Roland Cube 100 Bass Amp

A Polytone Killer for the Jazz Guys

Although this is marketed as a bass amp, the Roland Cube 100 Bass makes a great compact guitar amp for jazz players. Because I don?t need the heavy distortion COSM models on the Cube 60 and want the better low end response of a bass amp, this amp fits my playing style perfectly. Playing a Washburn J4 into it, I get a great warm but clear tone using the B-Man model. The Fliptop is good for a Wes Montgomery vibe. I have had a lot of fun using the Octave model with the built-in T-Wah ? instant Soulive or Bootsy Collins! On the other hand, the Super Flat model works nicely for plugging in an acoustic with pickup. At the very end of a note as it fades out you might hear a little hiss if you have the treble way up, but it is much less than you hear out of a Roland JC120. And speaking of the JC120, the Super Flat model with the Chorus effect turned on and Shape button pressed provides a pretty decent simulation although it is not stereo. Overall this is a killer amp and to me a bargain for all that it does. It has excellent built-in effects, volume aplenty, outputs for recording and hooking to a PA, and you can dial in any tone you want. It isn?t the prettiest looking amp in the world but it?s a Roland and solidly built.

Reviewed by Groovetube66 on 10/9/2006 who plays Jazz and some Rock.