Roland JC 120 Hiss

**aliensporebomb** · 02-13-2023, 11:55 AM

I created this video that demonstrates a way to mitigate the hiss without hardware modifications - try it!

**pdfiddler** · 02-20-2023, 04:35 AM

A bad tube simulator

**jzucker** · 02-24-2023, 07:59 AM

it's a well known design problem with the power amp. I was shocked the first time I tried a JC55 that 30+ years later, roland is still using the same flawed design.

**supersoul** · 02-24-2023, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by aliensporebomb

I created this video that demonstrates a way to mitigate the hiss without hardware modifications - try it!

This is just my €0.02, but I don't get it. The entire point of having a JC-120 is the preamp, chorus and reverb! The distortion circuit is also pretty unique sounding. Otherwise the JC-120 is just an oversized and heavy 2-12 cabinet with a nothing-special power amp installed for added weight.

The JC-120 can be a magical. It was my first real amp after the Gorilla I started with. The hiss is just a part of it. I know it's called a Jazz Chorus but it's more of a rock amp in a lot of ways.

There's a solo James Blood Ulmer DVD where you can really hear the chorussed hiss during the quiet parts. It's great!

**GuyBoden** · 02-24-2023, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by supersoul

This is just my €0.02, but I don't get it. The entire point of having a JC-120 is the preamp, chorus and reverb! The distortion circuit is also pretty unique sounding. Otherwise the JC-120 is just an oversized and heavy 2-12 cabinet with a nothing-special power amp installed for added weight.

The JC-120 can be a magical. It was my first real amp after the Gorilla I started with. The hiss is just a part of it. I know it's called a Jazz Chorus but it's more of a rock amp in a lot of ways.

There's a solo James Blood Ulmer DVD where you can really hear the chorussed hiss during the quiet parts. It's great!

Yes, I had a Roland JC120 for years, the hiss is part of the package, the chorus and reverb was great at the time, I only played it at gigs, just turned it up loud.