I'm completely elated to have acquired this amp! Today is my late dad's birthday. He played a cherry wood Hammond B3 like a boss, and loved Roland amps/keyboards. I've had my eye on this amp since the day this video was released, and today seemed like the perfect day to pull the trigger! This was my first purchase from Alamo, and I'll return many times over. The process couldn't have been simpler or more enjoyable. Staff member who talked to my husband was pumped for me, which only added to my excitement as well. Thank you guys!
I gigged with a JC-120 for 10 years. I played acoustic 6 & 12 string guitar, hollow electric guitar, banjo, mandolin & solid body electric mandolin. It handled everything with complete aplomb, whether miked or direct. It took pedals really well too. Killer amp.
Side note) most would be STUNNED to know how many 70s 80's and 90's HIT SONGS and even some metal, including metallica have recorded their favorite songs with these amps! Its endless!
Beautiful demo! I've got a JC-40 - a wonderful amp. You almost have to be in the room to get the full effect of the stereo chorus - and yes - its 3-D sound.
Roger McGuinn’s preferred amp for many years.. so definitely rock royalty approved. I was a tube amp guy for years, but tired of the maintenance costs. So mostly solid state for me these days.
My best friend i grew up with just a few houses down from me had this amp and used it live for years and he let me keep it when he went on vacation for a few weeks and that was in 91.. and its my favorite clean stereo chorus amp of all time by far! Now.. i bought a brand new fender 65 twin reverb reissue and yes i love it to but for me id rather have an 80's 120jc.... any day! For cleans n acustic stuff obviously. You just cant beat it end of story!
Still have my JC 77. The sound of the JCs are legendary. If you notice most good 'band ' videos', you will often see a JC 120 where great musicians are performing. When I see a JC or a Mesa amp onstage, I know I'm gonna see and hear some good tunes.
@@rheybusque9752 That doesn't sound normal. Mine has no such noise. Best get that checked out by a amp technician. Depends on the age (new or second hand), as this could be a warranty issue. Hope that this helps.
Great amp!! I ran a JC 120 along with a 67’Fender Super Reverb, with a Les Paul, killer tone, that just got to be to much to take out on the road, so I downsized my JC120 to a JC 77 and the SR down to a 65’ Deluxe with a Tele,much lighter rig to haul around
They can be everything from a one trick pony to a makeshift PA. I've had mine for 40 odd years and still use it. Back in the day it was paired in various ways with a 50w Marshall, then with the marshall and a JMP1 , later as a wet Delay and Reverb. These days it's got an RC505 into the mains, does the job Now and then I still just plug straight in for that chorus just for the smiles. People always go 'that's that sound'
Fun fact: The famous Adrian Belew's "Elephant Talk" sound is JC120 with its chorus on, feeding back. He's still using the same amp (the same actual amp) on tour with Beat now.
I've had a rig in my head of using this JC 120 but with a synergy Tube preamp like a SLO or HBE in the fx loop , to create a solid state tube hybrid that's unaffected by tonal volume levels with a ton of power + the best clean tones in the world .
I have an old Roland Cube 30X and a 40 XL and if you chain them together and turn the chorus on just one of them and leave the other on dry you're there. Close enough for me anyway.
Have been a solid state guy since the early 80s with Peavey amps - but I came across another amp that gets little love - but is a clean tone monster - the CRATE GX212. I see this as a kind of updated Roland JC-120. This CRATE had 2 channels that pushed 90s metal to the stratosphere - but the hidden genius was its other clean channel that was crystal clear to the point it put shudders down your back when you hit a note. It is still my favorite pedal platform amp. It is probably going for a 10th of the price of a Roland JC-120 cherry special edition. The GX212 is heavy and an open back - which can be viewed by some as a negative - but you will never get lost in a mix with other band members. If you don't have the money for a Roland JC-120 - the CRATE GX212 would be my bargain basement substitute in a pinch. And like the Roland was designed for the late 70s and early 80s - The CRATE was designed for the late 90s and early 2000s. And - if it matters - it was built in the USA. Tube amps do have a warmth to them when the tubes saturate - but if you are looking for super clean - solid state rocks! With large pedal boards these days - I can see why solid state is starting to be seen as a good direction to go in. You can add as much warmth or distortion as you want with pedals - and dial in how loud you want to play with a clean solid-state amp.
I'm here to hear Cooper's demo, to be honest. I wanted a JC-120 years ago but I bought a more affordable Peavey instead, and haven't looked back. 2 amps and a stereo chorus pedal works.
I’ve happily played a JC22 for over two years. My other amp is 65 Princeton Reverb, and I switch back and forth between both. My next amp will be a JC40. I‘ll keep the JC22 because that is the amp I will be taking into the nursing home. I would love a JC120, but I don‘t think I would ever need that much volume on this planet. PS You are making me want that Jazzmaster against my will. PSS I love Lake Placid Blue, but I, too, would hold out for Dakota Red.
Great sound, nice demo, lovely playing as usual Cooper. I have a JC-55 and I must say it comes alive with my Gibson ES-165 and my Es-120T. Not a fan of the overdrive.
Good video, great playing but I wanted to hear the gain / distortion tones that this amp should have. That might be the amp's weakness, I'm not sure. I have a Peavey Stereo Chorus 212 from the the early 90's that's a beast of an amp. Two power amps at 135 watts per channel. The chorus / reverb / delays are great on that one too. It has "crunch and lead" channels also requires a separate EQ to bring out the best. Anyway, thanks for the demo and that Fender guitar is really nice too. I was there was an affordable lefty model of it.
Never enjoyed one those, but Roland IA always way ahead of the times and produced great products. I am enjoying one of their acoustic amps which is amazing.
Is the chorus still analog? And does it still have a spring tank? Or did they go digital. I'm just curious because I think it was the CE-2 pedal ir the CE-3 that went digital without any mention. And to be fair, few folks noticed. I'm just curious. I had an old one and it was great.
The distortion still sucks lol, but you just bring in a little to un-sterilize the clean. Little hair thats all, very slight and its great for that. The reverb is digital now, no reverb tank which I prefer. Im not sure if the chorus isnt digital now it could be but all I know is i have the 40 and 120 and i love them with my gretsch filtertrons the best. This jazzmaster sounds good, real good but try a gretsch filtertrons or dynasonics either sound fantastic, and dont be afraid to crank that reverb, its great! I keep my chorus dialed back almost all the way just for stereo and wash of reverb, and add some slight hair of the on board distortion actually makes it sound cleaner if you can believe that. Still my favorite amp and guitar combo for certain genres. The 40 is great as well but the 120 is not the same. Close representation and features, but the 120 is still the king of clean, and dont overlook channel 1.. And a jumper! It also goes great with a Boss Core in the FX loop. Love this amp. 40 and 120. Both great. 120 being choice.
I have enough money to purchase the 'non-anniversay' JC120. Apart from the red panels and the edition number what else am I losing from getting the 'ordinary version, built in the same year, and costs £600 - £800 less?
Having trouble getting schematics for a 1979 model and the local amp tech is being a grump about it. Anyone here could possibly help point me to a resource?
Hey guys, if I want Martin D45 sound and response BUT don't want to spend the $$$ for bling on a D45, what model wound you recommend? Also is there a Gibson that would get me there? Thanks Dave
@@charlesbolton8471 Wood sides are nice. I'd bite but I have 2 fender tubes. Marshall realsed an amp made with "curtains" from the marshall factory a couple years ago... sold out real fast. Wish Id gotten one.
I would posit that the vast majority of guitar players can’t really discern a good solid state amp from a decent tube amp. They follow what their idols use and they talk about tone, but aside from a relatively small number of musicians with good ears, few people can really tell the difference. And audiences, whether for Joe Bonamassa or for the neighborhood saloon band, can’t tell the difference-especially after a few drinks. The tone hound thing is just mainly talk. Learn to play, and spend less time fussing with the components along the way, and your career may blossom.
Chris, you do a LOT of talking. How about hearing the instruments? Last night I watched a video of you and Cooper comparing a Taylor and a 30s Martin. No Playing? What's up?
I’ve seen Chris playing in many videos and I enjoy his discussions on gear /shrug, I think Cooper’s just a more accomplished player though so it’s certainly a good fit with him playing more often imo 🤙
I'm completely elated to have acquired this amp! Today is my late dad's birthday. He played a cherry wood Hammond B3 like a boss, and loved Roland amps/keyboards. I've had my eye on this amp since the day this video was released, and today seemed like the perfect day to pull the trigger! This was my first purchase from Alamo, and I'll return many times over. The process couldn't have been simpler or more enjoyable. Staff member who talked to my husband was pumped for me, which only added to my excitement as well. Thank you guys!
Amazing thanks for sharing
Long haired dude plays BRILLIANTLY!
I had one of these for over a decade and regret selling it. The best clean amp ever.
I gigged with a JC-120 for 10 years. I played acoustic 6 & 12 string guitar, hollow electric guitar, banjo, mandolin & solid body electric mandolin. It handled everything with complete aplomb, whether miked or direct. It took pedals really well too. Killer amp.
How to best mic the two speakers? Two mics? If one, where to locate it?
Side note) most would be STUNNED to know how many 70s 80's and 90's HIT SONGS and even some metal, including metallica have recorded their favorite songs with these amps! Its endless!
Every breath you take? Andy Summers 😉
Beautiful demo! I've got a JC-40 - a wonderful amp. You almost have to be in the room to get the full effect of the stereo chorus - and yes - its 3-D sound.
Roger McGuinn’s preferred amp for many years.. so definitely rock royalty approved. I was a tube amp guy for years, but tired of the maintenance costs. So mostly solid state for me these days.
My best friend i grew up with just a few houses down from me had this amp and used it live for years and he let me keep it when he went on vacation for a few weeks and that was in 91.. and its my favorite clean stereo chorus amp of all time by far! Now.. i bought a brand new fender 65 twin reverb reissue and yes i love it to but for me id rather have an 80's 120jc.... any day! For cleans n acustic stuff obviously. You just cant beat it end of story!
My cousin played one with an 808ts and it was incredible. And it was frickin gigantic!
Another fun fact: Japan's venues are seems like almost always have one or more JC-something as backline.
Killer demo Cooper - that amp sounds great and thanks Chris, I loved learning about the history of classic og solid state amps.
Dream amp, got a sim in the Boss Dual Cube lx.
Still have my JC 77. The sound of the JCs are legendary. If you notice most good 'band ' videos', you will often see a JC 120 where great musicians are performing. When I see a JC or a Mesa amp onstage, I know I'm gonna see and hear some good tunes.
Hi there, i just got myself a JC-77, and notice a hissing noise. Is that common or does your amp has a hissing noise too?
Thank you
@@rheybusque9752 That doesn't sound normal. Mine has no such noise. Best get that checked out by a amp technician.
Depends on the age (new or second hand), as this could be a warranty issue.
Hope that this helps.
Great amp!! I ran a JC 120 along with a 67’Fender Super Reverb, with a Les Paul, killer tone, that just got to be to much to take out on the road, so I downsized my JC120 to a JC 77 and the SR down to a 65’ Deluxe with a Tele,much lighter rig to haul around
They can be everything from a one trick pony to a makeshift PA.
I've had mine for 40 odd years and still use it.
Back in the day it was paired in various ways with a 50w Marshall, then with the marshall and a JMP1 , later as a wet Delay and Reverb.
These days it's got an RC505 into the mains, does the job
Now and then I still just plug straight in for that chorus just for the smiles.
People always go 'that's that sound'
Fun fact: The famous Adrian Belew's "Elephant Talk" sound is JC120 with its chorus on, feeding back.
He's still using the same amp (the same actual amp) on tour with Beat now.
They should make them with a great distortion as well
Like there small Rolland mini cube
wow that was incredible! amp sounded good too
I've had a rig in my head of using this JC 120 but with a synergy Tube preamp like a SLO or HBE in the fx loop , to create a solid state tube hybrid that's unaffected by tonal volume levels with a ton of power + the best clean tones in the world .
I have a Roland Cube 40. The default JC120 "sound" is by far my favourite option. I can only imagine how good a real JC120 would be!
I have an old Roland Cube 30X and a 40 XL and if you chain them together and turn the chorus on just one of them and leave the other on dry you're there. Close enough for me anyway.
I love the JC-120! Sweet chorus.
I've always wanted one and now I'm sure of it! 🎈
Happy JC-40 owner here \o/
It's a great sounding dedicated modulation pedal. Add an Orange tube amp and you have it all.
Had a JC-22, had to sell but would love to have one down the road.
Have been a solid state guy since the early 80s with Peavey amps - but I came across another amp that gets little love - but is a clean tone monster - the CRATE GX212.
I see this as a kind of updated Roland JC-120. This CRATE had 2 channels that pushed 90s metal to the stratosphere - but the hidden genius was its other clean channel that was crystal clear to the point it put shudders down your back when you hit a note. It is still my favorite pedal platform amp. It is probably going for a 10th of the price of a Roland JC-120 cherry special edition. The GX212 is heavy and an open back - which can be viewed by some as a negative - but you will never get lost in a mix with other band members.
If you don't have the money for a Roland JC-120 - the CRATE GX212 would be my bargain basement substitute in a pinch. And like the Roland was designed for the late 70s and early 80s - The CRATE was designed for the late 90s and early 2000s. And - if it matters - it was built in the USA.
Tube amps do have a warmth to them when the tubes saturate - but if you are looking for super clean - solid state rocks!
With large pedal boards these days - I can see why solid state is starting to be seen as a good direction to go in. You can add as much warmth or distortion as you want with pedals - and dial in how loud you want to play with a clean solid-state amp.
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 212 amps are great too and easily up there with the Roland JC's
JC-77 provided a extra high treble control knob👍
Amazing Guitar playing
Reminds me of my old Peavey 212 Stereo Chorus.
I'm here to hear Cooper's demo, to be honest. I wanted a JC-120 years ago but I bought a more affordable Peavey instead, and haven't looked back. 2 amps and a stereo chorus pedal works.
I’ve happily played a JC22 for over two years. My other amp is 65 Princeton Reverb, and I switch back and forth between both. My next amp will be a JC40. I‘ll keep the JC22 because that is the amp I will be taking into the nursing home. I would love a JC120, but I don‘t think I would ever need that much volume on this planet. PS You are making me want that Jazzmaster against my will. PSS I love Lake Placid Blue, but I, too, would hold out for Dakota Red.
I’m a happy JC-22 owner as well, it sounds great in that small case
@@sjazzp The JC22 sounds great at home, and I would only move up to a JC40 if I needed more volume.
@@davidgood6744 Hey David! You convinced me to get it 😆 Thanks again!
@@sjazzp I see myself with one in the next 12 months.
Awesome amp.
Great sound, nice demo, lovely playing as usual Cooper. I have a JC-55 and I must say it comes alive with my Gibson ES-165 and my Es-120T. Not a fan of the overdrive.
Good video, great playing but I wanted to hear the gain / distortion tones that this amp should have. That might be the amp's weakness, I'm not sure.
I have a Peavey Stereo Chorus 212 from the the early 90's that's a beast of an amp. Two power amps at 135 watts per channel. The chorus / reverb / delays are great on that one too. It has "crunch and lead" channels also requires a separate EQ to bring out the best.
Anyway, thanks for the demo and that Fender guitar is really nice too. I was there was an affordable lefty model of it.
The sound is so clean but I know JCs have a hiss, like white noise even at zero volume, my JC40 does. Does this special edition amp have no hiss?
Never enjoyed one those, but Roland IA always way ahead of the times and produced great products. I am enjoying one of their acoustic amps which is amazing.
Also a great pedal platform.
It’s a great sounding amp. Doesn’t Roland also own Boss, which explains why this amp sounds so good.
Yeah
Is the chorus still analog? And does it still have a spring tank? Or did they go digital. I'm just curious because I think it was the CE-2 pedal ir the CE-3 that went digital without any mention. And to be fair, few folks noticed. I'm just curious. I had an old one and it was great.
I bought one in 84 for the costly sum of 800 bucks brand new
Did they fix the hiss?
The distortion still sucks lol, but you just bring in a little to un-sterilize the clean. Little hair thats all, very slight and its great for that. The reverb is digital now, no reverb tank which I prefer. Im not sure if the chorus isnt digital now it could be but all I know is i have the 40 and 120 and i love them with my gretsch filtertrons the best. This jazzmaster sounds good, real good but try a gretsch filtertrons or dynasonics either sound fantastic, and dont be afraid to crank that reverb, its great! I keep my chorus dialed back almost all the way just for stereo and wash of reverb, and add some slight hair of the on board distortion actually makes it sound cleaner if you can believe that. Still my favorite amp and guitar combo for certain genres. The 40 is great as well but the 120 is not the same. Close representation and features, but the 120 is still the king of clean, and dont overlook channel 1.. And a jumper! It also goes great with a Boss Core in the FX loop. Love this amp. 40 and 120. Both great. 120 being choice.
I have enough money to purchase the 'non-anniversay' JC120. Apart from the red panels and the edition number what else am I losing from getting the 'ordinary version, built in the same year, and costs £600 - £800 less?
Having trouble getting schematics for a 1979 model and the local amp tech is being a grump about it. Anyone here could possibly help point me to a resource?
Hey guys, if I want Martin D45 sound and response BUT don't want to spend the $$$ for bling on a D45, what model wound you recommend? Also is there a Gibson that would get me there? Thanks Dave
The Cure.
A true limited edition solid state amp with all solid wood? What a bargain!
I swear you were nearly gonna play voice of the soul at the start
No distortion?
Damn. That is some fine playing.
so do we know why they are releasing a 50th anniversary a few years earlier! Like 2025 would be 50 years.
I imagine all 350 are sold out by the time this video ends.
You would think that, but at $2,000 maybe not.
@@charlesbolton8471 Wood sides are nice. I'd bite but I have 2 fender tubes. Marshall realsed an amp made with "curtains" from the marshall factory a couple years ago... sold out real fast. Wish Id gotten one.
I think that all of the amps have been spoken for by stores and private owners. These were announced in the fall.
@@davidgood6744
It’s been six hours since the video was posted, and it’s still available on their website.
@@charlesbolton8471 I wouldn‘t pay that for an amp too loud to use, but I‘m sure 500 people in the world who would.
had one for a while they are tanks.even played bass thru it...
I’m guessing No. 120 is staying with Roland….
I would posit that the vast majority of guitar players can’t really discern a good solid state amp from a decent tube amp. They follow what their idols use and they talk about tone, but aside from a relatively small number of musicians with good ears, few people can really tell the difference. And audiences, whether for Joe Bonamassa or for the neighborhood saloon band, can’t tell the difference-especially after a few drinks.
The tone hound thing is just mainly talk. Learn to play, and spend less time fussing with the components along the way, and your career may blossom.
Put a multy effect board threw with distortion show people what the amp can do. These guys have absolutely no idea how to sell
Chris, you do a LOT of talking. How about hearing the instruments? Last night I watched a video of you and Cooper comparing a Taylor and a 30s Martin. No Playing? What's up?
I’ve seen Chris playing in many videos and I enjoy his discussions on gear /shrug,
I think Cooper’s just a more accomplished player though so it’s certainly a good fit with him playing more often imo 🤙
Guys come on. You have to mic this up in stereo.