Roland Cube 20X

aon

aon

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So I got this thing for very cheap because the modeling selection switch on the lead channel works intermittently. When you turn it around enough, it will eventually select a random model. The amp has the benefit of being small and having a double insulated power supply, aux in and headphone output. Just what I need for the summer. So I figured if the lead channel turns out to be unrepairable, I can live with just the clean.

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It opens up by removing the handle and three screws in the bottom that screw into the MDF. Someone has previously tried to open it unsuccessfully by turning the screws that mount the transformer and some other parts...

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Opening up there's a strong smell of CRC 5-56 (which is what is commonly used instead of WD-40 for "everything" here). Someone's definitely been inside before. Anyway, RSW1 is the culprit.

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The Roland service manual is easily found and has the Alpha part number for the rotary switch:

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The part at mouser isn't that expensive but shipping is 20€ at minimum (and I don't have other stuff to order to get rid of the shipping fee...)

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Guess I'll ask around a bit...
 

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THEY SOUND AWESOME-- while your in there ad an external jack so you can run it to a cabinet. ;) -- oh you will thank me .........

make sure its the kid that cust the feed to the speaker when you plug the cab in ......loads of fun man
 
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I used to jam with a guy who lived elsewhere. He was in town once a month for a week or so. He stored a Cube 30 and a Squier Bullet strat here to use at jams. He was a very good player. His tone with gear that cost him around $200 was phenomenal. Those little Rolands sound pretty good.
 
It works!

A local shop had Ninigi SR17A1620F69N for 3,30€ + 5€ shipping. I ordered other stuff as well to share the shipping... could've gone to pick it up too and either pay 2,80€ for bus fare or roughly the same for parking. I was lazy and had it delivered. Either way, cheaper than Mouser by quite a bit. The shaft was a bit too long but I was able to shorten it.
 
Other musings that came into mind from browsing the very nice Roland service manual:
  • It's a pretty ridiculous idea but it looks like it's possible to modify the 20X to have the 30X power stage by simply populating the missing components according to the schematic. This will make the output 8 ohms instead of 4 meaning that the speaker needs to be swapped. Don't know if there are any 8" 8ohm 30W or above speakers which would mean that the speaker hole needs to be enlarged as well (the 30X has 10"). Or maybe it'd be possible to have a 8 ohm 30W speaker output but have half of the power stage disabled when running into the internal speaker.
  • It's probably not possible to get more amp models on the 20X just by swapping the 6-position selector switch to a 8-position as the amp models look to be quite different on the 20X vs the 30X. I guess the EEPROM has different software in it for the 30X. Maybe if there was a dump of the 30X ROM contents. I guess you could add a switch to swap which ROM gets power and have the models from both in the same amp available by flipping a switch and re-booting? :D
I'll have to keep my eyes open, maybe one day I'll stumble upon a broken 30X and can build the Boogie mk. 1 of cheap transistor combos.
 
aon said:
So I got this thing for very cheap because the modeling selection switch on the lead channel works intermittently. When you turn it around enough, it will eventually select a random model. The amp has the benefit of being small and having a double insulated power supply, aux in and headphone output. Just what I need for the summer. So I figured if the lead channel turns out to be unrepairable, I can live with just the clean.

View attachment 66266 View attachment 66267

It opens up by removing the handle and three screws in the bottom that screw into the MDF. Someone has previously tried to open it unsuccessfully by turning the screws that mount the transformer and some other parts...

View attachment 66268

Opening up there's a strong smell of CRC 5-56 (which is what is commonly used instead of WD-40 for "everything" here). Someone's definitely been inside before. Anyway, RSW1 is the culprit.

View attachment 66269

The Roland service manual is easily found and has the Alpha part number for the rotary switch:

View attachment 66270

The part at mouser isn't that expensive but shipping is 20€ at minimum (and I don't have other stuff to order to get rid of the shipping fee...)

View attachment 66271

Guess I'll ask around a bit...
Click to expand...

Why don't we buy the switch for you, and mail it to you as a birthday present?
Maybe I can sent it Viking Express... :unsure:
 
I used to jam with a guy who lived elsewhere. He was in town once a month for a week or so. He stored a Cube 30 and a Squier Bullet strat here to use at jams. He was a very good player. His tone with gear that cost him around $200 was phenomenal. Those little Rolands sound pretty good.
[/QUOTE]

I have a MicroCube that I got for $25.00. Works perfectly and is a great little practice amp!
 
aon said:
Other musings that came into mind from browsing the very nice Roland service manual:
  • It's a pretty ridiculous idea but it looks like it's possible to modify the 20X to have the 30X power stage by simply populating the missing components according to the schematic. This will make the output 8 ohms instead of 4 meaning that the speaker needs to be swapped. Don't know if there are any 8" 8ohm 30W or above speakers which would mean that the speaker hole needs to be enlarged as well (the 30X has 10"). Or maybe it'd be possible to have a 8 ohm 30W speaker output but have half of the power stage disabled when running into the internal speaker.
  • It's probably not possible to get more amp models on the 20X just by swapping the 6-position selector switch to a 8-position as the amp models look to be quite different on the 20X vs the 30X. I guess the EEPROM has different software in it for the 30X. Maybe if there was a dump of the 30X ROM contents. I guess you could add a switch to swap which ROM gets power and have the models from both in the same amp available by flipping a switch and re-booting? :D
I'll have to keep my eyes open, maybe one day I'll stumble upon a broken 30X and can build the Boogie mk. 1 of cheap transistor combos.
Click to expand...

I found the switch for $1.52
so why don't you PM your shipping address and we will see how much the shipping is.
 
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@JohnnyGoo has my old micro cube.... that WAS @Hackmaster old Micro Cube ...... and has had a jack added to run to a larger cab.

the little amp is good on its onw its STUPID GOOD into a 1x12 .......

See gear just flows around here..... eventually Aon -- that Roland will end up stateside ;) so take good care of my new used amp BUWAHAHAHAHAHA
 
Can't go wrong with a Cube.
The battery ones are great for testing gear and just messing around in remote places.
Camp grounds, street festivals, outhouses, etc...
I've had a few and I'm sure I'll have another.
 
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