Good and cheap clones of Roland JC-120?

[tremster]

While looking for a cheap used JC-120 around here, I discovered that there was a period of time (probably the 80s to mid 90s) when major amp manufacturers made clones of the Roland JC-120, in an attempt to cash in on the market for a 2x12 solid-state amp with good stereo chorus. Amps such as Fender's Ultimate Chorus and Marshall's Valvestate VS265 come to mind.

Which knock-offs have you tried and which do you like the best?

[rob2001]

I can't say it was a knockoff, but Ampeg had the SS series. I used an SS 140C head for a while.....still have it here collecting dust. I had a JC 120 head also. Similar layout and features but the cleans weren't as sweet and it has a better dirt channel. Given the choice i'd grab a Roland though.

I've seen JC120 combo's goin pretty cheap, why not get the real deal?

[tremster]

I've seen JC120 combo's goin pretty cheap, why not get the real deal?

I've been looking for a cheap one around here but to no avail. Seems like people are starting to appreciate them and will fork out pretty good money for used ones. At prices that I think are way too much.

Plus, I believe there are some knock-offs that are actually lighter in weight. That's a major consideration for me.

But really, interesting, isn't it? About how the JC-120 was obviously inspired by the Fender Twin Reverb. And later on, Fender made the Ultimate Chorus that is a clone of the JC-120.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[rob2001]

As to price, I just saw a JC 120 combo for $425.00. I suppose, you could find a Fender or an old Ampeg like mine for 1/2 of that.

Question, what is it about the Roland you like? What type and style do you play? I ask because like I said earlier, the dirt channel of the Ampeg was much better, IMO, than the Roland. For pristine cleans, the Roland won hands down.

[tremster]

I like the Roland for the full clean sounds and also, for how the sound spreads. Somehow, the design of the amp makes it project clearly, even in outdoor situations. Wonder if it being stereo has something to do with it?

[rob2001]

I like the Roland for the full clean sounds and also, for how the sound spreads. Somehow, the design of the amp makes it project clearly, even in outdoor situations. Wonder if it being stereo has something to do with it?


Yes, the Roland is two independant power sections, one wet, one dry, when the chorus is engaged....as is the Ampeg. I'm not sure if the Fender U.C. is two seperate power sections. The Chorus in the Roland is pretty much a Boss/Roland CE-1 pedal.

In theory, it's like a compact wet/dry rig. You can accomplish a true stereo chorus buy running two amps of any kind, and spliiting the guitar signal with a stereo chorus pedal. The disadvantage is you need to control a possible ground loop hum when running two amps and of coarse, you have to have two amps. The advantage is, you can put those amps further apart to increase the spatial effect.

On the Roland, if you double mic the amp, one speaker will have an unaffected signal, the other is doing the chorusing, actually raising and lowering in pitch. That is true stereo chorusing.The possible drawback is that if you put one mic to one side of the PA, one to the other, the chorus side can sound out of tune without the unaffected signal as a sonic reference. So even true stereo chorusing requires a listener to be able to hear both the wet and dry signal.

Maybe this is useless info, but good luck with your search anyhow!, Rob

[tremster]

Wow, that's interesting info. Sounds like you know a fair bit about the JC-120. That's great. Besides the Ampeg, have you tried the Fender Ultimate Chorus? Will like to know what you think about it.

[rob2001]

Wow, that's interesting info. Sounds like you know a fair bit about the JC-120. That's great. Besides the Ampeg, have you tried the Fender Ultimate Chorus? Will like to know what you think about it.

A bandmate had a Fender U.C. many moons ago. I never played it so I couldn't compare it to the Roland. At the time, that band played mostly hard rock so any sweet, pristine JC type tones weren't used. I would bet the cleans are better than the Ampeg.

I must say though, the coolest stereo clean rig i've tried was two Fender Hot Rod Deluxes with an EH Small clone chorus pedal in the effects loop of one amp. IMO, the Roland is a great clean amp, but can sound a bit steril at times. The Hot Rod is all tube and an exellent clean amp. So I had big, full, pristine cleans and true stereo chorus.....very sweet.

[tremster]

Right, thanks. I'm just looking at one amp for now.

[ickywoods]

Keep an eye on Craig's List, I saw one not too long ago come up for $200 in my neck of the woods. Why didn't I buy it? I'm still kicking myself...

[tremster]

$200? That's a killer deal!

[Baxtercat]

A Roland JC-77 was their 2-10 version of the amp. Keep your eyes open for those too. And the chorus speed/strength was adjustable in those.

[Talk about stereo overkill. I once ran two of those. The sound could make you dizzy.]

[tremster]

Tried a JC-77. Not powerful enough for the bar that I play in. Really good sound though.

[musicman1]

Peavey Stereo Chorus 400. Made around '88 to '95. Used around $200.00 to $300.00 Killer JC120 knock off w/2 preamps/channels (one passive eq, one active eq), adjustable stereo chorusing, a usable distortion section on the passive side. Can also run both channels together totaling 260 watts. Loud, loud, loud.

[tremster]

A Peavey Stereo Chorus is something I haven't considered. 260 watts? That would make it more than twice as loud than a JC-120. Is it really that loud? I need something like that for outdoor shows!

[GoofyDawg]

I loved the JC-120 back in the day! Used it for a long time until my brother wanted it back. :)

But if what you're looking for is that classic JC-120 sound, you might consider one of the Roland Cube amps. The Cube 80x rocks, and you can run an external cab as well. I know, it's not really stereo, but it's still a great tone. I have a Cube 60 and just dig it! It has a close enough JC chorus sound to satisfy me.

[tremster]

I have considered the Cube 80x before but it's simply not loud enough for the bar I play in. I believe the JC-120's 2x12 speaker configuration helps to project my sound better too.

[pfrischmann]

There really is nothing that sounds quite like a JC-120.

[GoofyDawg]

I have considered the Cube 80x before but it's simply not loud enough for the bar I play in. I believe the JC-120's 2x12 speaker configuration helps to project my sound better too.

Hmmm... not even with an extension cab? Interesting. But then again, it's two pieces of gear as opposed to one. Besides, the JC-120 has a GREAT sound. Not a small wonder why Satriani played one in his early days.

[cbguy]

Ibanex used to make a pretty cool stereo chorus amp. A friend of mine has one and makes it sound pretty darn good.

[strat a various]

The Peavey 2x12s are better amps in my opinion, either the Stereo Chorus, or if you can live without chorus, something like a Renown. Better speakers, better built, more reliable. For clean solid state amps, it's hard to beat an 80s Peavey. I see them in pawnshops going for very low prices. Don't worry about extra wattage, they have volume knobs.

[tremster]

There really is nothing that sounds quite like a JC-120.

How true. The tone sorta sits in between solid-state flatness and tube fullness. It's quite hard to describe. Only a JC sounds like a JC.

[tremster]

That's it? There's gotta be more! What about Yamaha? Did they ever make a JC-120 knock-off?

[cap'n rory]

I have a Yamaha DG-100 modeling amp, and have some customized presets using chorus and they sound very close to the classic JC-120 sounds. I have owned a JC-120 for thirty years, bought it in the summer of 1979, and I still really like both amps.
On a side note, my amp tech told me last week that Roland made about 5 versions of the JC-120 and there is some magic in the first version speakers. He says nothing sounds quite like the early speakers.

[digital jams]

JC-120 knock offs now???

This place kills me :rotflmao

I have owned my JC-120 since I bought it new in 1986 :BluesBros

[tremster]

there is some magic in the first version speakers. He says nothing sounds quite like the early speakers.

Hmmm, what were so special about those speakers? Warmer or richer-sounding or what?

JC-120 knock offs now???

Hehe. Well, I mean while we are at Dumble clones, might as well we talk abit about clones of other famous and well-regarded (at least for some) amp ...

[razorbladeSD]

A Peavey Stereo Chorus is something I haven't considered. 260 watts? That would make it more than twice as loud than a JC-120. Is it really that loud? I need something like that for outdoor shows!

No, actually it would only make it about 3 db louder...watts to decibels is an exponential scale. Every doubling of power only results in 3 db of volume increase.

[tremster]

Thought so. Still, sounds like a real contender if you can find one cheap. Are they particularly heavy?