Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

IMENATOR

IMENATOR

Well-known member
I really like the sound of clean Roland amps like JC120 and the Cube 40/80, I even have a Cube 40 myself but I am planing on getting something louder but not break the bank bacause I don't need amp modelers (I already like tone from my pedals) and I don't plan investing a lot of money to get distortion from the amp (not like I don't like the idea, is jsut I am under budget here).

Any alternatives?
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

If you're on a used gear budget, then my search would start and end at an older Peavey SS amp. They also had Stereo Chorus amps, and at one point they had four different sizes. Models like the Bandit, Special and Renown are good workhorse amps with proven track records...and they can be had for $250 or less in my area. The Fender SS stuff sounds relatively Fender-y, but I would probably opt for the Peavey--IME, they have been more reliable and Peavey's Customer Service has always been very helpful to me.

Different conversation if you have $700 to spend and are looking for a tube amp.

Bill
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

If you like your pedals, don't go with solid state, find a 30 - 50W tube amp.

Keep your eye out for a Peavey Classic 50 212 or 410 combo. They come up cheap every once in awhile, and they have the best all tube clean tone of any amp in it's price range, used. The bonus is that the gain channel sounds really good too....even better than most Fender gain channels.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

i've always found that of you like the sound of a particular piece of gear thats its worth waiting and saving until you can get it. Firstly, you get the sound you wanted initially, and secondly you save money in the long run by not swapping/buying gear that does not deliver what you are after. Another rule of thumb for me at least is: if you have wanted a piece of gear for over a year then you will get good use out of it and you wont be spending hard earned cash on a kind of impulse/compromise purchase that does not get you what you need.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

I have to agree with Gearjoneser. The C50 will do LOUD and clean in spades, is built like a tank, and can be had used for very reasonable prices. However, gibson175 makes a good point. If a JC120 is what you want, save till you can afford one.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

its amazing to me that the word "Affordable" has made three of the previous responses
Peavey

the OP mentions the JC120. to me that mean he wants a clean SS amp

I have to agree the Peavey's line of solid state amps are impressive

the Carvin SX series is nice too
in fact GC used has a SX200 rihgt now for $150

Bandits can be had for Less than $100
my buddy just got an early Pre-TransTube version for $48 delivered to his house

Loud pedal platforms are extremely inexpensive
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

The JC 77 and 55 leap to mind.

All the tone, half the weight, and 1/3 the price.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

I will check new peavys then, I had one transtube for 15 years then using my cube was like I got a really better clean soumd.
Are fender champ 100 any good?
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

Also, look at Vox Valvetronix and Fender Mustang combos. They cover all the classic tones, and they made so many of them that they're easier to find cheap.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

Yamaha G50 or G100. I was going to suggest the big old ugly Peaveys too, as well as the Carvin SXs. They have deep EQing and they're one of the first companies to come up with a reasonably tube sounding tone out of an SS.
 
Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

Look at a Princeton Chorus (Fender of course) Used they can be had for $150.00. Fender cleans, beautiful chorus I think they are 85 Watts also. Nice amp for the $...

The reality is a few years back when I started getting into playing a lot more I bought a Roland JC 77 with my first Strat. About a year later I bought a Super Reverb with the intention of A/B'ing them. Once I brought the Fender home and played it next to the Jazz Chorus it was obvious that the JC had nothing to offer compared to the Fender, so I sold that and a few other things and wound up buying a Marshall 900 50W combo that I A/B'd with it for many years. It was a great combination and I got IMHO the best of both worlds.
 
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Re: Affordable alternatives to Roland JC?

Holy ****, they sell for more than a grand new? I used to see them pop up for 300$ used all the time . . .
 
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