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JC-120 - finally!!
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:07 am
by ozover50
I've been looking for one of these for a number of months and I finally found one at the right price and in great condition!
Perhaps surprisingly, it wasn't on eBay, but a local trading newspaper/internet site, the Trading Post.
Of course, I couldn't take pics without two of my beautiful Rickenbackers.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:20 am
by Scastles
Those Rolands Jazz 120's are sweet, Howard. Wonderful sound.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:22 am
by atomic_punk
I used to play one of those back in the day, loved the chorus on it! Good get!
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:37 am
by jingle_jangle
Howard, welcome to the '70s look with the Sound that Stings.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:40 am
by admin
What speakers are in that amplifier Howard?
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:59 am
by ozover50
Thanks, guys. I'm very happy with it.
It's a great sound indeed!! I wanted one even before I heard John McNally play his 620/12 through one live here in Melbourne.
It's just been serviced, and it's had an interesting mod done - when channel 2 is in the chorus position, the vibrato depth control actually adjusts the amount of chorus. A very neat idea, IMO, because previously it was either on or off - the mod gives you a lot of 'in between'.
I now have a difficult decision to make whenever I play at home...... do I use the JC-120 or the Vox AC-30CC1? Guess I could always play the 620/6 or 360V64 and use my Ric-O-Sound unit - best of both worlds!! Think I'll try that one out tomorrow night..............
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:18 am
by ozover50
Thank you, Paul..... back to the "good ol' days", eh?
It has the original Roland MIJ "Heavy Duty Transducers", Peter. I can't find any model numbers on either the labels or frames.
I haven't dated it yet ("a dozen oysters naturelle and a '73 Bollinger, my dear?"), but the seller tells me it's late 70s. Apparently the Roland site is a bit vague with older serial numbers.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:26 am
by ozover50
Here's the rear view:
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:43 am
by headbanger
Now Howard, being a Melbournian, I want you to go out and find the best amp ever made, a Rose-Morris(Aust) Goldentone.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:58 am
by ozover50
I had two back in the 60s, Gerry!! A 60 watt bass combo and another 40 watt with the swinging head.... remember those?
Philips EL34 output tubes if I remember correctly - made right here in South Melbourne (the amp, not the tubes)!!
They also distributed Yamaha in those days, I think.
The Goldentones still pop up every month or so on eBay.....
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:20 am
by admin
Thanks Howard.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:31 am
by winston
Congrats Howard,
Great find. They are a great amp.
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:34 am
by melibreits
Congrats, Aitch!
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:27 am
by ozover50
Thanks again! I was up late last night playing the 660/12 through it - sensational!!
I guess the guitar might have been pretty happy, too...... it's only been out of its case for photo sessions recently!!
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:19 pm
by longhouse
Howard!!!
Congratulations on the wonderful amp. The most discerning players have JC120s (like me
).
The tone is anything but sterile. I even like the 70s distortion (occasionally). In a pinch, the Jazz Chorus doubles as an acoustic amp.
Lately I've been using my small tube combo a lot but some songs really need the Roland.
Now you need an A/B box. Marty Willson-Piper (most notably of the Church) used a JC120 and Vox AC30 in tandem for years. You may revel in that rich sound. Use your 360V64 -run one out to each amp. Dial in the sound of the Elysium Fields!
The Roland is equally adept at clean and effected tones. I love the sound of my 1997 through a squashed compressor into my Roland. **sigh**
Anyway... glad you finally got it! When people hear it, they always comment on how good it sounds.
Cheers! Noel