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Average Price: $488
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$300
$701+
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Description
Introducing the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus, a testament to Roland's commitment to sound quality and innovation. This solid-state combo amp, a smaller sibling of the renowned JC-120, was a favorite among New Wave and Heavy Metal musicians of the early '80s. With its durability and affordability, it was a popular choice for artists seeking high-quality sound without the high-end price tag. Though its onboard distortion channel may not be its strongest suit, the JC-50 is widely celebrated for its glistening clean tones and remarkable chorus/vibrato effect, reminiscent of iconic bands like the Talking Heads and the Police.
Key Features:
- Production Years: 1980 - 1989
- Electronics: 50 watts, solid-state signal path, 1 x 12-inch speaker
- Effects: Onboard vibrato/chorus channel with Speed and Depth controls
- Controls: Volume, 3-band EQ, Distortion, Reverb
- Notable Players: Andy Summers, David Bryne, James Hetfield
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | JC-50 Jazz Chorus 50-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1978 - 1995 |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Solid State |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 50 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x12" |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus best suited for?
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The Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus is renowned for its clean, crisp sound, making it ideal for jazz, funk, and pop music. Its signature chorus effect adds depth and dimension, favored by many guitarists in these genres.
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Does the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus features built-in chorus and vibrato effects, as well as spring reverb, allowing for versatile sound shaping directly from the amp.
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Is the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus suitable for live performances?
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With its 50-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus provides ample power and clarity for small to medium-sized venues, making it suitable for live performances.
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How does the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus handle pedals?
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The Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus is known for its clean sound, making it an excellent platform for pedals. It handles effects pedals well, allowing guitarists to expand their tonal palette easily.
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What is the weight of the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus?
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The Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus weighs approximately 18 kg, making it relatively portable for a combo amplifier with its features and power.
Videos
Johan Segeborn
The Metallica Clean Tone is ALL about this Combo! Roland Jazz Chorus
The Metallica Clean Tone is ALL about this Combo! Roland Jazz Chorus
Johan Segeborn
Fender Telecsater 1974 + Roland Jazz Chorus 50 FLUXSON Music
Fluxson Music
ROLAND JAZZ CHORUS JC 50
Surin Vintage
Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus
Sasa Vidicki
我が家にJAZZ CHORUSがやってきた！【Roland JAZZ CHORUS-50】 ～アンプ レビュー編～
りょいるギターチャンネル
Reviews
PROS
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Delivers a gorgeous clean chorus sound for both guitars and keyboards
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Iconic, unmistakable sound ideal for performing or recording
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Reliable performance with a value-minded price point
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Solid state amp that pairs well with pedals
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Versatile features including distortion, reverb, chorus, and vibrato
CONS
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Some users feel it lacks character or warmth
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Can be a little noisy during use
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus.
Use cases and applications
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The JC-50's lighter weight and smaller size make it ideal for gigs with limited space, offering convenience over larger amps like the Twin Reverb.
Source
Features and functionality
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The onboard chorus and vibrato effects, while subtler due to the single 12" speaker, offer practical utility with the vibrato being more prominent.
Source -
To fully utilize the stereo chorus effect of multi-speaker amps like the JC-40, live setups require miking both speakers, emphasizing the need for cooperation with sound technicians.
Source
Comparisons
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Unlike the lush reverb of a Twin Reverb, the JC-50's reverb is more subdued, benefiting from use in multi-guitar setups where it's less noticeable.
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Owners with experience on both JC-40 and vintage JC-60 note that the JC-60, despite being a single speaker model, is heavier and bulkier than the JC-40.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Connecting a stereo splitter to the headphone jack enables stereo effects, allowing integration with additional amps for enhanced soundscapes.
Source
User experience
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The amp's distortion, typically criticized, is surprisingly acceptable for home use when pedals aren't in play, providing a practical alternative to setting up a pedal board.
Source -
Vintage models, such as the JC-60, may exhibit issues like increased noise, crackly pots, and non-functioning EQ bands, which can affect performance consistency.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings
3007
Clean pedal platform.
Amazingly clean solid state amp. Some say it lacks character or warmth, but this amp , with distortion, reverb, chorus and vibrato on tap is a solid performer, that just loves pedals.
Artist usage
Add artist
1:18 a single speaker jazz chorus amp can be seen behind him
Robin looks to be playing a Roland JC 50 with a rack mount FX unit on top of it in this video. It could also be a JC-60 but the Roland tag on the front looks to be that of the 50 released in 1978.
The Roland JC-50 amp can be seen at the 1:15 mark in this Youtube documentary.
A Roland JC-50 can be seen in Alan's rig in this photo from a Low concert circa 2013.
Thom uses Jazz chorus in pair with Fender amp, probably in stereo settings. Can be seen in KEXP live at Home performance
For his amp rig, we stuck with his live setup which sounded great. It’s a dual amp rig consisting of a Roland JC50 for the mids and G&K for the low end. The bass in this band is the raw texture in the music, so it takes the place of a guitar player essentially. So to capture that raw midrange, we used a combination of a Shure SM57, Unidyne 546, and an EV 408.
Andrew (Andy) William Booth is confirmed to use the Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus, as listed on The Cassandra Complex gear page provided by Rodney.
Toni Torres use the Roland Jazz Chorus mainly in his studio HCTSOUND
Album Usage
The Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland JC-50 Jazz Chorus, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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