Mark 2C+ vs Mark IV

[stephen sawall]

Poll is actually pretty close.

Well, as with most polls, how accurate can it really be? I would venture to guess there are more IV users than CII+ merely because of the scarcity of a CII+.

This is the most significant determining factor.

Considering there is way more than 50,000 Mesa Mark amps built & less than 40 votes on this thread it ~ I would think it has more to do with this forum than a lot of things. CII+ was built for a very short time. IV was built almost 20 years. So you guys are very right about that. I have owned all three & liked the III red strip for lead best and IV for versatility. I have always had a Mark around since 1982 - My IV is collecting dust since last summer when I used it for a few gigs. Original owner / 12th one made.

You should sell it to me when you get tired of looking at it

Who knows - I have thought about selling the IV & Tremoverb many times. I have also owned the Tremoverb since the first run - But they have been around so long I believe I would regret it. I have owned many other Mesa amps - these are still around.

 

[Shark Diver]

I really wanted one of those Colosseum CII+s...

 

[mojotone]

I really wanted one of those Colosseum CII+s...

They have MASSIVE amounts of headroom in the clean channel, and are extremely unforgiving in the lead channel. I would much rather play a pair of 75 watt simulclass amps in stereo, than the Coliseum model by itself.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Yeah man, Simul-Class is where it's at. But it's your money! LOL

 

[Shark Diver]

I really wanted one of those Colosseum CII+s...

They have MASSIVE amounts of headroom in the clean channel, and are extremely unforgiving in the lead channel. I would much rather play a pair of 75 watt simulclass amps in stereo, than the Coliseum model by itself.

headroom is good, and I don't mind unforgiving - reminds me of the ex

 

[VESmedic]

Call it blasphemy, but the prices the IIc+ command is absolutely ridiculous. The 4, and 5 for that matter get so close it's ridiculous to pay 2 and 3 times the cash for the C+.... Just my opinion. I also like the More refined texture of the mark 4, sounds heavier and thicker to me.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Shh...don't tell anyone but the quad preamp is better than the IIC+, III and IV

(when paired with my 2:90 anyway)

 

[SBlue]

I believe the best option would be buying and playing both!!! hehehe...
Both are amazing amps.
I do own a MK2c+, and it's my favorite Mesa amp. I do also own a DR # R-0211 and R-0590. I really want to get a MK3 and a MK4 for the studio. Each one of them got a something special. Some abit more, and soma bit less. But if I had to coose one, MK2c+.

 

[Shark Diver]

Shh...don't tell anyone but the quad preamp is better than the IIC+, III and IV

(when paired with my 2:90 anyway)

I heard that was the best thing to get if you wanted to add Mesa tones to the arsenal.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Yeah man. the 2C+ has the midrange that's right for rippin'! \m/

IT has the mids of a Marshall, but the right now response and articulation of a Boogie. I'm sold.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Yeah man. the 2C+ has the midrange that's right for rippin'! \m/

IT has the mids of a Marshall, but the right now response and articulation of a Boogie. I'm sold.

Being sold on it is the easy part!



I was sold but could not find a simulclass GEQ amp for years that was local I could play befor tossing a fat coin at it.

When I did find one, it was mine an hour later.

One of the few things as good as the hype.

 

[petejt]

Which is you favorite, and why.

From what I can tell from playing my MV, the 2C+ mode has more pronounced midrange spread and is less saturated which is good for defined leads, yet it has a slight EL34 like feel because of the inner pair of power tubes in triode. The IV has more gain, saturation EQ and hair, but still comes off as a bit warmer.

I've never had a MarkIIC+. I wanted to build one once but gladly decided against it when I got a MarkIV head and never looked back.

I run mine in triode mode, Simul-Class power with two 6L6s and two EL34s, and the Mid-Gain switch engaged which gives it more girth.


It's true that the Rhythm 1 channel clean tone is a bit 'lean'- but you can warm it up depending on how it's set. Rhythm 2 is a little weak for crunchy sounds but it works cool with a fuzz pedal.

I don't mind the Rhythm 1 clean tone because I use it as a 'dry' signal run alongside a wet effected Marshall clean tone that is set really warm but with a bit of chime.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Cheap bump for 1000 views.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

Of course a lot of this may be marketing and this or that, but I remember a couple vids where Petrucci was recording with his old Mk IIC+ vs the MK V and he claims he preferred the Mk V, but then he was still tracking with a IIC+ on recordings as well. Obviously amps have distinct personalities so maybe the vibe was right for one and not the other. I have played a Mk IV that was impressive, I've played a Mk V that sounded fantastic. Not sure if your poll means the actual amp or the mode on the Mk V. I had bought a Mk V and something was terribly wrong with it, obnoxious amount of pre-amp noise. I played another one in a store that was great...still considering getting a Mk V - if it's quiet. If I had to try to buy an older Mk IV vs a IIC+ they're on opposite ends of price range...once can be had for $1000 the other way over $2000

 

[midnightlaundry]

It was probably a preamp tube on the fritz.

I dig the V. It's a very versatile amp.