weird_oh84
Joined: May 24, 2023
Posts: 207
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 12:08 AM
I’m in the market for a new amp later this summer and am considering getting a Roland JC40.
In addition to Surf and other Instrumental music, I also play classic Goth/Death Rock which was originally played on JC120’s (and other solid state amps)
I really value the “clean” reputation of the JCs and am wondering if anyone on here plays one and if they have any tips for getting a decent CLASSIC Surf tone.
Obviously I’m not going to be getting any natural tube breakup or compression, so maybe I should grab a Surfy Blossom Point for that…?
Thanks!
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3848
North Atlantic
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 07:33 AM
When Urban Surf Kings started in ‘95/96 I had a 5150 half stack and A JC 120 left over from a previous band. The JC was the one I used for surf, of the 2 amps (though that half stack did get used too lol). I used the onboard reverb and a Boss DD3 to try to get closer to the trad sound, but it never really sounded right. It was very solid state sounding. The early audiences never knew the difference, and it was plenty loud. I am much happier with my Fender Vibrosonic brownface and reverb tank.
Surfer Joe mentioned that it was the house amp for a lot of Japanese clubs. He was happy with the sound he got, but I suspect he was using some Surfybear equipment to more closer to the trad realm. He may have even picked on up in Europe after one of his tours.
Rev
I originally pick up the JC 120 for the goth inspired 80s sound for a band I was playing in. (Video below). It nailed that sound!
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 07:50:51
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 925
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 11:34 AM
revmike wrote:
Surfer Joe mentioned that it was the house amp for a lot of Japanese clubs. He was happy with the sound he got, but I suspect he was using some Surfybear equipment to more closer to the trad realm. He may have even picked on up in Europe after one of his tours.
I saw Lorenzo playing through a JC-40 in 2018 when he teamed up with the Bradipos IV for what may have been the longest set in surf music history. I mean look at that set list:
https://surfmusicphotography.com/2018/08/03/surfer-joe-the-bradipos-iv-sjsf-2018-18/#jp-carousel-7796
That was so much fun!
I don't know if he was already using the Surfy Bear reverb at this point or still with the Fender unit, but I don't think the Blossom Point pedal was in production at this time.
PS: Only just listened to the Medicine Men song. Wow, Rev, that was something!
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 11:39:20
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3848
North Atlantic
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 12:07 PM
Thanks Simon!
That was in my Rock years, the late 80s. The album never got the push it needed as the label folded shortly after its release. Bowie was on the label at the time as well (Black Tie, White Noise, I think). Recorded in Montreal and NYC. We were a good band back in the day!
PS: Only just listened to the Medicine Men song. Wow, Rev, that was something!
I think the JC is in the break down section
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 12:08:03
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rockndawg
Joined: Aug 06, 2018
Posts: 62
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 12:37 PM
Thanks Simon for that link to the Surfer Joes/video and pictures. Some Great pictures and video.
Revmike that Medicine Men song was mega cool!
Not surf but I always thought Flock Seagulls got GREAT tone out of JCs!
Actually on that video Surfer Joe sounded pretty darn good thru the Roland. I also think probably the best surf tone I ever heard live was Surfer Joe thru a Surfybear into a Surfyman and into a solid state Quilter.
Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 12:42:14
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weird_oh84
Joined: May 24, 2023
Posts: 207
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 01:51 PM
revmike wrote:
When Urban Surf Kings started in ‘95/96 I had a 5150 half stack and A JC 120 left over from a previous band. The JC was the one I used for surf, of the 2 amps (though that half stack did get used too lol). I used the onboard reverb and a Boss DD3 to try to get closer to the trad sound, but it never really sounded right. It was very solid state sounding. The early audiences never knew the difference, and it was plenty loud. I am much happier with my Fender Vibrosonic brownface and reverb tank.
Surfer Joe mentioned that it was the house amp for a lot of Japanese clubs. He was happy with the sound he got, but I suspect he was using some Surfybear equipment to more closer to the trad realm. He may have even picked on up in Europe after one of his tours.
Rev
I originally pick up the JC 120 for the goth inspired 80s sound for a band I was playing in. (Video below). It nailed that sound!
Damn Rev that track is great!
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Padraig
Joined: Feb 26, 2022
Posts: 457
Dollars, Taxes
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Posted on Apr 14 2025 06:27 PM
Wow Mike, that Medicine Men track was great! It took me back to the '80s when I was playing in New Wave bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. From Medicine Men to Urban Surf King and Ukulele master. You are very talented my friend!
— Patrick
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4540
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Apr 15 2025 08:02 AM
The JC 120 is one of the better solid state amps, and they tend to have the same degree or reliability as granite. I’d definitely recommend a Blossom Point, which will get you an improved response and feel. I don’t know that I’ve ever tested the reverb on a JC 120, but my guess is that it won’t be anything to write home about.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3848
North Atlantic
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Posted on Apr 15 2025 10:44 AM
The reverb is definitely not surfy.
synchro wrote:
The JC 120 is one of the better solid state amps, and they tend to have the same degree or reliability as granite. I’d definitely recommend a Blossom Point, which will get you an improved response and feel. I don’t know that I’ve ever tested the reverb on a JC 120, but my guess is that it won’t be anything to write home about.
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 154
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted on Apr 15 2025 10:59 AM
revmike wrote:
Surfer Joe mentioned that it was the house amp for a lot of Japanese clubs.
Yep.
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 925
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Apr 16 2025 10:20 AM
Speaking of Japan...
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
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Jerome
Joined: Jun 29, 2022
Posts: 23
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Posted on Apr 17 2025 12:16 AM
Played a JC 120 yesterday with a Surfybear Metal and a Surfyman and got really nice results. Great full sound. Clarity and dynamics were spot on. The JC 120 can sound really good at low volumes as well.
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Sunny_Jake
Joined: Apr 05, 2025
Posts: 73
Yukon
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Posted on Apr 18 2025 12:00 PM
I was always impressed with the 2x12 combo version, at least as far as solid state amps go. Not enamoured enough to buy one, but I would never be offended if I had to play through one. Great clean sounding solid state amp. However, you won't get that natural tube breakup when you dig into it, and you won't enjoy the onboard reverb for surf guitar.
— Landlocked surf rocker and leader of The Surfmasters from The Yukon.
Producer/Artistic Director of the Atlin Arts & Music Festival.
Proud citizen of the Métis Nation and certified citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
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