Mark C++ Preorder

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I flipped Batten's rack Blue Stripe MkIII used on tour with MJ, for $600ish.
Didn't like it then. Won't like any of these now.
just got done firing the bc rich mockingbird i just got into my blue stripe and i gotta say,
it sounded pretty righteous!
 
Price makes the originals being listed for $8-10K look like a bargain! :rolleyes:
 
I got mine in the $600 era, and they were a solid value back then. Over the past 15 years, I’ve gotten so used to having it around that I can’t bring myself to part with it, even at the stupid prices they go for now. I’ve also convinced myself that relative to the IIC+, it’s close enough for rock & roll.

If I’m being completely honest, the Mark V is probably just as good all around, with a better layout.

I got a IV for $1200 in 2017. I remember thinking at the time it was expensive.
 
I got mine in the $600 era, and they were a solid value back then. Over the past 15 years, I’ve gotten so used to having it around that I can’t bring myself to part with it, even at the stupid prices they go for now. I’ve also convinced myself that relative to the IIC+, it’s close enough for rock & roll.

If I’m being completely honest, the Mark V is probably just as good all around, with a better layout.
Friend of mine bought 2 IIIs in early 2000s for $300 each. I am sure he is kicking himself for selling them off. I bought a IIC+ around 2001 for $1,100 from Mesa Hollywood. Should’ve held onto it, sold it for about $1,800. Easy to say In hindsight though.

They are great amps, but having a Mark series and Marshall in the same room made me realize I’m a Marshall guy and less of a tweaker.

That VII looks tempting though…
 
just got done firing the bc rich mockingbird i just got into my blue stripe and i gotta say,
it sounded pretty righteous!
Stooooop iiiiiiit! I don't need the GAS flare-up, man. For the guitar or amp.
So, was it pretty grindy?
 
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I don't know why anyone would feel cheated, I have had almost 0 interest in these and even I knew there was going to be a limited production ++ model run at some point. Unless you live under a rock I feel like you would have been reading the same threads I did.
 
Stooooop iiiiiiit! I don't the GAS flare-up, man. For the guitar or amp.
So, was it pretty grindy?
sounded like a sweet les paul. not super sharp attack but full and just enough bite.
i don’t know anything about the pickups in the BC but they sounded and felt great through the boogie. the dimensions of the neck are very comfortable and on the smaller shreddier side of things.

tbh the tone of the gtr-amp combination was extremely complimentary and in a way much better than i was expecting.

my con is that the “unique” cutaway is shaped in a way that prevents me from wrapping my hand around the neck near the body joint so it becomes difficult to reach the upper frets beyond the * 21/22* fret (edit) and i cannot possibly bend strings in that area on the wound bass strings…..very lame design choice!
 
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Yep. It's mostly a 6 db mid boost in the pre-EQ section that gives the amp just a bit more gain and hair around the note. It's pretty subtle. But Hetfield had it done to his amp and everybody wants to be like Hetfield so you NEED it.

It's nothing you couldn't approximate to like 99% with an EQ pedal or something, and the EQ pedal would give you a higher degree of control around exactly how you want to shape those frequencies.

Basically, it's just a way for Gibson to charge a few extra bucks for an extra super special badge on the front so people who buy it can feel extra super special about their extra super special limited edition amp.











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EP booster on a low setting (for the swirl effect) and the RC Booster for the split humbuckers, otherwise the tone chase needs to begin with the guitar. Then go to the speakers and cabinet. On a stock 84/85 C+.
 
Well my buddy has a pair of original C+ amps. One a 60 and the other a 100. He also has the C+ reissue.
The 60 sounds the best to my ears. The reissue sounds more like a MKIII green stripe. And the geq on the reissue seems very non reactive like you need another 5” above and below each one to get close to any older Mesa.

Hopefully the reissue C++ will be closer th an original C+.
 
The C++ sound is cool, but the fact that it shares 95% of it's DNA with a C+ makes having two separate models nothing more than overt, unmistakable greed.

Of course Gibson's number goal is to make money, but not having a switchable C++ mode available on the C+ is next-level disdain for their customer base. Maybe next they'll produce only single pickup Les Pauls, and you'll need a pair to cover both neck and bridge tones.

Well my buddy has a pair of original C+ amps. One a 60 and the other a 100. He also has the C+ reissue.
The 60 sounds the best to my ears.
After hearing and owning a bunch now, I'm also a fan of the 60's. There's still plenty of punch, but they're a tad more focused and immediate.
 
The C++ sound is cool, but the fact that it shares 95% of it's DNA with a C+ makes having two separate models nothing more than overt, unmistakable greed.

Of course Gibson's number goal is to make money, but not having a switchable C++ mode available on the C+ is next-level disdain for their customer base. Maybe next they'll produce only single pickup Les Pauls, and you'll need a pair to cover both neck and bridge tones.


After hearing and owning a bunch now, I'm also a fan of the 60's. There's still plenty of punch, but they're a tad more focused and immediate.

With YouTube it’s hard to tell because of the audio compression and all. In person there is definitely a difference. As my buddy says the originals have a beefier mid thing and the overall sound is rounder or thicker.
The biggest thing to my ears was the original Amps were as he says hairy.

I’d love to get an original C+ but I just can’t drop that kind of coin fir an amp that was maybe 1500 6-7 years ago. I’m happy with my various MKIII’s.

I’ve heard similar things about the new Rectos. They look the part but a little short compared to the originals.

I see it more as taking advantage of the market. Hey I can buy a new C+ for half the price of a used one.
 
I got mine in the $600 era, and they were a solid value back then. Over the past 15 years, I’ve gotten so used to having it around that I can’t bring myself to part with it, even at the stupid prices they go for now. I’ve also convinced myself that relative to the IIC+, it’s close enough for rock & roll.

If I’m being completely honest, the Mark V is probably just as good all around, with a better layout.
I sold my red stripe for around $600, regret it big time, but at least I still got the IV. That ain't going no where, ever.
 
I sold my red stripe for around $600, regret it big time, but at least I still got the IV. That ain't going no where, ever.

Yeah, the IV may not have all the awesome options of the V or VII, but it still sounds great. I likely won't sell mine unless I have a dire need to.
 
I sold my red stripe for around $600, regret it big time, but at least I still got the IV. That ain't going no where, ever.
I had a Red Stripe Coliseum one, and a good friend had the Red Stripe 15/75 Simul head. By far my favorite version of the Mark III, and I have owned or played every version.
 
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