Roland JC120 Tone Comparison: 2022 50th Anniversary ltd. ed. VS 1976 First Generation Jazz Chorus

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome comparison! The new ones sound great, but the analog sound of the original is the greatest!👍

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

I have to try to capture the wide lush tone of the 1976, maybe I’ll try a recorder in the room. There is a lot missing micing the amps. Thanks as always my friend

[@nazperalta1794]

@spaceguitar your channel is such a fabulous resource on the Jazz Chorus. I now have a JC-22 and a JC-120A 50th anniversary edition, having watched all of your JC videos. On the JC-120A I found that the distortion knob is really no more than a treble boost, I can’t get it to really distort. Any tips on this, perhaps I need to turn up my EQ settings (all set to about 4 / 11 o’clock). Thanks again for the inspiring videos Enrico. Naz

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

First of all, thanks for the kind words, very much appreciated. About the Distortion, it acts like a boost if you plug through the low input, but if you plug through the hi input you’ll find all the gain missing. Have you tried this? Anyway I find it more usable as a tone enhancer in the low input! Thanks mate 🙏🏻

[@nazperalta1794]

@@TheSpaceGuitar Thanks. Yes I tried it in Hi output mode and the distortion was a bit more effective, still a useful boost. 🎸🎸🎸

[@talentotech-p1e]

Great video! I found the 50th Anniversary model to have a more organic and fuller sound. I imagine its price is considerably higher than a second-hand Japanese one. I’m currently in the market for a JC-120, but with so many variants out there, I’m doing my research and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Any insights or recommendations based on your expertise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Hello my friend, yes the limited edition was very dear considering it’s made in Malaysia. I’d go for a second hand version with the stereo efx loop, made in Japan, Italy or USA depending on which part of the world you are!

[@neilallen529]

Excellent video. I have heard there are about 8 variations of this amp. I have one made in the early 80s in the USA, which is not the same as the original Japanese one from the mid-70s, but it sounds closer to the original one than that new one. The old ones seem to be a bit brighter. Both amps sound great. It's interesting how popular the Jazz Chorus is, but the circuit changes aren't documented as well as they are with, say, Fender Blackface and Silverface amps. I wonder if that has something to do with the Jazz Chorus being a Japanese amplifier, and Japanese people tend to be more private. EDIT: By the way, just to be super picky, I don't believe the vintage amp in this video is a first-generation JC-120, as I believe the original ones did not have a bright switch.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

This 1976 has no bright switch and metal angle covers. It's as First gen like my JC 160. About the different JC120 I consider tha made in Italy of mid 90s to be the best JC ever. Big transformers and sturdy speakers. It's the most boutique of the lot

[@tjn0110]

Interesting comparison! I wouldn't expect them to sound the same given that the speakers in the vintage one are 47 years old and even electrical components can have a "drift" over time... This would be a ton of work, but swapping the speakers around would be interesting, but probably not worth doing for the hassle. Both sound great, if I had to pick, the '76. Cheers.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

It’s a good point about the speakers, the amp needs servicing though because there is something very wrong when I turn on the distortion. But since it’s mint and never touched I’m leaving as it is right now because on the clean side it works fine. It’s noisy though. I still can’t believe I bought it from the first owner. I crossed Italy to collect it in person!

[@tjn0110]

@@TheSpaceGuitar It's always great when there is a story or journey that goes with acquiring a piece of gear 👍.

[@Coach_House_Sound]

What are the 2 devices with the xlr’s plugged into it sitting on the amp on the left? Do you use these when you record your songs?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

I recorded the audio with a zoom h8 i use this most of the time, otherwise is an Apollo X4

[@atiliobaez6184]

This video is awesome, thanks. I have the possibility to buy a vintage one, but I think Ill just go with the new one. Is the possibility to use it with stereo sources and it sounds better, however I like the chorus and the vibrato of the vintage more. Is there any sound difference between the 50th anniversary and the latest one found in stores?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Thanks for the nice comment. Yes I use to have the latest jc120 before buying the limited edition and there is a lot difference. The quality is perceivable in the anniversary amp, more silent, slight different eq, more like the vintage original one. Overall better built a better sounding. It’s worth it. If you don’t want to spend that much money try to find a japanese or italian made Jc120 with the stereo loop. And please subscribe

[@brandonabney4863]

Wow!! AMAZING how different they are. The original sounds a lot more open and blooming. The chorus on the reissue is more hifi, if thats what you want… vintage chorus while dirtier is deeper and more open to me.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Good point mate, I can only say they made a great job with the anniversary edition. I love my vintage one, though

[@Oldworldman]

This is amazing! It is like the later version have sucked the life right out of this amp what it used to be. I got my JC 160 where it is quiet now. I have satellite speakers hooked up to it for stereo spread. What an amp. I think mine is from 1979. Cannot tell from the serial number just going off of what is on the amp.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

My Jc160 is first gen from 1976. It’s quieter than my 120 from the same year. I am curious to play the latter generation. I’d like to buy a made in Italy JC120, possibly the most boutique JC ever produced, I’be found a mint one but the asking price is high

[@DaNooch669]

The chorus on the new one sounds glorious

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

That’s true mate

[@-WolfMan-]

The Roland JC-120 ... The King Of Cleans! They BOTH sound absolutely incredible.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

I so agree with you mate!

[@JJDon5150]

Do both have the same speakers? They're pretty close, but it may just be down to the speakers or age of them for any big differences.

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Same size but slightly different speakers

[@eddygarcia348]

Great video my friend. ¿What is you preferer?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

I’m astonished by the 50th anniversary but there is something magic in the 1976 one. They also feel different under the fingers. At home just to enjoy playing I prefer the 1st gen, for recording and more serious applications the 50th anniversary hands down.

[@ThierryGuenard-z9q]

First génération ❤.....the sound is more spatial...thanks for this vidéo..

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Thanks mate! My JC160 comes from France, please subscribe

[@VevozoneTV]

3:21 what are those chords? sounds lovely! ❤️

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

It’s the intro of one of my tunes, still work in progress. It’s around D/B/F# and G. Not major chords

[@rheybusque9752]

Any hissing noise coming out from any of your amp? My jc77 has a hissing noise and not sure if it's normal?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

Unfortunately it’s very normal and the expense to reduce it it’s not worth it. It is the analog design itself, anyway is less noisy than a normal tube amp. Please subscribe

[@svntiprod7437]

how do the new gen 10in speakers compare to the vintage? I have a 77 and considering a JC-40

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

I used to have an 85, basically a 77 with an effect loop. Compared to the 40, that generation of amp is the most powerful Single channel Jazz Chorus with an analog in your face tone barking loud. The 40 is a great pedal platform with modern useful features for recording and a full stereo setup. It’s digital though, but very good nonetheless. I sold my 85 and kept the 40. If I’ll find a 90 ( a 77 with the stereo loop and eminence speakers) I’ll buy it right away. Keep the 77, but buy a 40!

[@TheDaveGH]

can't tell which is on?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

They are very similar. If you're watching with your phone try to put it in landscape mode and take a look at the switch in the center.

[@xsamitt]

the new one sounds closed in by comparison!

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

The new one is a great amp

[@xsamitt]

@@TheSpaceGuitar Do you know if it is better than the regular (Current) model jc120?

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

@@xsamitt yes by far, on another level

[@xsamitt]

@@TheSpaceGuitar I wonder if they used better components ? That would be interesting to know...but i can't find any info on that .

[@1timothy4]

@@TheSpaceGuitar I was told it was only cosmetic differences between 50th anniversary and current new version Have you played a current new jc120? You said it was better… how?

[@1timothy4]

Would have been a great comparison… Except… mic placement sucks… One is basically touching the cone, the other is inches left and down from center of cone The Square mic is flat with grill in one and angled on the other A/b comparison…. Apples to apples? Not hardly

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

@@1timothy4 i do the editing. Trust me, it's a fair comparison

[@Richard_Biggs]

So that's how metallica made the damage Inc intro lol

[@TheSpaceGuitar]

☺️