Roland Jazz Chorus 77 - Can My Mind Be Changed?

In today's video, we look at a vintage Roland Jazz Chorus 77.
Way back in the day, I used to hate these amps because I saw them as a 1 trick pony. I haven't tried a Jazz Chorus since the early 1990s, can my mind be changed?
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@ulfdanielsen6009]

This is one of the most glorious amps ever produced,- even for a metalhead.

[@Barbarapape]

I can only agree, you can play this amp all day and not get any listening fatigue.

[@loveudon6972]

That's because Metallica used it 🤘🎸

[@MFitz12]

Probably the only solid state amp that has no problem making ANY "Top Ten Amps of All Time" list.

[@AllanGildea]

What's not to like? Sounds gorgeous.

[@davidwoods358]

Playing in a guitar endurance marathon at Guitar Center (in the mid 70's) I fell in love with the original Roland 120 Jazz Chorus. it was the one amp they let us play any time we wanted to plug in. It's still a great sounding amp today.

[@hlcotten6587]

I owned the JC-120, and loved the lush sounds it offered. Also very clean tones for Jazz, etc. Upgrading is not always better. I learned this long ago.✨

[@GreenDistantStar]

Some players didn't like them because the distortion was dreadful. But in full lush mode and as a pedal platform, they kicked serious ass. A one-trick pony? Yep, but what a trick.

[@illavitar]

my jcm 900 dual reverb + small clone sounds better, and I hate my jcm 900!

[@iryan9]

This might be the best tone you've ever had on this channel

[@richardlynch5632]

Everyone should experience a Roland Jazz Chorus amp. Loved mine. 😎👍❤🖖

[@TheProducers]

I bought my JC-77 in 1990 or about, played hundreds of gigs with it and it never failed. I still use it for tracking clean tones. Amazingly loud little amp!

[@CFChristian]

That feedback at the end, after the Yes riff, is truly what I try to dial in on whatever I can.

[@slimturnpike]

How do you do it?

[@ronh1978]

I got one of these when they first came out. Still sounds great. This is the sound of clean.

[@evilkittymusic3221]

I still have my JC-120 and it still sounds great. You talk about the lack of gain - that was the point. There are plenty of overdrive pedals to add gain but to me starting with the perfect clean tone was what I wanted and unlike the Roland over a Fender Twin.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This amp, (combined) with a Strymon Flint, a Barber Gain Changer and a Memory Man and you're all set. I love the "Clean Chorus"

[@nervousnedmusic]

I remember falling in love with a JC-120 in the late 80s. My college roommate covered songs from The Cult - Love with a Gretsch / JC combo and it was glorious. I also liked Johnny Marr's guitar sound from Meat is Murder. Different strokes I guess. I currently have a JC-40 that I occasionally use when the time is right, and the tone still pleases my ears.

[@robert6907]

Funny how they are trying to hate it, only to find out it’s a wonderful sounding amp.

[@junomars8738]

red stripe peavey bandit.

[@squirelova1815]

"It's of an Era...". Um, Yeah, of the BEST musical Era mankind has ever seen, that's all.

[@lorelei2002]

I wouldnt say that. I love 80s music but it has its issues. Eventually party type rock was too emphasized for the era and it made it so there wasnt too much room for creativity in the most mainstream aspects. That said it was also an era where virtuoso guitarists got to push certain boundries as well early on. The 80s had both some of the greatest highs and some of lowest lows imo. It is partially responsible for rock peaking and subsequently losing commercial value. Some might say that was the job of the 90s but by that point it was already dying and alt was an attempt to save a capsized ship

[@cutseencinematics]

yeah not sure what you're hearing but this sounds incredible on almost any setting to me - decent demo though

[@bettsdn]

We had a JC 120 for my Jazz Band back in college. That thing ripped. You almost needed all that clean headroom to solo over a big band at full volume.

[@StephaneBergeronPixelyzed]

Indeed! I played one through most of the 80s and early 90s. Then I got my '89 "red knobs" Fender Twin... even louder than the Roland with as much clean headroom. That Twin's clean tone put my JC-120 to shame. Fantastic Fender "chime" and attack. No chorus on it though ;)

[@johnoakleymusic]

Just before you started playing owner of a lonely heart I thought that exact same thing. I’ve gotta say I think the distortion sounds bloody brilliant! Really impressed me. Great sounding amp all round. Makes me want one. Never mentioned how much you got it for

[@TheStudioRats]

Ill check with James John, He'll let us know in the live show tonight.

[@johnoakleymusic]

Thanks buddy

[@GxBxN]

Some great tones! Love it. I think Roland/Boss products just absolutely nail the best chorus based tones on the market.

[@garyslash7552]

This is the proof: James and Paul can make anything sound great. Seriously, if you are into clean sounds (which I am not, just like Paul) these JCs are awesome amps. Even the distorted sounds are not that bad.

[@funkster007]

I had this amp (JC 77) for awhile back in the 90's and used a Realtube II preamp with it for drive. Mic'd up through a PA at gigs was pretty amazing. I had the perfect cleans, chorus and dirt for any type of song.Then I went through my tube amp phase and sold both. I never needed to keep searching for tone, it was already there. Ugh

[@Caged63Man]

Ditto... It was the best combination to have & the tone was glorious and monsterous, and the other guitat players stood there with their mouths open, wondering how a little innocent clean amp, pumped out raw aggressive in your face blooming tones, over their Fender Twins & Marshall 100's!

[@RPSartre01]

one of the best amps ever - they just don't get the vintage recognition as tube amps. This amp and the chorus will go down in history. And remember the other 80s solid state amp choice was Peavey. The Roland was just much better.

[@svbarr]

I sold these suckers in the 70's. Amazing cleans. Great for jazz and most country. Real tube-y rock? Fuggedaboutit...Every Studio should have one.

[@carpballet]

That’s a gorgeous sounding amp

[@jaaybee101]

I love the clean tones. Would have been nice the hear with a tube screamer or a boss blues driver to give it the slightly cranked tone that Paul prefer 😊

[@bluarcher5941]

I agree. If you're playing out and are of the 2-amp school, the Roland would absolutely work for the clean side (and you can leave your chorus pedal at home); then use your distortion beast of choice for the dirty side and let the games begin : )

[@rodrigocastellanos3617]

It sounds amazing... even the distortion...

[@DavidSmith1307]

Sounded good to me. But I'm a child of the 80s.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

Same

[@chairmankaga101]

It’s a sound I love. Toss a mild overdrive pedal up front and it’s perfect.

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

Wonderful Sound out of an old treasure

[@ksharpe10]

I cannot believe how HEAVY these Roland's were for Solid state amps. I had a friend who had one in about 78, I asked him what's up with all this Steel All the way around it. REAL nice Clean tone and it was one of the Original TYPE Chorus's.

[@jamiebriggs8277]

I've wanted one forever. Great sounds. Love this amp. I'm usually on Paul's side when you two disagree, but it's James all the way on this one.

[@Funkybassuk]

I’m with Mr Drew on this. I used to hate these when they had them in the jam room in my school in the mid-90s. This doesn’t sound as bad as I remember though. Very ultra hifi 80s clean sounds.

[@gratefulape12]

the clean sound of that tele through that amp is really, really nice. Very useable.

[@danielgrubb9496]

Recently played the JC22 and was very surprised and impressed for a stereo practice rig. Ran an H9 through and the stereo tones were stunning.. I want one of these amps. Nice find!!!

[@carlweiderick]

I love it! I have a JC40 and it is one of my favourite amps. It has it's own unique sound.

[@timothy5974]

Nice 80’s. You guys are fast becoming my Favorites on KZbin.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Tim.

[@timothy5974]

Hey have a future video idea. As you know there is a freeware software cloning software called Neural amp Modeler. It seems very promising, what do you think? Check out !😎🤘🤷‍♂️

[@JuddLofthouse]

I love these amp demos 👌thank you gentlemen

[@dreamscuba]

Cool. Thanks for playing some Yes. I saw them in Brum with the 90125 tour. Nice chorus from the amp. Thanks guys.

[@2002ChrisK]

Really enjoyed watching this video guys - a good reminder that playing guitar should be fun! Not sure which model he used, but Billy Duffy of The Cult has used a Roland Jazz Chorus in the past. What a great sound when combined with his White Falcon 😀

[@2000SkyView]

I owned a JC-50 beck in the 80's - wish I still had it. It was an amazing little amp.

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

I was just noodling JC and US combo (Tweed Reverb) on my Boss Cube lunchbox. JC for me is instant Police...

[@eblue9620]

A few years ago tried to sell my JC77 to Guitar Center. They were not interested and get this, I then offered to give it to them for free, still not interested 😮

[@jonnylove1234]

it's one of those amps you often ponder about and then buy something else - but that may have to change after watching this - yes really cool sounds, even the distortion could have a use - brings you right back to the 80's if you're of a certain age

[@acecomet]

Sound amazing ! Love the jazz chorus series

[@garywaddell6309]

Ah yes memory lane. I owned the JC120 and fell in love with Chorus. My first big amp purchase in the 80s because the Edge used them, then I eventually hated it. The gain was horrible and pedals didn’t help. Sold it to a Celtic player since he wanted a clean amp for his violin. Never regret selling it 😂

[@John_2Much_Coffee]

I love it, I also realized I am old......... Cheers

[@kmichaelp4508]

And we have James, ole buddy, playing and it sounded so good 😄

[@gregmock6808]

I gigged with this amp for 20 years bought new in 83 in Los Angeles....indestructible but they hate neon lights....I gifted mine to my bass player of many years and went back to Fender tube amps for the last couple of decades. I might pick up a JC40 to use in stereo with my Fender HR deluxe.

[@tone9930]

I owned a first gen jc120 but it went beyond repair. That was in the 80's. I got another one from the 90's. I m combining it with a Fender HotRod 212. I love the sound of both.

[@butch821]

Great video! I want that amp SO MUCH!

[@polkatronixx]

When I was in school, I briefly played in a band and the guitar player used a JC-77. This was in the late 80s. I loved (and still love) the distortion on those amps. If I recall correctly, they sound a lot better than the JC-120s when it comes to the distortion.

[@badscrew4023]

I love everything about this amp

[@DirtyWindshieldSeries]

I will never get rid of my JC-120. It's Clean and Doesn't Distort when Driven Hard. It takes me back to those days of the Late 70s/Early 80s when Summers, Weller, Belew, Fripp and So Many Others Cranked Thru Them! The 77 was just as great but a little more Portable.

[@esmoroglu]

First gig ever at high-school and this amp as backline, 1991, thanks god a Boss HM-2 saved me.

[@chrisquinn9104]

I had a JC-50 that I used with an HM-2. Surprisingly good combination. I still have a demo tape from ‘85 that I used that combo on and it sounds good. That said on their own, I’m not big on either

[@AdADglgmutShevanel]

I played one today and absolutely loved it! Amazing tone, especially the chorus. Unfortunately the distortion didn't work very well.

[@zellarecords6195]

I run this amp with a 65’ Deluxe non reverb, with a custom shop Tele, and the tone together is amazing!!! Thanks for posting.

[@freddieblue6351]

Beautiful sounding amp. I have a Jazz Chorus 22, I got rid of my valve amps and kept it.

[@squirelova1815]

"You can drop it down the stairs, and the only thing that would be damaged is...the stairs." Oh yes, that sounds rather like Roland-Boss alright, just like their pedals and effects too.

[@booshting3520]

Steve Rothery and his JC120 are iconic.

[@imCurveee]

The distortion and chorus sounded great to me

[@cosiogalko]

Ridiculously Fantastic, Fun Post. P.S. Roland Jazz Chorus Amps are Historic. Party on.

[@gianthonour]

Paul... What are you saying?? 😅 I've had a JC22 a couple of years (2 x 6") and it's simply fantastic. Instant tone, great with pedals, super reverb, and the best Chorus... Ever 👍

[@Twylightt]

Big muffs pink floyd style?

[@nmacog]

I just picked up a JC-22, as i'm a sucker for the gorgeous chorus tone on these things. Grew up listening to The Cult / Cure / Smiths / Cocteau Twins and I can finally recreate their sound on this amazing amp, totally love this thing !

[@partriotsfight5039]

I found a JC 90 for $400. Have it in my studio and use it occasionally

[@TheSalinski]

I sold my JC77 to buy a JC90. Similar amps but the 90 has a stereo loop out the back. Very cool feature in use with stereo pedals!

[@EfEmDee]

Is it wrong that I heard "Owner of a Lonely Heart" the nanosecond they distortion was turned up? I was quite satisfied when James started playing the riff!

[@davidbrassard9125]

Amazing tone machine

[@claudevieaul1465]

I've always liked the larger JC's - they sound lovely and take pedals incredibly well. But you need any type with 2 good speakers: anything smaller than 2x10" is a no-go unless you don't want to go beyond your bedroom. A proper JC-120 is a massively heavy beast, but it definitely is *A BEAST* :)

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Sad old buggers.... I'd kill to have one of those.

[@Ric007Mason]

I’m with Paul 🤟🏻🎸

[@ephil105]

They should have run some pedals into it, the headroom was one of the strengths of the JC-120

[@HandWiredAmps]

2 comments. Can you make it sound like your Independence. Do we get a ToneX capture?!!! 😊

[@musiccreation1198]

Ditto ... can we get a ToneX capture?!!!

[@TheStudioRats]

Yeah we can sort that

[@musiccreation1198]

@@TheStudioRats Awesome!

[@marcelfok2561]

I have the JC-40 and it’s ace!

[@djpenton779]

The guitarist in my high school garage band (Beatles era) played a Rickenbacker six string through a JC120. He loved it, whereas the rest of us were enamored of Les Pauls through Marshalls. As I have aged, most overdriven / distorted guitar sound bore the shit out of me. Especially marginal players who ask "can it djent". So I now believe that my high school friend was on to something.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

This is me now. First, I'm an 80s kid. Second, distortion and oversaturated shredding bores me to tears. I sold off most of my gear and got a JC22 to go with my Ric 325 and modded 320. I'm fixing to ditch another set of amps to get a JC77 that popped up locally. I run minimal effects and I love clean chime and atmospheric reverb.

[@lambertfooks7358]

the distortion is actually a nice a effect...just not too much with a reverb..provides a nice boost

[@charlescowart5423]

I think it sounds pretty good actually

[@rogercardenas111]

I would love to own one of these amps.

[@Barbarapape]

How can anyone hate a Jazz Chorus.? It is my favourite clean amp, i can't stand any distortion and i hate gain! Why go to all that trouble of making an amp that is a pleasure to listen to then ruin that sound with distortion of any type or amount. This amp and a tape echo is all i need, you can keep your distortion pedals.

[@awothers72]

Yeah, but put a couple of pedals in front of it and it’s actually a decent pedal platform.

[@kendeiss3798]

I like the sound.

[@Exercise-01]

It sounds great,next let's see how pedals work.

[@nekkon1989]

Every guitar amplifier could be relevant in a specific setting. For example I would happily use this amplifier in a praise and worship context, even today

[@chrisgreene7075]

Absolutely my favourite amp of all time. Still blows other guitarists minds how huge my set up sounds with these things with some good pedals in front of it. Own a newer JC40, 80s JC120, and the 4x10 JC160... ...yes it is a 160 not a 180 and fuck yes it is immense sounding. QUAD CHORUS! The distortion on the older models really wasn't that great (for traditional applications anyway, I think John McGeoch actually used the built in distortion and nobody debates his guitar tone!) but the drive on the JC40 is actually super nice. I wish I could put that circuit into a one knob pedal.

[@geoffreysmith4618]

great video. I have seriously considered this amp but have heard that it is very noisy even when the volume is all the way down. Can you comment?

[@scogg837]

ToneX? Katana Patch? Pretty please.....

[@middle_pickup]

The fact they haven't released a plugin of this amp is insane to me. Of all the amps that would actually work well as a plugin this is the most obvious.

[@markjohnson1020]

I'll take it!

[@TM-jo4wz]

I think it’s great. I’m thinking of getting the JC 40. From sweet water. May not be loud enough though.

[@gianthonour]

Oh, it's loud..! 👍

[@supercocomonsters6522]

It's perfect for small clubs.

[@topoftherock3628]

JC 40 is loud, and clear.

[@brysimm404]

Everyone knows the distortion circuit is rubbish, but that’s not what anyone plays this amp for. It has magical chorus and is a stellar pedal amp, including - wait for it - any distortion pedal you like 👍

[@SoloSi2024]

You should use the distortion control up a little in tandem with a good overdrive. I never found that drive pedals really worked with it on clean only.

[@robdisner]

I’ve had a few different JC amps over the years, and the 77 is the best sounding of the bunch. Unless you are planning to play arenas, the 120 is just overkill.

[@edphaze6550]

The distortion isn’t all that bad. But there are pedals that sound way better!😂 I’ve used the 120 in the studio for an atmospheric track and it definitely has its own unique thing.

[@chebbrahim9012]

Love this amp. Wondering what mics you used on it and if you've tried recording the line outputs?

[@mattg082]

I dumpster dived one of these. The person who threw it away though it was broken. They just put a new fuse in and turned the outer casing. So the cable inside broke, and a quick solder fixed it. Cleaned all the pots and good as new. It’s a great shoegaze pedal platform and even takes heavy distortion pedals well. It just doesn’t do light Overdrive great imo. So I wouldn’t be sticking a BluesBreaker or Klon in front of it…I think those low gain breakups sound better on a tube amp. A few things I don’t like are the distortion and reverb. I put a Morning Glory in front of one, and didn’t sound good. But a Rat or any medium to high gain it’s good. For 80s cleans and using mono effects you can’t get much better. As far as I know this amp only has a one channel low and high input. So only stereo Chorus from the amp. The back of the amp has a Left and right though, to run DI or to other speakers. But as far as I can tell you, can’t run true stereo like the other ones with pedals. I switched to a Sky King and missed the chorus, so bought a Boss CE2W. Been thinking of making the JC77 a clean effects amp, and my Sky King be the main dirty. The JC pairs well with any amp or a two amp rig. It just is very distinct with the clean 2x10 chorus. And it sounds like old school metal with a gained up distortion pedal like a Shredmaster. I just got tired of lugging it around with the Sky King, and having to mic a second amp for the chorus. The CE2w does a great recreation, but the JC 77 still sounds better with the 2x10s. I’d record my Chorus and cleans on just that amp, against any high end Botique one out there. It’s great at that thing very well , and not too shabby as an amp with synths either. Also a great studio amp to always have laying around. Currently the Flaming lips are touring with a 4 rig JC40. Which is pretty crazy, and the pedals do the rest. If it sounds good, it’s good!

[@factualverbage]

Many more JC-120's made than 77 but I have one and glad I got it back in the early 90's. I have several amps, mostly tube, but I honestly probably don't play the JC-77 enough..... it is a great amp.... best chorus ever...... Just use good overdrive pedals instead of the built in distortion of the amp.......

[@ordinalkirk]

Plug ToneX pedal into it please.

[@yadaslowahedwig6398]

I run into a Boss Katana Artist and then out to my JC-90 and voila perfect blend across generations.

[@RockmannMusic]

You've got a very good sounding one. The BBD chips can deteriorate over time [or the chorus circuit is going out of calibration] and it seems you've got a good quad of distortion diodes installed

[@aquilarossa5191]

One of my amps has a clean channel. I have never tried it, but it's there if I am ever feeling old and mellow, I guess. Angus did not need a clean channel. Clean is alright in small doses though, e.g., a clean intro before the volume knob goes to ten and the real song begins 😜 Chorus reminds me of that casual fashion trend when I was a 1980s kid in Milton Keynes. A few players went for it and then most of them did (p.s. that fashion took off, and I saw exactly how -- a few lads at school turned up all casual style and most of the girls made a big fuss over them, so the rest of the lads legged it to the clothes shops and barber, so they could be fussed over too -- no school uniform in those days BTW, because the school was trying to be all modern and progressive like MK itself was trying to be). Yeah, chorus reminds me of all that. 🤣

[@MRxr400]

i don't get it. i really liked it's sound, clean mind you. i just went and saw a band that used the exact amp. it surprised me. only thing i'd do is add a compressor to the input to add just a touch of compression, like a valve preamp would do. Still, not selling my tube amp for one.