roland cube 20x or Fender Frontman 25R

[timandbob]

Just wondering, does anyone have an opinion on the Roland Cube 20x or the Fender Frontman 25R? FYI, I have an Epi Dot Deluxe VS. I play classic rock (folksy stuff mostly, Eagles, Beatles, America, etc.) and for the most part, we play amplified acoustics through our PA (Yamaha mixer, Mackie Active SRM450 speakers).

 

I got the Dot (hmm that rhymes), so we could add a little punch to my solos on certain songs. We play mostly in small venues, restaurants and an occasional outdoor venue (still pretty small). Now, I need an small amp for the Dot.

 

So, the 2 small amps I liked the best so far are the Roland Cube 20x and the Fender Frontman 25R. Thoughts?

[Big Norm]

I'm using a cube 30 at home for practicing and nothing would make me change that amp for this purpose. About a cube 20...I don't really know but if it's nearly similar to a 30, don't hesitate. IMHO, Fender are better making tubes amp. I'm using a Blues Jr for gigging and I'm more than happy with it, but I had a few solid state Fender and was disapointed every time.

[charlie brown]

+1 on the Roland Cubes...but I too, am only familiar with the 30 and 60. Vox makes a nice Valvetronix amp in

that range, as well. I guess the best thing to do, is try them all, see which one you love the sound of, the most?

 

CB

[Canine]

I own a little Fender Frontman as my practice amp. It's a nice amp, lots of juice for the money. The clean channel is okay but the lead channel sucks big time. I use a few pedals anyway so I don't bother with it.

 

The Frontman works for me, it's a small amp, lightweight, and it does the job.

[bigtufguy]

Oddly, I USED to own BOTH of these amps. Didn't really care for the Frontman 25R. I LOVED the Cube 20X. Sorry I ever got rid of it. I live in a small apartment and it would rattle the windows in the place. I now have the microcube. If your looking for some good built in effects that sound really good and don't need to play over loud drums or fill a huge space with sound,..try the Cube...IMOHO

[generation zero]

I'm sure Line 6 offers a Spider or something in the same price/feature range... I haven't played the Roland or the Fender, but I've always liked the Line 6 gear I have had opportunities to play through. You might want to try something from them out before you make a purchase.

 

Just throwing another option out there, not in any way saying there's any reason NOT to get the Roland or the Fender, as I have never tried either. I've never needed a smaller amp like that, I play through the Mesa at band practice, and if I need to play something in the house, I throw on headphones and play through a Behringer V-Amp Pro that I have left from my old "Until I Can Afford A Mesa Rig" rig, LOL.

[timandbob]

Thanks all, I appreciate the info. No stores around here have the 20x or 30x, although they had a 4x4 that I played through that sounded great. The Fender 25R i played through at the store was okay and loud enough for what we do and the sound was good enough.

[Fretwired]

I have an Epiphone Dot and a Roland Cube 30x which I rate highly. Great little amp - I'd go for the 30x over the 20x as it has more features and headroom.

 

I also have a Line 6 Spider Jam - great for practice at home but useless for gigging. The sound is too "hi-fi" and unconvincing.

 

I've also just bought a Blackstar HT-5 combo - 5 watts of pure valve tone for peanuts. It's a British company made up of ex-Marshall employees. They also do a head and cab ... worth checking out.

[ef_in_fla]

I had a small Fender and didn't care for it. Maybe consider the Vox Pathfinder too, it has nice clean tones.

[RobinTheHood]

I have a Fender Frontman 15w and I dont like it at all. I only use it for practice when I'm jamming by myself away from home...holidays and such. I would trade it for a cube in a heartbeat.

[RobG]

Roland cubes are great amps. I've played the 30 and have a Micro...love the Micro. Tried a small Frontman but didn't care for it. Haven't heard too much positive discussion about the Frontman amps.

[SlagJones]

Roland Cube 20x > Fender Frontman 25R IMO

[timandbob]

Thanks this is the info I was wanting. I appreciate all of the feedback. I am going to go with the Roland Cube 20x or 30x depending on the pricing I can get (stuck in the budget, you know).

[tramber]

Thanks this is the info I was wanting. I appreciate all of the feedback. I am going to go with the Roland Cube 20x or 30x depending on the pricing I can get (stuck in the budget' date=' you know).[/quote']

 

Let us know how it turns out.

 

Doug-

[Dave]

Another vote for the Roland Cube. I have a Cube 60 at home that I use for practice and recording. I use my Vox AD50VT for gigs and highly recommend it. I bought a Line 6 Spider 75 1-12 and kept it for a few months. After a couple of gigs, I left it at home and started using the Cube 60 again. Later, I bought the Vox and sold the Line 6 on consignment where I bought the Vox.

 

The Cube 60 is LOUD and full of tone. I think the closed back design is a factor. I haven't heard a 30 or a 20, but the design is the same with fewer models.

 

Our other guitar player had a Frontman 25R. We could never hear him, so he bought a Fender 212R. It's a really good sounding 100W SS amp.

 

For power and portability, I'd stick with the Rolands, especially if it's primarily a home practice amp.

[timandbob]

Just to update everyone -- I just took the plunge and ordered the Roland Cube 20X. I should get it in a week. None of the local stores had the 20X, although I did play through a couple of other Cubes. After I get it, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

By the way, after playing out in our band with solely amplified acoustics, last night's gig was the premier for my Epi Dot Deluxe. I just plugged it into our mixer with an EQ pedal.

 

Here is a pic of me after the gig, with my Epi --> click here! (ps it is a facebook pic, so if you don't have facebook I don't know if you can get to it).

 

Thanks for your advice.

[Big Norm]

Good choice timandbob,

You'll be happy with a Roland.

Let us know when you'll have play on it.

Nice picture of you and your Epi...but was it cold in Texas ? You look very heavy dressed to play in a club...lollll

[timandbob]

Good choice timandbob' date='

You'll be happy with a Roland.

Let us know when you'll have play on it.

Nice picture of you and your Epi...but was it cold in Texas ? You look very heavy dressed to play in a club...lollll[/quote']

Thanks, I will. It should arrive next week and then I'll have an opportunity to give it go in early February sometime.

 

As for the weather, it was an outdoor gig (we have outdoor gigs 12 months a year here in San Antonio). The weather was interesting, because it stayed about 55 degrees for the whole 3 hours of our gig, but the wind started and stopped, so it felt colder or warmer depending on that. Plus I was/am ill so, I was being careful to keep warm.

 

FYI, the coldest weather we've played in was 37 degrees; man strings get cold in that weather.

[valriver40]

i had a frontman amp for one day and took it back. when a powered up it had a loud buzz. the cubes are a 100% better.

fyi, two days ago the temp. with wind chill was minus 51. the fingers should freze to the strings in about 2 seconds, no chance of an outdoor gig here.

[timandbob]

fyi' date=' two days ago the temp. with wind chill was minus 51. the fingers should freze to the strings in about 2 seconds, no chance of an outdoor gig here.[/quote']

Ouch, now that's cold.