Mesa IIC+ find.. do I?

[James_E]

I stumbled upon:

2C+ DRG combo (Simulclass 60/100, Reverb, EQ). Final check done by Randall himself. (Initialed RCS)
Original tubes, original everything... apparently has barely been used.
Original owner, has receipt and confirmation letter from Randall Smith.
Black Shadow EVM speaker

+ Extension cab loaded with a JBL from the same timeframe.

The seller wants $5000 CDN (about $4K USD)

I'd have to trade something for it (a somewhat rare guitar that I love).. and add some cash.

Thoughts?

 

[Racerxrated]

That seems a little high for a combo, I just grabbed a 2C++ upgraded HRG with NOS Sylvanias and new headshell for 3k a few weeks ago. The same time I was contemplating the ++ there was an original DRG long head on the bay with presence on the front that sold for 3600.
That said, it's all about supply and demand, and they are damn rare amps. Couple that with the fact that nothing else will get you that tone except the real deal, and you have trade bait to boot, I say go for it.

 

[James_E]

Thanks for the post Racer.

I just went and played the guitar he wants.. I can't let it go. I will regret getting rid of it (It's a CS Nocaster Masterbuilt heavy relic tele). I'm going to bail.

I have a JP2C that I'm trying out (still within return period.) Pretty sure the JP2C will fill my 2C needs.

 

[Racerxrated]

JP is a cool amp, and if you have a great guitar you may not be able to replace it.....

 

[skoora]

If you love the guitar you will regret it. Have you even been able to play this 2C+?

 

[James_E]

I love the guitar for sure. I haven't been out to play it. It's over an hour away.

It's on toronto.kijiji.ca if anyone wants to have a look.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-amp-pedal/oakvi ... 1305262056

 

[skoora]

Take your guitar and the cash and see if you couldn't go home without the amp. If the amp knocks your socks off it won't be a hard decision. Just go with a mindset of you're just checking it out, not necessarily getting it. A couple of hours on the road is nothing if your talking this big of a transaction. I would also take a cab your familiar with if you can. I think the amp is too much but they're not common and people are starting to mod the others into ++ etc. Soon there'll be hardly any stock ones left. That being said, life is short and we should enjoy it as much as we can. If doing the trade doesn't put you in any kind of hardship, do it. Then you repeat it all again in 5 years when the shine is off the amp and you're jonesin' to have one of those Tele's again...

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

$4000 USD ... in this market... for a combo? No way.

I've recently passed on two $2500 DRG IIC+s... not upgrades/not mods... 1984 originals. People spending over $3000 are not being patient. These amps aren't that rare. Quite a few were made, more have been modified to these specs. The used gear market is @$$ right now. Some guy had an original factory IIC++ long head that sat at $4100... and he eventually pulled the listing. These ain't Dumbles.

 

[James_E]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't want to part with this tele.. and it's the only guitar I mentioned that he is interested in (I told him up front that I'm not sure I'd part with it). Such is life.

 

[Racerxrated]

$4000 USD ... in this market... for a combo? No way.

I've recently passed on two $2500 DRG IIC+s... not upgrades/not mods... 1984 originals. People spending over $3000 are not being patient. These amps aren't that rare. Quite a few were made, more have been modified to these specs. The used gear market is @$$ right now. Some guy had an original factory IIC++ long head that sat at $4100... and he eventually pulled the listing. These ain't Dumbles.

Hmm...Where did you see that?? I look pretty often and never saw that one. Did see the C++ Coli that sat for 7K. But nothing else.
Definitely are some overpriced non GEQ C+ out there, they are never going to get their asking price.

I did miss out on an original DRG combo local to me for 1800 a month ago. I was #2, of course #1 bought it.

 

[GJgo]

I think it's highly worth your time to go play it.

Having both, I'd personally value a DRG more than a HRG. The differences are subtle, though. My DRG ++ is the only thing I've ever played that transcends to "I don't care what it costs" tone.

 

[cnote]

A stock IIC+ is one of the great bargains in amps - the lead tone and even the cleans are absolutely top tier, especially when put through a larger cab. The combo cab itself doesn't sound so great - best to drive a larger cab. I had a DRGX that I didn't like nearly as much as my SRG. The SRG is still running on all its original electrolytics because it's been played its whole life and nothing is going bad. The sweetest and best amp I've ever owned.