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Solid State Amplifiers => Amplifier Discussion => Topic started by: syndromet on June 14, 2021, 01:54:32 PM

Title: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: syndromet on June 14, 2021, 01:54:32 PM
Hi, guys.

It's been a few years since my last visit, and I'm happy to see the forum thriving.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch a guy in the act of throwing a pristine looking 1981 Roland Jazz Chorus 50 in the dumpster. I managed to stop him, and brought the amp home with me. However, not all is well inside this thing. The JC-series is known for their clean sound. This one will break into some nasty sounding distortion, even when playing soft with weak single coils. If I turn the guitar volume down to almost zero it does not distort, so it does react to dynamics. Also, the chorus effect and the reverb is not working. The Vibrato works as it should. Plucking the springs in the reverb pan comes thru loud and clear. All other controls seem to do what they are supposed to to.

The amp uses the same circuit as described in the second half of the service manual found here : https://www.synthxl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Roland-JC-50-SERVICE-NOTES-2nd.pdf

Here is a little video of the amp, showing the distorted sound.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zvWB812VUS7bAtHz6

There is no sign of bad solder joints, burnt components or bulging caps. I will recap this thing, but I want it up and running first. I don't think the problems are caused by gone electrolytic caps.
As far as I can see from the schematic, there is no logic in that both the reverb and chorus not working. Can anybody take a look at the schematic and help me with where I should start troubleshooting?
Title: Re: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: Jazz P Bass on June 14, 2021, 07:01:26 PM
The Reverb not working could be a faulty wire or transducer in the receive side of the tank.

The Vibrato working means that the circuit for Chorus works.
What differentiates the two is the switch. (Chorus does not use the variable Depth and Rate)
I would suggest that you check that.
Title: Re: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: gbono on July 10, 2021, 07:28:14 PM
So with distortion knob turned to zero you get distorted output? Do you have a signal generator and/or scope?
Title: Re: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: alexsunny123 on September 14, 2021, 08:26:20 AM
Quote from: Jazz P Bass on June 14, 2021, 07:01:26 PMThe Reverb not working could be a faulty wire or transducer in the receive side of the tank.

The Vibrato working means that the circuit for Chorus works.
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What differentiates the two is the switch. (Chorus does not use the variable Depth and Rate)
I would suggest that you check that.

thanks for the awesome information.
Title: Re: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: joecool85 on September 17, 2021, 09:00:25 PM
Quote from: syndromet on June 14, 2021, 01:54:32 PM
Hi, guys.

It's been a few years since my last visit, and I'm happy to see the forum thriving.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch a guy in the act of throwing a pristine looking 1981 Roland Jazz Chorus 50 in the dumpster. I managed to stop him, and brought the amp home with me. However, not all is well inside this thing. The JC-series is known for their clean sound. This one will break into some nasty sounding distortion, even when playing soft with weak single coils. If I turn the guitar volume down to almost zero it does not distort, so it does react to dynamics. Also, the chorus effect and the reverb is not working. The Vibrato works as it should. Plucking the springs in the reverb pan comes thru loud and clear. All other controls seem to do what they are supposed to to.

The amp uses the same circuit as described in the second half of the service manual found here : https://www.synthxl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Roland-JC-50-SERVICE-NOTES-2nd.pdf

Here is a little video of the amp, showing the distorted sound.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zvWB812VUS7bAtHz6

There is no sign of bad solder joints, burnt components or bulging caps. I will recap this thing, but I want it up and running first. I don't think the problems are caused by gone electrolytic caps.
As far as I can see from the schematic, there is no logic in that both the reverb and chorus not working. Can anybody take a look at the schematic and help me with where I should start troubleshooting?

Any update on this amp?  Curious if you got it sorted.

Also, welcome back!
Title: Re: Roland Jazz Chorus 50 troubleshooting
Post by: Enzo on September 17, 2021, 11:01:46 PM
And without looking at a schematic, I'd ask:  are the power supplies right?  I expect the op amps run on a pair of 15v supplies or similar.  f they are lopsided or have poor filtration, you can get distortion.   And certainly FX circuits need quality power.  Within a channel, I will take the mere moments it requires to go down the ICs and check their output pins for unwanted DC offset.  it is possible your signal runs into that DC offset and clips extra early.  Like that.