Mesa Mark VII vs JP-2C

[dan_the_man]

It really depends on what you play and how many sounds you need, and whether you’ll be using it strictly in the studio or also live. Let’s assume you’ll be using it live as well, since in the studio you can basically dial in one sound at a time per amp setup.

The MK VII is the full expression of the Mark series philosophy: a multi-channel amp capable of everything from ultra clean to extreme high gain, and its design/layout lets you access all of that essentially in real time, with no compromises like the old II and III (where you can dial in only two tone at a time).

The JP2C is Petrucci’s take on the IIC+, less versatile overall but with a few features the VII doesn’t have (most notably the dual graphic EQ).

If you need a reliable and versatile amp between the two, the VII wins hands down, and in my opinion it also sounds better than the JP2C, which I personally find a bit too “boxy”.

The IIC+ reissue could be a strong competitor to the VII, provided you solve some of the versatility limitations, I’m thinking, for example, of the Petrucci mod that was often done on the original IIC+. It also cuts the mix like no other.

In any case, the VII remains the only true 3-channel amp among the three.

You could also consider a MK IV, which to my ears actually sounds better than all of the above, but it might get tricky to reliably get the classic clean / crunch / high gain (and solo) setup in a live context.

 

[BABMusic]

If Mark IV's were not so old at this point, I would definitely just buy another one if mine ever fails. It's a wonderful amp, full of several great Mesa tones. If my IV ever fails me, I would probably just get a VII or maybe a V. I like the V, but it did sound slightly smoother than the IV, but it did have more gain.

 

[Red Snapper]

All good man, it's common to drift back & forth!

Alright wanted to add some VII thoughts now that I've used the combo with both my rock band & the metal band. TLDR, I got EXACTLY the opposite results from what I expected.

To recap I had a VII head a couple years ago, and through my Recto Trad cab I was super unimpressed. Good tone but NO push whatsoever and was way better at low volume than high. I'm starting to wonder if there was something wrong with it.

This combo I picked up is like a normal tube amp, better at high volume. That said it's like the JP in that the volume taper is far more usable than a OG, however, it's also nowhere near as loud. For example on an OG, even a 60W, volume at 2 is super loud in the live band. With this VII as well as the JP I can run 12:00 (about as loud as they get before compressing) on the volume and it's just about right in the band mix. Not overwhelming at all.

So at rock band practice- I expected to like the mid gain voicings of the VII. A couple of them have nice enough push. It was fine, but nothing to kick my other Mesas out of a job. The DR RI is still the top choice for me there.

At metal band practice in MkIV mode, I was expecting the combo to be a joke. Well I don't know WTF, but with the volume throttled it was actually.. almost chugging and cut well. I then tried a setup where I ran it to a 1960 cab forward and also the combo pointed at the drummer for monitoring, and it.. actually chugged AND had killer tightness & clarity. I did not expect that AT ALL. To be clear it wasn't pushing a ton of air like the OG would, but for down tuned guitars it had really nice clarity, tightness & cut with this setup. It really does like the 1960 cab better than the Mesa cab.

So, IDK WTF? I think I'll gig it next weekend.

Sounds like to me you should try different cabs before crapping on an awesome amp... I remember... I tried to tell you but you just wouldn't listen to an engineer.... Funny how when you try different speakers (major variable in a signal chain) things change... I knew you were wrong but you wouldn't admit it... Just sayin'.....

 

[endofall]

If Mark IV's were not so old at this point, I would definitely just buy another one if mine ever fails. It's a wonderful amp, full of several great Mesa tones. If my IV ever fails me, I would probably just get a VII or maybe a V. I like the V, but it did sound slightly smoother than the IV, but it did have more gain.

Just picked up a mark iv and honestly feel like it's the best one I've owned which includes a IIC+RI, Mark III, Mark V, and a Mark VII. The iv is just hits the spot for me

 

[Speeddemon]

Just picked up a mark iv and honestly feel like it's the best one I've owned which includes a IIC+RI, Mark III, Mark V, and a Mark VII. The iv is just hits the spot for me

Don't you miss the V and VII's Crunch mode on the IV? I mean, R2 to me was really lacklustre.
The cleans and lead are stellar, although finnicky in set up.

For some reason, when I had a IV (Rev A), it continuously suffered from 'todays' awesome settings somehow sound kinda meh tomorrow'.
At least with the V:25 and my Caliber 50+ I don't have that problem.

And yeah, the Crunch mode is what sold me.

 

[Red Snapper]

Don't you miss the V and VII's Crunch mode on the IV? I mean, R2 to me was really lacklustre.
The cleans and lead are stellar, although finnicky in set up.

For some reason, when I had a IV (Rev A), it continuously suffered from 'todays' awesome settings somehow sound kinda meh tomorrow'.
At least with the V:25 and my Caliber 50+ I don't have that problem.

And yeah, the Crunch mode is what sold me.

Yes, the Mark IV (Rev A AND B) R2 is nothing worth writing home about.

 

[endofall]

Yes, the Mark IV (Rev A AND B) R2 is nothing worth writing home about.

I have a transition B for whatever that's worth. There's enough gain on my crunch channel to do lower and mid gain tones very well. I honestly really dig that channel for more backed off parts to the lead channel. To me the lead channel dominates the v, and the VII was great but the iv is just bigger sounding and set better with my set up. I honestly don't miss any of the Marks with the IV. It really suits me