Occam
Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 61
Alameda Ca
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Posted on Jun 01 2007 04:58 PM
You know...it's actually a really nice combination. I'm really happy with the sound, true my '63 RI-tank really helps and I think the older models with the nice JBL's also helps add some spank and snap when you really dig in. I think running it with a Showman or a Twin would make a nice combination of tones.
Anybody else tried one for surf or had any success with any other solid states?
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Jun 01 2007 08:26 PM
 i had wondered if the old jc120 was a usable surf amp. had a roland bc-30 with 2-10s and a reverb pedal that did ok and the fender model on the cube 60 isn't too bad. just haven't really messed with any of the jc series. i know the chorus is great but heard the distortion was poor. the fender model on the avdt 50 vox is good---not sure of the initials on the model number---and the reverb was fair. some of the solid state amps are decent for surf but just like tube amps some of em aren't so good. peace
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on Jun 01 2007 10:18 PM
yes it does work. You WILL need a pedal to "warm" it up a little. Look at it as crate powerblock without the ability to dial in a tube-y softness. The built in Distortion effect sucks bigtime. Don't look for any surf tone there. Actually it sucks if you're looking for a rock tone, blues tone, heck... Just stay away from the distortion effect... It's a loud clean amp. Slap a little character on it and you're good to go. One of those deluxe reverb or bassman pedals might be the way to go 
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Occam
Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 61
Alameda Ca
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Posted on Jun 02 2007 12:37 PM
If I was going to use it alone I would like something to sponge it up a little bit but as it is it's super crisp with a lot of attack and that actually sounds really cool. Maybe a tube preamp pedal or something would work.
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on Jun 02 2007 01:01 PM
yeah, we're on the same page. I'm assuming the "Fender" Boss pedals could be had for less, but a tube preamp would work of course. Starts getting into the "too bulky" range for me, but I've only used rack mount preamps, so when I hear preamp, that's immediately what enters my mind...
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Fripperton
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
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Posted on Jun 04 2007 10:43 PM
I've used one as part of a 2 amp set up. Well actually I have used my JC55, the JC120's little brother with a pair of 8 in. speakers. In combination with a tube amp like a Pro Reverb it makes a very usable sound. Don't use the distortion knob however. The tone with that is quite rancid.
— There is Surf east of Sepulveda.
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Occam
Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 61
Alameda Ca
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Posted on Jun 05 2007 01:38 AM
Agreed...the distortion on these is one of the worst things I've ever heard.
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tenderfoot
Joined: Feb 01, 2007
Posts: 308
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Posted on Jun 05 2007 06:41 AM
My Princeton Chorus (practice amp) is solid state and everyone that hears it think it replicates the tube sound. Just remember to turn OFF the chorus for surf!
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2687
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Jun 05 2007 11:22 AM
Manuel Galban uses a JC120 on Mambo Sinuendo, a collaboration with Ry Cooder. It's not really surf but has been referred to as "cuban surf". Very clean and transparent.
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3855
North Atlantic
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Posted on Jun 05 2007 06:19 PM
I used a JC 120 on the first couple of Urban Surf Kings gigs, then sold it and bought a 1960 Fender Vibrasonic and RI Reverb Tank. The Roland just didn't cut it for me.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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