MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ full demo & overview ft. Doug West & Tommy Waugh

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

My favorite bedroom mark iic+ was this one

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxXV2nJo_lCrlmPfYz8zL0MsLGBNlYqPXv?si=C5kc5B_BrlEEjz3e

 

[GJgo]

My favorite bedroom mark iic+ was this one

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxXV2nJo_lCrlmPfYz8zL0MsLGBNlYqPXv?si=C5kc5B_BrlEEjz3e

Clearly that's a living room amp!!!

 

[braintheory]

This, and it's not even close.

I like Rectos, both F Triples I had and of course, the mighty Rev C was the king of all things Mesa. But, after 4 C+ including a particularly killer 2B-C+ Coli conversion Mike B did for me, I have to say the Marks were to my ears FAR more heavy sounding, and WAAAY tighter (if that's your thing) than any of the Fs, or the 1 C Recto I had.
I personally liked my Rev C best of any Mesa I owned; but it isn't as heavy a sound as the Marks were, to my ears.

That 2B-C+ coli was particularly heavy sounding. IME mark amps, especially the iic+'s, have the densest quality to the notes I've heard in an amp like a super compacted rock (as heard also in Metallica's sound on MoP and AJFA) that I think makes them sound very heavy. The Recto's have an airier quality to the notes. I find also guys say how much low end Recto's have, but really it's the low mids, while the marks IME get actual more lows (but not low mids of the recto's). I though also if I could only choose one would still go with a Rev C. That throaty low mid growl does it for me that marks don't have in the cards. The marks may win for overall heaviness and tightness, but the early Recto's is in their own way imo are equally mean and aggressive, definitely the less smooth amp. The Rev 1 Uber to me might be the heaviest sound I've had, but still doesn't have the same note density like rocks of the IIC+'s

 

[stephen sawall]

. I find also guys say how much low end Recto's have, but really it's the low mids, while the marks IME get actual more lows (but not low mids of the recto's)

Exactly. I noticed this recording 30 years ago.

 

[311boogieman]

Running your Marks into a 16ohm 100w cab is not going to hurt anything - especially in the short run. They are overbuilt and can handle that mismatch as noted earlier in the thread. From the manual. Right?

That 2B-C+ coli was particularly heavy sounding. IME mark amps, especially the iic+'s, have the densest quality to the notes I've heard in an amp like a super compacted rock (as heard also in Metallica's sound on MoP and AJFA) that I think makes them sound very heavy. The Recto's have an airier quality to the notes. I find also guys say how much low end Recto's have, but really it's the low mids, while the marks IME get actual more lows (but not low mids of the recto's). I though also if I could only choose one would still go with a Rev C. That throaty low mid growl does it for me that marks don't have in the cards. The marks may win for overall heaviness and tightness, but the early Recto's is in their own way imo are equally mean and aggressive, definitely the less smooth amp. The Rev 1 Uber to me might be the heaviest sound I've had, but still doesn't have the same note density like rocks of the IIC+'s

This seems correct to me.

I personally don't think I'm a Mark guy, so all of this MK talk is nothing but entertainment for me. Tone porn.

Clips are getting closer too. Looking up.

 

[311boogieman]

My favorite bedroom mark iic+ was this one

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxXV2nJo_lCrlmPfYz8zL0MsLGBNlYqPXv?si=C5kc5B_BrlEEjz3e

yeeeaaah buddy
I remember this clip
Not a Mark guy but that is surgically sweet
How were you doing that swing across the room - stereo set up assuming
in-room clips of IIC+' showcases a benefit of in-room clips well imo

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

yeeeaaah buddy
I remember this clip
Not a Mark guy but that is surgically sweet
How were you doing that swing across the room - stereo set up assuming
in-room clips of IIC+' showcases a benefit of in-room clips well imo

Thx bro! I know most people don't care for room clips but personally I feel that several clips I've recorded with my Iphone 13 or the Zoom Q2N translate really well / My 84 SRGX slaved into the strategy thru the 2530 VHT 412 gotta be one of my all time favorite tones

 

[311boogieman]

! !

yeah - the Zoom Q2N is a neat piece of kit - so easy

swing?

Edit: how did you get that swing in the prior clip above?

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

I don't know if this has been posted before but to me it sounds nothing like a real amp - maybe a plugin or sth

 

[311boogieman]

I don't know if this has been posted before but to me it sounds nothing like a real amp - maybe a plugin or sth

I don't know but that 'rubbery' lead tone starting at :40 is what I think of when I think of a IIC+

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

I don't know but that 'rubbery' lead tone starting at :40 is what I think of when I think of a IIC+

Really? I don't know - pretty sure this isn't a real amp or maybe he is recording thru a Mesa cabclone or sth -

 

[311boogieman]

Really? I don't know - pretty sure this isn't a real amp or maybe he is recording thru a Mesa cabclone or sth -

Oh yeah. Sorry. I'm not saying it is for sure a tube amp. Maybe I was saying it is just close to that rubber tone. I just have been wanting to say rubber I think.

I know English is not your first language right bro? Anyway - your clips are the shiz

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Oh yeah. Sorry. I'm not saying it is for sure a tube amp. Maybe I was saying it is just close to that rubber tone. I just have been wanting to say rubber I think.

I know English is not your first language right bro? Anyway - your clips are the shiz

Thx man! I appreciate it!

 

[mentoneman]

Well ok, I guess I'll change my answer then. Best bedroom amp I've had was a IIC++.

even though i run my III differently, i can totally appreciate where you like your presence set on the marks for your style of music. my best bud Zach ran his III Coli and subsequent IIIs lively in the top end similar to your settings except he kept presence at 3. in his hard rock bands it sliced and diced live.

i always ran my presence 3-4 and started with 2200 and 6600 on the GEQ very low, raising until the tone cut properly in the mix to my ear.

this clip is resulting hi gain tone using thise settings. i go for more classic and smooth using low output pickups:



and using the exact same settings i can delve into these types of cleans and vintage Santana lead tones just by changing my gtr pickup selector and tone controls:




what i’d really like someone to demo on the C+ reissue is footswitching from the cleanest clean setting they can dial in while preserving the proper high gain tones.

 

[BesaMoogie]

The first rants are comming ?

 

[Simon Dorn]

I sent my first JP2C back because I thought there was something wrong with it, they Said it was fine. I sold it shortly later within 3 months. Gave it a year or two and Got another and repeated my same process I did before, Buy JP2c sell the mark iv, then have regret and sold the JP2C, I did this twice like a idiot.

Sounds familiar.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

The first rants are comming ?

 

[anomaly]

That 2B-C+ coli was particularly heavy sounding. IME mark amps, especially the iic+'s, have the densest quality to the notes I've heard in an amp like a super compacted rock (as heard also in Metallica's sound on MoP and AJFA) that I think makes them sound very heavy. The Recto's have an airier quality to the notes. I find also guys say how much low end Recto's have, but really it's the low mids, while the marks IME get actual more lows (but not low mids of the recto's). I though also if I could only choose one would still go with a Rev C. That throaty low mid growl does it for me that marks don't have in the cards. The marks may win for overall heaviness and tightness, but the early Recto's is in their own way imo are equally mean and aggressive, definitely the less smooth amp. The Rev 1 Uber to me might be the heaviest sound I've had, but still doesn't have the same note density like rocks of the IIC+'s

Ya, you're right. These lows that people talk about in the recto's is actually more the low mids while the Mark's have a more extended low end to them.

 

[anomaly]

I don't know if this has been posted before but to me it sounds nothing like a real amp - maybe a plugin or sth

Sounds recorded direct, the first part anyways.

 

[GJgo]

even though i run my III differently, i can totally appreciate where you like your presence set on the marks for your style of music. my best bud Zach ran his III Coli and subsequent IIIs lively in the top end similar to your settings except he kept presence at 3. in his hard rock bands it sliced and diced live.

i always ran my presence 3-4 and started with 2200 and 6600 on the GEQ very low, raising until the tone cut properly in the mix to my ear.

what i’d really like someone to demo on the C+ reissue is footswitching from the cleanest clean setting they can dial in while preserving the proper high gain tones.

IME it depends on the room, the guitar & the cab. My gig setup is fairly static so going from rehearsal to a show just the room changes, and I find that I only tweak 80hz and 6600 for the room. I can see setting your presence based on if you want the top end more smooth or more raw though, then balancing to suit with 6600. I've always liked more raw (high pres) for thrashy stuff, but I can see a guy wanting it low (more smooth) for a brown sound.

Guitar wise for example, going from my EMG to my Fishman guitar I have to really pump up the 80 & the 2200 to get it to equate. Same story if I switch speakers, a re-EQ will be in order. Settings are so contextual not only to the gear, but also to the style being played.

On my IIs and IIIs if I want a clean clean and a high gain tone on the two channels it doesn't seem to me as big for a deal as I hear guys make it out to be. If I was recording I'd set things differently to optimize, but live it's totally usable. Even more so if you're willing to roll your vol knob back for cleans.