Roland Cube GX

[Bill Groner]

My 8 year old cube started to not work properly. I really like this amp. Was wondering if you guys know of a similar replacement for it? (size, sound, portability) I tried to replace it but have found out it was discontinued in 2022.
Any suggestions on a good replacement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Gary Boyett]

Is this what you are looking for?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... mp-with-fx

[Bill Groner]

No I bought that one and returned it immediately. Mine was an older version and sounds way better than the new version you posted. However thank you for sending the link.

[Jack Hanson]

Bill, I have a few different models of the Roland Cubes. I favor this one for its versatility and the clean sound it produces with my lap, console, and pedal steels (Roland Mobile Cube):

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha,

I also highly recommend the Roland Mobile Cube amp. I have 3 of them. Any time I see a used one online at a good price, I scoop it up. Sometimes you can get them for like $60-$80. If it's not loud enough, just mic it with an SM57 and you're good to go. Very mobile, you can tour the world with it because it travels easily and operates on 6 AA batteries.

I just purchased a Roland Cube Street EX on a whim, and that thing sounds great too. Just like the mobile cube, only larger and louder with a few more bells and whistles. It operates on 8 AA batteries, and it has a battery life indicator, which is very handy.

The Mobile Cube has a sweet spot, and if you turn the volume past that sweet spot, it will start distorting. Not really an issue because it's loud enough for most situations, and you just mic it if there is a PA. The Cube Street EX is larger and louder, so you can project much more before it distorts. But it's larger than the Mobile Cube and less travel friendly. In the end, they're both great products from Roland. They both have their strengths and tradeoffs, so just use them accordingly for your task at hand.

The Mobile Cube is just super handy and will suffice for 95% of situations. It's so small that most people won't freak out and worry that you'll be too loud. The Cube Street EX is for when you just need to be louder and you're busking or playing in a live band.

I got tired of setting up my Mobile Cube for my Hawaiian Band gigs. I'm always trying to simplify and make my life easier. So with the Cube Street EX, it replaces my personal floor monitor AND my Mobile Cube. I can still send my monitor mix to the Cube Street via AUX in, and I can send my Steel Sound to the board via direct out. Makes my PA setup much cleaner, quicker, and simpler. When you're doing everything yourself, you really appreciate that approach.

Note: I purchased the Roland Cube Street EX, NOT the Roland Street Cube. They are 2 different products. Roland didn't do a good job of naming them, so it's easy to confuse them with each other. The Cube Street EX is the latest version they have out.

Enjoy!

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha,

This is from 2023. Uncle Bobby performs "Twilight in Hawaii" on a Rickenbacher Bakelite plugged directly into a Roland Mobile Cube amp, mic'd with an SM57. It sounded amazing while sitting in the audience.

https://youtu.be/KkxBuIFnxGk?si=DXh2M2UstMaavPvj

Enjoy!

[Mike Neer]

I’m such a fan of Roland guitar amps in general—in fact, almost all of their products. IMO they are the best musical instrument manufacturer in the world. I haven’t played one that I really didn’t like. I have a JC-40 and a cube 30X, I believe, and I really love the sound of both of them. I also have the old Micro Cube which really comes in handy. I’m sure the Mobile Cube blows it away though.

[David Becker]

Bill,
I sent you a PM.
David

[Michael Kiese]

I’m such a fan of Roland guitar amps in general—in fact, almost all of their products. IMO they are the best musical instrument manufacturer in the world. I haven’t played one that I really didn’t like. I have a JC-40 and a cube 30X, I believe, and I really love the sound of both of them. I also have the old Micro Cube which really comes in handy. I’m sure the Mobile Cube blows it away though.

Aloha Mike,

I agree. Roland just makes great stuff at a great price.

Micro Cubes are good too...but something about that Mobile Cube hit a sweet spot especially for steel. Uncle Bobby doesn't care for the Street Cube, but when I told him I bought a Cube Street EX, he was excited to try it out for himself.

Funny story, there's a weekly blues jam in Richmond. They had a backline, which I loved because all I had to bring was my guitar and a small battery powered pedal board. All the other dudes were schlepping their Dr. Z's, Super Reverbs, etc...

I used to get tons of complements on my tone, and people asked what amp I was using... It was a Roland JC 22. The backline amp. I liked it because it had a good clean sound, and that's all I need. lol. My 335 into a tube screamer into the JC22. I liked it. Did the trick. Great little amp. Really nice chorus sound and reverb.

Enjoy!