IronSean
New member
That or the 85w vs 100w would be the other is be curious about, since they both pentode but just SimulClass vs class AB
Rising Farce
Active member
I'm surprised to see people saying they don't like the feel of the JP. I thought it felt much "slinkier" and less stiff than the III++ I had.
I've never played a IIC+, however.
I've never played a IIC+, however.
H
Holy-diver
Well-known member
Yeah, I always felt the 85w power section was more akin to the simul compared to the 100w but then again it was also a different amp (mark iv vs iii) so its hard to directly compare. I am also “meh” on the mark V, I thought it got completely slaughtered by every other mark I had it next to. I really like the VII and JP, though they are all a bit different
GJgo
Well-known member
While I'm a pentode guy & do prefer the pentode Simuls to the Triode Simuls, IMO no Simul has the speed & bark of a full pentode A/B amp. Especially the 60s, they are as fast & pissed off as they come.
That said, when I found out that the C+ RIs were pentode Simul it made a lot of sense why I liked them.
Wouldn't kick an OG off the block for me, but if I didn't already have an OG no way I'd pay today's prices & I'd be happy as a pig in shit with a RI.
Given all that, IMO the ONLY way I'd consider a JP over any MKII/III/IV would be for live use. The feature set of the V and JP are valuable for this, and live the generational nuance doesn't really matter.
Feature set aside, my favorite Marks live have consistently been the IIB+ and IV. They share a lot in common tonally, IMO, where the IIC+ and III have a different thing they share in the general EQ sit-ness.
That said, when I found out that the C+ RIs were pentode Simul it made a lot of sense why I liked them.
Wouldn't kick an OG off the block for me, but if I didn't already have an OG no way I'd pay today's prices & I'd be happy as a pig in shit with a RI.Given all that, IMO the ONLY way I'd consider a JP over any MKII/III/IV would be for live use. The feature set of the V and JP are valuable for this, and live the generational nuance doesn't really matter.
Feature set aside, my favorite Marks live have consistently been the IIB+ and IV. They share a lot in common tonally, IMO, where the IIC+ and III have a different thing they share in the general EQ sit-ness.
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angelspade
Well-known member
After some research...I'm starting to see that there is a fairly wide variance of opinions on the JP2C. Some feel it's the greatest amp Mesa has ever built, while others say it lacks the overall feel of the C+ / C++ models...and can be "boxy" sounding and a bit too round in the low mids. Others feel it nails those classic tones. If I could relay a general consensus based on my internet research, I would say that many feel that the JP2C will get you 80% - 90% of those classic Mesa "metal" tones, along with some more modem ones as well. It also seems to be the most versatile of the Mark series amps with the onboard choices like modern / classic presence options and 2 separate, assignable EQs. Also, those who strongly favor that shred mode on the JP, seem pretty unwilling to part with it and seem to feel it delivers an aggression the other Marks do not.
anomaly
Well-known member
As far as in a band, I agree. The IV I have worked much better than my old red stripe III. There was a general honk or weird mid frequency that was near impossible to dial out of the III without cutting the mids too much for live use. Then there's the highs of that amp, it's either too dark or it's too bright and it causes ear fatigue. I had alot of those issues with the III.While I'm a pentode guy & do prefer the pentode Simuls to the Triode Simuls, IMO no Simul has the speed & bark of a full pentode A/B amp. Especially the 60s, they are as fast & pissed off as they come.
That said, when I found out that the C+ RIs were pentode Simul it made a lot of sense why I liked them.
Given all that, IMO the ONLY way I'd consider a JP over any MKII/III/IV would be for live use. The feature set of the V and JP are valuable for this, and live the generational nuance doesn't really matter.
Feature set aside, my favorite Marks live have consistently been the IIB+ and IV. They share a lot in common tonally, IMO, where the IIC+ and III have a different thing they share in the general EQ sit-ness.
GJgo
Well-known member
Man that differs a lot with the IIIs. I just got my 11th (?) III, a SG red stripe. I'm running the presence at 10 and the 6600 about 2/3 up, and it's perfect with no ear fatigue. I've had a couple like this. I've also had ones that destroy the ears. There's a lot of swing in the presence amp to amp in the IIIs. I've also had ones Mike modified that came back with completely different presence profiles.
That said, I recommend getting the IIIs away from middy V30s and into some good UK made T75s. That's the secret sauce right there.
Tone Monster
Well-known member
I believe! Only III I ever owned was a stock red stripe. Killer amp. Great for metal.
GJgo
Well-known member
Decide for yourself!
In the studio you can really make them all sound pretty much the same, and you'd have a hard time making any analog setup sound as good as a good digital model these days. In the room however, the C+ RI is the first one that IMO cops anything near the feel of the OGs.
While there are definitely things I like about the JP, IMO it's a 2 trick pony (very clean & very high gain) where most other Marks can do a wide variety of tones.
Personally Shred was so noisy I never used it.
Marshall Freak
Well-known member
Haven't tried the reissues, but I've had a few original 2c+, mkIII, MK IIIC+, Mk IV and i have one of the first jp-2c since new. I can get 90-95% of the 2c+ sounds i want from the jp-2c, but its a whole lot more versatile for playing live. The first thing anyone should do if they have a jp-2c is get rid of the mesa/jj preamp tubes. I like the old 80s Chinese 12ax7 in mine.
stephen sawall
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
I still like the IV more than any of them. If I was going to buy a other it would probably be a VII.
Jakem
Well-known member
What an awesome amp! Shame they stopped offering adjustable drive after IV.
J
jasonP
Well-known member
I love my JP2C with two graphic eq's which is a must IMO for a multi channel mark series amp and the shred mode it just crushes for more modern tighter type tone. I don't care how close it gets to the IIC+ as I think its an amazing sounding amp. If you turn the mids all the way up on the clean channel you get some awesome overdriven sounds from it. The JJ pre-amp tubes really darken and smooth the amp out.
angelspade
Well-known member
How does it sound at reasonable, living room volumes? Sounds like you haven't had any noise issues in shred mode?
Marshall Freak
Well-known member
While no tube amp sounds its best at living room volumes, in my experience, the mark series amps (except the mark I) are some of the best tube amps you'll find for playing quietly. I used to play in a bar on Saturday night, then on sunday morning, my sister was the music director and made me come to her church and play, and I'd use a mkIIC+ and a Thiele 1x12 and it was amazing. A little delay in the loop, and even a tubescreamer in front actually helps to make it less harsh at super low volumes. The jp-2c is the same way. Maybe not quite as Whisper friendly, but still does amazing.
J
jasonP
Well-known member
I live in the country and run 6 - 4x12 cabinets with a wet/dry/wet setup with a mesa strat 500 and I typically play amps pretty loud. I have no issues with noise in shred mode and it's no different than say any other high gain amp, like a stealth 5150III for example on the red channel. If a guy was to have the treble on 10 with gain over say 3 o'clock on it will get out of control. Really when running shred mode and running the amp that way that channel it's assigned to needs to be adjusted for when it's on to make the best use out of it and just leave it on in that channel, after you tweak the eq for shred it sounds fucking killer. I've found it doesn't really work to switch it on and off for the given channel you want to use it for. I've found a lot of guys like to stay on the 2nd channel for clips when comparing the IIC+ (I guess it's closer circuit wise to the IIC+) but I've always found the 3rd channel just sounds "better" for that type of thing. I've also owned a mark iv and it was awesome to me a little more vintage feeling in the attack, but I got option paralysis. GJgo is the guy tho he's compared every one of these amps so I'd trust what he says if a guy is looking for the IIC+ tone.
GJgo
Well-known member
I've found the Baby Fives and the JP to be the most bedroom volume friendly while still having a pretty saturated tone.
I can totally see how shred mode would have to be re-EQd and left there to work well. TBH I never dug that deep into shred as I'm not playing in low tunings.
I can totally see how shred mode would have to be re-EQd and left there to work well. TBH I never dug that deep into shred as I'm not playing in low tunings.
anomaly
Well-known member
When I had the III I mainly used my avatar which had V30's and T75's in a X pattern, still
It was a pain to dial in. I remember bringing it to record my bands demo just to end up using a Randall rg100es with a boost for 90% of the tracks... It just sat in the mix way better and sounded a lot heavier.
GJgo
Well-known member
Well, there are a long list of amps that sound heavier & sit better in a mix than a Mark. 
Unfortunatley I love the feels of a good Mark, despite knowing most Peaveys will track & sit live better..
What stripe was yours? Most blues are ear death (though I did have one good one, a 1999, so that doesn't really count....)
Unfortunatley I love the feels of a good Mark, despite knowing most Peaveys will track & sit live better..What stripe was yours? Most blues are ear death (though I did have one good one, a 1999, so that doesn't really count....)
Mike Oxhuge
Member
Really enjoyed these and your other comparison videos. The best analogy I could think of is it sounds like the difference between a Plexi 1959 vs JCM800 2203. One is toothier and more raw while the other is a little darker and smoother. Both sound great. I've never tried either amp, but used to have a 2B+ loop moded Coli and currently have a Mark VII. The Mark VII sounds very similar to that Coli, but obviously without the giant nutsack that only Coliseums have. The VII is so versatile and has a very good feel and I prefer it to the Mark IV and III's I had as both III's a, blue and purple stripe had the annoying presence thing going on. The IV, a B rev also had a certain frequency I didn't like that actually got worse after Mesa serviced it. I wish I had the Coli back but it was unusable in the apartment I lived in at the time, even volume on zero was enough for the neighbors to bitch. Lol. The VII also sounds best with some volume but my house has some separation and my neighbors are cool. The VII is the best daily liveable do everything great Mark I've tried, and I'm sure the JP2C is very similar.