Jade 160KE Combo

Jade 150watt keyboard combo, 39cm speaker with horn & tweeter, 3 channels, Channel 1: balanced & unbalanced mike inputs, & instrument input, Channels 2 & 3: line input and dual rca inputs. Seperate volume controls on each channel (a good thing). Main 3 band eq. Line out, fx send/return jacks. ((NO REVERB!))

Purchased in 1999.

Jade could've made things a little clearer on the panel, it's a cumbersome set up, ie, having mike and instrument inputs (instrument on C1 has more gain than channels 2 & 3) can be a bit of a nuisance when using the mike facilities. These sort of amps should have identical channel settings (even if gain specifications differ on various channels, ie, compare to Torque 4 channel stereo Keyboard amp whereby there are 2 keyboard inputs, 1 guitar, 1 mike input). Where's the reverb? No reverb is ridiculous, sorry but it's a quite necessary addition to a keyboard amp. Spring reverb can be pleasant and subtle but going to the trouble to loop the effect is not worth it as it's difficult to obtain the subtle 'softness' that inbuilt spring reverb can bring to a keyboard combo.
I use this amp gigging and yep, it cuts through well - thank G for the speaker size & wattage. Weighs about 24kg.

Sound: not particularly flash, in fact, a touch on the harsh and abrasive side actually (for piano) although live with the band it's not as noticeable. Organ/synth sounds are better suited though. Plusses are electric guitar through the instrument channel doesn't sound too bad (for CLEAN only!), and through chorusy effects sounds quite good. Also, acoustic guitars in channels 2 & 3 (with reverby effect looped) are good sounders too, so this amp has its versatile side. AND....my bass sounds ok through the instrument channel 1, a touch treblier compared to dedicated bass amps but nonetheless this amp can take it. Again, a bit of effect is necessary to give this thing tone. Basically though, it's a big rhinoceros, it's functional - that's all.

I've been using this amp quite regularly over the past 3 years. No probs. Hums a fair bit but as mentioned, it's functional. From that point of view, yes, very reliable.

Jade have a website that's been under construction for an unforgivable amount of time. I emailed them about practice amps and they sent me stuff, but they don't go out of their way to display or promote themselves unduly - a bit more personable contact would be good. Still, I'm sure they'd be good at all the warranty stuff etc. They need to promote their wares more (and improve some of them too).

Value for money as far as competition goes (this is Australian product purchased in Australia, that's why) - but the competition design their amps far better, ie, reverb and a far more streamlined button panel. Still, this does make up for that in loudness and as far as live gigs go, this can allow a piano to rock'n'roll. The amp's facility to get a reasonable guitar & bass sound as well make it a bonus. I wouldn't purchase a Jade Keyboard amp again unless they revamp their line-up, I'd go stereo anyway. It really really really needs reverb (this is meant to be a 'Keyboard' combo Jade....!), and, the sound is lacking in definition and warmth. - but you pay for what you get and it's the cheapest option available for 15"+speaker at 150 watts. I'm reasonably happy with it but it could be a better amp. The dinousaur approach to design and build quality leaves a lot to be desired. Compared to Peavey amps for example, this is a schmuck - but a lot cheaper, and just as loud. Purchased it a little cheaper than the RRP of $899 (850).