NegativeEase
New member
It sounded thin and unnatural to me. I bet you could drive it nicely with todays 1000s of distortion/OD options (there were like 4 distortion pedal options back then)
Inside a Roland JC 120
- Thread starter Securb
- Start date
It sounded thin and unnatural to me. I bet you could drive it nicely with todays 1000s of distortion/OD options (there were like 4 distortion pedal options back then)
Yeah, the distortion on the JC series was objectively awful, but that isn't why people like this amp. Every classic JC sound (and there is basically 2, one with chorus, one without) doesn't include the distortion sound. But you'd think that Roland could've gotten that right- they had some nice distortion pedals. The built-in distortion sounded nothing like those, though.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I thought that for years. It is not a distortion designed for metal or hard rock guys, It is designed for Jazz guys that want to add a bit of edge. If you approach the distortion with that in mind it is very useable. Use the right stomp with it and it will blow your shorts off.
ErikH
Well-known member
One of my dream amp ideas included a JC120 circuit for the clean channel (with the chorus) and the dirty channel to be Marshall voiced, but hot-rodded. Separate volume for each channel, switchable dual master volumes (lead/rhythm). The JC120 is legendary.
Other than cleaning out the pots, blowing out the dust bunnies isn't a bad idea either. Keeping the circuit clean is a good thing.
Other than cleaning out the pots, blowing out the dust bunnies isn't a bad idea either. Keeping the circuit clean is a good thing.
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
As I pointed out earlier, the newer JC's have a good sounding distortion, as compared to the 80's and 90's versions.
Erlend_G
New member
I think the distortion of the old, (80's?) JC120 i played- was cool, now- in retrospect.
Almost like "The Kinks- you really got me now".
Ugly as heck. Nothing sounds quite like it
.
I wonder why they decided to change it...popular opinion really never mattered to Roland.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Maybe someone in a position to influence things pushed them to make it better.
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I think because the amp gained popularity outside of the targeted consumers. They thought the amp would be used by keyboardists and Jazz/Blues guitarists. Then the amp took off with Alt-Rock players and even heavier bands like Metalica. Like I said that distortion was never intended to be a BOSS DS-1. It is designed to add a bit of coloring. Keyboard players and jazz guys want a breakup so slight you might not notice it. That is what the amp does. With the user base changing over the years, it seems Roland listened and adjusted the circuit.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I think it has more to do with how they design and test. They targeted Jazz initially, so they tested with jazz boxes, which are quite dark, often using neck pickups solely. When it became clear other players were using the amp, they adjusted and began testing with a wider variety of guitars and situations. (I have a friend that has worked at the Roland headquarters in Hamamatsu and I've toured their facility, studio and test labs.)
I like to think they listened to customers. They don't have a great history of that (spend some time on Roland guitar effects/guitar synth forums).
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Me too. At the end of the day, you do not buy a product with "Jazz" in the name expecting Marshall or Boogie levels of gain. However, with the right stomp in front of it, you can easily get there. If you want the 80s-90s Alt-rock distorted sound the amp can definitely pull that off.
dystrust
Well-known member
That's basically an ADA MP-1, assuming that you like a dbx160 in the effects loop of your Jazz Chorus. I used one for a few years in the mid-2000s after giving up on carrying multiple amps to a gig.
ErikH
Well-known member
I never got in to the rack thing but had a feeling something out there, if not multiple things, would get the job done. Heck, these days one of those with a SD Power Amp in to a small cab would do the trick perfectly. Toss in a solid DI with cabinet simulator if so desired. That would be a nice live rig without getting rackitus.
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By the same token, I doubt many practical jazz players bought an amp like that. There are much lighter SS models available, and at a cheaper price.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
And it's still the best sounding chorus because it's true stereo.
