Nice been patiently waiting for this one haha. RI sounds really good through this recording setup. I can imagine the OG being better in the room, the low mid kick in the gut does not always translate fully to recordings.
@@thrasher10000 oh yes, the OG hits hard with its low mids in the room. A feeling and tone that can’t be replicated on the RI. But the RI is a winner as the “new modernized” IIC+ iteration.
Great video my man Tony! One of the best comparison out there! well done! I can perfectly hear all the nuances of the OG which made me in love with it.
@@FedericoMK thank you my friend! It’s interesting that many prefer the RI and others the OG. I also prefer the low mid growl of the OG which can’t be replicated on the RI, however the RI has its own thing going on, more on the modern side of things and I would classify it as a new IIC+ iteration (like DRG, SRG… RI) rather than a “remake” of the DRG.
@@TIGHTENmetal thank you for your comment. The RI sounds more modern than the OG, we can easily say it’s a distinct IIC+ flavour much like the other revisions, rather than a DRG remake.
@ the RI and IIC+ on the VII both have something in common, the “modern” sounding IIC+ compared to the OG. However the RI has the same controls layout like the OG and plays and feels great. So yes, I would say it is a “new” IIC+ flavour and a winner!
Hello Tony. Is the face plate on the reissue anodized aluminum like the originals? Also could you make a video showing the guts of the reissue amp? Thank you for your great videos!
Hello! The face plate looks exactly identical to the original. I posted on the IIC+ Facebook group a lot of gut photos of the reissue. Here’s a link to the group if you’re not already a member: facebook.com/share/g/1DVPRrmMU1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
You could adjust a bit by lowering the Treble control but this will affect the gain again and the difference is not huge. There is a core sound difference between both amps that can’t be really adjusted. Also note definition is better on the OG. Especially for playing lead.
@megahurtz30 the bass knob won’t change the tone except make make it flubby / less tight. It works differently though on the clean channel because the bass knob comes after the first gain stage (volume 1) so it won’t affect the signal like it does on the lead channel.
I can say that comparing both in Pentode they sound similar, not identical of course. I think the original DRG sounds a bit more open in the midrange. The reissue felt a bit too scooped in comparison. I kind of like both, I don't know. I don't have it next to me to say for sure if this amp for me or not. I'm used to the mids sounding like on the original, for me it's more like the Mark IIC+ thing, that characteristic mid growl that I like in Marks. Great video, man!
Great !!!! Very good sounding amps !!! For me, the reissue sound the best. For sure the original kick ass as well. I just think the reissue sound more open, more presence, better balanced. The low mids are big on the original. That can be a plus if you like that type of sound. I think thats a win win anyway. Just a matter of taste !
Amazing tones! \m/ For what it's worth though, the outer power tubes in the RI are wired in triode like the original. The amp is 75 watts, the pentode simulclasses are 85/90.
An amp tech who repair and mod Mesa Mark amps saw the gut pictures and confirmed the outer sockets are wired pentode. Are you by any chance on the IIC+ group? He also posted this on the Mesa Boogie group.
the reissue seems to have more boxy mids. Could you do the same test again but run the the same DI riffs through a reamp box? I wonder if you're playing might have varied the sound a tad.
6:58 …this riff sums up the tonal difference for me. The OG can easily do the AJFA with the mid-range harmonics. The RI is very very good, but just different. ….I actually liked the RI in most riffs, but, the snarl in the OG is unmistakable and not replicated in the RI.
@mark_iic It's this growl that I think sets AJFA apart. They EQ'd the album so much that this growl became very noticeable. I think 8:26 is a better timestamp.
@@fedrek01agreed. Great riff to compare. ..Tony, is there any chance that you might be willing to try and tease this snarl out of the RI and demo it in the style of AJFA? ….for me, this is the only thing holding me back from going for the RI. As is, it seems the OG seems to have the extra little harmonics that I’ve heard over a lifetime on my fav metal albums. 🤘
I think both tones had a bit too much of the 80hz (for my taste), and because the reissue had more high end dialed in it balanced it a bit. But from the vids I've seen I'm pretty much convinced you can get like to like tones if you know what you're doing.
i think everyone in these comments is forgetting something - no two originals sound the same , they were all handbuilt & if you put two originals side by side they will sound different , so you should not expect them to be identical i tried three mark v amps in one shop & one sounded better than the other two 🤷♂️
I totally agree and I don’t think everyone knows this. I have 8 Mark amps and I had at some point 6 DRGs and none sounded like the other! But they are all amazing! Thank you for watching 🙏🏻
The biggest difference to me is the original has that euphoric growl and voicing to it, whereas the RI is missing that. You can clearly hear the difference at 5:07 in the sad but true riff. Great video
@@mordyfriedman5647 this is EXACTLY the main difference. Some people prefer how the RI sounds in comparison versus this low mid growl that the OG has. Especially in the room, it is more obvious!
@mark_iic spot on! this video makes it very evident. and to me this is what the OG is all about and why it's being sold at premium, and why I love it :)
Do a blind test man! And a separate reveal video. The old one just sounds a bit more dull to me. I know the greybeards call that ‘warmth’ but to me it’s inferior in the context of an actual band/mix. I don’t own either btw so I’m not trying to defend a purchase 😂
@@methanedirigible I will plan a blind and separate reveal test. By the way when played in the room, the OG sounds more snarly, has a distinctive roar (growl in the lower mids) that sounds very addictive. A lot more push in your chest than the RI. Not saying the RI is inferior but the OG does this Black Album roar better than the RI. The RI has a more modern twist. Both amazing amps to play. I have four OGs and I am keeping the RI because it is unique in its own category! Thanks for watching and subscribing, I appreciate it 🤘🏻
@ But the ‘Black Album roar’ is the sound of a miked cab through a mic preamp onto tape. It’s pretty far removed from being an ‘in the room’ sound. The guys who design and make these amps are very bright and capable people so I doubt they’re not able to replicate the slightly woolly sound of an old head. I imagine a more hifi amp is just more useable in a modern context
Old one has slightly more dB output and has more congested mids, despite the new one having the first gain stage mids at 4. In this A/B test, I gotta say the new one sounds better.
The RI sounds fresher compared to the original, which sounds like the caps have worn in and mellowed out the highs just a hair. How different do they sound in the room?
They sound more different in the room. The OG sounds less modern sounding but in a really good way. Think Metallica Black Album, it has the necessary mids for it. Not saying the RI doesn’t deliver, it is a different flavour and a very good one.
Iirc the mid pot on the reissue is lower value and there is a smaller value slope on the OG. I never looked inside the new one when we A/B’d it with the HRG, but a friend was inside his and I think he mentioned that. If anyone has one they can look.
@@zacinnc78 if you read the comments here and on Facebook, they are almost 50/50 mixed. Also, the OG in the room sounds more aggressive and more powerful than the RI. The RI is great, has its own tone but it is different specifically from the original SimulClass DRG as it lacks that low mid thump that these amps are iconic for. I love them both!
@mark_iic this is one of the best comparison videos though ,sweet riffing ,they both sound great ...but almost everytime ill hear a cool ass riff on the green and im like surely that will sound better ,then you kick the red in and it gets like a testosterone boost .Maybe it s because thats the kind of solo bedroom riffing tones i like and maybe the OG would do better in a mix not sure....but for my ears just bedroom decadent stingy tone that reissue crushes !they would sound great and very complimentary together im sure
Nice been patiently waiting for this one haha. RI sounds really good through this recording setup. I can imagine the OG being better in the room, the low mid kick in the gut does not always translate fully to recordings.
@@thrasher10000 oh yes, the OG hits hard with its low mids in the room. A feeling and tone that can’t be replicated on the RI. But the RI is a winner as the “new modernized” IIC+ iteration.
Sad But True for the win. The OG just grabs you and there’s no going back after that.
Also, can you do a side by side demo of the handle on the top? 😂
lol😂
Head 2 (red) IIC+ Reissue 👍🏼
I have the Mesa Boogie Mark lll from 1985
For me the most aggressive of the Mark series
Mark IIIs are excellent amps. Thank you for watching!
Great demonstration of the two amplifiers… liked and subscribed to support your channel. Keep on rocking 👍
@@lynoj777 thank you my friend, I greatly appreciate it! 🤘🏻
Great video my man Tony! One of the best comparison out there!
well done!
I can perfectly hear all the nuances of the OG which made me in love with it.
@@FedericoMK thank you my friend!
It’s interesting that many prefer the RI and others the OG.
I also prefer the low mid growl of the OG which can’t be replicated on the RI, however the RI has its own thing going on, more on the modern side of things and I would classify it as a new IIC+ iteration (like DRG, SRG… RI) rather than a “remake” of the DRG.
in this demo while I feel the OG is a bit more composed, I think the RI would cut a mix better.
@@TIGHTENmetal thank you for your comment. The RI sounds more modern than the OG, we can easily say it’s a distinct IIC+ flavour much like the other revisions, rather than a DRG remake.
Would you say it’s the first that fully qualifies as a legit new c+ flavour after the several attempts from Mark V onwards?
@ the RI and IIC+ on the VII both have something in common, the “modern” sounding IIC+ compared to the OG. However the RI has the same controls layout like the OG and plays and feels great. So yes, I would say it is a “new” IIC+ flavour and a winner!
It’s the best vid I ever seen
Thank you ❤
Hello Tony. Is the face plate on the reissue anodized aluminum like the originals? Also could you make a video showing the guts of the reissue amp? Thank you for your great videos!
Hello! The face plate looks exactly identical to the original. I posted on the IIC+ Facebook group a lot of gut photos of the reissue. Here’s a link to the group if you’re not already a member: facebook.com/share/g/1DVPRrmMU1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
@mark_iic Thanks alot!
The RI seems to have more treble going into the gain stage. I wonder if with adjusments to the knobs you can make them sound the same
You could adjust a bit by lowering the Treble control but this will affect the gain again and the difference is not huge. There is a core sound difference between both amps that can’t be really adjusted. Also note definition is better on the OG. Especially for playing lead.
@mark_iic What if instead, you increase the bass knob just a bit? But yeah, most likely they will always sound different
@megahurtz30 the bass knob won’t change the tone except make make it flubby / less tight. It works differently though on the clean channel because the bass knob comes after the first gain stage (volume 1) so it won’t affect the signal like it does on the lead channel.
I can say that comparing both in Pentode they sound similar, not identical of course. I think the original DRG sounds a bit more open in the midrange. The reissue felt a bit too scooped in comparison. I kind of like both, I don't know. I don't have it next to me to say for sure if this amp for me or not. I'm used to the mids sounding like on the original, for me it's more like the Mark IIC+ thing, that characteristic mid growl that I like in Marks. Great video, man!
Great !!!! Very good sounding amps !!! For me, the reissue sound the best. For sure the original kick ass as well. I just think the reissue sound more open, more presence, better balanced. The low mids are big on the original. That can be a plus if you like that type of sound. I think thats a win win anyway. Just a matter of taste !
Indeed both are fantastic amps! Thank you for watching and subscribing man!
Amazing tones! \m/
For what it's worth though, the outer power tubes in the RI are wired in triode like the original. The amp is 75 watts, the pentode simulclasses are 85/90.
nope.
RI's gut shots were checked and the external power amp tubes are configured in pentode.
@@FedericoMK source?
@@FedericoMKwhen I learned that I immediately lost interest in buying an RI. Keeping my Mark V instead.
An amp tech who repair and mod Mesa Mark amps saw the gut pictures and confirmed the outer sockets are wired pentode. Are you by any chance on the IIC+ group? He also posted this on the Mesa Boogie group.
@mark_iic I haven't been on facebook regularly in quite some time lol. I'll check it out.
Very good video thank you!
@@1977raider thank you for watching and subscribing, stay tuned for more 🤘🏻
Great video and comparison, thank you!
Thank you for watching and subscribing! 🙏🏻
the reissue seems to have more boxy mids. Could you do the same test again but run the the same DI riffs through a reamp box? I wonder if you're playing might have varied the sound a tad.
I will prepare a reamp demo at some point. I have a lot of A/B demos to do, between many Marks and even Rectos… thank you for watching!
6:58 …this riff sums up the tonal difference for me. The OG can easily do the AJFA with the mid-range harmonics. The RI is very very good, but just different. ….I actually liked the RI in most riffs, but, the snarl in the OG is unmistakable and not replicated in the RI.
Also in 8:02 ….the OG just sings!
@@Basedboomerchadbear I like how you called the “snarl” of the OG. Best way to describe that growl 🤘🏻
@mark_iic It's this growl that I think sets AJFA apart. They EQ'd the album so much that this growl became very noticeable. I think 8:26 is a better timestamp.
@@fedrek01agreed. Great riff to compare.
..Tony, is there any chance that you might be willing to try and tease this snarl out of the RI and demo it in the style of AJFA? ….for me, this is the only thing holding me back from going for the RI.
As is, it seems the OG seems to have the extra little harmonics that I’ve heard over a lifetime on my fav metal albums. 🤘
I think both tones had a bit too much of the 80hz (for my taste), and because the reissue had more high end dialed in it balanced it a bit. But from the vids I've seen I'm pretty much convinced you can get like to like tones if you know what you're doing.
Next time I will use less 80hz but it’s addictive when playing :) thank you for watching!
The OG sounds more aggressive and more punchier with riffs
@@mikerichardson3017 indeed. It has that low mid growl that the RI seems missing somehow.
@ not sure if it’s a setting thing or in the design of it.
@@mikerichardson3017 it’s 100% in the design.
@mark_iic nice video man, thanks for the work and for sharing bro.
i think everyone in these comments is forgetting something - no two originals sound the same , they were all handbuilt & if you put two originals side by side they will sound different , so you should not expect them to be identical
i tried three mark v amps in one shop & one sounded better than the other two 🤷♂️
I totally agree and I don’t think everyone knows this. I have 8 Mark amps and I had at some point 6 DRGs and none sounded like the other! But they are all amazing! Thank you for watching 🙏🏻
The biggest difference to me is the original has that euphoric growl and voicing to it, whereas the RI is missing that. You can clearly hear the difference at 5:07 in the sad but true riff. Great video
@@mordyfriedman5647 this is EXACTLY the main difference. Some people prefer how the RI sounds in comparison versus this low mid growl that the OG has. Especially in the room, it is more obvious!
@mark_iic spot on! this video makes it very evident.
and to me this is what the OG is all about and why it's being sold at premium, and why I love it :)
Haha, you said exactly what I said to Tony in pvt 😂😂😂
@@fedrek01 maybe you did but I didn’t see it ;)
Keep in mind the GEQ on the RI has a greater range, so tougher to make sure they're the same even when they visually look the same.
@@CaptainFantastik1 indeed and still no matter how you set them up, they are still different.
Do a blind test man! And a separate reveal video. The old one just sounds a bit more dull to me. I know the greybeards call that ‘warmth’ but to me it’s inferior in the context of an actual band/mix. I don’t own either btw so I’m not trying to defend a purchase 😂
@@methanedirigible I will plan a blind and separate reveal test. By the way when played in the room, the OG sounds more snarly, has a distinctive roar (growl in the lower mids) that sounds very addictive. A lot more push in your chest than the RI. Not saying the RI is inferior but the OG does this Black Album roar better than the RI. The RI has a more modern twist. Both amazing amps to play. I have four OGs and I am keeping the RI because it is unique in its own category!
Thanks for watching and subscribing, I appreciate it 🤘🏻
@ But the ‘Black Album roar’ is the sound of a miked cab through a mic preamp onto tape. It’s pretty far removed from being an ‘in the room’ sound. The guys who design and make these amps are very bright and capable people so I doubt they’re not able to replicate the slightly woolly sound of an old head. I imagine a more hifi amp is just more useable in a modern context
Old one has slightly more dB output and has more congested mids, despite the new one having the first gain stage mids at 4.
In this A/B test, I gotta say the new one sounds better.
They both sound great, especially in the room. They are different, gotta have them all ! Thank you for watching and commenting! 🙏🏻
Listening like a fool on my iPhone speaker I prefer the reissue
The RI sounds fresher compared to the original, which sounds like the caps have worn in and mellowed out the highs just a hair. How different do they sound in the room?
They sound more different in the room. The OG sounds less modern sounding but in a really good way. Think Metallica Black Album, it has the necessary mids for it. Not saying the RI doesn’t deliver, it is a different flavour and a very good one.
Iirc the mid pot on the reissue is lower value and there is a smaller value slope on the OG. I never looked inside the new one when we A/B’d it with the HRG, but a friend was inside his and I think he mentioned that. If anyone has one they can look.
@@tobaccosun good to know man, thank you!
OG is 10KB mid pot
what mic did you use on the cab ?
@@kimblez I used an SM57 pointed at the edge of the cone of a V30 speaker. Thank you for watching!
……YESSSS!!!
am i crazy or does the reissue sound better ??? i know im not there in the room but the OG sounds kinda fizzy....reissue sounds br00tal
@@zacinnc78 if you read the comments here and on Facebook, they are almost 50/50 mixed. Also, the OG in the room sounds more aggressive and more powerful than the RI. The RI is great, has its own tone but it is different specifically from the original SimulClass DRG as it lacks that low mid thump that these amps are iconic for. I love them both!
@mark_iic i would love to but facebook disabled my account before i could even finish getting it setup and i dont know what to do
@mark_iic this is one of the best comparison videos though ,sweet riffing ,they both sound great ...but almost everytime ill hear a cool ass riff on the green and im like surely that will sound better ,then you kick the red in and it gets like a testosterone boost .Maybe it s because thats the kind of solo bedroom riffing tones i like and maybe the OG would do better in a mix not sure....but for my ears just bedroom decadent stingy tone that reissue crushes !they would sound great and very complimentary together im sure
@@zacinnc78 thank you for watching the video and commenting man!
i have hte original
Awesome amp! Thank you for watching 🙏🏻
The reissue is punchier
Thank you for watching 🤘🏻
I'd dial down the bass a bit.
Shouldn't the bass be off?
You mean the 80hz slider? The bass (knob) was set to 0.
Dc-5 800 bucks. Does the same