1980 Boogie MKIIB, Factory IIC+

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrDowntown
  • Start date Start date
GJgo said:
Whatever it does have, it does not have a RP10 or RP11 preamp board sooooo....
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Yep, cool amp and it will sound every bit as good or better than a Mk III imo..just needs a little boost to tighten the lows but those Bs (early) have a great vintage tone…
But with an RP 8B pre board, no chance it’s a C+.
 
MrDowntown said:
good for the seller...
the Pre-Gib Mesas are all the talk man.

so the magic rp10/11 board is what makes them 5x more?
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Yep..like it or not, no way you can have a legit C+ without either an RP10(2C) or RP11(Factory C+) preamp board. Mike B can upgrade or mod the RP10 from the 2C into a +.
 
GJgo said:
Whatever it does have, it does not have a RP10 or RP11 preamp board sooooo....
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The circuit matters more than the PCB/component layout. I can see it's definitely not the IIB circuit anymore, assuming it is the IIC circuit (cant really tell), it's been shoehorned onto the 8B circuit board and retained the relay lead channel switching, no LDRs
 
Really dude, think about what you said but for the rest of us for that kind of money it needs to be the typical upgrade.
 
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WarHed said:
The circuit matters more than the PCB/component layout. I can see it's definitely not the IIB circuit anymore, assuming it is the IIC circuit (cant really tell), it's been shoehorned onto the 8B circuit board and retained the relay lead channel switching, no LDRs
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If you see something that indicates it's not a stock 2B circuit, still the only way it's legit 2C+ territory is if somehow Mike B did the work; which I doubt since he wouldn't touch any other board other than a 2C for an upgrade. Any 2A or 2B that is a legit C+ had had the pre board swapped out for the 10/11 pre board and been confirmed by Mike B that this was done at Mesa.
If someone else did the work, it still may be a killer amp though and I'm not trying to discredit it...but in no way should it be touted as a 'real C+' especially in todays market.
IMO anyway.
 
I agree with you, pretty unlikely MB did the mod. But then again who knows what he might have done in the last 42 years since this amp was built.
Mesa should have an official record of that amp/serial number so would be able to say if it had been in or not.
The caps in use in the preamp aren't the ones mesa typically uses in these amps, so on the balance I would guess it's not a mesa modded amp. But as you say, probably still sounds great.
 
the original CL ad said the IIC+ Mod was done at/by Mesa. If that’s the debate. Would that not make it legit?
 
MrDowntown said:
the original CL ad said the IIC+ Mod was done at/by Mesa. If that’s the debate. Would that not make it legit?
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The only legit C+ that I know of are amps that either came from the factory with an RP/SP11 preamp board(factory C+), OR an RP/SP10 which are 2Cs and are the only preamp board that can be modded to be a C+ by Mike Bendinelli at Mesa. Any other preamp board (RP/SP 8, 9) CANNOT be modded correctly to be a legit C+. Whatever mods this has, may indeed result in a killer sounding amp but it ain't no C+.
Before I sent my first 2C in for the mod, I talked with Mike B on the phone and he explained how they used to have extra RP10/11 boards in the 80s/early 90s but those were all used up. No other way to do a C+ without those boards.
Again, according to Mike himself.
The amp you posted clearly shows an RP8 preamp board, so no it can't be modded to be a true C+.
 
It might though, have a 'loop mod' which makes the FX loop usable and adds a shit ton of gain, resulting in a killer amp. It then might be called a B+...but not a real C+.
 
CL Ad:
1980 Mesa Boogie MKIIB (Rare Factory Upgrade MKIIC+ w/ "Gain Boost" pull switch integrated into master volume [IIC] & 3.3 + .47 cathode capacitors [IIC+]), HRG (100 Watt- Reverb-Graphic Equalizer) EQ Option, 100/60 RMS, Board date 8/13/80, Serial # 5226. Board fully serviced & recapped w/ Mesa capacitors last year @ Bear Amps (Baron Hampton), Springfield, MO. Two new matched pair (x4) 6L6GC JJ Electronics power vacuum tubes + five new 12AX7ACZ HG+ high gain preamp Ruby Tubes plus original foot switch. Best amplifier I have ever owned, very nice, highly unique w/ huge clean, big sound. I “think” it may have the original speaker – Celestion/Black Shadow (4512581) – I have not been able to validate. I have owned this Boogie 31 years. $1795.00

See it live during its recap >>>
 
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Racerxrated said:
The only legit C+ that I know of are amps that either came from the factory with an RP/SP11 preamp board(factory C+), OR an RP/SP10 which are 2Cs and are the only preamp board that can be modded to be a C+ by Mike Bendinelli at Mesa. Any other preamp board (RP/SP 8, 9) CANNOT be modded correctly to be a legit C+. Whatever mods this has, may indeed result in a killer sounding amp but it ain't no C+.
Before I sent my first 2C in for the mod, I talked with Mike B on the phone and he explained how they used to have extra RP10/11 boards in the 80s/early 90s but those were all used up. No other way to do a C+ without those boards.
Again, according to Mike himself.
The amp you posted clearly shows an RP8 preamp board, so no it can't be modded to be a true C+.
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This is all 100% correct. RP10, RP10A, RP11, RP11A (Reverb Models) and SP10, SP11A (Non Reverb Models) can all be upgraded to IIC+. The "magic" is in the LDRs used for switching. Older boards just had one relay. Also something with linking the clean so it's always on even when the lead channel is turned on. I can have my H IIC completely cranked on every setting and it's not even close to as loud as my SRG IIC+ with 3 on the Master. The H IIC isn't even the same ballpark as a IIC+ and it has a SP10 upgradeable board.

There are IIA's and IIB's out there that are upgraded, but they have the "10" or "11" series boards. Look for that. Do not get hosed buying something that has an 8 or 9 board. The IIC+'s are going for big bux and there are dickheads out there looking to rip people off who don't know any better. If anyone in this thread wants more in depth info/pics on IIC+'s, check out the link in my sig.
 
vultures said:
This is all 100% correct. RP10, RP10A, RP11, RP11A (Reverb Models) and SP10, SP11A (Non Reverb Models) can all be upgraded to IIC+. The "magic" is in the LDRs used for switching. Older boards just had one relay. Also something with linking the clean so it's always on even when the lead channel is turned on. I can have my H IIC completely cranked on every setting and it's not even close to as loud as my SRG IIC+ with 3 on the Master. The H IIC isn't even the same ballpark as a IIC+ and it has a SP10 upgradeable board.

There are IIA's and IIB's out there that are upgraded, but they have the "10" or "11" series boards. Look for that. Do not get hosed buying something that has an 8 or 9 board. The IIC+'s are going for big bux and there are dickheads out there looking to rip people off who don't know any better. If anyone in this thread wants more in depth info/pics on IIC+'s, check out the link in my sig.
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Your site is well done, well organized and very appreciated.
 
MrDowntown said:
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Sounds like a 2B; with maybe some additional gain? But saying 'there's a C+ cap' and claiming it's a real C+ without showing the pre board, is wrong. Clearly it's been modded but if that's the same amp, still not a real C+.
Might be a killer amp anyway.
 
Racerxrated said:
Any other preamp board (RP/SP 8, 9) CANNOT be modded correctly to be a legit C+.
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You're forgetting how amps were built 30-40 years ago - electronic components tacked in wherever they will fit. A IIB circuit board while not providing a neat component layout could absolutely still be refitted into the C+ circuit with some period correct hackery.
 
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