Roland Cube 15x and Cube 30x Guitar Amps

Guitar Amps that Pack a Sonic Punch!

Meet Roland's Cube 15x and Cube 30x -- incredible value and versatility in solid state combo guitar amps. These light, portable, and affordable little beasts are packed with useful extras such as built-in distortion effects, independent CD input, and recording/ headphone output. Each amp is built like a brick, featuring a sturdy open-back cabinet, high impact corner protectors, and a rugged metal grille that protects the speaker.

When the first shipment of the new Cubes arrived at Allegro Music, we plugged in a guitar and took both amps for a test drive.

The Cube 15x

This little guitar amp pumps 15 watts through an 8-inch speaker with some tasty overdrive and distortion sounds built-in.

Features:

• two-channel operation (Clean and Lead) with a separate volume control for each channel

• a select button lets you punch from Clean to Lead, while an LED illuminates to indicate the channel

• the Clean channel is crisp and clear. We were immediately blown away by the amazingly full and plenty-loud sound for a small amp.

• 4 types of distortion are available on the Lead channel: Overdrive, Distortion, Metal, and Metal Stack, combined with a gain control for tweaking the amount of distortion in the sound. Dial up the gain and wow, this thing screams attitude! There's plenty of aggression here which should satisfy even the shredders and hard core metal players. Backing off the gain gives bluesy tones or warm rock. Our favorite setting was Metal Stack with gain at 5-6, making for some awesome metal-meltdown fun.

• both channels share a 3-band EQ, which adds plenty of tonal variation

• power squeezer for maximum gain and sustain , even at low volume

• a 1/4-inch recording/headphone output lets you practice silently or record

• there's a 1/4-inch auxiliary input for connecting other gear. You can plug in your MP3 or CD player for jam-along practice with your favorite songs.

We really like this 15-watter. It's purely a small practice amp, but its BIG sound is guaranteed to annoy parents, siblings and neighbors. It's easy to stash in your bedroom or the car to a practice session or teaching studio. A superb amp for the first-time buyer at a sweet price. Match it with a Yamaha Pacifica or Peavey Raptor guitar for tons of fun.

Specifications:

• Power Output -- 15 watts

• Speaker Size -- 20 cm (8 inch)

• Dimensions -- 335 (W) x 240 (D) x 330 (H) mm (13-3/16 x 9-1/2 x 13 inches)

• Weight -- 7.1 kg (15 lbs 11 oz)

The Cube 30x

The Cube-30x takes compact guitar amps to the next level, thanks to a menu of built-in footswitchable effects and Roland's COSM® (Composite Object Sound Modeling). COSM  technology shapes audio by applying the sonic characteristics of classic and really cool guitar amps. Eight guitar amps in one? Yep. Plug into this 30-watt baby and you can select from eight distinct guitar amp sounds.

Features:

• two-channel operation (Clean and Lead) with a separate volume control for each channel

• a select button lets you punch from Clean to Lead, while an LED illuminates to indicate the channel

• the Clean channel models Roland's JC120 (JC Clean) and has a smooth, punchy sound

• the Lead channel features 7 COSM guitar amp models combined with a gain control: Acoustic (blends acoustic guitar simulation and amp modeling), Black Panel (models the Fender Twin™), Brit Combo (models the phenomenally successful Vox AC30TB with players from the Beatles to Brain May), Tweed (models a Fender Bassman™), Classic Stack (models the smooth Marshall JMD1987), Metal Stack (Peavey EVH-3150), and the R-fier Stack (MESA/Boogie Rectifier). We found the amount of gain available through the Lead channel at any volume to be very satisfying.

• unique Dyna Amp feature changes tone based on picking style

• a powerful onboard digital EFX processor includes chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay and reverb. One no-fuss knob selects and adjust the effects. The effects are high-quality and you can always add more pedals if needed.

• an optional footswitch can be used to control the EFX processor and to switch from Clean to Lead

• an independent Delay/Reverb processor can be combined with the onboard EFX. One knob controls delay time and reverb amount. The reverb sounds good even at full whack adding natural room ambience and depth. Blues and rockers should feel quite at home here. 

• a 3-band EQ allows all manner of tone shaping for both channels

• power squeezer for maximum gain and sustain , even at low volume

• there's a 1/4-inch recording/headphone output for silent practice and recording

• the 1/4-inch auxiliary input lets you connect CD players, MP3, drum machines, etc.

• convenient onboard tuner

With 30 watts and a 10-inch speaker, the Cube 30x is small enough to be a good practice amp, but with enough full-tilt tone for jamming and small club gigs. It's also well worth toting to the recording studio. Money-challenged but deadly-serious guitarists should not miss this amp.

Specifications:

• Power Output -- 30 watts

• Speaker Size -- 25 cm (10 inch)

• Dimensions -- 385 (W) x 240 (D) x 380 (H) mm (15-3/16 x 9-1/2 x 15 inches)

• Weight -- 9.3 kg (20 lbs 9 oz)

Allegro is always stocked with Cube amps. Come on in and get one; you're going to love it.

If you're looking for your first amp and the "tech talk" used here is new to you, we can get you up to speed! Just check out our "Amp Basics" section in the Amplifiers menu.