Simply put, the Roland “JC-120” is the most familiar guitar amplifier among both
professionals and amateurs. Released in 1975 from Roland, this amp became known as
“portable”, “loud” and “almost trouble-free” (which are the very characteristics Japanese
products are known for!). You are pretty sure to find one in any live houses or studios all
over the world. The key to that sound of “JC-120” is its unique chorus effect: the slightly
delayed vibrato sound comes from one of two 12” loudspeakers and the dry sound from
another and both sounds are combined in the air, which creates that distinctive spacey
mood. This effect became very popular which is why Roland decided to release the chorus
circuit independently as the “CE-1” pedal. Incidentally, the chorus effect on the Zoom G
series is modeled after its follower “CE-2”. Another unique feature of JC-120 is its “Bright”
switch. This function is not included in this modeling program but you can approximate the
effect of this switch by tweaking the “Harmonics” parameter in the “6 band EQ” section.
Roland JAZZ CHORUS
“JCM2000” is based on the reputed “Plexi” amp (aka Old Marshall) whose rich overtones
and powerful sound were legendary. It has very flexible sound and can produce the
traditional Marshall sound, modern heavy metal sound or sounds suitable for any musical
genre. It has the modern Marshall’s standard circuit with four ECC83 pre-tubes and four
EL34 power-tubes. It is an all-tube amplifier that can produce clean or heavily distorted
sound and you can use it in all kinds of music. The sound is rather grainy but the response
is fast and the guitar sound cuts through very well. “JCM2000” series has two different
models: the TSL and the DSL. The program on the Zoom G series is modeled after the simply
designed “DSL-100”. As with the modeling of the “JCM800”, we combined the head with
a “1960A” cabinet and used the Lead channel that has more distortion.
Marshall JCM2000
In the later half of 1963, a reverb unit was added to the “Twin” amp, which was the birth of
the “Twin Reverb” model. In 1965, Fender company was sold to CBS because of Leo
Fender’s health problem. The program on this Zoom G series is modeled after the pre-CBS
“Twin Reverb” from 1965 aka “Black Panel”. This amp has four 7025 (12AX7), a 12AX7
and two 12AT7 pre-tubes, four 6L6GC power-tubes and silicon diodes for the rectifier circuit.
The diode rectifier is believed to give a tighter sound to the amplifier than the tube rectifier
does, which should be the key to the characteristic glittering sound of this “Twin Reverb”.
This guitar amplifier has two 12” loudspeakers by Jensen and pus out 80w power. On the
program in this Zoom G series, you can have the sound with the “Bright” switch on by
tweaking the “Harmonics” parameter in the “6 band EQ” section. When you turn the
reverb effect on, you will get that “Twin Reverb” sound you have been longing for.
Fender Twin Reverb '65
The very first Fender amplifier was developed by Leo Fender and his trusty partner, the
engineer Doc Kaufman in 1945-46. Actually, the earliest models were not made under the
“Fender” brand but the “K&F Manufacturing Corporation” named after the Initials of the
two. The first amplifier using the “Fender” brand was the “Model 26” in 1947. In 1949,
the entry models called “Champion 400/600” series followed. The so-called “Tweed Amps”
covered literally with tweeds all over were developed during the 1950s and the 1960s. In
these years, the company put out various tweed models like the “Bassman” or the
“Bandmaster”. The program of this Zoom G series is modeled after, among others, the
most representative “Tweed Deluxe” aka the “Wide Panel” from 1953. This amplifier has a
12AY7 and a 12AX7 pre-tubes, two 6V6GT power-tubes, a 5Y3GT rectifier tube and a 12”
Jensen loudspeaker and its output power is 10w. Recently the original amplifier is priced
quite highly and is very difficult to find in good condition. This amp has two inputs but one
is the input for a microphone. It has just one tone knob for treble control. Therefore, it is
advisable to use this program on the Zoom G series with a flat tone setting except for the
treble parameter so that you can enjoy the characteristic sound in the lower registers and
the unique sound in the higher registers of the original Fender amp.
Fender Tweed Deluxe '53
The “5150” and the “5150 MkII” were very famous guitar amplifiers originally developed as
the signature models for Eddie Van Halen. Unfortunately, he doesn’t use it anymore
because of the expiration of the endorsement contract. The program on this Zoom G series
is modeled after the first version of the “5150”. This amplifier has two (Rhythm and Lead)
channels and puts out 120w power using five 12AX7 pre-tubes and four 6L6GC power-
tubes. The rectifier circuit employs silicon diodes. The uniqueness of the sound of this
amplifier is characterized by its sharp attack, deep and smooth tone, fine distortion and fat
and clinging low registers. The program is modeled after the combination of the Lead
channel of the 5150 head and a “5150SL”, a four-12” cabinet. Just crank up the gain and
play one of Van Halen’s hit “Top Of The World”!
The German-born ENGL started out as a tube combo amp built in the mid-eighties by
Edmund Engl. Towards the end of that decade, Heavy Metal ruled the music scene and high-
gain amps were in great demand. ENGL rose to the challenge with a full-blown stack amp
that caught the attention of professional musicians in Europe and cemented the reputation
of the brand. The head amp E650 uses three ECC83 tubes in the pre section and four 5881
(6L6GC) tubes in the power section. It has two channels (Clean/Lead), but since it allows
overall Lo/Hi gain switching, the amp can also be regarded as a four-channel unit. The Clean
channel provides a tight, bright Fender style clean sound that is unusual in a stack amp. The
Lead channel is more in the Marshall vein, but at higher gain settings, it becomes a unique
ENGL sound. But another vital aspect of the ENGL sound is the solid and heavy E412VS
cabinet with its 4 x 12" Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. The Zoom G9.2tt simulates the Lead
channel of the E650 combined with the E412VS.
PEAVEY 5150 STACK
The Rectifier was born by improving on the simul power circuit of the Mesa/Boogie Mark 1
to 3 as well as increasing the preamp gain and applying other tweaks. From its five 12AX7
preamp tubes and four 6L6GC power tubes, the amp produces an output of 100 watts.
Unlike the Mark series, this model gives priority to tone, featuring a tone control circuit after
the volume. With this model, the Mesa/Boogie brand image progressed from Fusion to
Metal. The distinguishing feature of this amplifier, and its namesake, is of course the
rectifier. The sound provided by this patch is based on the Dual Rectifier model which has
two rectifier circuits, one of which is tube based and one configured with silicone diodes.
The diodes create a tight, high-powered sound, while the tube sound is more soft and
warm. The Zoom G9.2tt simulates the orange channel with its characteristic warmth, and
the high-gain red channel having vintage and modern modes. Both use the silicone diode
rectifier, and the cabinet is the same as the Boogie with four Celestion 12" speakers.
MESA/BOOGIE Dual Rectifier
Marshall has continued to produce great amplifiers for up-to-date musical trends in
cooperation with the musicians. This brand started with its “JTM- 45 (stands for Jim&Terry
Marshall)” in 1962 and now its products are indispensable items in the modern Rock scene.
Marshall seems to have been experimenting with different circuit designs of amplifiers but
1981 was the most prolific year for the brand because it released many new models like the
“1959” and “1987” with four inputs, “2203” and “2204” with master volumes. In 1983,
Marshall added the “2210” and “2205” with two (Normal and Boost) channels as well as
effect send/return conne ctors to its lineup. These models also carried the col lective
designation “JCM (stands for Jim&Charles Marshall) 800”. They had three ECC83 pre-tubes
and four EL34 power-tubes. The tone control circuit was placed after the pre-amp section
and this design seems to have become the standard for the modern Marshall amplifiers.
For the modeling on this Zoom G series, we selected the “2203” with a master volume and
it is quite easy to get the distortion. By today’s standards, the amplifier’s distortion is rather
moderate, but the sound is very fat, the low-end is quite tight and, above all, the sound cuts
through very well. For the modeling, we used the head with a “1960A” cabinet that has
four 12” loudspeakers and works very well with the “2203”.
Marshall JCM800
The origin of the MESA/BOOGIE amplifier was the modified Fender Princeton. Randall
Smith, an amp tech in San Francisco, souped up those small guitar amps to put out 100w
power and sold them. The first model was called “Mark I”. Carlos Santana tried one and
said, “Shit man, that little thing really Boogies! “ -which gave the amplifier the brand name
“BOOGIE.” The second model “Mark II” had lead and rhythm channels and a 4-band
equalizer to give wider variety to the guitar tone. The special feature of this model was an
accomplished simul- power circuitry (the operation could be switched between class A and
class AB). The power amplifier section had six power tubes. When the class A operation is
selected, two EL34 power tubes are activated and the amp puts out a really smooth sound.
When the class AB operation is selected, these two EL34s and other four 6L6GC power tubes
are all activated and the amplifier puts out its full potential power.
Until the model Mark II, MESA/BOOGIE amps were quite expensive, hand-made amplifiers,
but the next model “Mark III” was more affordable. It has one 10” loudspeaker and 60w
output power but retains all of the classic BOOGIE features; simul-power circuitry, the
graphic EQ, and three (Rhythm1, Rhythm2 and Lead) separate channels. With this Zoom G
series, you can select the modeling of the combo type of this “Mark III.”
MESA/BOOGIE Mark III
Tracing back the long history of Vox, one finds that it all began in 1958 under the moniker
"Jennings Musical Instruments" (JMI). Originally, this company built amps in the ten to
fifteen watt range, but as time went on, the demand for higher-power amps became
stronger, leading to the birth of the famous AC30. The original AC30 had two Alnico
Celestion 12" speakers, an EF86 tube preamp and EL84 tube power section, along with a
GZ34 rectifier. Around this time, the Shadows as well as the Beatles started using the AC30
which quickly became very popular among guitarists. In the following years, musicians
wanted even higher gain, and Vox responded with the Top Boost unit, an add-on that was
later integrated in the AC30TBX. This is the model whose sound is simulated by the Zoom G
series. After Vox left the JMI stable, sales unfortunately dropped drastically. In recent years,
Korg has acquired the trademark rights to the Vox name and has started to produce a re-
issue that is faithful to the original sound. The AC30TBX simulation in the Zoom G9.2tt
duplicates the Hi gain inputs of the normal channel and brilliant channel. It delivers a clean
unsullied sound typical of a class A amplifier as well as smooth overdrive sound.
VOX AC30TBX
Since it was used by Eric Clapton when recording the album "John Mayall and the Blues
Breakers with Eric Clapton" (commonly known as the "Beano" album), this amp has
acquired the moniker "Bluesbreaker". Up to then, guitar amps aimed for a clean sound with
minimal distortion, but the fat and sweet tone of this amp driven by Eric Clapton's Les Paul
fascinated guitarists the world over. They liked it so much that it has become the defining
sound of the rock guitar. While different from the distortion produced by modern high-gain
amps, the long sustain and distortion following each picking nuance is ideal for playing the
blues.
The creamy sound of this amplifier with its four ECC83 pre-stage tubes, two 5881 power
tubes, and a GZ34 tube in the rectifier circuit is perfectly captured by the simulation.
Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker
This 1959 stack amp that received the nickname "Plexi" from the material of its front panel
is one of the most famous amplifiers in Rock history. Its iconic status is right up there with
the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Edward Van
Halen, Eric Clapton and many other top guitarists all over the world have immortalized its
sound in countless recordings. It is no exaggeration to say that virtually everybody has heard
the sound of this amp at least once. By way of circuitry, it uses three ECC83 preamp tubes
and four EL34 power tubes. Two cabinets with four Celestion 12" speakers complete the
package that is the epitome of British Rock. With the volume full up, the aggressive
transients and distortion sound complemented by smooth harmonics are the dream of every
guitarist. The only drawback could be seen in the fact that a very high volume level is
needed to get that sound. But the Zoom G9.2tt overcomes this problem, letting you
duplicate the sound by simply raising the gain parameter. After all, even Rock guitarists
should be kind to their ears.
Marshall 1959 SuperLead100
Among the many famous Fender amps, the Bassman has earned a special place. When Jim
Marshall developed his original amplifier, he is said to have used the Bassman circuit as a
reference. When it first came out in 1951, the Bassman had an output of 26 watts and used
a single Jensen 15-inch speaker. After various modifications, it reemerged in 1959 with a
50-watt output and four Jensen 10-inch drivers. The simulation of the Zoom G series is
modeled on the "bright" channel of the '59 Bassman. Introduced at the 1951 NAMM show
along with the Precision Bass, this amp was originally intended for use with bass guitars.
But its reedy distortion made it a favorite with some of the early blues giants, and later with
many rock guitarists. Of course, the amp continues to used by musicians to this day.
Fender BASSMAN
The Custom 100 was the flagship amp from Hiwatt, a British manufacturer that ranks with
Marshall among the British legends. Vintage Hiwatt amplifiers made before the mid-1980s
use high-grade military-spec parts and hand-soldered point-to-point wiring. This is the
reason why production was limited to about 40 units per month. Because of their solid
construction, these amplifiers have been likened to tanks. Their sound, in a word, is the
epitome of clean. The pre-stage tubes are ECC83, while the power tubes are the same EL34
as used by Marshall. Unlike the glittering clean sound of a Fender amp, the clean sound of a
Hiwatt is darker, having that characteristic British tone. Especially in the "normal" channel,
turning up the volume to maximum will simply increase the sound pressure, without
breakup or loss of detail. In the high-gain "brilliant" channel, slight distortion is possible by
connecting a guitar with a high-output pickup such as a Les Paul. But the sound always
remains detailed and transparent, allowing the listener to clearly pick out the individual
notes that make up a chord. The "normal" and "brilliant" channel inputs can be linked with
a short shielded cable, for even higher sound pressure output.
This effect type simulates the linked sound as described above, much favored by Pete
Townshend of The Who and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.
HIWATT Custom 100
Using a total of 13 tubes in the pre and power amp stages, with A and B settings for each,
this is a monster of an amplifier offering the equivalent of six channels to play with. AMP1 is
a Fender type clean channel with bright and uncluttered sound. AMP2 is a classic British
drive channel which covers the overdrive range from crunch to distortion. AMP2 has already
fairly high gain, but it is surpassed by AMP3. While allowing deep distortion, the sound has
a solid core and remains wonderfully detailed. The reason why the TriAmp is so popular
among guitar pros is the fact that all three channels offer high-quality sound. The full range
from clean to high-gain distortion can be covered with a single amp. The Zoom G9.2tt
simulates all three channels, letting you enjoy the same versatility as the monster amp itself.
Hughes & Kettner TriAmp MK2
This modern three-channel amp features great tonal versatility, ranging from clean tone to
distortion. In particular, the extremely dry and gritty distortion produced by channel 3 gives
a piercing effect that is hard to produce with any other amp. It is a favorite of Heavy Rock
bands such as Metallica and Limp Bizkit. The uncluttered sound sharply etches the outlines
also of a heavily down-tuned guitar. A DEEP control allows further boosting of the bass
frequencies, for sound so low that it seems to hug the ground. The Zoom G9.2tt lets you
achieve the same effect by boosting the BASS control of the EQ module. While the amp is
justly famous for its distortion sound, the other channels also provide attractive choices.
Channel 1 is ultra-clean, and channel 2 has a dry crunch sound with a character that clearly
distinguishes it from Californian amps. The Zoom G9.2tt provides patches modeled on all
three channels.
Diezel Herbert
ENGL E650 Ritchie Blackmore Signature 100