Mesa JP-2C is the first Mesa amp where the.......

[copilot]

Graphic EQ, IMO isn't really needed to get a great tone. Have the amp a few days now and the way I was setting up the gain channels is to set them up as good as I can without the EQ. I got them ripping w/ no EQ and in fact, I find adding the scooped EQ everybody uses.....to not sound that great. I'm not into no-mids chugging BS.

I set the EQ the other way, the frown setting and it's killer. I believe the MK 2C+ original Presence control is why this sounds so good. I don't have to boost that last Treble band on the EQ. I leave that flat and dial in the cut w/ the Presence control.
Gets close to the Ozzy/ Brad Gillis Speak Of The Devil tones. If I remember correctly, Brad ran the Graphic EQ the same way....boosted mids. Anyway, KILLER amp!

 

[JackBootedThug]

clips man....

 

[cardinal]

I always thought the Marks sounded a bit better without the GEQ or at least used only subtly. It seems fun at first to make big adjustments, like hitting the bass boost button on an old stereo. But I tended to realize that I preferred to just bypass it. They still sound very mean.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

How's it compare to Soldano SLOs you've had??? Best lead tone between the two???

 

[copilot]

How's it compare to Soldano SLOs you've had??? Best lead tone between the two???

I had SLO's and I currently got the Hot Rod 25. Man, totally different amps. They do NOT share any tonal similarities. The Soldano is more in your face, has a certain mid frequency that cuts thru.
The Mesa, very fluid, think Petrucci at one extreme mid scooped) , Brad Gillis at the other (mids pushed)

Couldn't pick a fav. Love them both

 

[GJgo]

The original IICs also sound killer w/o the GEQ! Something my Mark IIIs could never so.

I do a lot of no-GEQ in my playthroughs. It records super well I think. Just wait till I drop the ++ playthrough I'm working on. Sounds EPIC.

https://www.youtube.com/user/fast13b/videos

 

[Racerxrated]

Not sure about the JP2C but the feel of the original is what is so one of a kind IMO. No other amp has that feel. And I've played most of the amps available for high gain..Wizards, Soldano, modded Marshalls etc..the 2C+ is unique.

 

[bgh]

I always thought the Marks sounded a bit better without the GEQ or at least used only subtly. It seems fun at first to make big adjustments, like hitting the bass boost button on an old stereo. But I tended to realize that I preferred to just bypass it. They still sound very mean.

This has been my experience with the Mark IV. The GEQ is cool to have, but most of the time I don't use it.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

The original IICs also sound killer w/o the GEQ! Something my Mark IIIs could never so.

I do a lot of no-GEQ in my playthroughs. It records super well I think. Just wait till I drop the ++ playthrough I'm working on. Sounds EPIC.

For me and my taste at least... I need the graphic eq on in the classic "V" shape... otherwise the amp isn't mean or aggressive enough for me. Way too mild, laid back, and pedestrian sounding without it. And like Petrucci, a good TS boost up front helps too.

 

[glassjaw7]

I think my IV sounds good without the EQ on clean and light duty gain stuff but for the big sound I want out of the amp for metal/hard rock tones, I need the EQ pushing the low end a bit since I dial out almost all the low with the bass knob. The only time I think it sounds big enough without it is through an oversized 412. On the other hand, the EQ set too extreme can sound terrible. I absolutely hate when the 750 is pulled all the way down. Sounds like shit.

 

[Racerxrated]

I think my IV sounds good without the EQ on clean and light duty gain stuff but for the big sound I want out of the amp for metal/hard rock tones, I need the EQ pushing the low end a bit since I dial out almost all the low with the bass knob. The only time I think it sounds big enough without it is through an oversized 412. On the other hand, the EQ set too extreme can sound terrible. I absolutely hate when the 750 is pulled all the way down. Sounds like shit.

on mine I had a sweet spot for the 750, a little below midline. But like others I liked to boost a bit, with an OD1X for some upper mid bite.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

I think my IV sounds good without the EQ on clean and light duty gain stuff but for the big sound I want out of the amp for metal/hard rock tones, I need the EQ pushing the low end a bit since I dial out almost all the low with the bass knob. The only time I think it sounds big enough without it is through an oversized 412. On the other hand, the EQ set too extreme can sound terrible. I absolutely hate when the 750 is pulled all the way down. Sounds like shit.

My favorite setting on my mark V 25 was the IV mode. Would I dig an actual Mark IV even more? They are priced right these days man...

 

[blackba]

For the longest time I didn't use the EQ on my Mark IVA much, but now I use it all the time for R2 and most of the time for the lead channel.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I set my JP2C to the same settings that Petrucci put in the manual. The amp sounds so great with his settings I have never bothered to even fiddle with the settings and I have had the amp for a year. It just rips. No boost needed and Metallica MOP/AJFA tones for days. My Stealth, Nitro and Lone Star have been collecting dust. I'll have to experiment turning the Eq off.

 

[squank]

I think my IV sounds good without the EQ on clean and light duty gain stuff but for the big sound I want out of the amp for metal/hard rock tones, I need the EQ pushing the low end a bit since I dial out almost all the low with the bass knob. The only time I think it sounds big enough without it is through an oversized 412. On the other hand, the EQ set too extreme can sound terrible. I absolutely hate when the 750 is pulled all the way down. Sounds like shit.

This is my experience with the Mark V, as well. I use JP's graphic EQ setting, where the classic V shape is softened on the high and low extremes a bit.

 

[PBGas]

I love the EQ setup on the JP-2C! Being able to run either at different settings is such a bonus. Amazing amp!