I have the same amp but I will say the Soldano is just as good if not better. I also have a 2/90 and Triaxis that's heck of a setup but man that Soldano is a killer.
@TheNewWorldMan just wanted to let you know that I have your Mark IV A head! I bought it years ago off on Reverb from a seller in Cali, he sent me this vid as the amp’s demo. Have had this amp for a few years now, absolutely love it! First big-boy tube amp I ever got and I will never part with it! Sounds amazing
I bought a Mark IV 26+ years ago brand new (version A). It still sounds great! I can make it sound like a lot of different amps. There are so many options, they had to put knobs and switches on the back of the amp.
I actually ended up selling the IV. It just didn't get used enough to justify keeping it. I do still have the pair of DRGs, though. The IV is a fantastic amp and gets close enough for anyone wanting that type of sound that doesn't want to chase down a C+. Also much more versatile in general.
Thank you for comparing. Good job, we can hear the real difference. I own IIC++, IIC+, III red and IV-A, and I can say that I recognise my amps ;-) Just one thing, the IIC++ sounds fuller than the IIC+ on your clip, i think its because of the poweramp section (simulclass for IIC+, class AB for IIC++). My IIC++ and IIC+ are both in class AB and the IIC+ sounds fuller but less gainy.
I figured most people would complain, given it’s just a quick iPhone clip, but I agree with too. Even with the phone, some of the subtle difference shine through.
I have 5 of mark series amps, Green stripe, Red stripe, Blue Stripe and a a IIC+.. if they were vastly different they wouldn't have just swiped each version with just a magic marker swipe or a black dot or a + sign. The big difference in the IIC+ and the Mark III was the third channel. Mesa got noticeably different with the Mesa badging vs the Boogie badges. The Rectifier series,The lone star, Road King,Nomad, etc came later and did sound different... The stiletto was probably the most different being EL34 based shooting toward the Marshall tone. Even my newer Mark 5 EL84 based amp sits in my studio with the older mark III'S and IIC+ it too sounds really close even all these years later with totally different power section/ tubes. The petrucci amp is a modern Mark amp and you can line up all the Mark series amps and NO one in the audience would ever know the difference and most guitar players blind folded couldn't pick them out one from the other especially with the transparent EVM 12L black shadow speaker or an MC-90 black shadow. The IIC+ landed production in the right time to become the flagship vintage boogie. Thats when 80's music was huge and that amp was produced at the right time for the players who made it famous. it didn't make them famous. I would argue a Mark III purple, red, blue or green stripe Mark III could have been used by the players who made the IIC+ famous and those albums and concerts wouldn't have sounded any different. They just weren't available at the time those bands recorded those albums. They stopped the IIC+ when the mark III came into production. They stopped the III when the Mark IV started and so on....they are all great amps and tonally are the same. Most of those bands stopped playing the IIC+ and went to the mark III when it came out because the sound was basically the same but the 3 had a third channel, everyone loved that.
I have 5 of mark series amps, Green stripe, Red stripe, Blue Stripe and a a IIC+.. if they were vastly different they wouldn't have just swiped each version with just a magic marker swipe or a black dot or a + sign. The big difference in the IIC+ and the Mark III was the third channel. Mesa got noticeably different with the Mesa badging vs the Boogie badges. The Rectifier series,The lone star, Road King,Nomad, etc came later and did sound different... The stiletto was probably the most different being EL34 based shooting toward the Marshall tone. Even my newer Mark 5 EL84 based amp sits in my studio with the older mark III'S and IIC+ it too sounds really close even all these years later with totally different power section/ tubes. The petrucci amp is a modern Mark amp and you can line up all the Mark series amps and NO one in the audience would ever know the difference and most guitar players blind folded couldn't pick them out one from the other especially with the transparent EVM 12L black shadow speaker or an MC-90 black shadow. The IIC+ landed production in the right time to become the flagship vintage boogie. Thats when 80's music was huge and that amp was produced at the right time for the players who made it famous. it didn't make them famous. I would argue a Mark III purple, red, blue or green stripe Mark III could have been used by the players who made the IIC+ famous and those albums and concerts wouldn't have sounded any different. They just weren't available at the time those bands recorded those albums. They stopped the IIC+ when the mark III came into production. They stopped the III when the Mark IV started and so on....they are all great amps and tonally are the same. Most of those bands stopped playing the IIC+ and went to the mark III when it came out because the sound was basically the same but the 3 had a third channel, everyone loved that.
Hi, great demo. I understand that you may or may not have the ++ or the + any longer but do you remember is they were DRG or HRG? Very much appreciated. Cheers
Ha, definitely just the amp. Funny thing is the G12Ms on the top in the cab in this video actually cuts a little low end (it had G12M on top and V30 on bottom). All V30s would be a little more round, but still tight. Trying to acquire an early 90s Marshall V30 cab next week for a more authentic "Black Album" vibe. If I do, I'll try to do another quick vid with it.
Sounds awesome. I have an early DRG C+. Mine obviously needs attention. Have you had your DRG C+ recapped? Would you recommend the ++ upgrade? Thanks, Jim
Hi Jim. My DRG C+ still has the original caps, and the C++ DRG only had a couple swapped. I typically only recap my amps on an as-needed basis as opposed to age. The ++ upgrade is great, depending on what you want. It essentially adds a boost to the front end which changes the feel some and adds a little perceived gain. In addition, it smooths out the amp a little so the graphic EQ is a little different. The mids sit a little different, and the faders for low end can be pushed a little harder. The downside is that it will dirty up your clean channel, as you'd have to run Volume 1 relatively low to clean it up. So, it's a trade off. There's days I use the + and others I use the ++, depending on application. I enjoy them both.
I'm pretty sure I sold this guy a C+. Although I think it may have been a 60/100. I believe at the time he was more into recto's. I don't know could be wrong, my point is, not long after I bought another one.
I've had various ones over time. It came to me with JJs, which weren't my thing. I tried Mesa STR 430 6L6s, then settled in using Mesa STR 420 6L6s for quite a while until I put 415s in there. I've considered putting a 415/416 combo in the C++ as well. I still use Mesa STR 420s in all of my Rectos. All of my Mesa amps have 80s or early 90s Chinese (Beijing) 8th Gen C8 12AX7s in them. I think all of my Mesa amps actually have Mesa rebranded ones specifically, though I have a stash of C8s from other rebrandings as well (Groove Tubes, Ruby, Penta Labs, etc).
Random side note - I actually sold the Marshall cab used in this clip (was a 2002 with G12M Greenbacks on top and V30s on bottom). All of my other clips are with the Mesa Traditional/Straight 4X12. If the cards all fall into place, I'll be picking up a very early 90s Marshall 4X12 (Straight, V30). Will be curious to put the C+'S through the paces with an era appropriate Marshall V30 cab for a "Black Album" vibe.
I have 1984 Mark ll C , COMBO,, 60/75 SIMI CLASS , 4 6L6s w/200w electrovoice 12" ,speaker , the magnet of the speaker is almost as large (10" dia.) as the speaker it's self. I,'ve owned it for 32yrs. Sounds as good or better than the day I received it. Played every venue you can imagine , from a small 50 seat bars to civic arenas seating 3000 plus,, still has original mesa tubes,, this incredible but kicking amp will be aroun long after i,m gone , possibly handing down to grandchild who will put it to good use!
i don't know much about mesas, are they just extremely mid forward, the mark series? this guys video and all the others i've watch literally have the mids at zero and the mid slider on the eq pulled all the way down. they still don't sound SUPER scooped, scooped but not like disgustingly scooped like you would expect an amp to sound with these settings. i just don't get it
You’re 100% on point. The Mesa Mark series are extremely mid heavy amps. Dipping the 750 slider (to a reasonable degree) just flattens the mid bump and makes it more neutral as opposed to scooping them (which you could still do if you dropped it all the way). You can dial a lot of mids out and still have more midrange than on a lot of amps.
@@thenewworldman3640 i think something is wrong with me. I don't like using the geq on my IV. Is it just my ears that likes the mid heavy tone of the amp or like...my cabs? I have a 212 with a v30 and c90 blend.
Do you have notes of your settings on the Mark IV (A) just curious to try them out on mine. Would you mind sharing which guitar and cabinet you used for this recording as well ? Cheers from a Mesa User from Austria (Europe) ! Great comparison !!!
Hey man! Sorry for the slow reply. I don't check these things too often. I had them all set up pretty similar. I can dig through, but if memory serves me correct, the Volume 1 was on around 9, while the Lead Drive controls were on about 5.5 (not very high). I wasn't going for super saturated, so the gain wasn't more at "recording levels". Treble around 7, Mids at 0, bass around 4. I typically run the Mids up around 4 as well, but was going for something specific for the comparison. Presence around 2.5 or so, maybe 3. Switches pulled for just about everything. I'll also point out that I use my Mark IV in a "IIC+" configuration, namely in Triode and Harmonics modes. Mid Gain mode gets a little too saturated, and I prefer the "feel" of Triode over Pentode. It was also set on Simul-Class. The graphic EQ settings can probably be seen in the video. Guitar was a Les Paul loaded with a 500T in the bridge. The cab was a 2002 Marshall 4X12 straight cab with (English) G12M Greenbacks on top and Marshall V30s on the bottom. I typically use a Mesa 4X12 V30 cab with them, but I do use the Marshall cabs from time to time, and I was just too lazy to move the heads to the other side of the room for the video haha. Any other questions, please feel free to ask!
New World Man ...I totally appreciate your answer, I own my Mark IV (A) for about 4 years now and I am always up for trying something different. As I said i really like your comparison videos and the way your amps are dialed in...overall just a great job. Keep it coming :)
Thank you! Hoping to acquire an era appropriate Marshall V30 cab soon for another go round. The IV (A) is a great, great amp. Is yours an earlier or later A model?
Do you recommend getting the ++ mod? I have a factory original 1985 IIC+ DRG but I cant decide. Would I be losing something from the original sound even if it's switchable?
It really depends on what you want the amp to do. There’s no right/wrong answer. You will lose a little something if it’s switchable. It’s still a compromise and the mod will impact the tone some even when disengaged. The only way to have the full-on C+ or C++ is to have one or the other in the amp. If you like the clean channel, I wouldn’t recommend the mod. The front end gets slammed hard enough that the clean channel is destroyed. Even at super low settings of Volume 1, it barely cleans up, and what you’re left with is lackluster. You end up with more of a light crunch channel as opposed to a clean channel, which can be cool if you like that instead.
@@thenewworldman3640 I think ypu answered my question. I love the cleans of my IIC+. Last thing I want is to dirty up the clean channel. I just wanted to know if it really brings you THAT much closer to the Metallica sound. I like the MoP era tone and based on your info page that was all C+ anyway right?
It’s a hair more “metal” sounding. It’s not a lot more gain on tap. It’s a little more saturation around the note and feels a little easier to play. The EQ reacts slightly different as well. If you’ve got an ‘85 DRG C+, you’ve essentially got Crunchberries, which was MoP. The ++ was for albums after (for James).
The front end is boosting on the ++, so it has a little more saturation on tap. The EQ is also revoiced a little allowing you to use more extreme settings.
I had a Mark III half stack that was killer, then a Mark 5 it was way to busy with the control layout but sounded killer, i now have a Soldano SLO-100 and it is pure wickedness but it is voiced along the lines of a modded Marshall ,Mesa Boogie needs to reissue the Mark IIc plus again in its original form, not like the Petrucci version, that is the only amp besides my SLO that i would get.
Any reissue will not sound exactly like the originals anyway. They can't run the same plate voltage on the tubes because the tubes available these days can't handle it. Plus now it's all printed circuit boards instead of hand drawn etc. Mesa Boogie is a very different company now than it used to be when they were making the 2c+. Still make great stuff, it's just different. SLO is a beast, definitely on my "to acquire" list.
FastRedPonyCar Agreed on the side by side comparison, but the JP2C still looks busy , I like the original layout on the Mark IIC + ,IMHO the simpler the better.
Haha, I figure a lot of folks feel that way. TBA and Load/Reload are some of my favorite eras of production, so I tend towards those riffs when dialing in the amps.
Lot of crunch. Great metal rythm. Dont hear any dumble. Redplate tones there. Like smoother sounds for lead. Nice clean sounds. What it does it does well. Clean fender. Crunch sounds. But for leads I went from Mesa to redplate for dumble sounds for leads. I do not play metal sounds
@@thenewworldman3640 I just found that thru the Mesa Boogie club on facebook. Its odd that they would release it that way. I think mine was originally a rack unit also. It came in shell, but it didnt fit right, so I put in back in a rack case. I actiually love having it in a 4u shell. Ive noticed the amp stays much cooler since the switch.
That mark IV's tone is killer ! I own one myself and would never go any other brand than Mesa
Yo just got a Mark 4 rev A myself. Best sounding Mesa I have played.
I have the same amp but I will say the Soldano is just as good if not better. I also have a 2/90 and Triaxis that's heck of a setup but man that Soldano is a killer.
@TheNewWorldMan just wanted to let you know that I have your Mark IV A head! I bought it years ago off on Reverb from a seller in Cali, he sent me this vid as the amp’s demo. Have had this amp for a few years now, absolutely love it! First big-boy tube amp I ever got and I will never part with it! Sounds amazing
0:08 MK IIC++
2:00 MK IIC+
3:44 MK IV A
I obviously need to do my homework and learn to mark these times off myself, haha. Thank you for this!
The mark IIC++ is a beast!
I bought a Mark IV 26+ years ago brand new (version A). It still sounds great! I can make it sound like a lot of different amps. There are so many options, they had to put knobs and switches on the back of the amp.
Wtf, you have all three? I'm pretty envious right now.
I actually ended up selling the IV. It just didn't get used enough to justify keeping it. I do still have the pair of DRGs, though. The IV is a fantastic amp and gets close enough for anyone wanting that type of sound that doesn't want to chase down a C+. Also much more versatile in general.
All of em crush. My Mark IV rocks as hard as any amp on the planet. Love all those Boogie tones.
I feel like the IV is closer to the C++ than the C+ because of the higher amount of gain and compression.
John Sykes always comes to mind when I hear a Mesa like these.
Thank you for comparing. Good job, we can hear the real difference. I own IIC++, IIC+, III red and IV-A, and I can say that I recognise my amps ;-) Just one thing, the IIC++ sounds fuller than the IIC+ on your clip, i think its because of the poweramp section (simulclass for IIC+, class AB for IIC++). My IIC++ and IIC+ are both in class AB and the IIC+ sounds fuller but less gainy.
I figured most people would complain, given it’s just a quick iPhone clip, but I agree with too. Even with the phone, some of the subtle difference shine through.
I have 5 of mark series amps, Green stripe, Red stripe, Blue Stripe and a a IIC+.. if they were vastly different they wouldn't have just swiped each version with just a magic marker swipe or a black dot or a + sign. The big difference in the IIC+ and the Mark III was the third channel. Mesa got noticeably different with the Mesa badging vs the Boogie badges. The Rectifier series,The lone star, Road King,Nomad, etc came later and did sound different... The stiletto was probably the most different being EL34 based shooting toward the Marshall tone. Even my newer Mark 5 EL84 based amp sits in my studio with the older mark III'S and IIC+ it too sounds really close even all these years later with totally different power section/ tubes. The petrucci amp is a modern Mark amp and you can line up all the Mark series amps and NO one in the audience would ever know the difference and most guitar players blind folded couldn't pick them out one from the other especially with the transparent EVM 12L black shadow speaker or an MC-90 black shadow. The IIC+ landed production in the right time to become the flagship vintage boogie. Thats when 80's music was huge and that amp was produced at the right time for the players who made it famous. it didn't make them famous. I would argue a Mark III purple, red, blue or green stripe Mark III could have been used by the players who made the IIC+ famous and those albums and concerts wouldn't have sounded any different. They just weren't available at the time those bands recorded those albums. They stopped the IIC+ when the mark III came into production. They stopped the III when the Mark IV started and so on....they are all great amps and tonally are the same. Most of those bands stopped playing the IIC+ and went to the mark III when it came out because the sound was basically the same but the 3 had a third channel, everyone loved that.
your red stripe vs your IV-A ... which do you prefer and why ?
Oh man, that IIC+!
I have 5 of mark series amps, Green stripe, Red stripe, Blue Stripe and a a IIC+.. if they were vastly different they wouldn't have just swiped each version with just a magic marker swipe or a black dot or a + sign. The big difference in the IIC+ and the Mark III was the third channel. Mesa got noticeably different with the Mesa badging vs the Boogie badges. The Rectifier series,The lone star, Road King,Nomad, etc came later and did sound different... The stiletto was probably the most different being EL34 based shooting toward the Marshall tone. Even my newer Mark 5 EL84 based amp sits in my studio with the older mark III'S and IIC+ it too sounds really close even all these years later with totally different power section/ tubes. The petrucci amp is a modern Mark amp and you can line up all the Mark series amps and NO one in the audience would ever know the difference and most guitar players blind folded couldn't pick them out one from the other especially with the transparent EVM 12L black shadow speaker or an MC-90 black shadow. The IIC+ landed production in the right time to become the flagship vintage boogie. Thats when 80's music was huge and that amp was produced at the right time for the players who made it famous. it didn't make them famous. I would argue a Mark III purple, red, blue or green stripe Mark III could have been used by the players who made the IIC+ famous and those albums and concerts wouldn't have sounded any different. They just weren't available at the time those bands recorded those albums. They stopped the IIC+ when the mark III came into production. They stopped the III when the Mark IV started and so on....they are all great amps and tonally are the same. Most of those bands stopped playing the IIC+ and went to the mark III when it came out because the sound was basically the same but the 3 had a third channel, everyone loved that.
My favorite sounding is the +. just something about it seems more ballsy than the other 2, despite it having a little bit less saturation.
Ahhh! They really do exist!
Hi, great demo. I understand that you may or may not have the ++ or the + any longer but do you remember is they were DRG or HRG? Very much appreciated. Cheers
Hi, they are both DRG models. Thanks!
Throatiest tones I've ever heard from any amp. Diezel doesn't even compare.
I tried a couple of VH4s, and they were very dry and sterile by comparison (for my taste). Couldn't sell them fast enough.
Are you sure that you don't have a bass loop playing under those palm mutes? That's a fuck ton of low end.
Makes me wonder why James picked one up in the first place if he had these babies at his disposal.
Ha, definitely just the amp. Funny thing is the G12Ms on the top in the cab in this video actually cuts a little low end (it had G12M on top and V30 on bottom). All V30s would be a little more round, but still tight. Trying to acquire an early 90s Marshall V30 cab next week for a more authentic "Black Album" vibe. If I do, I'll try to do another quick vid with it.
@@thenewworldman3640 marks have more saturation, vh4 has more clarity and tons of low end. Not everyone likes less saturation to which he used to.
Sounds awesome. I have an early DRG C+. Mine obviously needs attention. Have you had your DRG C+ recapped? Would you recommend the ++ upgrade? Thanks, Jim
Hi Jim. My DRG C+ still has the original caps, and the C++ DRG only had a couple swapped. I typically only recap my amps on an as-needed basis as opposed to age.
The ++ upgrade is great, depending on what you want. It essentially adds a boost to the front end which changes the feel some and adds a little perceived gain. In addition, it smooths out the amp a little so the graphic EQ is a little different. The mids sit a little different, and the faders for low end can be pushed a little harder.
The downside is that it will dirty up your clean channel, as you'd have to run Volume 1 relatively low to clean it up. So, it's a trade off. There's days I use the + and others I use the ++, depending on application. I enjoy them both.
I love the standard 2C+ wayyy better than the ++
Wondering how Mark V would compare with these beasts. They all sound awesome!
I’ve had Mark V heads as well. Probably should have kept one long enough to add in for comparison. They’re a little more modern sounding in general.
Awesome collection!
I think I sold you that IV. I ended up getting another!
I'm pretty sure I sold this guy a C+. Although I think it may have been a 60/100. I believe at the time he was more into recto's. I don't know could be wrong, my point is, not long after I bought another one.
That’s highly possible! I went through a shameful amount of C+ heads before I found a couple of them I liked best.
The ++ has just that little "extra" saturation. I wonder how much 6l6 vs. el34 plays into it
In this clip, the C++ was running all 415s, whereas the the C+ was running 415s and 416s.
Have you tried with any other tubes? Those are obviously special ones you got in there!
I've had various ones over time. It came to me with JJs, which weren't my thing. I tried Mesa STR 430 6L6s, then settled in using Mesa STR 420 6L6s for quite a while until I put 415s in there. I've considered putting a 415/416 combo in the C++ as well. I still use Mesa STR 420s in all of my Rectos.
All of my Mesa amps have 80s or early 90s Chinese (Beijing) 8th Gen C8 12AX7s in them. I think all of my Mesa amps actually have Mesa rebranded ones specifically, though I have a stash of C8s from other rebrandings as well (Groove Tubes, Ruby, Penta Labs, etc).
Random side note - I actually sold the Marshall cab used in this clip (was a 2002 with G12M Greenbacks on top and V30s on bottom). All of my other clips are with the Mesa Traditional/Straight 4X12.
If the cards all fall into place, I'll be picking up a very early 90s Marshall 4X12 (Straight, V30). Will be curious to put the C+'S through the paces with an era appropriate Marshall V30 cab for a "Black Album" vibe.
So the ++ is also a Simul? Or a Coli? or BOTH?!
No fizz on the top end. Amazing.....
I have 1984 Mark ll C , COMBO,, 60/75 SIMI CLASS , 4 6L6s w/200w electrovoice 12" ,speaker , the magnet of the speaker is almost as large (10" dia.) as the speaker it's self. I,'ve owned it for 32yrs. Sounds as good or better than the day I received it. Played every venue you can imagine , from a small 50 seat bars to civic arenas seating 3000 plus,, still has original mesa tubes,, this incredible but kicking amp will be aroun long after i,m gone , possibly handing down to grandchild who will put it to good use!
Sounds like an awesome amp!
How do you find MK IV compared to C+? I have exactly same amp as you.
I think the C+, III, and IV have a similar base tone, and the V and JP2C have a similar core.
i don't know much about mesas, are they just extremely mid forward, the mark series? this guys video and all the others i've watch literally have the mids at zero and the mid slider on the eq pulled all the way down. they still don't sound SUPER scooped, scooped but not like disgustingly scooped like you would expect an amp to sound with these settings. i just don't get it
You’re 100% on point. The Mesa Mark series are extremely mid heavy amps. Dipping the 750 slider (to a reasonable degree) just flattens the mid bump and makes it more neutral as opposed to scooping them (which you could still do if you dropped it all the way). You can dial a lot of mids out and still have more midrange than on a lot of amps.
@@thenewworldman3640 i think something is wrong with me. I don't like using the geq on my IV. Is it just my ears that likes the mid heavy tone of the amp or like...my cabs? I have a 212 with a v30 and c90 blend.
When did Mesa change the faceplate logo? I have a B with the permanent power cord and the "Mesa/Boogie" faceplate. Is that indicative of an early B?
Do you have notes of your settings on the Mark IV (A) just curious to try them out on mine. Would you mind sharing which guitar and cabinet you used for this recording as well ? Cheers from a Mesa User from Austria (Europe) ! Great comparison !!!
Hey man! Sorry for the slow reply. I don't check these things too often. I had them all set up pretty similar. I can dig through, but if memory serves me correct, the Volume 1 was on around 9, while the Lead Drive controls were on about 5.5 (not very high). I wasn't going for super saturated, so the gain wasn't more at "recording levels". Treble around 7, Mids at 0, bass around 4. I typically run the Mids up around 4 as well, but was going for something specific for the comparison. Presence around 2.5 or so, maybe 3. Switches pulled for just about everything.
I'll also point out that I use my Mark IV in a "IIC+" configuration, namely in Triode and Harmonics modes. Mid Gain mode gets a little too saturated, and I prefer the "feel" of Triode over Pentode. It was also set on Simul-Class. The graphic EQ settings can probably be seen in the video.
Guitar was a Les Paul loaded with a 500T in the bridge. The cab was a 2002 Marshall 4X12 straight cab with (English) G12M Greenbacks on top and Marshall V30s on the bottom. I typically use a Mesa 4X12 V30 cab with them, but I do use the Marshall cabs from time to time, and I was just too lazy to move the heads to the other side of the room for the video haha.
Any other questions, please feel free to ask!
New World Man ...I totally appreciate your answer, I own my Mark IV (A) for about 4 years now and I am always up for trying something different. As I said i really like your comparison videos and the way your amps are dialed in...overall just a great job. Keep it coming :)
Thank you! Hoping to acquire an era appropriate Marshall V30 cab soon for another go round. The IV (A) is a great, great amp. Is yours an earlier or later A model?
The NewWorldMan mine is from 1992.
Hi. Whats the year of your Les Paul? Thanks
Don’t recall exactly which was in this clip, but I believe it was early 2000s.
I use Of Wolf and man also when trying new headphones.
Will you sell any of these ?
I get asked that quite frequently. I suppose if one was to go, it would be the Mark IV. Love them all, but don’t “need” them all either.
@@thenewworldman3640 how much ?
Limaguitar@icloud.com
Just checking lmk
Interesting how much was these marks in 1980s? I guess 2.5-3.5k, so nobody could afford them.
Do you recommend getting the ++ mod? I have a factory original 1985 IIC+ DRG but I cant decide. Would I be losing something from the original sound even if it's switchable?
It really depends on what you want the amp to do. There’s no right/wrong answer.
You will lose a little something if it’s switchable. It’s still a compromise and the mod will impact the tone some even when disengaged. The only way to have the full-on C+ or C++ is to have one or the other in the amp.
If you like the clean channel, I wouldn’t recommend the mod. The front end gets slammed hard enough that the clean channel is destroyed. Even at super low settings of Volume 1, it barely cleans up, and what you’re left with is lackluster. You end up with more of a light crunch channel as opposed to a clean channel, which can be cool if you like that instead.
What tones are you going for?
@@thenewworldman3640 I think ypu answered my question. I love the cleans of my IIC+. Last thing I want is to dirty up the clean channel. I just wanted to know if it really brings you THAT much closer to the Metallica sound. I like the MoP era tone and based on your info page that was all C+ anyway right?
It’s a hair more “metal” sounding. It’s not a lot more gain on tap. It’s a little more saturation around the note and feels a little easier to play. The EQ reacts slightly different as well.
If you’ve got an ‘85 DRG C+, you’ve essentially got Crunchberries, which was MoP. The ++ was for albums after (for James).
Technically wise, what is the difference between IIC+ and IIC++? What mod does the IIC+ has to turn into IIC++?
The front end is boosting on the ++, so it has a little more saturation on tap. The EQ is also revoiced a little allowing you to use more extreme settings.
I had a Mark III half stack that was killer, then a Mark 5 it was way to busy with the control layout but sounded killer, i now have a Soldano SLO-100 and it is pure wickedness but it is voiced along the lines of a modded Marshall ,Mesa Boogie needs to reissue the Mark IIc plus again in its original form, not like the Petrucci version, that is the only amp besides my SLO that i would get.
Any reissue will not sound exactly like the originals anyway. They can't run the same plate voltage on the tubes because the tubes available these days can't handle it. Plus now it's all printed circuit boards instead of hand drawn etc. Mesa Boogie is a very different company now than it used to be when they were making the 2c+. Still make great stuff, it's just different. SLO is a beast, definitely on my "to acquire" list.
The JP2C is supposedly as faithful of a reproduction as it gets. I would need to hear them side by side in the room though.
FastRedPonyCar Agreed on the side by side comparison, but the JP2C still looks busy , I like the original layout on the Mark IIC + ,IMHO the simpler the better.
You just need to look at the dials you want to change and ignore the rest.... jeez, its still an amp.. can't get any easier.
++ kills em all easily \m/ damn i wish i could mod my triaxis to a iic++ but i guess mesa wont do that
Let me know if you want to sell those amps man.
Thanks a lot.
Awesome amp tones but EWW Black album riffs, YIKES!
The IIC+ and IIC++ kill that Mark IV
Haha, I figure a lot of folks feel that way. TBA and Load/Reload are some of my favorite eras of production, so I tend towards those riffs when dialing in the amps.
Moshe Alvarez you’re sad
Iv sounds heavier in my ears
Now do the same thing again but comparing the clean channels.
You need more mids on the IV. Tone doesn't sound good.
Mark IV on picture is not an A version but a B, A version has not the EQ switch and mid gain/harmonics on front panel but at the back.
No, the long heads of all types have the switches on the front. The short heads have the switches on the back. The version does not matter.
@@thenewworldman3640 Yeah, the best way to tell is the effects loop on the back. The IVb has a both a mono and stereo return.
@@thenewworldman3640 Killer amps BTW
great sounds, like a fuking Kymera from the mithology.
Lot of crunch. Great metal rythm. Dont hear any dumble. Redplate tones there. Like smoother sounds for lead. Nice clean sounds. What it does it does well. Clean fender. Crunch sounds. But for leads I went from Mesa to redplate for dumble sounds for leads. I do not play metal sounds
Thats not a Rev A, Thats a Rev B.
The Mark IV used is an A, not a B. Thanks!
@@thenewworldman3640 Im confused. I have a 91 and it doesnt have the double switches on the front. Is the long body not the rev B?
Both A and B models come in short and medium/long chassis versions.
@@thenewworldman3640 I just found that thru the Mesa Boogie club on facebook. Its odd that they would release it that way. I think mine was originally a rack unit also. It came in shell, but it didnt fit right, so I put in back in a rack case. I actiually love having it in a 4u shell. Ive noticed the amp stays much cooler since the switch.