Roland Bass Cube 100, Hartke Kickback 12?

trounsontime · #1 02-19-2007, 01:48 PM

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of these two amps with double bass especially but also with bass guitar? I imagine both are good for bass guitar, but I want something that doesn't cost too much that will do me for both DB and BG. I've heard mixed things about the Hartke but not much about the Roland. If it's all horror stories, I'll just save and get the GK MB150 but these two are both under £300 which is more in more range. I play a cheap Peavey 4-string, a Squier Fretless Jazz and a Stentor Student bass fitted with a Realist. Thanks for any help you can give.

Jaromir · #2 02-19-2007, 02:34 PM

I used to own the Roland 100 many years ago and it was a good sounding combo. I sold it because I wanted something lighter and more portable, so I got the GK MB150 combo. I think both the Roland and Hartke are good combos. Also, they are louder but significantly heavier then the GK combo.

Ric Vice · #3 02-19-2007, 03:08 PM

Nostalgia buff that I am, I couldn't resist to post the fact that I once used a Roland Bass Cube 60. It was bright orange, for all of you that think the MarkBass stuff is a little to yellow, you should see one of the Cube 60's
I remember that Don Thompson had one for quite a while. But then Don could sound good running into a 57 Ford AM Raido connected to two Tom McAnn shoeboxes. The Hartke at school had some problems. Personally it try to find that elusive GK MBE or MBS used. There better at doing double duty, Provided you don't have to play two loud.

Ric

bolo · #4 02-19-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Nostalgia buff that I am, I couldn't resist to post the fact that I once used a Roland Bass Cube 50. It was bright orange, for all of you that think the MarkBass stuff is a little to yellow, you should see one of the Cube 50's
I remember that Don Thompson had one for quite a while. But then Don could sound good running into a 57 Ford AM Raido connected to two Tom McAnn shoeboxes.
Ric

That is too funny man!

Reminds me of when Adrian said the MarkBass 2x10 reminded him of a Hooters logo.

trounsontime · #5 02-20-2007, 04:58 AM

So has anyone actually played with the Roland? I've seen passing mentions on various threads here but no Roland Cube thread. Anyone played the most recent incarnation of the amp and got any comments?

**Francois Blais** · #6 02-20-2007, 06:56 AM

I have played on a Cube 60 (a grey one) for years.
Nice cube, but the tone was quite "boxey" to me.
The box was sealed, no vent.
I missed some power when playing with a drummer.
The Cube 100 must be better for that, but does it use a 15"?
You may loose some highs with a 15", which may not be desirable with an upright.

robgrow · #7 02-20-2007, 10:13 AM

A friend, who is an excellent jazz player, plays his beautiful Prescott bass through a Hartke Kickback 12. It sounds good, and I know he likes it, but, to paraphrase Ric Vice, my friend and his Prescott would sound good playing through just about anything. I have played through this setup and sounded pretty good to me from a players perspective, but I really didn't pay that much attention to the amp, since it's always such a thrill just to hold the Prescott.

My personal opinion is there are better amps available than either the Roland or Hartke, but, if those are your only choices, the Hartke would probably work OK.

trounsontime · #8 02-20-2007, 10:21 AM

Hmm... Well they're both significantly cheaper than the Gallien Kreuger. The Cube 100 has a 12" speaker and is a modelling amp, which apparently has a super-flat setting at the flick of a switch specifically catered for acoustic bass players. But then noone seems to have played on it, so I'm slightly dubious. I'm more inclined to the Roland because it's a little lighter and cheaper, though a player's testimonial would help a lot.

fingers · #9 02-20-2007, 10:46 AM

I borrowed a Hartke Kickback 12 at a college when I was on tour and I didn't like it at all. I found it to have a ton of high and low end (boom and sizzle) without much middle. I look for amps that have a fairly transparent sound. The Hartke did not have that.

I use a MB150 or a SWR WM12 (for doubling) and can get the sound I want with little eq.

SteveC · #10 02-20-2007, 11:00 AM

I have played the Hartke. It was OK. I have a Roland Cube 100 and really like it. I use it as a stage monitor basiaclly. My Radial LDI is my FOH sound. It's sweet.

**Francois Blais** · #11 02-20-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trounsontime

The Cube 100 has a 12" speaker and is a modelling amp, which apparently has a super-flat setting at the flick of a switch specifically catered for acoustic bass players.

Are you talking of the newer cube? (the CB-100)
http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...62&ParentId=58

The original 100W had a 15" speaker I think.
My 60W had a 12".
These old units are not even in their legacy products area.

trounsontime · #12 02-20-2007, 04:22 PM

Yeah, I'm referring to the modern CB-100. Thanks for all your help everyone

smadder · #13 02-20-2007, 04:43 PM

I don't know if any of you have tried the new Line6 Lowdown 110, but it is the best, small combo I have ever heard or used for the money. I have never liked Line 6 stuff, but this thing is unbelieveably good. It is a really, really loud 75 watts, holds a 35" scale low B with no farting out, and weighs about 25 pounds. It's under $250, and I can't believe how loud ths thing is. I took it to work (high-end bass shop) and compared it to the Cube 100, SWR WM 10 & 12, every silver line Nemesis combo, and the smaller BA series Ampegs... nothing touches this. The models sound great, especially the B-15 and the SVT, and it just projects! I really gave this thing a workout. The only negs are no mute switch, and you have to save your settings in the model you like before powering down or you lose them. Even the synth setting is a good time. I'm telling you, Line 6 created something really brilliant (and simple) for bass guitar here. You have to try it before throwing money at anything else. You definitely get your money's worth with this amp.

trounsontime · #14 02-20-2007, 06:06 PM

Well I'm looking for a double bass amp primarily. But if anyone thinks it might be good for DB then let me know.

Ale · #15 02-20-2007, 06:11 PM

For the price , i think the Cube 100 is amazing.
Great preamp section , great drivers. Actually some useful digital effects to. Loud anough for any jazz situation , at least with PA.

Ric Vice · #16 02-20-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

I have played on a Cube 60 (a grey one) for years.
Nice cube, but the tone was quite "boxey" to me.
The box was sealed, no vent.
I missed some power when playing with a drummer.

Francois,
The earlier Orange Cube 60's vented through a cardboard tube (it looked like a used paper towel holder) in the rear of the amp, that also served as a power cord storage slot. Because of it's location it was hard to rember not to block it. Bad Design, boxey sound, ugly color, but back then I had always wanted a Orange Amplifier and, at least for a while it filled the bill. I'm not sure that the port did anything but chuff, chuff, chuff along.

Ric

trounsontime · #17 02-21-2007, 10:16 AM

Well got at least one positive review now.

I don't really need a loud amp, just a portable one which will stand up to a drummer. If I have a rock gig I'll always just go into the PA through the balanced out. Just want something to rehearse with and it fits the bill. (the GK costs twice as much here in the UK. I've had it up to here with my Ashdown EB150, it's broken down twice and I don't need an amp that big in any case. I'll be looking at the Roland closer in the near future. Thanks for everyone's help, really appreciated.

cigi · #18 02-21-2007, 12:49 PM

At my music school they have a new roland cube 100 for big band practice and it is a very good amp for the money. I used it for both my electric basses and my DB with shadow pickup. The superflat position is idd very good for DB. It is more then loud enough to compete with the band and I even do the gigs with it without going through the p.a..

I really recommend it for the price.

trounsontime · #19 02-22-2007, 03:24 PM

Good. Strangely enough I played through two bass amps today while rehearsing, both were designed for electric bass. The Peavey amp I used-think it was the TKO or something, 15" speaker, sounded quite bad but I used the Marshall B150 and it sounded rather lovely with my realist. Just had to set it flat, had the gain nice and low and it sounded just like my bass but louder, which is exactly what I've been wanting.

nottswarwick · #20 02-22-2007, 04:42 PM

I have the newer Cube 100. for the cash it is excellent. Gets my vote. I use my USA Jazz through it for my latin Duo, so it is plenty loud for this.

For my full band, I use Markbass stuff, to give me the headroom.