What is the best Jazz Solid-State Amp for under $500

**Sphereacidburn** · 05-25-2009, 07:21 PM

I was wondering I either want a Fender Frontman well thats all I can afford or A Roland Cube 80x since the cube 60 are not made any more

**Blair** · 05-25-2009, 07:38 PM

The Roland Cube is definitely the better choice out of the two you have listed, I have the Cube 60 and it has been great, I can even get a decent jazz sound out of my strat with it. I don't know too much about other jazz amps tho. I think you could maybe find a used Jazz Chorus for 500, but it would be tough. Also maybe a used polytone for that price.

**Sphereacidburn** · 05-25-2009, 08:11 PM

The only problem is I hear Polytones break done often

**wizard3739** · 05-25-2009, 08:25 PM

Don't believe the rumors! My Polytone was made in 1977 and has NEVER had any kind of problem!

wiz

**Sphereacidburn** · 05-25-2009, 08:34 PM

The Only problem is I have a Max budget of $500

**rio** · 05-25-2009, 08:43 PM

You can get a Polytone for well under 500. My first one lasted about 8 years of heavy use...beer spilled in it, many smokey bars, lots of rough handling trying to lug it around a city....I still want to get it fixed some time because it was a great amp. Second one I have had around two years now and it is fine but I really liked the first one...anyways if it is just for jazz and you are going solid state then get a Polytone for like 300 or less off ebay.

The Roland Cubes are great but more in a versatile way. Good jazz tone but can't quite compete with Polytone imo, but makes up for it with all of the features/modeling and with a speaker replacement becomes an excellent jack of all trades.

**mr. beaumont** · 05-25-2009, 08:46 PM

my polytone is over 20 years old, and it's still kicking.

i don't know, it seems for every "dead polytone" story ther's one like mine and wiz's.

**NSJ** · 05-25-2009, 09:25 PM

I bought my Polytone Mini Brute IV used off of ebay for $350--it's from the 80s and still works like a charm, just as long as you don't use any distortion or a ton of 'verb.

Those work and function, of course. You'll not want to use them, because they sound real bad.

Clean channel, all the way, at least with this great, old, inexpensive one trick pony!

**bluemood** · 05-25-2009, 10:20 PM

Checkout the new roland cube 80X new for $399.

**mmukav** · 05-27-2009, 09:42 AM

Roland Cube!

**kawa** · 05-28-2009, 12:34 AM

Peavey TransTube !

"Envoy 110 Jazz Tone Test" (Ser.G0113936 & G0113942)
Refer.Amp:'66 Vibrolux Reverb(C10NS×2) V2.5 T1(Min) B3.5
Inst.:'67 ES-175DN
"Results" Envoy Settinng:Modern Mode B3 M2 H0
Very nice fat Jazz Tone.
Blue Marvel Speaker is good and also TransTube circuit.

**Little Jay** · 05-28-2009, 06:11 AM

Roland Cube!

**gazda** · 05-29-2009, 07:48 AM

a used AER Alpha?

**theo** · 05-29-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

my polytone is over 20 years old, and it's still kicking.

same here. these amps are great!

**heavyblues** · 05-31-2009, 08:05 PM

Oh maaaan I love my Roland Cube 60. I am so thankful that I found out about it, I was lost in trying to find a good jazz amp! The cube 60 is better than the 30 as well, it is waay more worth it considering not only loudness but the 'bright' switch and presence knob which function differently from the treble knob. I love this amp so much and I couldn't be happier. The JC-clean setting is what I always use, very clear and uncolored...add a speaker muting recording out/hedphone jack and you have it all.

I won't say its the best amp on the planet..??, but for about $400 you can't find anything with that many options, versatility and clean sound in my opnion.

I doubt you will regret it for jazz.

**TieDyedDevil** · 05-31-2009, 08:41 PM

Here are a couple in that price range that I like:

1. Fender Jazz King: You should be able to find a used one at around $500. The amp has superb EQ and enough power to play anywhere. The reverb is not your typical Fender sproingy reverb; it's lush with a long decay time, almost like a good hall reverb. The Jazz King is too large and heavy to haul around on public transportation, but it comes with wheels to help ease the burden.

2. If you want small and lightweight, you can't beat the AAD Cub. I wrote a brief review in another thread: https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...-ag-100-a.html . I got mine for $399 new from SamAsh.com, shipping included. They don't seem to carry it any more. A quick Google search turns up several vendors.

**monkmiles** · 06-04-2009, 02:05 PM

You can get a Cube 60 still for $299 new (not sure for how much longer) or the 80x for $399.

**FWBO** · 06-05-2009, 10:36 AM

I've got a Cube 60 and I absolutely love the jazz sound it makes. I haven't played through a Polytone but from sound samples I guess the Cube 60 is similar and can be bought with a warranty.

I've also got a Fender Jazz King which I like but it requires more tweaking to make it sound good. The Cube 60 you just set everything to 12 o'clock.

If you like the Jazz King then you may be able to buy it discounted new as it is being discontinued.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-05-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by FWBO

I haven't played through a Polytone but from sound samples I guess the Cube 60 is similar and can be bought with a warranty.

.

I feel like the JC Clean model on the Cubes sounds a lot more like it sounds like an actual JC, so I'd say you're right.

**Bertrand tB** · 06-07-2009, 06:07 AM

I have the Cube 60 and have good experiences with all my guitars, jazz boxes as well as solids and semi's. It's my main amp for jazz.

**Jake Hanlon** · 06-07-2009, 10:09 AM

transtube GROSS. If you've found a good setting for one of those misfits I'd like to hear what you're doing. A Solid state amp should be a solid state amp in and of itself, not trying to be a tube amp.

I also support the Roland amps, I use one all the time now on gigs and in teaching. I love tube amps, but mine is currently not working and so I must use the Roland.

Lately I've been thinking about getting a Polytone, it's not that when they break is the issue, it's that they are not customer friendly with repairs and advice. Literally it's a warehouse with a supposid angry lady answering the phone all day about people with broken amplifiers.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-07-2009, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jake Hanlon

Lately I've been thinking about getting a Polytone, it's not that when they break is the issue, it's that they are not customer friendly with repairs and advice. Literally it's a warehouse with a supposid angry lady answering the phone all day about people with broken amplifiers.

that's what i've heard too...

jake, from the recordings i've heard of your playing, i wonder if you'd dig a polytone? they're really a one trick pony, IMHO--but a nice trick, nonetheless. still, that trick doesn't seem to be your tone (which i dig, btw)

**bluemood** · 06-07-2009, 06:41 PM

Has anyone actually played through a roland cube 80X ...I would like some feed back on it...Thanks

**gary mitchell** · 06-09-2009, 12:22 AM

are you going to gig with this amp,are just play it in your house, my pastor is a good jazz guitarist. he even plays a little jazz in our worship service where i play bass instead of guitar. he uses a fender blues jr and mikes it and it sounds great.. it helps that he is a very good muscian. i use a jc 120 i got on ebay in very good shape for $450.00

**jazzalta** · 06-09-2009, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by bluemood

Has anyone actually played through a roland cube 80X ...I would like some feed back on it...Thanks

I compared my cube 60 to the 80X and found that the 80 seemed to lack the headroom of the 60. Probably because its not ported. Sound wise my 60 seemed warmer? Plus for me I didn't need the extra bells and whistles.