Roland Blues Cube ArtistFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 59 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment80%
PROS 80%
CONS 20%

Rank based on 59 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want tube-like tone without the weight or maintenance of valves
  • You need consistent tone at any volume, from bedroom to gig level
  • You play pedals into the front end and want a versatile clean-channel platform

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a cheap overdrive/crunch tone without buying extra Tone Capsules
  • You already have a valve amp you're happy with and won't be swayed by feature sets
  • You want a footswitch and low-power modes included in the box

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choiceYou are here
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners consistently say it sounds and behaves like a real tube amp. Multiple commenters describe being fooled into thinking the Blues Cube Artist was a valve amp, even in guitar shops, and say its clean tones sound amazing enough that they'd assume tube circuitry if they didn't know better. Long-term owners call it their forever amp, citing consistency, warmth, and touch-sensitivity that rivals or beats their tube gear, while also noting it retains its tone character even at very low volumes, unlike many valve amps.

Tone Capsules add flexibility but split opinion on value. Several owners praise the swappable Tone Capsules (Ultimate Blues, Robben Ford, New York Blues, Eric Johnson) for effectively turning the amp into multiple different amps, restoring low end or adding Vox-like character. However, many call them expensive, hard to find secondhand, and possibly responsible for some of the amp's mixed reputation online, with some owners saying they've never felt the need to buy one at all.

The crunch/overdrive channel gets more mixed feedback than the cleans. While the clean channel earns near-universal praise for being rich and beautiful, several users say the crunch channel can sound thin, muddy, artificial, or lacking sustain compared to tube amps, especially without a Tone Capsule installed. Others found certain drive pedals didn't pair well with the amp's gain channel, though a few reported great results with the right pedal or Tone Capsule combination.

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