Cube 60 as a gigging amp

[steevc]

I've just joined my first band who play rock/punk covers. My old Peavey Backstage sounds a bit weedy, so I'm looking for something beefier. There's a Marshall Valvestate at the rehearsal studio that sounds pretty good, but I will need something for when we start gigging.

I don't have a huge budget, so had been looking at things like the Line 6 Spiders and Vox Valvetronix for getting a variety of sounds. Having seen the Cubes mentioned here a lot I am intruiged by those. If the 60 has enough power for pub gigs then it could be ideal. Being able to switch in the effects could be useful. I may be able to patch into the PA if it can't cope.

I'm interested to know how people use the Cube when gigging. Does anyone use extra effects? Do you change the settings between songs?

Much as I'd love a nice valve amp, like the other guitarist's Laney, I can't justify the cost. If someone in the Mid-Bedfordshire area wants to tempt me with a second-hand amp then I may be interested.

Cheers.

Steve

[flatout]

I've been gigging recently with my cube 60 - and it's very good for the money spent. However, if you want to switch channels and effects on or off you need three seperate non latching footswitches - one for channel, one for chorus/flange/phase and one for delay/reverb. Even if you go for the cheap bespecco pedals rather than expensive roland/boss ones you're in for another £12-14 each.

However, if you're interested in a reliable gigging amp for not much money, I have a Fender M-80 combo from the early nineties that I'm selling for £70.

Easily loud enough for pubs & clubs, two channels, reverb & a headphone socket for quiet practice. Fotswitch included and I can deliver (i'm in Northampton)

Cheers

Steve

[Sir Axeman]

I love the Cubes...they sound great...but I never liked them loud..they to my ears start sounding fake(showing their true digital colours) up at high volume...at least my Cube 30 did...and my microcube also sounds naff when you turn it up to its loudest. My advice is to get the amp you've been playing at your rehearsal space...buy a used Valvestate off ebay..preferably the mk I series ie not the AVT's. I think they were/are great amps...but the AVT's seem to not have same good reputation as the older ones...hmm maybe the one you've been using is an AVT???

[jalapeno]

Another +1 for the old Valvestates, I use to have a VS8080 12" Combo - very reliable and very loud - other guitarist in band still plays his, it has had to go back to Marshall for a new pot, but it is nearly 20 yrs old

Why not a Peavey Bandit ? Also great gigging workhorse amps.

I can't really vouch for the Cube60 as I only ever used mine on the JC120 setting, but that was OK. Seasick Steve rips the guts out of a Cube30.

[tim_caesar]

+1 on the Peavey Bandits. A Bandit was my first gigging amp. Super value for money.

[steevc]

I can afford the Cube and have a double footswitch that I reckon I can make work with it if I change it to momentary switches. It's actually a Roland unit that I got years ago.

Having seen the good opinions of the Cube here plus some Youtube demos I'm very tempted. I'll see if I can get to a shop and try one.

Thanks for the tips.

--
Steve

[GearAddict]

I used my cube 60 at band practice at gig volume - it is certainly loud enough. It's stupendously loud. The cubes seem to have much more body to the sound than equivalent amps, but it is true that they get a bit harsh at volume, like most solid states.

I always thought the Hughes & Kettner solid state stuff seemed to be a bit better at retaining warmth at volume...something like the new Attax 100 combo looks good. Or the older Martix 100. I used to have one of the Edition Blue amps and it sounded very nice.

[Kerpunk]

I easily got my cube60 on full whack at practise once and still couldn't fully hear it over the drums and other guitarist spider 1x12. It doesn't seem to get any louder after about half way and we did have a beast of a drummer

[GearAddict]

Originally Posted by Kerpunk

I easily got my cube60 on full whack at practise once and still couldn't fully hear it over the drums and other guitarist spider 1x12. It doesn't seem to get any louder after about half way and we did have a beast of a drummer

I don't believe you. It must have been broken.