroes.
I own the artist version that adds tremolo and an effects loop and have the ultimate blues plug in. The ultimate blues plugin changes it to an amp with more headroom with clean tone compression to let you easily play some of the Mayer and SRV clean tones in the super reverb territory without the amp being spikey and unforgiving. Remove the plugin and you have compressed tweed tones again. It would be cool to be able to switch from the stock amp to the plug in tone with a foot switch for more live versatility but that’s nitpicking. I love this amp and will never get rid of it. The fact they haven’t needed to change anything in like 7 years is wildly impressive
thanks for the review . . . i am looking for a good solid state to use when a tube goes out and I'm waiting for new tubes to arrive in the mail.
This man can play.
I have a Roland Blues Cube Artist 1 x 12 with the GA-FC footswitch, FV-500H volume pedal and FS-5U switch. I like and use the amp regularly (I also have Fender, Marshall and VOX tube/valve amps). I chose the 1 x 12 over the 2 x 12 as it is easier to carry, and I chose the Artist over the Stage because of the addition of Presence, Tremelo and EFX loop. I have not tried any of the additional Tone Capsules.
Update - I now have the New York and Ultimate Blues Capsules, I also picked up a perfect condition second hand Blues Cube Tour Head and Blues Cube 4x10 Cab for a great price.
@@craigthomson3621 wow you like it?
@@elsizzle2000 Yes I like the “Tour” Head/Cab. I don’t think the Head and Cab were worth the original full new retail price but are well worth picking up at a reasonable second hand price.
I have the 50 watt Roland Street Cube EX and it's certainly the best totally solid state amp that I have.
I know this is an older video, but I'm about to get one I think. I play clean, blues, metal, etc, and I can use pedals to push it over the edge and I like the feel and the great blues tone since I kinda of live in the hot blues area you might say..
Very cool.. Good demo..
Thanks so much..
Tim
I play in a bluesband and also own a Peavey delta blues, Vox ac30, and owned a fender Blues deluxe , but play my blues cube artist all the time. Great amp? Btw great playing Shane!
The same tech is in the Boss Nextone amps. Been considering a Boss Nextone or Quilter Aviator Cub for home use.