Amp advice

[allan cook]

Hi
Does anyone use a Roland Cube 80 XL for steel? How do they compare with a Nashville 112 or Peavey Special 130? The 80XL has a clean channel and built in Boss effects, which appeals to me because I have tried a few effects units ( currently tc electronic Nova Reverb) but I am not that impressed. Maybe its the way I am using it! I must confess to knowing little about the subject. I just keep going back to plugging straight into the amp with reverb and using a Hilton pedal.
Any advice welcomed.

Thanks
Phil

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Hi Phil, I have not tried the Roland Cube, but have heard good reports about them, despite the fact that they were not developed with steel guitar in mind, the peavey nashville 112, is a good, dependable work horse, developed and voiced with steel guitar in mind, i own two,one in England, the other here in Ireland, but dont use the onboard reverb, as i feel it is a poor quality reverb, im very taken with the digitech rp155, great quality reverb,and decent delay, and under a ton! i also owned a Peavey special 130 for a couple of years back in the nineties, in my view, the 130 is not great for steel, way too shrill sounding, and lacks depth, though it is pretty loud, it is a 6 string guitar amp, switchable channel, some great overdriven sounds on it, which are pretty useless for steel, but then it wasn't designed for steel, next time im over in Manchester, i will make a point of trying the the Roland 80xl, even though im still happy enough the the peavey nashville 112, then again a lot of steel players favour a 1 x 15" combo, ie peavey session, nashville 400 or vegas or a fender steel king, again its personal choice,

[Paul Brennan]

I think David Hartley has used a small Roland Cube for some of his earlier videos on YouTube. Nothing wrong with that sound! However, I wouldn't think it would work at a gig. I have a Roland Cube 30w myself. It's fine for the music room but I couldn't gig with it unless I was playing with an acoustic band or something where the stage volume is very low.

[Ken Byng]

I borrowed a Roland 80X from my mate a few weeks ago. Much preferable to the NV 112 to my ears, but there are those here with better ears than mine. I just think that it is more intuative to dial in a great tone than the 112, and doesn't 'fatten up' when played at higher volume. But the biggest plus is that it is so much cheaper. There is a demo one on eBay at the moment at a very competative price.

Loads of players in the States are liking the Roland over the Peavey since trying it.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

I purchased a Cube 80xl
I initially wanted it for a "small gig" amp and for practising at home.It sits very nicely in the space between the wardrobe and the chest of drawers.
I was more than surprised at the resultant sound at home,It has a clean channel which is best for steel,the amp modelling has never been a favourite feature in previous effects I have owned but it is ok in this amp.I would only use the onboard delay and a bit of reverb which are very reasonable.
I took it to a pub jam a couple of weeks ago and was very pleased with the outcome,it was loud enough and the tone was pretty good.One thing which really was good was that I only need two leads with it (steel to vol ped and ped to amp) Very simple set up.
I did a bigger gig on Sat and took out My other rig and the sound was much better,as expected.
I was,to say the least, very happy with the amp and was surprised that a "Guitar" amp was so good for pedal steel.I never did seem to get what I wanted from other amps when playing six stringers. At half the cost of a Nash 112 I consider it worth the money.
Billy

[allan cook]

Thanks for the input guys. I checked out the US Forum and they seem to be quite highly praised.
I couldn't see the ex-demo on Ebay. Maybe it was snapped up. I will probably take my guitar down to my local music store and try one out. After that I will have to learn to play properly!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice

Regards
Phil

[Ken Byng]

Phil - you need to get in quick.

Ken

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROLAND-CUBE-8 ... 3a6d04b3b9

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Ken
The amp on e bay is an 80X.
The 80XL (extra loud?) has a feature or two extra. and is only thirty quid more in the shops.
Billy

[Ken Byng]

Thanks Billy - didn't spot that.

Ken

[Westy]

I have a Roland 80xl it's amazing for the size, simple to use and doesn't snap your back when lifting, in fact it's very light. I also have a fender twin but since having the Roland have stopped using the twin. One great feature on the Roland is the DI out. So you can send a little feed into the PA. it's a win win situation for me and a bargin at £299,In fact the twin may have to go before it does break my back.