All user reviews for the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-160

Paid $300.00 used (well worth more), and got it at Noteworks in Phoenix, Az.

Everything, even without my Boss GT-6, I found the cleanest tone possible, and the true stereo chorus is rich and warm. Every note, and chord sings. I play it thru my Fender US Strat modified with the David Gilmour EMG SA active pickups.

Nothing, except that it is a bit too heavy in the case I want to take it here and there to show friends, and make them envy.

Very solid, built like a tank. I believe mine is the older one than the ones they sell nowadays..........SOMEONE HELP ME OUT HERE: I believe mine is very old, the power switch is a silver switch, and the effects power (Vibrato, off, and chorus), are not knobs, but another silver switch, and the speakers have the silver tips. I will send a pic upon request if you can estimate the year it was made....j9928@cox.net

Legendary sound. True chorus. You will not regret buying this wonderful amp.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought my JC-120 used in a second hand store for 500$ CDN.

The amp still had it's original cover and was in terrific shape. I called Roland US to get info from the serial number and found it was made in 1984 in Japan, before they changed it. Anyone will tell you what a great clean sound it has, but I say it is also one of the loudest/cleanest amps out there still today.

The distortion, of course, but I use the Boss Metal Zone, problem solved!

One of the most solid amps built! It's a tank! A bit heavy too though...

I would not hesitate to replace this amp with another if it ever fell off a building or something (the only way I believe you can kill one of these).

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Price Paid: 500-600 (CAD) used Vancouver
I was looking for a Richy Rich clean sound - full and sparkling , and the fact that I could plug in my Roland D10 Keyboard into the amp was a big plus!

I kinda think of this amp as a giant effect box, cause with the chorus off it can sound kind of sterile. But the chorus is a big winner!I have a Roland D10 keyboard and I can plug it into the front of the amp like a guitar or bypass the amp and go direct to the line in inputs. Terrific feature - saves buying a keyboard amp!There is a kinda joke about that the jc120 makes all guitars sound the same. When I was playing inexpensive guitars - squires and the like - this seemed to be true. The Roland acted like the Equalizer, evening up the sonic play ground. ha ha!My gibson nighthawk sounds glorious with the middle pickup position - shining, sparkling, incredible with the chorus engaged!.Yes this is one trebly amp, but I always play through the low input with the bright switch off. With treble at 3-5 the sound is bright without being harsh. it is a refined sound, great for blues/jazz/spatial textures. Yum yum!

With the chorus off it can sound kind of sterile, which is why I think of it as a giant effect box with speakers. Ha ha! There is no way to get rid of the ever present hiss. However, it doesn't bother me as at only moderate volume, I can barely hear it

Indestructible! Great durability!

I would buy another jc120 if I lost this one. I was playing a 4x10 fender hod rod deville and a vox ac15 previously - The roland gives a much bigger sound than the vox, and a smoother sound than the 4x10 hod rod, though I am purchasing a 1x12 fender hod rod - called the deluxe now - cause for certain bluesy stuff the solid state roland lacks transparent spunk

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is the best clean tone in the world. Many artist have used the Roland JC amps for their recorded clean tone and their live tone as well. The 160 is much like the 120 with a different set of speakers and a larger cabinet. You get the same features and tone but you have four 10 inch speaker instead of two 12 inch and the wattage is bumped up to 160 instead of 120.

The Jazz Chorus probably the most recognizable Roland amp ever created. Also probably the most highly sought after solid state amp on the planet. And maybe the most highly used clean tone that has ever been created!

From studios to stages this amp has seen a number of uses and major users, such as Metallica and many others. This amp has a clean tone that is perfect for recording as well as running a pedals in front of.

UTILIZATION

Roland JC-160:
The Jazz-Chorus 160
4x10 Combo
160 Watts - Solid State
2 Channel; Chorus / Reverb / Vibrato / On Wheels


The amp is extremely easy to use and an idiot an figure out how to get this thing a decent tone. The amp takes pedals very well, and if you need to bust it out of your house then be prepare to hear some loud tone. Rated at 160 watts of solid state power this thing is going to be insanely loud. Probably why they didn't make them that long because who needs more than 120 watts right?

SOUNDS

The tone from this amp is so legendary! The clean is really the reason you buy this amp but the ability to take distortion pedals is a huge bonus. The amp takes on your favorite pedal quite well and amplifies the natural harmonics of your guitar and playing style.

For me there is only one reason to own this amp...and that is to use it on a recording for clean tone. The chorus is very lush and smooth! It sounds great with just about any guitar you throw at it. If you have listened to any Metallica album then you have heard this amp.

OVERALL OPINION

I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs the best clean tone you could get out of an amp. I am partial to solid state cleans as I feel that they have a sparkle that tubes cannot match. Distortion is a whole different ball game but the cleans will get you the best chimey sparkle you have ever heard.

You can only find these amps on the used market at this point. They are highly rare as I think they were only sold in Japan. I have seen them for around $500 or so. A little bit on the high side for a solid state amps. If you really want to gig with this amp then it is a good purchase, but if you just want to use it for recording a particularly the clean then save several hundred dollars and get a Cube amp from Roland that has the JC Clean. But this amp is so classic anyway that it is a must own!

This is a tube amp made by Roland, known for their keyboards and electric pianos as well as keyboard amps. This is a solid amp that can be used for jazz guitarists. There are two 1/4" inputs (Normal and Effect). The normal input is a straight ahead input, which only utilizes the volume knobs as well as the EQ. The effect input gives you the option of utilizing the chorus, reverb and distortion effects. There are 110 watts of power.

UTILIZATION

This amp is a pretty easy one to get a hold of. The chorus controls are a pretty simple, as are the distortion and reverb. For those of you interested in the distortion, keep in mind that as this is designed with the Jazz player in mind, the distortion on this amp is incredibly light, so don't expect to rock out. The EQs and other controls are also really easy to use.

SOUNDS

This amp has an incredibly warm and smooth sound, one that is not easily replicated on the ubiquitous Fender and Marshall amps of today. A Gretsch or old Gibson Hollow-body is the best way to go on these amps, as they provide the full sound that this amp compliments so well. Even with the distortion all the way up, this amp is still really smooth. I don't really care much for chorus, but even still, the chorus effect on this amp is great, as is the reverb (which is a natural, spring reverb.)

OVERALL OPINION

I really like the warmth and tone of this amp, as well as the reverb. It has a unique sound that is very particular. As such, I wouldn't recommend using it if you aren't a serious jazz musician, or somebody who plays music that is similar in style. Rock players, even most blues players, would be better off with something else. However, for those of us who want the nice, Wes Montgomery-style sound, this is a phenomenal choice.