Roland Jazz Chorus

[Pirateking]

Ok, there's a used Roland Jazz Chorus amp for sale at Mars for $400. It seems to be in perfect condition and sounds great to me. Is this a decent price for this amp? (I know Mars has a tendency to overprice). Any overall opinions on the quality of this amp?

 

[JR#97]

I've had my Roland JC-120 since 1986 and would not trade or sell it for anything. I bought mine used for $650. $400 is a bit higher than the going rate of $350, depending on the speakers and whether there is an fx loop. I"m sure you could talk 'em down $50-75..... Check out the amp reviews at http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Roland/JC_120-01.html for a lot of opinions about the amp.

The Roland JC-120 is clean and loud. Crystal Clean and Stupidly loud. Two 60 watt amps driving 2 12" speakers. The chorus is great, the vibrato is usable, but the distortion is a waste of time. One of the best things about the amp is that it is very accurate for things like a Sansamp or POD. It doesn't really color the stomp box like a tube amp does. It works great for acoustic as well. I've even had vocals go through mine in a pinch. I have a Musicman Sillouette Special, now and it's mana from heaven. I'll front the amp with my Mesa Boogie V-Twin for a little added tube warmth and cream.... and then stomp on channel 2 of the twin and blow the doors off the house. Because it's solid state, you don't have the issues related to tubes... and the thing is durable. I hear the newer ones are a little less durable than the older ones... things like skimping on the bracing, inner cabinet construction, etc. The amp is always in demand, so should you not like it, you could easily move it for what you paid and maybe then some.

 

[philboyd studge]

Try to get them down to $350, then it's worth it. I just got a mint Peavey Classic Chorus 130 from about '89 for $250 and it's about the same thing; great chorus, gobs of power, ok vibrato, lousy reverb and distortion.

 

[Roel]

I love mine too... It's about the only non-tube amp that has a distinctive sound. Really is a classic.

Mostly hook it up with my V-twin too for a little less sprankling clean. The distortion sux. I have the JC55, so there's only the chorus, no vibrato. Great Chorus. Reverb usable, and distortion is worthless. That's about it.

 

[Tom Hicks]

I had the JC-77 and it was too clean for guitar so I sold it to my keyboard playing brother.He still uses it today as his main amp.Good clean sound but the distortion sucks.
Tom