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

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.
The OG IIs and IIIs are all organic & raw. That said, the IIIs are a little stiffer under the fingers where the C+ is magic how it combines liquidity & bounce with attack.

The III blue is as aggro as marks ever got, and the red / green aren't far behind. All three more aggressive than a IIC+.
 
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.
What I wrote is not a sign of disrespect at all. It's just that the best comparison always happens when using amps through one cabinet. I believe you, but it takes much more to convince an audience of your opinion. And I said that it is always important what the owner himself thinks, and not his audience, you can’t please everyone. I'm glad you like it!
 
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.
In general I agree with you, however this green doesn't have that problem. I'm pretty sensative to ear fatigue and this is the smothest III I've had by far (out of 9). Other friends with greens say they kill, and are very close to a IVa, so who knows..?
 
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. 🤣
What was the stripe and specs on it? You liked it even more than your friend’s 2C+ that you said dripped tone, but got worse after the ++ mod?
 
I have to say the Reissue MarkIIC+ is definitely in line with that MKIIC+ OG and the other Marks.......... Great side by side comparison video!:2thumbsup:

I would imagine alot of guys will like the fact that the Resissue MKIIC+ is tighter than the OG.
 
Thanks for doing that guys, and special thanks to @frontline205 for making the drive! Nice playing too. :cheers:

Dug them all, very interesting comparison. How rare are the IIB? :p
 
What was the stripe and specs on it? You liked it even more than your friend’s 2C+ that you said dripped tone, but got worse after the ++ mod?
It was a purple stripe. Comparing it to that 2C+…before it was modded, no, but after it was a ++ that amp was no more and the 3++ was better IMO.

Keep in mind that 2C+ had no reverb. Only 2C+ I ever played without factory reverb and it was the best. I honestly think the reverb circuit takes away from the amp even though it may add a little gain.
 
Thanks to both of you @GJgo and @frontline205 you must have had lot of fun doing this comparison.

To my ears using my modest speakers in my home studio and flipping from one to the other to give me a quick idea they all sounded good and my fav was the IIC+ RI. Glad I have put one on order! That's the second time it happens as @hellzington comparison video put a huge smile on my face too.

Once I get mine, I will have to find someone locally with a OG and may be make a humble clip of both IIC+
 
It was a purple stripe. Comparing it to that 2C+…before it was modded, no, but after it was a ++ that amp was no more and the 3++ was better IMO.

Keep in mind that 2C+ had no reverb. Only 2C+ I ever played without factory reverb and it was the best. I honestly think the reverb circuit takes away from the amp even though it may add a little gain.
Cool, I may have to try more mark III's, even though I have tried and owned a good bunch already. I thought they all sounded really good for sure, but none that I've tried yet to me were in the same league as the IIC+'s I've tried. Not as complex/detailed around the notes or as liquid in the way the notes connected

I've only tried one none reverb IIC+ so far. It was an SG ++ modded (also the only IIC++ I tried). It was great, but still preferred by a little an HRG IIC+ I compared it with that seemed just like my HRG, but haven't compared directly. Whether it was better before the ++ or not I wouldn't know, but it didn't seem to me like the HRG had more gain than the SG in + mode from what I remember. So far the 2 HRG's have been my favorite IIC+'s I've tried, but would like to try more C+'s and will try probably fairly soon a DRGX version. Besides that I've tried a DRG, SR and had a DR and KRG (started out as a IIB coli)
 
IIB KRG spec'd like mine with the limiter are very rare, maybe 10-ish of them by serial? I'm only aware of 1 or 2 others.
dammit.

I think that was my fav, was hoping they weren't popular or rare. Thanks again for doing the comp, and having those guys to your place. That was very cool of you. :cheers:

would have liked to hear everyone jamming though! I get it though, @frontline205 had those amps cookin!
 
dammit.

I think that was my fav, was hoping they weren't popular or rare. Thanks again for doing the comp, and having those guys to your place. That was very cool of you. :cheers:

would have liked to hear everyone jamming though! I get it though, @frontline205 had those amps cookin!
Well, they're not popular! Everyone discounts the IIB. To be fair though, this level is the Coli, not any IIB. The IIB Colis have no negative feedback & crush balls.

Yeah after his performance there's nothing I was going to show you guys. 😆
 
Well, they're not popular! Everyone discounts the IIB. To be fair though, this level is the Coli, not any IIB. The IIB Colis have no negative feedback & crush balls.

Yeah after his performance there's nothing I was going to show you guys. 😆
oh figures, not just rare...rare among rare. :aww:
 
Thanks to both of you @GJgo and @frontline205 you must have had lot of fun doing this comparison.

To my ears using my modest speakers in my home studio and flipping from one to the other to give me a quick idea they all sounded good and my fav was the IIC+ RI. Glad I have put one on order! That's the second time it happens as @hellzington comparison video put a huge smile on my face too.

Once I get mine, I will have to find someone locally with a OG and may be make a humble clip of both IIC+
Hey man, just wanted to say thanks for saying that. I really want my videos to be different and fun, and you smiling and enjoying is the idea. (Remember, although we are all passionate, this is supposed to be FUN.) Cheers brother!
 
Well, they're not popular! Everyone discounts the IIB. To be fair though, this level is the Coli, not any IIB. The IIB Colis have no negative feedback & crush balls.

Yeah after his performance there's nothing I was going to show you guys. 😆
Have you heard any SG IIB+s to compare?

The one I'm looking at is a 60w with no reverb, but has the graphic EQ
 
Have you heard any SG IIB+s to compare?

The one I'm looking at is a 60w with no reverb, but has the graphic EQ
Yes-ish. I have a friend with an early S IIB+, and another with a late SR IIB+. The early one is like early IIBs, pretty loose and classic rock-ish. Clip below.



The late one is a killer, just like all 60W IIC+ and IIIs. It was the first B I played (bottom center) & it blew me away compared to what I was expecting based on internet lore. The 60s really get after it, they're probably the most fun for me to play of all the power sections, and plenty loud, just lacking the girth I want in the (1 guitar) band. In this pic we have a Tremoverb, C++ DRG, IVa, IIB+ SR, TA15, JP-2C, IIB KRG, III blue KRG, and III Green DRG.

IMG_2936.JPG
 
Wow, that was super cool....and super close. I'd be happy with any of these Marks and 'I'm not a Mark guy' :D

Like an idiot I sold it since psychologically I had the 2C+ and ++ amps and the 3 “couldn’t” be better. 🤣

Is that where you get the psycho in @psychodave :D
 
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