Roland MICRO CUBE RX Bass Combo Amp

[juancaminos]

Who was working knowledge of this amp? I am interested in how well it works under battery power. Would like to use it camping but would also like to use it in acoustic/bluegrass situations. In the blue grass type jams I just want to slightly amplify an acoustic bass, they aren't very loud as you know. Also would like to use it as sound with my IPod while camping.

Thanks

 

[Wasnex]

Who was working knowledge of this amp? I am interested in how well it works under battery power. Would like to use it camping but would also like to use it in acoustic/bluegrass situations. In the blue grass type jams I just want to slightly amplify an acoustic bass, they aren't very loud as you know. Also would like to use it as sound with my IPod while camping.

Thanks

Some people seem to think they are okay, but in my experience they are barely louder than a good ABG like a Tacoma Thunderchief. I think they would be okay as a desktop practice amp, but I wouldn't expect one to hold it's own really well against a couple of nice acoustic guitars around the camp fire. You will be heard, but you probably won't be satisfied.

IMHO the Roland Cube Street EX is about the best band for the buck. Don't get confused and buy the regular Cube Street because it makes about the same volume as the Bass Cube RX. The Cube Street EX is by no means a loud amp, but I am pretty confident it will amplify bass loud enough to hold your own against some nice acoustic guitars.
https://www.roland.com/us/products/cube_street_ex/

Roland also makes a couple of keyboard amps that fall between the Cube Street EX and the Bass Cube RX. Check out the older KC110 and newer KC220.
https://www.roland.com/us/products/kc-110/
https://www.roland.com/us/products/kc-220/

Roland also make a battery powered speaker that is bigger and louder than the Cube Street EX although it makes less power. Check out the BA-330.
https://www.roland.com/us/products/ba-330/

Another option would be to get a pure-sine power station, and use one of your existing amps. I recently came across a company called Jackery, which seems to make some nice power stations at a decent price. For the price of a new Cube Street EX you can buy a Jackery Explorer 500 which is big enough to power a fairly large amp. I believe the smallest pure-sine power station Jackery makes is the Explorer 240. Which is best depends upon how much you want to spend and what you want to run with it. If you have a small amp like an Trace Elliot ELF the Explorer 240 would probably be fine.

I have also considered a company called Goal Zero which makes similar product to Jackery. I believe the smallest pure-sine power station Goal Zero makes is the Yeti 400.

Portable Power Station, Power Outdoors - Jackery
Goal Zero

If you go with one of the Roland amps, be advised that they all take AA batteries. So if you want rechargeable, buy a bunch of Eneloops and a charger or two, as none of them have built-in chargers.

Good luck!

 

[juancaminos]

I have a Thunderchief but it cannot be heard over Martins and Taylors with a random Banjo or Mandolin thrown in. Just wanted a little more ump. I found a used Micro Cube for $125 and though about giving it a try. I need another amp like I need another hole in my head. So, after reading what you have to say, I think I'll pass.

BTW, the fact that they take AA batteries is a deal breaker as well. I though they had a built in rechargeable cell or something. I do have a few portable generators including the one built into my motor home. But I have to say that the battery pack sounds like something to explore. Thanks again!

 

[Wasnex]

I have a Thunderchief but it cannot be heard over Martins and Taylors with a random Banjo or Mandolin thrown in. Just wanted a little more ump. I found a used Micro Cube for $125 and though about giving it a try. I need another amp like I need another hole in my head. So, after reading what you have to say, I think I'll pass.

I own a Tacoma as well. In my experience the Tacoma can be heard by other people around the campfire, so it definitely adds to the music. But it's not a joy for the player because you can barely hear yourself.

I think the Bass Cube RX will fill out the sound some, but I would not expect much a bump in volume. My experience is based on trying a Cube Street RX in-store. I was actually surprised by how little volume it produced based on how positive the reviews are.

Also, when I was in the military, I asked our supply section to buy a couple of the Cube Street EXs. Unfortunately they went to Guitar Center and let the salesman talk them into accepting the Regular Cube Street version. I did a gig where I ran my Tacoma through two of the Regular Cube Streets and I could only push them slightly louder than the acoustic level of the Tacoma before distortion. They worked fine for vocals and guitar.

The Bass Cube RX has the same power rating as the regular Cube Street. I have never played them side by side, but from my memory they are approximately the same volume.

The Cube Street EX is rated for 10 times the power and has bigger woofers, and I am pretty confident it will be fine for camp fire duty or light busking. A compressor and an HPF pedal can get you a bit more headroom.

If I were planning to do battery powered gigs and weight and portability was a concern, I think the Cube Street EX would be my choice. I do think the BA-330 is louder but it also weighs twice as much at 30lbs.

If I wasn't concerned about weight, I might get one of the Jackery Explorer 500 power stations and use one of my existing amps.

Some videos you may find useful:

 

[lug]

If you are rich, the Phil Jones Double4 and a laptop battery that puts out 19 or 20 V is a great solution. Be prepared to rob multiple liquor stores on your way to purchase.