Note: This article has been updated with lastest available information on January 13th, 2022 at 08:41 pm
Positive Grid Silver 120 Amp is available under the Clean amp group and is inspired by the Roland JC 120
According to Roland
First introduced way back in 1975, the JC-120 Jazz Chorus is one of the few guitar amps that can truly be called a legend. Roland’s long-standing flagship is universally recognized by pros as the benchmark in clean guitar sound, and its rich tone and famous built-in stereo chorus effect have been heard on countless popular songs over its long history. Now celebrating 40 years of continuous production and counting, the JC-120 remains the undisputed “king of clean,” and the enduring choice of serious guitarists everywhere.
Artists using the Roland JC-120:
- John Frusciante
- Slash
- Kevin Parker
- James Hetfield
- Matthew Bellamy
- The Edge
- Marc DeMarc
- Johnny Marr
- Joe Satriani
- Dimebag Darrell
- Jamie Cook
- Adam Jones
- More Artists playing on the Roland JC-120
Roland Jazz Chorus is the name given to a series of solid-state instrument amplifiers produced by the Roland Corporation in Japan since 1975. Its name comes from its built-in analog chorus effect. The Jazz Chorus series became increasingly popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s new wave and post-punk scenes because of its clean yet powerful sound, durability and relatively low cost when compared to the more commonly used tube amplifiers of the time such as Marshall or Fender. It also found favour amongst funk players in America.[1] It also became popular to use for clean tones in heavy metal, with the most famous users being James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett from Metallica, and Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit.
Most models have controls based on the JC-120's standard setup. There are two channels, one clean, the other with effects. The built-in effects include stereo chorus, vibrato, reverb, and distortion. The amplifier features high and low inputs, a bright switch as well as a three band equalizer and volume for each channel.
Timeline
Since its inception in 1975, the Roland Jazz Chorus amplifier has undergone several design iterations.
1975 JC-120, 120 watts, 2x12" speakers; JC-60, 60 watts, 1x12" speaker
1976 JC-160, 120 watts, 4x10" speakers; JC-80 60 watts, 1x15" speaker
1978 JC-200, 200W (head); JC-200S, 2x12" speakers (cabinet); JC-50, 50 watts, 1x12" speaker
1984 JC-120H, 120W head (“Bright” switch changed to “HI-TREBLE”); JC-77, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers
1986 JC-55, 50 watts, 2x8" speakers
1992 JC-20, 20 watts, 2x5" speakers
1996 JC-85, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers
1997 JC-90, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers (Eminence speakers)
2015 JC-40, 40 watts, 2x10’’, (introduced stereo input); JC-22, 30 watts, 2x6.5" speakers[2]
2016 JC-22, 30 watts, 2x6.5" speakers
Notable users
The Jazz Chorus is one of the most famous and successful combo amplifiers from its period and its earliest users included Albert King, Andy Summers (The Police), Larry Coryell, Robert Smith (of The Cure, although he used the rarer 160 Watt JC-160 with 4 x 10" speakers), Billy Duffy (The Cult, Theatre of Hate), Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Joe Strummer, Art Saiz, Chuck Willis, Prince, John McGeoch (Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees, PIL, the Armoury Show), Steve Hackett, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Steve Rothery, Mdou Moctar, Neil Halstead (Slowdive)[3] and Wayne Hussey (the Sisters of Mercy, The Mission) among others. Summers' use of the amp in turn inspired, for instance, Jeff Buckley, whose first amplifier was a Jazz Chorus.[4]
Another notable user of the JC-120 was Johnny Marr of The Smiths who used the Roland JC-120 along with his Rickenbacker 330 and Telecaster to create amazing arrays of sound on The Smiths debut album. Other users include Steve Levine, producer of bands such as Culture Club, The Beach Boys and The Clash. He often combined it with effects pedals from Boss Corporation, a Roland subsidiary.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Madsen, Pete (2007). Funk Guitar and Bass: Know the Players, Play the Music. Hal Leonard. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-87930-894-0.
- ^ "Roland - 40 Years of Roland Jazz Chorus". my.roland.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Interview: Mdou Moctar".
- ^ Browne, David (2002). Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim buckley. HarperCollins. pp. 72. ISBN 978-0-380-80624-9.
- ^ "Roland - JC-120 | Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier".
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