Any Roland Jazz Chorus (JC) users out there?

[bduersch]

I've been playing in a 30-piece big band for several years, and gone through quite a few amps. My latest venture has been a '78 Fender Deluxe Reverb, which has killer tone but nowhere near enough power to keep it clean above the rest of the band. So I was debating getting a more powerful Fender (like the Twin Reverb), but also considering the Roland Jazz Chorus route. I know it's all solid-state (which if nothing else would keep maint. costs lower), but really don't have any hands on experience (and haven't found any local stores with 'em in stock yet).

My biggest priorities are that it's gotta be loud, clean, and have reverb--I really don't care about distortion or other FX (I will likely use a Mesa V-Twin in the event that I do need some distortion).

Anyway, does anybody have a JC, or has anybody even played the JC models extensively? It seems like the JC120 and (discontinued) JC77 get pretty good reviews, the JC90 seems to get mixed reviews. I'd just like a little more perspective, partly b/c I never completely trust the reviews over at Harmony Central!

--B

[kent]

I think that amp would be perfect for what you need. They are extremely clean and can get very loud. I think they are a bit more transparent than a Fender Twin. What I mean by that is that you can really tell the quality of the tone from your guitar with the Roland and the Fender seems to be a little more forgiving. I think this is actually a good thing because you can use the dynamics of your playing and the controls on your instrument to play more expressively. Don't get me wrong, I love Fender Twins, they just have their own tone.

The chorus on the 120 is really usefull as well. Used in moderation, it adds a thickness to your sound without a lot of modulation. I played a JC120 years ago in a jazz band in high school and college and it was a blast.

Another suggestion I would make is to invest in a really great compressor (like a Carl Martin or something similiar.) Not to squash the crap out of your tone but to keep the transient frequencies from jumping out while playing at a high volume with a clean tone.

On a side note, the JC120 is also a much more versatile amp than people usually assume. It takes pedals very well and with a Tube Screamer or a Rat you can get some killer classic rock tones.

Good luck.

[bammbamm]

Unfortuantely I haven't played with them much, but I saw a band use one live that had the best mix of clean/dirty tone I've EVER heard !
The guitarist split the signal between a Marshall and his JC120 and had just a low distortion dialed in on the Marshall and the Roland had a great clean sound, together, BLISS!

If I ever come across one at the right price, I will grab it.

Bamm

[bduersch]

Originally Posted by kent

Another suggestion I would make is to invest in a really great compressor (like a Carl Martin or something similiar.) Not to squash the crap out of your tone but to keep the transient frequencies from jumping out while playing at a high volume with a clean tone.

What good timing! I just bought a Martin compressor earlier this week!

--B

[BeastofLove]

-double post- oopsie.

[BeastofLove]

Originally Posted by kent

On a side note, the JC120 is also a much more versatile amp than people usually assume. It takes pedals very well and with a Tube Screamer or a Rat you can get some killer classic rock tones.

It's funny you mention those pedals...

My best friend of going on 14 years now has had a JC-120 for all those years. It is a very bright and clean sounding amp. Very Hi-Fi sounding... no warmth or big midrange to speak of. I always thought of it as very clinical sounding, which definately has its plusses- for one, piezos sound AWESOME through the amp, whereas a Fender makes the piezos sound kind of like a more defined but still magnetic pickup. Single coil guitars sound crisp and defined... very articulate and punchy. The chours sounds very nice, and the thing surely does get loud... and does stay clean.

The reverb isn't as sweet as a Fender reverb (IMO). The reverb sounds a bit more... 'distant' and... slapbacky for lack of a better term. It's not bad or unuseable, but don't expect full, lush reverb.

Lastly, every distortion / overdrive pedal through it sounds like complete ass. It takes distortion pedals and turns them into mosquitos. I've never quite heard an amp do that like the JC-120. Perhaps a real Tube Screamer or Jekyll&Hyde's 'Jekyll' channel would beef up the sound enough to combat the shrillness. He has a Rat, and it sounds like: low end, and screaming fuzzy piercing high end. And it seems to do this with the distortion pedals I remember running through it in recent memory... Danelectro FabTone, Rat, Tube King, and Zinky True Grit. That amp just killed all those pedals... the distortion really...

It's kind of like someone hitting you in the ass with a sledgehammer while someone else blows shards of glass into your face with a power-washer. Y'know? It's like, "Where's the love?".

So, really really try to give the thing a shot in the store before you buy. I was destroying a number of things at Guitar Center this weekend, and they had a new one... I think for $699 or something. So if you can, see if one of those big chains can get one in for you. You really want to make sure the effects you have will be compatible with this amp.

And BTW- I like the amp. Not to mention it makes a great acoustic amp.

-Ben

[tobe]

I used one a bit in college jazz band days, and I loved it. The amp has become a staple, well in some circles in the jazz world for a reason. They are loud enough to cut through a big band, especially if you are doing the old big band era, duke ellington, etc....but will still cut through on single lines, etc. I am a tube snob , but if I had the extra cash, and the desire to haul another piece of gear around I would most assuredly pick one up. However, like the others said, try one out, I have no idea 'bout driving dist. pedals through em, but for clean, they can't be beat! Good luck, Tobe

[trouble311]

Originally Posted by BeastofLove

It's kind of like someone hitting you in the ass with a sledgehammer while someone else blows shards of glass into your face with a power-washer. Y'know? It's like, "Where's the love?".

On a side note, this was THE funniest thing I heard/read all day.

[bduersch]

Originally Posted by trouble311

On a side note, this was THE funniest thing I heard/read all day.

I gotta agree. I think I've quoted that line at least 3 times since I read it earlier today. For being so hilarious, it's remarkably descriptive!

Actually, all these reviews have been really helpful. Normally I'm a tube snob as well... my amps now consist of a Mark IV, Egnater TOL100, Marshall TSL, and the Fender DR (and the thought of getting a rectifier occasionally crosses my mind), but it sounds like the JC120 may be where it's at (loud & clean) for the money. There are a couple folks in Ohio with JC120's for sale in the $350-400 range, and I think I'm gonna pick one of 'em up this weekend to give it a test drive.

--B

[BeastofLove]

If you're not using distortion, given the use you described above, I think the amp will work great for you. Because that off-color description above really sums up my feeling toward its dist. sound

Also, given the amps you already have, this will be a great change of pace! It's always nice to have some variety in the stable. Good luck, and given the price of JC-120's on the used market, if you don't like it you can generally sell it for the same price that you bought it for.

-Ben

[Mr Orange]

I had a JC a couple of years ago. I really don't get why it is so popular.
IMNSHO, it's one of the most overrated amps ever. Too clinical, no life, the chorus sucked tone. I can think of it being great for producing headaches and ultimately nasty high-pitch tinnitus.

For jazz applications, get a Twin or a Vibroverb instead. Or a fancy Victoria.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by bduersch

I gotta agree. I think I've quoted that line at least 3 times since I read it earlier today. For being so hilarious, it's remarkably descriptive!

Yeah, I started cracking up, too, when I saw that.

Brent, between that arsenal of yours, I'm sorta suprised you feel the need for another "clean" amp. Tweaked right, I had no problem playing jazz on my TSL, and I'd think you could get enough clean headroom out of that. And a lot of people dig the Mark-IV clean, too- neither of those is cutting it?

I think, after a few odd looks when you show up with a half-stack to a big band gig, most people will get over it...

-D

[tobe]

Originally Posted by Drew

I think, after a few odd looks when you show up with a half-stack to a big band gig, most people will get over it...

-D

Not to offend, as everyone does have different opinions, which is cool , but if the player in question plays in a serious jazz/big band, and there is a huge difference between a jazz and big band as well, a half stack would probably not be tolerated. In high school jazz programs it would be one thing, but out in the "real world"? nah....Would a classical guitarist perform with an ovation instead of a, say Ramiez? Would a jazz player use a B.C Rich Mockingbird? I know players such as Jim Soloway, a member of this forum, use non-traditional instruments, I'm not sure how much he gigs, but in the jazz world there is still quite a bit of snobbery, and backlash towards anything rock n roll....

Furthermore, back to the point The JC would be a great addition to his amp collection. Just because an amp can play clean doesn't mean that is what its best at...right now I have an older triple rec, and like I stated above if I was crazy enough to drag another amp around, I would pick up a jazz chorus, cuz even though I am a tube snob, the JC's clean is a lot better than the clean on the rec. Heck, I have an older peavy practice amp that gets some pretty good clean tones, solid state does have its place Just my additional 2 cents, have a good day, Tobe

[BeastofLove]

Well I think a Fender Dual Showman stack would look simply killer on-stage with a big band! And those amps go for cheap cheap when you compare them to comparable Vibro-King's and such. There is one on the Bay now with the speaker cab in very nice shape.

-Ben

[tonluvara]

i've used this amp a few times a few years ago (and during that time, i still didn't know much about amps, just plugged in to whatever sounded nice). one very noticable thing, the amp is VERY VERY loud. of course i was jamming in a small room but at the number 2.5 on the volume knob, the amp was already louder than the drum (mind this, my drummer was a crazy one, he hits the drums like mad)

and the amp produced really sweet clean sound. the best i've ever heard. even a cheap distortion pedal sounded lovely through it. i used a zoom 505II and it was a killer through it (to show how good the amp is)