Mark IV vs JP2C

[Lore]

Tried the JP2C and thought it sounded sterile, lacked punch, sounded nothing like a IIC+ (Which is what the great folks at Mesa tried to replicate) Having owned a few IIC+ and IV I would go IV all the way over the JP2C. Still a nice amp though. I’m a little too spoiled lol

 

[PurityS.L.G]

I'm really surprised the amount of luke warm praise the JP2C gets around here. The amp sounds awesome to my ears and has plenty of punch. I never have played a IIC+ but I've owned a III red stripe SRG w/ R2 mod, which I guess is supposedly the closest thing to the IIC+. Amp was sick for sure but it wasn't miles apart from the JP. If anything, I think the JP has a bit more exaggerated of those woody and hollow mids that the mark series has and it takes away from the more bass heavy scooped tones the OG is notorious for.

 

[anomaly]

Yes. The JJ is definitely square in the Marshall camp. It's a lot more polished and refined. I tend to keep a Marshall flavored amp, a 5150 flavor, and a Mesa flavor. The mark iv is not super tight but tight enough as that I don't need a boost.

With the bass at 0, mids low and the treble nearly cranked it sounds super tight to me (Mark IV). I never go that extreme with mine, I always have a bit of bass (2 - 2.5) for some low end content from the guitar getting into the gain stages, and my treble is usually around 7.5 - 8, mids around 3 - 4.

 

[anomaly]

Transformers, circuit is two very important things. Simplicity too.

The circuit is the most important factor. One thing to consider is those older marks usually have better tubes in them as well.

 

[Lore]

I'm really surprised the amount of luke warm praise the JP2C gets around here. The amp sounds awesome to my ears and has plenty of punch. I never have played a IIC+ but I've owned a III red stripe SRG w/ R2 mod, which I guess is supposedly the closest thing to the IIC+. Amp was sick for sure but it wasn't miles apart from the JP. If anything, I think the JP has a bit more exaggerated of those woody and hollow mids that the mark series has and it takes away from the more bass heavy scooped tones the OG is notorious for.

You should try a IIC+ maybe your idea will change after that. Nothing wrong with a JP2C, it’s just not a IIC+.

 

[anomaly]

Man I miss my red stripe III. Played that amp for a really long time. The band I was in was really dynamic so I wanted something that did clean, crunch, and lead all well. Replaced it with a IV, which had better versatility, but the sizzle on the lead channel was never quite there. The presence control on the III was so powerful.

Got rid of the IV and metal grille when I figured half stack playing days were over. Then bought a V:35. Now I want a III head again, haha. Probably wont pull the trigger though since the V:35 scratches the itch for the bedroom.

I had a Red Stripe and used it in bands for years and when I got a IV I never looked back. I think it's a step up in all aspects. The ability to shape that lead channel into whatever i wanted was a big selling point for me, and I like the fact that I could get a more modern metal tone out of it if I wanted. III's sound kinda dated to me, it's very hard to take the 80's out of a Mark III.

One thing that really bothered me about the III was balancing the high end. It was really hard to get that high end right without causing harshness and ear fatigue and if you lower it it sounds like there's a blanket on the speaker cab. I never have that problem with a IV.

 

[Lore]

I had a Red Stripe and used it in bands for years and when I got a IV I never looked back. I think it's a step up in all aspects. The ability to shape that lead channel into whatever i wanted was a big selling point for me, and I like the fact that I could get a more modern metal tone out of it if I wanted. III's sound kinda dated to me, it's very hard to take the 80's out of a Mark III.

One thing that really bothered me about the III was balancing the high end. It was really hard to get that high end right without causing harshness and ear fatigue and if you lower it it sounds like there's a blanket on the speaker cab. I never have that problem with a IV.

Right on comment !

 

[anomaly]

I actually really want to get a JP2C. Never tried one, but I like a lot of the clips i've heard. Also, they supposedly work really well in a band context, which is something these IIC+ owning bedroom warriors have little to no experience with.

 

[Mikeyboyeee]

You should try a IIC+ maybe your idea will change after that. Nothing wrong with a JP2C, it’s just not a IIC+.

Nor as good as a III or IV for THAT tone.

 

[Lore]

Nor as good as a III or IV for THAT tone.

Of course THAT tone is subjective. But yes we have plenty of tools for the job.

 

[Racerxrated]

I'm really surprised the amount of luke warm praise the JP2C gets around here. The amp sounds awesome to my ears and has plenty of punch. I never have played a IIC+ but I've owned a III red stripe SRG w/ R2 mod, which I guess is supposedly the closest thing to the IIC+. Amp was sick for sure but it wasn't miles apart from the JP. If anything, I think the JP has a bit more exaggerated of those woody and hollow mids that the mark series has and it takes away from the more bass heavy scooped tones the OG is notorious for.

None of the Mark IIIs can cop a real C+ tone. Maybe there is one out there that can almost get there, but the 2 I had(purple and red) weren't really even close. Same inherent Mark tone but the clarity, non harsh highs of the C+ and feel are on another level. Most guys that say a III can sound just like a C+, haven't owned or even seen a real C+. I didn't care for either III I owned but I had a SRG C+ in the house. Maybe if I'd never played a C+ I'd have liked the 3 more.
I did play a JP in a store, they also had a IV and I thought the IV sounded better. Not that the JP was bad, it was nice but I was impressed by the IV.

 

[Lore]

None of the Mark IIIs can cop a real C+ tone. Maybe there is one out there that can almost get there, but the 2 I had(purple and red) weren't really even close. Same inherent Mark tone but the clarity, non harsh highs of the C+ and feel are on another level. Most guys that say a III can sound just like a C+, haven't owned or even seen a real C+. I didn't care for either III I owned but I had a SRG C+ in the house. Maybe if I'd never played a C+ I'd have liked the 3 more.
I did play a JP in a store, they also had a IV and I thought the IV sounded better. Not that the JP was bad, it was nice but I was impressed by the IV.

III ++ (black stripe) gets to the IIC+ tone the closest in my opinion. The ++ takes some of the harshness out of the tone, smooths out the highs while adding aggression to the amp. I agree on the JP comment, when you have so much at your disposal it sounds a little meh.. (like there is better out there) like the IV. If you haven’t played a IIC+ And a JP2C, go and see for yourself. And no you can’t compare with you tube videos to get the feel of the amp.

 

[Robotechnology]

I like my JP2C. Never wanted a Mark V and I tried them out SO many times in an effort to buy one. Owned 2 Mark IV’s. Liked one more than the other (don’t remember which I liked more the A or the B) but, I will say I loved the lead and clean channels… needed a boost for the dirty rhythm channel. Unlike most, I used the EQ for that channel and not the lead. Prefer the JP2C though. All in how you dial it in.