Cube 100 Bass

OLP

I'm getting a new amp for christmas and i've had my eye on this for a long time.

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_artikel-172610.html

I need something around 100 watts as the band is getting tighter and our amp setup is a joke as it is.

I'ts the versatility and effects that drwas my eye to it and i've heard a lot of great things about the cube series, especially from here.

So basicallly what I'm asking is is there any other good amps going for around the same price and does anyone have any first hand experience with this particular amp? I'f it helps I mainly play Punk/Metal/Blues type music but i like to play everything and i want the option of being able to play any style with good sound quality. I'm gonna go into town to try out this and a few others in MusicMaker this weekend. I think it works out at around the same from Thomann and MM.

gogul

I'm currently playing with this

http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/bass/detail.asp?ID=102

Picked it up from Music Maker sometime last year for about €500. It has one helluva kick and sounds extremely sweet. They have a massive range still in Music Maker. I would avoid Waltons for anything to do with basses. Also, check out Musician Inc. Last time I checked they had some nice Laney R2s (that was a while ago though)

Rustar

That Ashdown looks nice, gogul.

OLP, also try the amp at the bottom of your link page, the Behringer Ultrabass 1200 (120w). You will be *amazed*.
If you try the Behringer,
DON'T bother with the Ultrabass button. It's like some kind of modeled effect, subharmonics kick in like a half-second after you hit a note.
DO use the Shape dial....it's a parametric-type EQ for the mids, you can go from thumpy to poppy in a quick sweep of the dial.
The Behringer has great tone, I'm using one at my practices :cool:

The Roland cube looks superb, but the Behringer is half the price, if that's an issue.

Eoin Madsen

I'd take that Roland over the Behringer, tbh.

The cab of the Roland seems a bit small though, that'd be my main reservation.

Rustar

Eoin Madsen wrote:

I'd take that Roland over the Behringer, tbh.

The cab of the Roland seems a bit small though, that'd be my main reservation.

Well o'course....the Roland has all that cool amp modeling and stuff. But....never tried one, so I can't comment on it.
As far as the cab size goes, look what they did with the Microcube! Sheer magic. :v:
I mentioned the Behringer as a price alternative.

Parsley

I got this, great price, really kicky, and goods options. The "deep" and "bright" options work real nice. I'm sooo happy with it. It arrived in 2 days!

OLP

yeah i had been looking at the ashdown mag 300 10x2. it was a choice between that and the cube, but i tought i dont need nearly 300 watts, the main thing i need out of the amp is a good metallic noise, i.e for punk stuff.

It wasn't me!

Well, to be honest, if you want a gigging standard amp, about 300 watts is what you're looking for.

Rustar

Agreed. Wattage is King where bass is concerned. And huge! It's gotta look huge!

And if this is primarily for gigging, you might want to consider a stack or half-stack, a lot easier to carry pieces around than a multi-ton combo.

Eoin Madsen

Rustar wrote:

As far as the cab size goes, look what they did with the Microcube! Sheer magic.

It's different with bass amps though. The size of the cab has a big impact on the low frequency response.

Rustar

Eoin Madsen wrote:

It's different with bass amps though. The size of the cab has a big impact on the low frequency response.

I believe I took care of that last post.

Rustar wrote:

huge! It's gotta look huge!

OLP

i've only got a maximum of 500 to spend, and I wont be doing big gigs anytime soon.

Parsley

Ah but future-proofing my friend. You don't want to be going out and spending another €600 in a year, do you? I didn't think I'd need it, but since I got it I've been offered places in 2 bands. People know me cos I've got "a washing machine sized amp".

Rustar

Here's the stack I'm building, have the head already and I'm picking up the 1x15 cab today.
450 watts, the head plus the 1x15 is $459.00 (400 Euros?) and will be a great rig even before I add the 4x10. Until then, I can hook up the tweeter in the 15 cab.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's an option. Of course, you'll have to pay VAT and shipping, so that'll make it a bit more expensive.

Eoin Madsen

Rustar wrote:

I believe I took care of that last post.

No, wattage is not what I'm talking about, that only affects power and headroom. What I'm saying is that physical size of the cab is crucial in the low frequency response of the drivers.

Rustar

Eoin Madsen wrote:

No, wattage is not what I'm talking about, that only affects power and headroom. What I'm saying is that physical size of the cab is crucial in the low frequency response of the drivers.

Hmmm, sounds like you didn't catch the second quote.... especially as it regards bass, I agree with you 100%. The job of a speaker is to move air, so you need unfettered air behind the speaker as well as in the front. If the air pressure behind the speaker is too high and there's no porting or tuning, then you are effectively choking off the action of the speaker. Ergo, without porting or tuning you need more airspace.

OLP

I might just save a bit more and get the Ashdown Mag 300 2x10 form Sounsdlive, they havent had then in music maker for a while.

Eoin Madsen

Rustar wrote:

so you need unfettered air behind the speaker as well as in the front. If the air pressure behind the speaker is too high and there's no porting or tuning, then you are effectively choking off the action of the speaker. Ergo, without porting or tuning you need more airspace.

Well, it's not nearly as simple as that. Open-backed has extremely poor low frequency response. And whether closed or ported will be better for a given volume depends on the Thiele-Small parameters of the driver. But this is totally beyond the point tbh. More importantly:

1. Behringer speakers have failed to impress me personally, and have a contentious reputation.

B. The power of the Roland (100w) is not at all objectionable in my experience recording or live - unless your plan is to go unmiced or unDI-ed. But

4. The Roland cab appears to be a bit too small to have a respectable low-end response.

VII. Trust your ears over any of the bull**** you read in online forums.

Rustar

Heheh, your numbering scheme is the greatest! 1-B-4-VII!

I concur with number VII and I'll let you know tomorrow, just picked up the 1x15 cab tonight.
Speaking of huge, I had to drive home with the trunk of my Lincoln Town Car open all the way, it's a biiiiig cab!

Edit: Open backed? <shudder> I'd rather poke out my eyes with hot needles!! :eek:

Eoin Madsen

Cool. Looks a right beast alright!

Rustar

Oh...uhhhh...were you saying something, OLP? lol

I should think that Ashdown 300w 2x10 would satisfy your needs nicely, and give you a good punk 'n' metal bass sound. :cool:

OLP

lol thanks, I'll just have to do a little extra saving.

OLP

right so I went looking around and the Ashdown mag 300 2x10 is €524.29 from http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Ashdown-Mag-C210-T-300~ID~3071.asp
including VAT and delivery, I haven't been in town yet so I don't know if Music Maker have it in stock or how much it is.