Boss amps?! :/

EricTheWeary

Only the 80w has the trem - I'd assumed they were modelling amps but reading about them elsewhere the assumption is SS, apparently the old Blues Cubes were SS.
Summer NAMM doesnt start for 2 days so Roland/ Boss seem to have timed their news well to get the publicity!

57Deluxe

so -  what's the deal with the Blues Driver 2??  - and did they really think a moody teen who's only just needing to shave would be a good blues mojo for the amp (although it looked like he was there more for the Les Paul)

DrJazzTap

I was going to say, the blues cube has been around years? I would imagine that when guitarguitar do a blow out deal, these might be worth a punt. I would be intrigued to hear one.

Babones

So it's digital but it has a power control to reduce the wattage. Surely on an amp like this, the master volume will do the trick for cranked sounds at low volumes.

MattG

Babones said:

So it's digital but it has a power control to reduce the wattage. Surely on an amp like this, the master volume will do the trick for cranked sounds at low volumes.

the whole point of master volumes is to get power amp valve distortion at manageable levels, whats the point in doing this with no power amp valves?

capo4th

A shitload of money for a horrible looking amp

Lev

Roland have released a promo video.

Not sure what to make of it, doesn't sound bad but fairly generic. Difficult to know from this clip though.

thecolourbox

"doesn't sound bad but fairly generic"

Isn't that the case for most Boss products?

Oof controversial

monquixote

Sounds alrightish to me. 

If it wasn't a stupid price I'd quite like one.

Jalapeno

Me too, have a Wisdom

EricTheWeary

thecolourbox said:

"doesn't sound bad but fairly generic"

Finally an amp that matches my playing!

Dave_Mc

^ ) Mine too >:D<

Kebabkid

Looks like they've based the styling a bit on their old Roland Blues Cubes (BC 30 & 60). They were great solid state amps endorsed by George Benson and Al DI Meola. As good as they were, they were priced too high and looks like these might be too. Used BC prices offer great bargains.

ICBM

I really like the feature set, pretty much my ideal amp configuration - although independent EQ would have been nice.

I think you should forget that it doesn't have valves in and compare the tone and build quality to other amps in that price range. If it's at least equal on both counts then it's fair value. If it has a ply cab it's already one up on the Fender/Peavey/Laney equivalents...

Unfortunately I can't listen to the demo properly at the moment - on holiday so no decent speakers - but I will when I get the chance.

I think it looks fine, although I'm not a big fan of top-mounted controls or amps with 'Blues' in the model name.

The last series of Roland digital amps didn't sell because they were crap - they didn't actually look *that* bad, I thought... but I tried them and couldn't get one decent sound out of them, and the claimed power outputs were BS.

midlifecrisis

quite like the styling but like to see it in the flesh, and hear it. don't care if its valves or trannies, if it sounds good. seems pricey but im sure deals can be done.

ThePrettyDamned

It sounds alright in the demo, actually. To be fair, I've heard Dumble and clone demos where I think, 'yeah, sounds alright, not that exciting' so I'm probably not a great tone hound for low and mid gain stuff.

Problem is, a however good it is, I feel that guitarists will think it's just a modelling amp that should be cheap. Because t00bs are better man.

Lev

Some more videos coming out...

Octahedron

There's just something cool about a chunky old guy like that when they kick back in their big chair with a big old semi-hollow and just knock out some blues licks... every time, like it never gets old. And they just look like they're getting a kick out of it.

It looks like a cool little amp actually. I'd buy one for ornamental purposes :P

Nah I'd play it. It seems alright hey? 

Heartfeltdawn

ThePrettyDamned said:

Problem is, a however good it is, I feel that guitarists will think it's just a modelling amp that should be cheap. Because t00bs are better man.

Plenty of guitarists don't think modelling amps should be cheap. Kemper, Axe FX etc. 

The last series of Roland digital amps didn't sell because they were crap - they didn't actually look *that* bad, I thought... but I tried them and couldn't get one decent sound out of them, and the claimed power outputs were BS.

@ICBM. Are you talking abotu the Roland GA amps? I had the GA212 and it was a deeply flawed amp. Overpriced, some very cheap elements, the cab was ridiculously heavy, and it was a big disappointment. 

dano91

EricTheWeary said:

Dolphin have the 60w on pre order for £439. If that included the foot switch super but taking it over £500 would produce a sharp intake of breath.

We sure do! I can confirm that the footswitch is 'optional' which means it would be £524 for the 60W & Footswitch.

My impressions so far is that they will be a good little amp with plenty of positives, but whether they are good enough to justify a switch from valve is another question completely. If they sound as good as a valve, it's a bargain around £500. But will they sound as good?