Roland Jazz Chorus


Roland Jazz Chorus is the name given to a series of solid-state instrument amplifiers produced by the Roland Corporation in Japan since 1975. Its name comes from its built-in analog chorus effect. The Jazz Chorus series became increasingly popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s new wave and post-punk scenes because of its clean yet powerful sound, durability and relatively low cost when compared to the more commonly used tube amplifiers of the time such as Marshall or Fender. It also found favour amongst funk players in America. It also became popular to use for clean tones in heavy metal, with the most famous users being James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett from Metallica, and Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit.
Most models have controls based on the JC-120's standard setup. There are two channels, one clean, the other with effects. The built-in effects include stereo chorus, vibrato, reverb, and distortion. The amplifier features high and low inputs, a bright switch as well as a three band equalizer and volume for each channel.

Timeline

Since its inception in 1975, the Roland Jazz Chorus amplifier has undergone several design iterations.
1975
JC-120, 120 watts, 2x12" speakers; JC-60, 60 watts, 1x12" speaker
1976
JC-160, 120 watts, 4x10" speakers; JC-80 60 watts, 1x15" speaker
1978
JC-200, 200W ; JC-200S, 2x12" speakers ; JC-50, 50 watts, 1x12" speaker
1984
JC-120H, 120W head ; JC-77, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers; JC-55, 50 watts, 2x8" speakers
1992
JC-20, 20 watts, 2x5" speakers
1996
JC-85, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers
1997
JC-90, 80 watts, 2x10" speakers
2015
JC-40, 40 watts, 2x10’’, ; JC-22, 30 watts, 2x6.5" speakers

Notable users

The Jazz Chorus is one of the most famous and successful combo amplifiers from its period and its earliest users included Albert King, Andy Summers, Larry Coryell, Robert Smith, Billy Duffy, Art Saiz, John McGeoch, Steve Hackett, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Steve Rothery and Wayne Hussey among others. Summers' use of the amp in turn inspired, for instance, Jeff Buckley, whose first amplifier was a Jazz Chorus.
Another notable user of the JC-120 was Steve Levine, producer of bands such as Culture Club, The Beach Boys and The Clash. He often combined it with effects pedals from Boss Corporation, a Roland subsidiary.