Roland JC-120

The JC-120 is your bread and butter amp. It has all the necessary ins, outs and controls you will ever need to shape your sound without having any flashy and useless controls. It's rock solid and works fantastic in almost any application. This is why it has become an industry standard combo amp. Mine was bought new in 2005.

This is where this amp can shine like a star or make you cry with disapointment.

It is a very clean and clear amp, so the weakest link in your signal path (especially the guitar and extra especially - the PLAYER) will be there plain as day for all to hear.

After tweaking - the amp's EQ, Reverb, Bright switch, Chorus (if thats your thing) and adjusting your guitars tone and pickup selection - beautiful tones can be achieved. With the right stompboxes are wide range of different sounds is possible. It is very versatile.

I particularly love my Boss Tr-2 tremelo and Ibanez TS-808 tube screamer through this amp and aim for a fairly mellow, warm tone similar to far more expensive tube combo's.

It has enough power to satisfy anyone interested in a combo. When comparing it to other amps I am always impressed by how 'big' it sounds, the two 12' speakers provide such a wide and deep guitar sound.

However, there are a few downsides to this amp's wonderful sound.
You will never use the distortion. If you do... (without any other effects) I can't imagine you have ears at all. It's very harsh and unpleasant to hear.

Secondly, the amp has a constant 'hiss' to it. You won't hear it in a noisy music store, but you will in a nice quiet room and on your nice clear recording. I talked to an amp tech and it is due to the bright pre amp. You won't notice it when playing loud or playing with distortion but for dynamic clean playing and close mic recording it is clear as day. I nearly gave up on the amp because of this.

The solution? I tried a rocktron hush pedal in the effects loop, it worked but also sucked everything that was nice about the amps tone. Some people say the hush works well at cleaning up noisy distortion pedals without altering tone, I tried it for that too and still disagree. I would love to be proven wrong but for now I would urge anyone interested in a Hush pedal to look elsewhere, there crap.

So, I tried a Boss NS-2 noise gate/suppressor in the effects loop and to my absolute delight it worked perfectly. There was still some hiss while the gate is open but the amp is dead silent when there is no playing even with noisy distortion pedals.

So just by itself the JC-120 might not be the ultimate combo but with the right stompboxes is becomes an amazing sounding, hugely versatile amp.

The reverb stopped working after around 6 months of solid work but was fixed under warranty. No problems since, they have a reputation for being rock solid amps.

I emailed Roland Australia in regards to the amps hiss but they never replied.

I love this amp. If you have a couple of stompboxes then I would definately recommend this amp. It has a wonderful clean and big sound to it.

My playing consists mainly of jazz and blues with my archtop aria, but the amp still sounds great played with high gain distortion boxes and stereo delays/reverbs/flanges etc.

If noise is a problem like it is for me then get a NS-2. Other than that this amp is amazing and is the perfect addition to anyones guitar rig. It's not perfect but with the right gear it gets pretty close to it. I will never get rid of mine.

I think it's one from the 2nd generation...not the best on earth though. I bought it used on eBay for $340 because it looked nice and clean. When it arrived I was blown away because somebody (a previous owner) actually screwed some holes on the sides and put some door handles!...dude...wtf...this was not fukin pictured!!! First thought was 'Fukin eBay (even worse being an eBay employee myself)'...However everything else looked fine, a few scratches here and there...but the main hardware was OK, so were the looks...even with handles on it.
We know about the options, the main ins at the back, footswitch plugs, 2 channels, chorus and vibrato fx, spks out and so on. Just wanted to tell this is an old one...almost abused...but ready for some action.

My rig is a POS bunch of everything: Schecter Omen 6 w/PRS McCarty pickups - Rocktron Austin Gold OD - Fulltone OCD - Korg AX300G MultiFx - ART Tube Pre studio - JC-120. I also have a (POS) Crate GX-65 that's reliable as hell, and some sort of 'start point'. At the time I received the JC, I had original pickups on the Omen 6 and my first reaction was totally negative...of course...just liked using both pickups at the same time. However I play mostly alternative and hard rock so bridge pickups are essential. I then decided to make a serious upgrade, since there are lots of good reviews on the amp when used with good guitars, and also good reviews on the Omen 6 when you hit some serious wire. Once the pickups were installed then the review started and also the great sound I was trying to find. I use the 2nd channel, and was able to find a sweet spot when using the Vibrato with Depth on 1 and 0 Speed, highs and mids on 9 and lows depending on what I need. Since basswood and the McCartys are intended to have this 'dark sound', the Bright switch it's always on...The sound was well focused and meaty, however I decided to add the Art preamp to add tube warmth on the overdrive, and some nice sounding frequencies on clean. This is when everything started to shine. Sparkling highs, bell-like tones, sustain as hell, FX sound nice, screaming overdrive literally, well-defined lows...the amp truly stands out on jamming situations...the pickups are now shining on every position...just waiting to play it live in a couple of weeks.
It is true the amp is not for anyone, due to its particular sound, usually called 'sterile'...It's not sterile, it's the beast's particular sound. There are a lot of other amps that are really sterile, so much they SUCK. Fortunately there are a lot of ways to plug it (i.e., not using the Bright buttons, using both channels at a time, the main ins, spk out as an fx loop, etc) and can be good enough you can use these sounds in case of emergency. Compared to the Crate, it is so clear that seems to be lacking some mids and lows. However the amp's EQ is well distributed, punchy enough and fully adjustable. It can compensate what's missing in your guitar's sound spectrum, it can stand any kind of guitar very well. Could be a little bit noisy, it depends on the guitar /fx/ your local cycle hum...After the pickup change, the litle noise was gone. As previously stated, just admire the Distortion knob's inner beauty. Just use it if you want to add lo-fi fx on something.
Finally, sounds great with acoustics too. I have an Epiphone PR5-E that can make you cry through this amp. I've compared my rig with some others (from friends mainly) and everyone is just staring at the green monster...and listening, which is nice. I like it more than Fenders, due to the many options you have. Every jam session just makes me smile for the joy of hearing this old amp. The 9 is because I needed to add extra gadgets to get the sound I want.

So far, it has not let me down yet...I'm planning to give it some doctor treatment, just to know if everything in it is running fine. The other day I had some volume issues, but found it was a POS cable. If an amp is steady enough to keep sounding great after some lazy added door handles on it, instead of casters...I think its reliable enough..I'll add the casters too. Heavy as a whale.

Haven't tried it yet, you should check other reviews to know about this.

I've playing 11 years, 5 years professionally. I have played at church, bars, outdoor festivals, with a lot of different pieces of gear. Have been testing and using a lot of other people's vintage and new equipment for a while (lack of money sucks big time), and have learned a lot after a lot of issues with old amps and all kind of situations. This is one of the best amps I've used without a doubt. Even with my POS gear, this is able to make me and others smile due to the clarity it has. It feels good to sing and free your thoughts about how good you think your gear is sounding through the rehearsal. I'll buy an old one again if this one dies...a new one? Need to try it first. I'm happy with this oldie so far.

Mine is an older version without effects loop, but with the chorus don't really need much else. Use the amp for church and works for all styles of music. Has two channels but only use primary channel.

I really like the sound. Was using a Fender Twin but much prefer the "clean" of the JC-120, and when you add the chorus it is really rich and layered. As others have mentioned, the built in distortion is not really usable. I'm playing an '84 Ibanez Roadstar RS1300 with dual humbuckers and also have a Mesa Rectoverb I use with the JC-120. Only issue is that the amp doesn't really take pedals all that well. I started using a TubeWorks Blue Tube pedal (has an 12ax7a inside) and it really warms up the sound nicely. Amp has plenty of power with the two 12" speakers - great low end and lots of chime on top. Very pleased with this amp!!!

No issue so far but have only had the amp a few months. Also own a JC-55 which I bought new back in 1987 and never had any problems.

Never had to dealt with Roland so don't know.

Great amp and would definitely look for another if anything happened to this one. Love the clean and the chorus is legendary. Been playing for almost 20 years and haven't found anything I like better than the Jazz Chorus amps for a full, warm, clean sound.

Vintage 1980's Roland JC120. Two channels; one with chorus/reverb/tremelo/distortion, the other with just clean tone. Bass/Mid/Treble. Two inputs per channel; one for higher gain, one with lower gain.

Chorus isn't as lush as people say. A Boss CH-1 Super Chorus or a Electro-Harmonix Smallstone would be the way to go. Though vintage sounding, not the best if you're want that Scofield-esque chorus/flanger effect. (Though Scofield did use a JC120 himself for quite a few years)

Reverb has good range.

Tremelo is...tremelo.

Distortion is close to, if not, worthless. Sounds like the speakers are made of paper grocery sacks when turned on.

Currently using this as my 'all around' amp. It's loud, records well, is durable, looks cool on stage. I tour/gig frequently in multiple groups, mostly jazz. Only complain is that it's freakin' big! 2x12 inch speakers, about 70 lbs.

Plugged in with my American Gibson 335 and 137, it does the job.

Clean is clean, but is a very dull sound. Does not have the clarity that a Twin Reverb or any other tube amp has. I've got better tone quality out of a Fender Princeton Chorus (which aren't as big either)

Again- use it with my 335 and 137 (both semi-hollows). Does good with Jazz, Blues. Does okay with Rock.

The channels are noisy, hissy. Cleaned the pots and still had noise. Maybe cause it was shipped.

Would still work if I dropped it downt he stairs. But I don't advocate that.

Have been playing professionally for 6 years. I have used Fender Twin Reverbs, Custom reverbs, Frontman series (They suck), Line 6's(they suck), Hot Rod Deluxes (they're okay), and other assorted amps (Whatever the venue supplies)

Current gear- Gibson 335/137 into EB Volume Pedal, Dunlop Wah, Digitech Whamme, Boss Superchorus, Tremelo, Smallstone, ProCo Rat, Line 6 DL4 Delay. All sound decent with this amp.

I wouldn't buy it again.

Don't buy this amp if you're a purist. Buy this amp if you like reliablity.

The amp itself doesn't have many features 2 channels fx loop chorus and distortion (very little distortion) but that doesn't matter if you have pedels.

Sound quality is amazing, if you know anything about the jc-120 you know it's known for its clean sound.

There was a guy (01/03/2007 at 05:16pm by h2o-spor) who posted saying you can't trust the sound from the videos on rolandusa.com because the guys forgot to turn up the volume and one guy didn't plug in the guitar.

Well... h20-spor, if you listened at the beginning of the video they said that they plugged the guitars into the the fx loop and if you have a jc-120 you'll know that the fx loop is in the back of the amp and the volume is controled by your pedel board not the volume knobs when you are plugged into the fx loop.

You can depend on this amp! It's a solid state amp, built solid.

Haven't had to call them.

If you like clean sounds then this amp if for you. If you plan on playing with a lot of distortion you better get some pedels. This amp will not muddy your sound.

very old - no effects loop - probably very early 80s. I play mostly Blues, Classic Rock and Acoustic through it. It is more than versatile enough to handle what I throw at it as long as I use an external overdrive pedal. It has two channels, channel splitting, an awesome chorus and Vibrato as well as a classicly rich reverb. I has two channels so I often run two guitars through it. I gig with it and record with it, and it has more than enough power for any application I have tried from small clubs to outdoor festivals (with a DI) The Distortion is no good on its own which is a pity, but does beef up the sound a bit and actually sounds decent in conjunction with my Boss Superoverdrive pedal. I just wish it was lighter.

This amp sounds amazing. Best solid state I have played through. Sounds as nice as many tube amps I have played through and doesn't have that annoying transistery sound of a peavey or low end fender solid state amp. The clean channel doesn't distort, and is beautiful. The distortion really just adds a little dirt to the sound. You can't rock out without a pedal.

I play a Gibson ES 137 Classic through it and its Very complimentary. Great deep warm low end and sparkling trebel. I also play a USA fender strat through it, which is much quieter due to the single coils, but really has a bell like singing quality. I can leave the settings the same except for volume and switch from the Gibson to the Fender which is impressive - you can really hear the classic difference between the two guitars. Its not really noisy but sometimes the lights in my apartment cause it to have a slight buzz. I just move it a few feet and the problem goes away. This is rare.

My brother got this amp in the late 80s and gigged with it at a lot of shows. He got it used. I got it from him after it sat in my parent's basement for over 6 years. The only thing I've ever had repaired was the plug because it was getting a little freyed. electric tape would have done the job, but I like my gear to be in top shape. This is a really dependable workhorse and I have gigged with it without a backup on several occasions.

Roland is good but I wish their customer service number was toll free - I have to call vancouver on my dime to get someone. They really don't have many of the old parts for this which is a shame. They should have left well enough alone or continued to stockpile the componants of the older models.

I've been playing for 22 years. I own a Gibson ES 137 Classic, an American Fender Stratocaster, a Garrison G-50CE, a Norman B20, A Yamaha FG 345II, A Boss super-overdrive pedal, a Roland AW-10 Wah, and a Japanese Epiphone Strat copy with Seymore Duncan Little 59's.
If it were lost I would get another one - although I'd love to AB it with a marshall. I love the sound and versatility, I hate how heavy it is and the fact that the distortion really isn't distortion. I inherited this amp from a family member, but that is amazing since I swear by this amp. I wish it had a button that would turn it from a JC 120 to a Marshall Valvestate.. but hey...ya can't have everything. This amp is a tremendous value and a real classic. It has stood the test of time and been played by many greats. I'm happy to own it.

Transistor, 2 channels, 3 band eq and bright switch per channel, chorus, vibrato and distortion on channel 2.
It's 25-30 years old so toggle swtiches and no effects loop

I use it with a gibson archtop and it constantly sounds magical. Despite what other think i love the didstortion, its a nice crunchy sound when eq'd correctly. Great for most styles except hard rock and metal. Dc Boom when turning on is scary but i heard thats normal

CAn't say I've had it a week, but its near 30 years old and still has all original parts so i guess its pretty good

No idea

If it was valve i'd give it a ten, I love everything about it.

I guess it's one of the early models (approx. 1980) since it still has lever switches rather than buttons. The amp itself is not very versatile since it only has a very nice clean tone with chorus, vibe and reverb ,but you can forget about heavy distortion. But it works very nicely with effect pedals giving an unlimited versatility. I for instance use a "Zoom 7.1ut" (multieffects), connected stereo like by the reverse input.
It is very loud and has enough power for club playing.

Together with the Zoom 7.1ut I can produce nice sounds ranging from Santana over Hendrix to Van Halen. Now don't misunderstand me! I come fairly near those "perfect guitar sounds" but it is still a long way to go. I have never managed to produce the exact same sound recorded on the CD's and of course I don't own a 2000$ Guitar ("only" an Ibanez 320 RG).

And don't fall for demo videos shown on the www.rolandus.com site or you will be dreadfully disappointed!! (example: http://rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=249&ParentId=57)
NOTICE THAT THE VOLUME SWITSCH IS TURNED TO ZERO OF THE "GOLDY LOCKS GUY" AND THE OTHER ONE HAS EVEN FORGOTTEN TO PLUG IN THE GUITAR :-) Funny that they play great sounds like on a CD?????

In Summary a very good solid state amp for using separate effects, enjoy the chorus (it comes very close to the chorus used by Guns and Roses in knocking on heavens door, 3 Doors Down Kryptonite and was used in Nothing Else Matters from Metallica). The chorus really sounds like the real thing on the Metallica CD!
I would not say that it is noisy but you can clearly hear the usual SSSSSSHHHHH sound when not strumming a note. But not more than any other 100W amp. When the chorus is activated you get a funny short of SSSSHHHHH reverb-sound after every note (very silent). You only notice this when your in an entirely silent environment.
The overall sound can be described as very clean without the amp making any effect on your pure input sound. Actually I like the ???Distortion knob??? but not as a real distortion effect but rather for adding some more gain to the chorus clean sound.

The amp is very old and still works great. Nevertheless the bolts and the speakers are slowly rusting even though they were kept dry at all times.

They answer immediately, but they ship spare parts very slowly. It took over five weeks for them to send me a new Roland logo after mine had fallen off.

I love:
the chorus, the stability and quality, the power, the wheels, the vibe, the stereo amplification of effects.

I hate:
the weight, the ugly bolts, that they don???t have all the spare parts anymore for the old series (so you should buy one of the new series with silver cone speakers), the carrying handle.

When comparing different amps I selected the JC due to the relatively low price and the nice harmonization with effect pedals. I guess it is a relatively cheap solution to many different guitar sounds and I definitely like playing different genre. Nevertheless I would have preferred a Fender twin reverb, which was too expensive for me.

Clearly, the numero uno feature is the Chorus. The Reverb is passable, the distortion a joke (why they haven't addressed that aspect is beyond me). I've had mine for over 16 years. I still love it. Always tempted to sell/trade it for a Vox when I'm playing my electric, but always realize no Vox can make my Taylor sound as spacious and full as my JC. For my gigging purposes, I'll sacrifice a tad on the electric end (and use multiple stomps) and continue to enjoy the un-matched acoustic end. But hey, that's just me.

Sound quality, even cranked, is clean and bright. No distortion, ever. And I mean ever...lol. Not on its own, anyway. I've played through a variety of axes on this amp. Single-pole carries a lot of "down-time" noise/hum. Humbuckings work best on the electric end. Martins and other high-end acoustics sound great. Taylors sound phenomenal, but may need a sound-hole cover if you're playing close to the amp. Mine does. Oh, but how sweet it sounds. Like, this amp was made for a Taylor. Think bright, think clean, think crisp, think spacious, think full...

Very reliable. 16 years, no issues, no problems. Very solid and dense construction. Heavy, but with great wheels. Lift in vehicle, lift out vehicle. Wheel the rest of the way. Takes bumps and makes a great seat in a pinch.

Roland is great in terms of support and service. I've never needed any regarding my JC-120, but have needed some regarding other products. Their website is easy to navigate, and they actually answer the phone when you call.

I've been playing for over 30 years, playing out for over 22. Used to have a Peavey Deuce...well, actually, I still have it. Ahhh...'tis a great tube amp. 'Course, it was my first amp, so I blew the shit out of it doing bad Led Zepplin, and wat-not. I burned out the wiring after blowing out 3 sets of speakers. Last set of speakers had a tad too much pull...lol. Anyway, I still have it and will one day repair it. If my JC-120 was lost or stolen I'd cry and then be on E-Bay looking for another. No joke.

What I love about it is the crispness and the incredible chorus. What I hate about it is I love the crispness and the incredible chorus...lol.

The only thing I wish it had was OVERDRIVE...HOTWIRE...BALLS, (you get the idea).

My JC120 is about 20 years old, maybe even more.
I play metal, with clean passages and the amp has been awesome. I've owned it since 1994.
2 Channels.
It has all the features I need, as I have external distortion, but I'd give an in-built distortion a go if it had one that catered to metal.
I use it for Gigs and rehearsal and recording. More than enough power.
It's solid state.

Awesome clean tone, also has an old spring reverb unit, vibrato and chorus. Vibrato and chorus are awesome. The reverb on the other hand is a bit old and dated...
Clean channel rarely distorts, if at all. Problem is there's a faint hush or white noise tailing the end of each note, which is a bother.
Distortion is as weak as cats piss.
Suits my style very well, with the addition of an external distortion.
Slight noise.

100% Reliable. I've had it cranked full ball, and full ball with 2 guitars going into it. I've even used it as a bass amp and never had a problem. I think a fuse burnt out like 10 years ago, but that's it - easy to replace. I've abused it, neglected it, spilt stuff on it, left it in hot and cold environments, and it is still going strong.

Never had to get it repaired.

I've been playing for 15 years. I use a Jackson Kelly and a Boss ME50. If it was stolen, I may just try the Vox AC30, just coz I think it is ever so slightly better and warmer (likely due to it being a tube amp).