Hi, everyone:

I haven't asked this question in years. But, what does the Forum think about the best amp to capture the Byrds sound?

Also, has anyone tried the Roland JC 40?

Thanks,

Karl

I've seen photos/videos of Roger McGuinn using a Fender Twin Amp or Twin Reverb back in the '60s & '70s. I suppose Vox could be used, any type of tube amp with compressor.

I have also seen pics of Roger playing through a Dual Showman in the '60s. I believe Roger has been using a Roland JC-120 in his solo shows for some time now. I'm generally not a fan of solid-state amps, but a nice clean-sounding one, like the Roland, has probably got lots of "jangle". A Standel amp should sound good, too, with the JBLs.

I personally like either an original Fender Twin-Reverb or Showman with JBL speakers to provide a perfect Byrds sound. Just stay away from the JBL "E" -series speaker with the large ceramic magnets. They don't sound like the "D", "F", or "K" -series alnico magnet speakers.

Before you try out amplifiers, be sure your guitar has the Vintage (Toaster-Top) pickups and flatwound strings.

Another vote for the JC. I use the JC-77 myself, and even without the compressor, it chimes very much like McGuinn's (although I really don't sound like him -try as I might).

One advantage to the JC-77, it's a lot lighter weight than the massively heavy 120, and at small room volumes, the ten inchers sound just as good as the 12's in the bigger version.

_________________
Cheers,
RicVic
Canada's Wet Coast.

"We are all musician.."

I use a modern reissued '68 Custom Twin Reverb with upgraded Jensen Blackbird 12" alnico speakers.

Sounds huge!

A friend of mine also has a Roland JC-120 and the Ric that he has sounds absolutely wonderful through it!!

I've been wanting to borrow his Ric for some time but he's trying to get it repaired (it won't stay in tune most of the time) and he's going to sell it - probably for way much more money than I have.

It's a dream of mine to own a Rickenbacker 360/12 but - since I'm on a fixed income that will probably stay a dream. I probably have better luck trying to put together my dream drum kit (Ludwig blue sparkle double-kick with concert toms. Replica set like the one that Elvis's drummer, Ronnie Tutt, used).

I am using Roland JC 40 and it really has a 'JC' clean tone.

Have you already decided on the best amp to use?

Fender

I love Fender Amps.