Frontline205 & GJgo test the IIC+ Reissue against the OG!

ners said:
How would you compare it to your IIB+?

I may have a line on a sub-$1k RP9C, so even after sending to Mike B and getting a new headshell (it's a combo) I'm probably looking at less than $2k all in.
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Do it that IIB+ was a monster
 
GJgo said:
This unit shipped with all STR-445 RED. In the Class A slots it was running 34 mV, and the A/B slots were running 23 mV. Hotter could be good on both counts. All tubes tested good on my Orange Valve Tester, and the preamp tubes all tested middle of the road.
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I believe STR-445 are JJ 6l6's? I have STR-441 (I wonder what brand they are) greens that came stock in my JP2C.
 
frontline205 said:
That III+ green is my favorite too. I kinda want to send a mark III to Mike now
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Your playing really brought out each of their characters. You’ve got solid chops man and thanks for taking the time to do the drive as well. It really helps compare them all.

It kind of validated what I have always been worried about with an OG - they scoop insanely well for studio recording but it makes them disappear in a mix. I feel the reissue fixes that with the similar tone but enough to still cut in a band mix.

Yeah that III+ green is just nuts. Only validates my mark iii++ pentode coli is my personal dream amp.
 
Really appreciate you guys putting the time and effort in to make this video. I have to say after several listens that that the MKIII Green may be the best to my ears and taste. That said, I'm not in the room and can't "feel" the amp under my fingers / pick...Both of those factors are VERY real. I've never had a IIC+, but it's hard for me to imagine a Mark series amp being much more aggressive and gained than the Mesa MKIII Red Stripe I once owned. So many talk about that OG IIC+ magic...I guess I'm going to assume that it is a real phenomenon.
 
FastRedPonyCar said:
This was always my beef with the Studio Preamps I had. I loved the tone but never could have both the drive sound I wanted and the clean sound I wanted. I kicked around the idea of getting a Quad but eventually decided to just move on as it was still a bit of work to get it sounding just right.

I've got a Mark VII now and honestly after owning the 2 preamps, a 90w MK V and a couple months with a MK IV and a month with the 35w MKV, the VII has been the only mark I've plugged into and just had an incredible sound everywhere without any time needed to fine tune or dial in a good sound. For me, it's just great no matter where it's set and fine tuning only makes it that much better.

The 35w baby V though... man that amp really surprised me. I expected to hate it after never really liking my 90w V but it sounded REALLY good. I'm convinced they changed the voicing for that thing. It was clearer and cleaner in the top end than my 90w V.
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I've heard about the Mark VII not really being able to cut live, is this an issue you've had? Also, how's the low end, some people say it's got tons of low end, some people say it lacks...?? I'm seriously considering getting one of these or a IIC+ reissue, or a JP2C. One of the 3 some day.
 
PhilC said:
How do you guys contact Mike B? I have an OG iic+ And I’d like to get the mid pull ++ option while I still can.
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Email or Call, super friendly folks, they'll open up a ticket for you

Maybe someone on here has a more direct way but when i wanted some info for my Mark V, i just reached out via email
 
frontline205 said:
My favorite playing these was the III+ then IIB. But the coliseum and IIC+ reissue was close. The IIC OG responded the best of all of them
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Interesting.

I had a Mark III++ that I liked more than every 2C+ and ++ amp I heard. The 3++ just had a sound and feel that I loved. I could play the amp for 6 hours and it was cool to the touch. Like an idiot I sold it since psychologically I had the 2C+ and ++ amps and the 3 “couldn’t” be better. 🤣
 
ultimatemetalguitartones said:
Look at this lineup! Thanks for the video. Maybe the best comparison so far. To me the the RI doesn't sound as full - warm and ballsy as the rest of the amps, which sound amazing by the way... I know that the video might not do justice but again in my opinion it's easy to tell which one is the RI. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with the OG - IIB. The green stripe would probably make the perfect thrash amp in my book
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Yes you can definitely tell which is the OG & which is the RI. HOWEVER, the RI HAS the C+ sound and feel where a IIB and III, as much as I love them for their own reasons, do not. In terms of THAT sound I'm happy with the RI in ways that I never was with the V, JP or VII.
 
fedrek said:
To be honest, it's hard to even call it a comparison, they are not connected to the same cabinet, they were filmed in a large room with huge reverberation, it's better to stick to the opinion that this is a simple jam of friends in a garage than to say which is better or which is worse, personally, out of all of them I liked the original, but again, with a close mic'd comparison and through one cabinet, I can change my opinion.

But in the end, what is important is the feeling of the owner of the amplifier, if he likes it, then great.
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If you don't appreciate the opinion of someone who's had 9 C+ and ~30 Marks, then you'll never be satisfied until you buy them and see for yourself.

There were no tonal losers in this room, only shades of awesomeness.
 
psychodave said:
Interesting.

I had a Mark III++ that I liked more than every 2C+ and ++ amp I heard. The 3++ just had a sound and feel that I loved. I could play the amp for 6 hours and it was cool to the touch. Like an idiot I sold it since psychologically I had the 2C+ and ++ amps and the 3 “couldn’t” be better. 🤣
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III's in general are a little more aggressive, as they have a more grainy sound, but with that said I find they get a bit harsh in the upper frequencies very easily which is why I prefer the IIC+ and IV's.
 
sloanthebone said:
Man that IIb sounded fantastic here. What does the + mod do on that amp? I have a IIb (B) board, maybe I should send it in to get some Mike B love.

Great video gentleman!
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Technically it's the Loop Mod, I just affectionately call it a B+ since the C+ was similarly a loop mod. Anyway, it makes the loop work well, and adds some gain.
 
FastRedPonyCar said:
The 35w baby V though... man that amp really surprised me. I expected to hate it after never really liking my 90w V but it sounded REALLY good. I'm convinced they changed the voicing for that thing. It was clearer and cleaner in the top end than my 90w V.
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Until yesterday, the Five 35 was my favorite modern Mark. Definitely better tone than the 90.
 
frontline205 said:
That III+ green is my favorite too. I kinda want to send a mark III to Mike now
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You should. I've had 3 of my IIIs III+ modded by Mike and all of them have been a SOLID improvement.

I also had one III++ modded and IMO it took it too far, so I recommend sticking with III+.
 
glpg80 said:
It kind of validated what I have always been worried about with an OG - they scoop insanely well for studio recording but it makes them disappear in a mix. I feel the reissue fixes that with the similar tone but enough to still cut in a band mix.
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100% my friend. The OG C+ is rough in a live metal mix. I'd love to gig a RI.
 
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