cyndicate
Well-known member
Looks like I'm jumping ship as well. All this talk has me interested in seeing how much better a IIC+ is 
.
.
dfrattaroli
New member
I smell a Mark Vb or Mark V Series II by the middle of next year.
EXPcustom
Well-known member
I just bought a Mark IIC+ long head with all the options, EQ, Simul, Reverb etc for $2500 on the Mesa forums.
If you think about what the Mark V is selling for I got a steal of a deal.
If you think about what the Mark V is selling for I got a steal of a deal.
Mowbrayster
New member
I for one am not an amp flipper and never have been. Such is life when you're a student and can't afford nice toys. However, I'm no Mark series expert (never have had the opportunity to play one) but from what I've heard from the Mark V thus far I'm greatly disappointed. Granted there aren't exactly a plethora of clips demonstrating what the amp can or can't do, but from the few I've heard I can't help but feel relieved that I cancelled my preorder.
I may not be as tone saavy or gear friendly as most of you, but IMO it seems as if the V lacked articulation. I would love for this amp to do well, and would love even more the chance to play one, but until I hear more from this amp I am no longer sold on what it was/is supposed to be.
I may not be as tone saavy or gear friendly as most of you, but IMO it seems as if the V lacked articulation. I would love for this amp to do well, and would love even more the chance to play one, but until I hear more from this amp I am no longer sold on what it was/is supposed to be.
stephen sawall
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
EXPcustom":1elbmk1a said:I just bought a Mark IIC+ long head with all the options, EQ, Simul, Reverb etc for $2500 on the Mesa forums.
If you think about what the Mark V is selling for I got a steal of a deal.
Kick Ass !
EXPcustom
Well-known member
stephen sawall":dnvnqflo said:EXPcustom":dnvnqflo said:I just bought a Mark IIC+ long head with all the options, EQ, Simul, Reverb etc for $2500 on the Mesa forums.
If you think about what the Mark V is selling for I got a steal of a deal.
Kick Ass !
This bad economy has gotten me on a role with good deals on rare amps plus you guys are a very bad influence.
Since joining Rig-Talk I bought a Diezel blueface VH4, 74 Marshall Superbass and now a Mark IIC+ with all the options.
My nicest amps before that was a Racktifier and a Strategy 400.
stephen sawall
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
Well you are right about the GAS in this place. You have some great heads now. I like having a few voices around to get what works for what I am doing.
This seems to me like the time everyone should try and get the head they always wanted. I do not think it is going to stay this way forever.
This seems to me like the time everyone should try and get the head they always wanted. I do not think it is going to stay this way forever.
blackba
Well-known member
Killer mark IIC+ EXPcustom. I have always wanted to try one. Thankfully I haven't seen any great deals on amps that I would like to try, so it has been easier to resist.
jetdriver
New member
I think some people will never be satisfied. For some, it's the quest for tone that drives them whether they will admit it or not.
I owned a brand new MK IIC+ back in high school. I bought it off a guy that ordered it new, loaded, in the early 80's. All his gear got stolen soon after it arrived, but the head was overlooked because it was in a closet. Years later, I bought it for $400 - and that day was the first time it was ever fired up. He almost cried. For me, that had to be the deal of the century. Of course, at that time, no one knew they would become such a collectible and sought after amp. I loved it dearly, but had to sell it a few years later to finance college. I sold the half stack you see here for $1500. LOL. Nostalgic rosey colored glasses aside, it was a great amp. But I think that there is a giant heap of hype being attached to it. I have owned other Boogies that have were well built, solid, great sounding amps.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =500102752
I owned a brand new MK IIC+ back in high school. I bought it off a guy that ordered it new, loaded, in the early 80's. All his gear got stolen soon after it arrived, but the head was overlooked because it was in a closet. Years later, I bought it for $400 - and that day was the first time it was ever fired up. He almost cried. For me, that had to be the deal of the century. Of course, at that time, no one knew they would become such a collectible and sought after amp. I loved it dearly, but had to sell it a few years later to finance college. I sold the half stack you see here for $1500. LOL. Nostalgic rosey colored glasses aside, it was a great amp. But I think that there is a giant heap of hype being attached to it. I have owned other Boogies that have were well built, solid, great sounding amps.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =500102752
jetdriver
New member
From the revised Mark V manual 
It's like there speaking in the forum...NICE!:
MARK II-C+ (Mode Select Switch Up
NOTE: The original MARK II-C+ amplifiers had power sections wired in TRIODE configuration. To hear the sound of the original II-C+,
set the Rear Panel Channel 3 Power Switch (located below CH. 3 REVERB Control) to TRIODE. See IMPORTANT NOTE at the end
of this section for further information.
This is a recreation of the much sought after sound of these two channel MARK series amps produced in the mid eighties that became
the voice of choice for so many recording artists of the day. Today there is a hard-core cult following for these vintage
II-C+’s and - when they can be found - they bring 3 - 4 times their original price. Many artists even now have standing
orders with their techs to buy these amps wherever they are found, regardless of price. There will probably be those
who tout the tone and authenticity of their prized vintage gems (yes, we are pleased and flattered) – and just like vintage
guitars this will probably always be the case. However, rest assured…you now own a MARK II-C+ down to the last circuit
detail and the tone is identical except for the Sylvania 415 power tubes, which are no longer available. During the R&D
process we even found ways to mimic the important mid-punch character inherent in those tubes. And far better… you don’t have
to compromise your clean or lead sound because they share controls as they do in the original layout! You also get another sound
to switch to that also has no shared controls or compromise! So, if you run into II-C+ snobs who brag about their amps or doubt the
authenticity of your rendering, smile and feel a pang of pity for the price they probably paid and let them have their glory. After all,
they need their pride because they don’t have the other 8 amplifiers you have on board to express themselves with.
The II-C+ trademark sound is urgent and stripped but also has incredible focus despite its’ precious multi-dimensional layers of upper
harmonics. It works equally well for both aggressive high gain chording and blistering single note soloing in low or high regions of
the GAIN control. When dialed in (GAIN 1:30 – 2:30, TREBLE 12:00 – 1:00, BASS 10:00 – 12:00, PRESENCE 9:00 – 11:30), it has
a lead voice that is unrivaled in articulation, nuance and time domain accuracy in the high gain genre. These qualities are especially
favored by those players whose technical ability demands instantaneous response and tight, detailed tracking of the pick attack. After
the attack, a beautiful morphing of harmonics occurs and the notes segue through a whole range of dynamic and frequency changes
that is a joy to experience. You will find yourself playing like never before and reaching newfound depths of expression.
For high gain rhythm work the II-C+ unleashed the other sound in Heavy Rock Crunch. More complex and harmonically layered than
its’ British fueled counterpart, the C+ comes on like a grinding wall of gain that is truly menacing. This aggression and sheer size is
made even more impressive with the application of the on-board Graphic EQ. The shameless scooping of mids and rebellious boost-
ing of both lows and highs simultaneously led to the iconic “V” curve becoming so popular in the eighties recordings, that it became
synonymous with the II-C+ sound. This sound reached further notoriety and became referred to as Boogie Crunch and even the
“California Sound”.
It's like there speaking in the forum...NICE!:
MARK II-C+ (Mode Select Switch Up
NOTE: The original MARK II-C+ amplifiers had power sections wired in TRIODE configuration. To hear the sound of the original II-C+,
set the Rear Panel Channel 3 Power Switch (located below CH. 3 REVERB Control) to TRIODE. See IMPORTANT NOTE at the end
of this section for further information.
This is a recreation of the much sought after sound of these two channel MARK series amps produced in the mid eighties that became
the voice of choice for so many recording artists of the day. Today there is a hard-core cult following for these vintage
II-C+’s and - when they can be found - they bring 3 - 4 times their original price. Many artists even now have standing
orders with their techs to buy these amps wherever they are found, regardless of price. There will probably be those
who tout the tone and authenticity of their prized vintage gems (yes, we are pleased and flattered) – and just like vintage
guitars this will probably always be the case. However, rest assured…you now own a MARK II-C+ down to the last circuit
detail and the tone is identical except for the Sylvania 415 power tubes, which are no longer available. During the R&D
process we even found ways to mimic the important mid-punch character inherent in those tubes. And far better… you don’t have
to compromise your clean or lead sound because they share controls as they do in the original layout! You also get another sound
to switch to that also has no shared controls or compromise! So, if you run into II-C+ snobs who brag about their amps or doubt the
authenticity of your rendering, smile and feel a pang of pity for the price they probably paid and let them have their glory. After all,
they need their pride because they don’t have the other 8 amplifiers you have on board to express themselves with.
The II-C+ trademark sound is urgent and stripped but also has incredible focus despite its’ precious multi-dimensional layers of upper
harmonics. It works equally well for both aggressive high gain chording and blistering single note soloing in low or high regions of
the GAIN control. When dialed in (GAIN 1:30 – 2:30, TREBLE 12:00 – 1:00, BASS 10:00 – 12:00, PRESENCE 9:00 – 11:30), it has
a lead voice that is unrivaled in articulation, nuance and time domain accuracy in the high gain genre. These qualities are especially
favored by those players whose technical ability demands instantaneous response and tight, detailed tracking of the pick attack. After
the attack, a beautiful morphing of harmonics occurs and the notes segue through a whole range of dynamic and frequency changes
that is a joy to experience. You will find yourself playing like never before and reaching newfound depths of expression.
For high gain rhythm work the II-C+ unleashed the other sound in Heavy Rock Crunch. More complex and harmonically layered than
its’ British fueled counterpart, the C+ comes on like a grinding wall of gain that is truly menacing. This aggression and sheer size is
made even more impressive with the application of the on-board Graphic EQ. The shameless scooping of mids and rebellious boost-
ing of both lows and highs simultaneously led to the iconic “V” curve becoming so popular in the eighties recordings, that it became
synonymous with the II-C+ sound. This sound reached further notoriety and became referred to as Boogie Crunch and even the
“California Sound”.
blackba
Well-known member
^ That is a big loud 'NO' from Mesa on a Mark IIC+ reissue.
Interesting read, I need a towel to dry my brain after reading that, from the massive Mesa brainwashing....
Interesting read, I need a towel to dry my brain after reading that, from the massive Mesa brainwashing....
thiswaythatway
Well-known member
jetdriver":2fw7n9vh said:From the revised Mark V manual
It's like there speaking in the forum...NICE!:
Mesa can take all their IIC+ bashing and shove it. The Mark V doesn't touch the IIC+ in any way. Tweak it all you want, it doesn't have the same feel or sound. You know it the second you plug into a IIC+. PLug into a Mark V and you'll still be tweaking it a week later. It's too compressed, congested, harsh, boxy etc.
AmpliFIRE
Well-known member
FWIW, I owned 2) IIC+'s and a IVa all at the same time. I actually preferred the lead channel of the IVa over both IIC+'s. It was more aggressive sounding for rhythm playing and still had that liquid Boogie lead tone.
Of course YMMV
Of course YMMV
S
Shiny_Surface
Active member
jetdriver":2p71haqy said:From the revised Mark V manual
It's like there speaking in the forum...NICE!:
MARK II-C+ (Mode Select Switch Up
NOTE: The original MARK II-C+ amplifiers had power sections wired in TRIODE configuration. To hear the sound of the original II-C+,
set the Rear Panel Channel 3 Power Switch (located below CH. 3 REVERB Control) to TRIODE. See IMPORTANT NOTE at the end
of this section for further information.
This is a recreation of the much sought after sound of these two channel MARK series amps produced in the mid eighties that became
the voice of choice for so many recording artists of the day. Today there is a hard-core cult following for these vintage
II-C+’s and - when they can be found - they bring 3 - 4 times their original price. Many artists even now have standing
orders with their techs to buy these amps wherever they are found, regardless of price. There will probably be those
who tout the tone and authenticity of their prized vintage gems (yes, we are pleased and flattered) – and just like vintage
guitars this will probably always be the case. However, rest assured…you now own a MARK II-C+ down to the last circuit
detail and the tone is identical except for the Sylvania 415 power tubes, which are no longer available. During the R&D
process we even found ways to mimic the important mid-punch character inherent in those tubes. And far better… you don’t have
to compromise your clean or lead sound because they share controls as they do in the original layout! You also get another sound
to switch to that also has no shared controls or compromise! So, if you run into II-C+ snobs who brag about their amps or doubt the
authenticity of your rendering, smile and feel a pang of pity for the price they probably paid and let them have their glory. After all,
they need their pride because they don’t have the other 8 amplifiers you have on board to express themselves with.
The II-C+ trademark sound is urgent and stripped but also has incredible focus despite its’ precious multi-dimensional layers of upper
harmonics. It works equally well for both aggressive high gain chording and blistering single note soloing in low or high regions of
the GAIN control. When dialed in (GAIN 1:30 – 2:30, TREBLE 12:00 – 1:00, BASS 10:00 – 12:00, PRESENCE 9:00 – 11:30), it has
a lead voice that is unrivaled in articulation, nuance and time domain accuracy in the high gain genre. These qualities are especially
favored by those players whose technical ability demands instantaneous response and tight, detailed tracking of the pick attack. After
the attack, a beautiful morphing of harmonics occurs and the notes segue through a whole range of dynamic and frequency changes
that is a joy to experience. You will find yourself playing like never before and reaching newfound depths of expression.
For high gain rhythm work the II-C+ unleashed the other sound in Heavy Rock Crunch. More complex and harmonically layered than
its’ British fueled counterpart, the C+ comes on like a grinding wall of gain that is truly menacing. This aggression and sheer size is
made even more impressive with the application of the on-board Graphic EQ. The shameless scooping of mids and rebellious boost-
ing of both lows and highs simultaneously led to the iconic “V” curve becoming so popular in the eighties recordings, that it became
synonymous with the II-C+ sound. This sound reached further notoriety and became referred to as Boogie Crunch and even the
“California Sound”.
lol,
This reads just like a post someone would make on a forum who is an avid fan and is hyping up the product.
Maybe Mesa reads the forums and says "we can do that too!".
jetdriver
New member
Maybe. Or maybe I'm just trying to feel better about selling the mint IIC+ head I used to have 
I mean, they guy even gave me the letters & xmas cards he got from Mesa for a few years after buying the amp. That's how far back it went!
I kick myself everyday for that one. It's probably sitting in some studio somewhere.
Still, I think the V is a helluva amp.
And to Gibson5413 glad to see you stayed in the Mark family. For the record, I think you're Mark V clips like "Wayward Son" and "Stargazer" sound AWESOME! Got me gassing for a MkV just from that.
I mean, they guy even gave me the letters & xmas cards he got from Mesa for a few years after buying the amp. That's how far back it went!I kick myself everyday for that one. It's probably sitting in some studio somewhere.
Still, I think the V is a helluva amp.
And to Gibson5413 glad to see you stayed in the Mark family. For the record, I think you're Mark V clips like "Wayward Son" and "Stargazer" sound AWESOME! Got me gassing for a MkV just from that.
dfrattaroli
New member
You fuckers are gonna make me sell my Egnater pre and get a IIC+.
UltraGary
Well-known member
dfrattaroli":2okykmy8 said:
Classic example of the hype being perpetuated about the IIC+ here. It's a great amp in it's own right, but so is the MkV (& MkIII....& MkIV....).
If it's the holy grail of amps....why the hell didn't all these guys have one already? (or does all of this trace back to Mesa's recent verbage describing 1 tone of it's new MkV?)
Man....you guys are really going Jonas Brothers on this amp.......
dfrattaroli
New member
UltraGary":e3ngb7gc said:
You're 100% correct. I never had any interest in a IIC+. I've owned 2 Mark IVs and many other Mesa amps. Suddenly, the Mark V has created interest in the IIC+. I thought it would spark more discussion of the Mark IV to be honest. I think I just miss having a Mesa and so I'm curious.
jetdriver
New member
UltraGary":26hud6iz said:
EXACTLY!
