IIC+ Verdict

[frontline205]

Wow, this video blew my mind.



Still has that very congested mid thing going on, like the gain is being pushed too hard, but I really enjoyed this.

It is boosted though.

Only certain parts were. I started it unboosted and you can see me turn it on then off.

 

[Nashville Riff Co]

Only certain parts were. I started it unboosted and you can see me turn it on then off.

Are ya still liking it? Would love to hear your thoughts since a few days have passed

 

[frontline205]

Are ya still liking it? Would love to hear your thoughts since a few days have passed

I actually like it a lot, I’m big into buying stuff to try out and getting rid of stuff and was going to sell this amp after recording it, but I’m holding on to it at the moment cause it just sounds that good to me. I’ve owned a mark black, and red stripe, a mark Iva and IVB and played the IIB extensively. Only the mark IVA had 4 years ago I like as much or better. I can’t say for sure which one because I owned it 4 years ago and it was my first mark. So I really couldn’t compare to now.
I do wish there was an option to ++ mod it for fun but it’s got enough gain. I only use 2 tones super clean for Spanish style music and metal, and not at the same time. This amp can do both those tones.
Now I will say I played the VII and that for the price and features is probably a better deal.

 

[Nashville Riff Co]

I actually like it a lot, I’m big into buying stuff to try out and getting rid of stuff and was going to sell this amp after recording it, but I’m holding on to it at the moment cause it just sounds that good to me. I’ve owned a mark black, and red stripe, a mark Iva and IVB and played the IIB extensively. Only the mark IVA had 4 years ago I like as much or better. I can’t say for sure which one because I owned it 4 years ago and it was my first mark. So I really couldn’t compare to now.
I do wish there was an option to ++ mod it for fun but it’s got enough gain. I only use 2 tones super clean for Spanish style music and metal, and not at the same time. This amp can do both those tones.
Now I will say I played the VII and that for the price and features is probably a better deal.

Very helpful, thank you!

 

[nightlight]

I actually like it a lot, I’m big into buying stuff to try out and getting rid of stuff and was going to sell this amp after recording it, but I’m holding on to it at the moment cause it just sounds that good to me. I’ve owned a mark black, and red stripe, a mark Iva and IVB and played the IIB extensively. Only the mark IVA had 4 years ago I like as much or better. I can’t say for sure which one because I owned it 4 years ago and it was my first mark. So I really couldn’t compare to now.
I do wish there was an option to ++ mod it for fun but it’s got enough gain. I only use 2 tones super clean for Spanish style music and metal, and not at the same time. This amp can do both those tones.
Now I will say I played the VII and that for the price and features is probably a better deal.

This is where I make like Suffocation when the band first got together and the guitarist was like, "Woah, another black dude playing music like me" haha

And that is a true story, by the way.

 

[skoora]

I actually like it a lot, I’m big into buying stuff to try out and getting rid of stuff and was going to sell this amp after recording it, but I’m holding on to it at the moment cause it just sounds that good to me. I’ve owned a mark black, and red stripe, a mark Iva and IVB and played the IIB extensively. Only the mark IVA had 4 years ago I like as much or better. I can’t say for sure which one because I owned it 4 years ago and it was my first mark. So I really couldn’t compare to now.
I do wish there was an option to ++ mod it for fun but it’s got enough gain. I only use 2 tones super clean for Spanish style music and metal, and not at the same time. This amp can do both those tones.
Now I will say I played the VII and that for the price and features is probably a better deal.

If you ever get to own or demo a Headfirst Evil Joe and NOT play Black Metal Leads on it, the Universe won’t forgive you!

…..and please God, I hope you know what I’m referring to

 

[frontline205]

If you ever get to own or demo a Headfirst Evil Joe and NOT play Black Metal Leads on it, the Universe won’t forgive you!

…..and please God, I hope you know what I’m referring to

lol I got you…

 

[GJgo]

I don't know about it, really. I heard @hellzington's clips, and they sound much better than most of the stuff out there.

But I still don't hear the amp sounding like what I think (and I must stress this, having never owned or played a IIC+) sounds like.

Just seems like the reissue is a much lower gain amplifier, for one. The gain structure on the Reissue also sounds grainy to me.

Then on @hellzington's clips, I hear the clean tone tests he did and I know that the amps are definitely different.

IMO, the IIC+ IS generally speaking a lower gain amplifier than most people think it is. The tone in most people's heads, unless you're thinking of Lukather or Schon, is easier to achieve with a IIC++.

 

[GJgo]

If the oscillation only presents itself with the gain cranked...Then there's probably no need to have the issue addressed as we all know that metal guitar players almost NEVER use too much gain.

Well, ones that gig the amp or at least play it at band volume don't... Maybe this was a FU to the bedroom player!

 

[GJgo]

True; I tried it in a shop and didn't open it up like I would do at home. Medium vol only.

The JP does open up the feels when the channel volumes get up above ~1:30. Since there's no MV, which IMO was a big mistake, that's way too loud for most people. Even most bands. I tried working around this by running the volume up that high & then controlling the volume with the gain knob, which did work in the band where you don't use all that much gain at gig volume anyway, but it was still pretty loud. And I like loud. It kind of ripped on your ears like a Wizard. Ish.

 

[GJgo]

I'm told its very simple to do as well. Might have to do with the RI layout?.!?

Mike said he'd have to cut traces to mod it, and he's simply not interested. He's had no involvement with this amp.

 

[GJgo]

Some Metallica tones would be great! I think that's what everyone wants from this amp, and so far, I haven't seen it deliver.

I have seen some on YouTube, but they had this very stuffy, congested character, kind of like there was some kind of weird thing going on with the distortion rather than an EQ thing

Almost like when I dial in too much gain on my amp (which I do far too often) and the tone becomes bloated and the notes lose their definition.

Kind of like in this video at the 2.25-mark.

Keep in mind that this one & most of these are single tracked. The JH studio tones are what, 8 tracks? Fucking rhythm monster... Each with lower gain because that's what you need to do as you layer multi-tracks.

 

[Erock]

This is where I make like Suffocation when the band first got together and the guitarist was like, "Woah, another black dude playing music like me" haha

And that is a true story, by the way.

one of my closest friends that I met on HC, and have talked to regularly for about 15 years is black. He posts here, and his band plays some of the most brutal metal you will ever hear, lol. The band is Goreality if you ever want to check them out on Pandora.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Mike said he'd have to cut traces to mod it, and he's simply not interested. He's had no involvement with this amp.

... and it sounds like it.

 

[MatrixClaw]

In the comparisons to the originals I've heard, I'm about 60/40 on liking the RI more. This is actually the first Mesa amp I've considered buying new in like 15 years. I don't know how people are able to discern that one has more "bounce" or "feel" to it from a video. I don't even know what "bounce" is supposed to mean. It sounds like a Mark to me and a badass one at that. Everyone I know who's gotten it, loves it

 

[skoora]

In the comparisons to the originals I've heard, I'm about 60/40 on liking the RI more. This is actually the first Mesa amp I've considered buying new in like 15 years. I don't know how people are able to discern that one has more "bounce" or "feel" to it from a video. I don't even know what "bounce" is supposed to mean. It sounds like a Mark to me and a badass one at that. Everyone I know who's gotten it, loves it

The vast majority of people who buy this will have never played a 2C+ in person. I only ever got to play a combo once for about 10 minutes in a Guitar Center about 15 years ago. So if the difference is not great and they have liked the sound of a mark amp over the years, it makes a lot of sense they’ll dig it.

Even with Mike’s great A/B test video, there would be no guarantee any OG 2C+ you would find in the wild, would sound like his anyway (if you prefer the original in his test).
And let’s get real. Are you really gonna pay $7000 more for a chance (not even a guarantee) to have 5% better feel/tone?

 

[Racerxrated]

In the comparisons to the originals I've heard, I'm about 60/40 on liking the RI more. This is actually the first Mesa amp I've considered buying new in like 15 years. I don't know how people are able to discern that one has more "bounce" or "feel" to it from a video. I don't even know what "bounce" is supposed to mean. It sounds like a Mark to me and a badass one at that. Everyone I know who's gotten it, loves it

If you plug in to any amp, and it had the feel of a C+, you'd be amazed at how unique it is. Nothing like it. You'd know right away that it's special.