Mesa Mark VII vs JP-2C

[ChuggNorris]

Yeah...that makes perfect sense.

It does....

Level up your playing and dialing game then get back to me lil dookie.

 

[BABMusic]

I really wanted to like the Triple Crown 50, but when I fired up my Mark IV, I knew the TC was on the way out. It was a cool one with all gray tolex. Some very nice gentleman in LA picked it up from me and gave it to his brother as a gift. I just never bonded well with Mesa amps that were not Mark series.

 

[ChuggNorris]

I really wanted to like the Triple Crown 50, but when I fired up my Mark IV, I knew the TC was on the way out. It was a cool one with all gray tolex. Some very nice gentleman in LA picked it up from me and gave it to his brother as a gift. I just never bonded well with Mesa amps that were not Mark series.

The 100 def had special sauce. Sounded like a mark fucked a rectifier but the baby had some marshallesque grind in the mids...

Brutal amp in the right hands.

Hate all you want, it was the players not the Triple Crown tha failed

 

[angelspade]

I really wanted to like the Triple Crown 50, but when I fired up my Mark IV, I knew the TC was on the way out. It was a cool one with all gray tolex. Some very nice gentleman in LA picked it up from me and gave it to his brother as a gift. I just never bonded well with Mesa amps that were not Mark series.

I had a similar experience with it. As many at the board here reported shortly after it's release the Triple Crown just lacked any real defining character or attitude when compared to other Mesa models such as the Mark and Rectifiers series. Overall consensus was that it's somewhat "bland". When I was visiting the Gibson Garage at the Gulch in Nashville a few years back we discussed the Mesa amp line in some detail. They confessed that in terms of overall reception the Triple Crown and Electra Dyne were their biggest disappointments over the last decade.

 

[Metalhex]

Badlander has yet to enter the chat..

 

[Bossman415]

Have owned every Mark minus the VII, but it is on my short list to get/try eventually. I'd say the selling point of a VII over a JP2C would be cabclone and greater flexibility with more modes. That cabclone alone makes late night headphone jamming a great experience.

Had an outboard Mesa CabClone IR+ with stock Mesa IR's. It was good for what it was. The VII has CabClone IR presets for each individual channel. Want a 4x10 with that clean channel, an Oversized 2x12 on your crunch and a Traditional 4x12 on your lead?

The JP-2C however is pretty much 2 IIC+ channels with dual graphic eq's, a built in boost (shred mode) to tighten up the low end and it has a pristine clean channel. Although it isn't as flexible, but is a great amp.

As for which Mark I gravitate to, it all depends on the mood and what time of day it is. Late night means I ain't firing up either IIC+/++ or IIB+ Coliseum. Pure tone wise, it is hard to beat an OG IIC+/++. I will state I have yet to play the reissues which get glowing reviews, so not knocking them.

As for the Triple Crown 100, it is a cool amp. I had one for about a year. Picked it up in a packaged deal with a Mark IVa longhead. The TC100 was more plug and play and sounded great. Only issue was the lowend didn't have punch and the top end, not enough Marshallesque bite.

The Badlander 100 was another amp I had for about a year. It was a cool amp. I liken it to a hopped up JCM800 with 2 full tonestacks. Only issue with it was it lacked that wall of sound lowend a Rectifier is known for. I ended up replacing my Badlander with a 2 Ch. Rev E Dual Rectifier.

That said, I'd rock a Triple Crown 100 or Badlander 100 again if one came up for a stupid good deal.

 

[FourT6and2]

Have owned every Mark minus the VII, but it is on my short list to get/try eventually. I'd say the selling point of a VII over a JP2C would be cabclone and greater flexibility with more modes. That cabclone alone makes late night headphone jamming a great experience.

Had an outboard Mesa CabClone IR+ with stock Mesa IR's. It was good for what it was. The VII has CabClone IR presets for each individual channel. Want a 4x10 with that clean channel, an Oversized 2x12 on your crunch and a Traditional 4x12 on your lead?

The JP-2C however is pretty much 2 IIC+ channels with dual graphic eq's, a built in boost (shred mode) to tighten up the low end and it has a pristine clean channel. Although it isn't as flexible, but is a great amp.

As for which Mark I gravitate to, it all depends on the mood and what time of day it is. Late night means I ain't firing up either IIC+/++ or IIB+ Coliseum. Pure tone wise, it is hard to beat an OG IIC+/++. I will state I have yet to play the reissues which get glowing reviews, so not knocking them.

As for the Triple Crown 100, it is a cool amp. I had one for about a year. Picked it up in a packaged deal with a Mark IVa longhead. The TC100 was more plug and play and sounded great. Only issue was the lowend didn't have punch and the top end, not enough Marshallesque bite.

The Badlander 100 was another amp I had for about a year. It was a cool amp. I liken it to a hopped up JCM800 with 2 full tonestacks. Only issue with it was it lacked that wall of sound lowend a Rectifier is known for. I ended up replacing my Badlander with a 2 Ch. Rev E Dual Rectifier.

That said, I'd rock a Triple Crown 100 or Badlander 100 again if one came up for a stupid good deal.

Ah, so you haven't played one of the HRG reissues?

The only Mark I've played was an original IIC+. But yeah, I'll need to find a store that has the JP2C and VII and play them side by side. I think I found a shop near me that does. But I won't be back home for a few weeks. If they still have them, I'll hit 'em up.

 

[Bossman415]

Ah, so you haven't played one of the HRG reissues?

The only Mark I've played was an original IIC+. But yeah, I'll need to find a store that has the JP2C and VII and play them side by side. I think I found a shop near me that does. But I won't be back home for a few weeks. If they still have them, I'll hit 'em up.

Nope haven't tried the IIC+ HRG or DRG reissues. Had one friend who had a IIC++ but ended up selling it because he owned a vintage IIC+/++.

For me it would make no sense to grab either reissue. I have IIC+/++'s in each output configuration and all service/done by Mike.

Kind of the same situation with the Rectifiers. I've toyed with the notion of grabbing the limited Triple, but not a fan of the murdered out look.

Wish the Chrome Chassis and Black Diamond plating aesthetic was for the limited Triple. It would've made more sense manufacturing/profit wise.

Own a Triple F and G. Have also owned all the revisions, minus Rev C and D. Had Mike's Rev C mod too. Cool but a good boost gets you there too.

 

[FourT6and2]

Nope haven't tried the IIC+ HRG or DRG reissues. Had one friend who had a IIC++ but ended up selling it because he owned a vintage IIC+/++.

For me it would make no sense to grab either reissue. I have IIC+/++'s in each output configuration and all service/done by Mike.

Kind of the same situation with the Rectifiers. I've toyed with the notion of grabbing the limited Triple, but not a fan of the murdered out look.

Wish the Chrome Chassis and Black Diamond plating aesthetic was for the limited Triple. It would've made more sense manufacturing/profit wise.

Own a Triple F and G. Have also owned all the revisions, minus Rev C and D. Had Mike's Rev C mod too. Cool but a good boost gets you there too.

I like the murdered out look of the new Triple. But I would prefer black jute like on old tremoverb instead of the tread plate. I just don't like the '90s nu-metal look. My gf, who knows nothing about amps, saw a picture of a typical rectifier the other day and she was like, "Ewww what's that? Looks like some gaudy Ed Hardy amp" lol

 

[FourT6and2]

Interesting that Petrucci was rockin' the VII here and not the JP2C. That said... I love what I'm hearing! I might just get a VII and call it good.

 

[GJgo]

If you don't need a bunch of options / switching for live work, and you play in normal-ish tunings, the C+ HRG RI is easily the best Mark that's come out since the IV. Only reason to look elsewhere is if you need more gig friendly features, or if you're playing low tunings & need more compression.

Nothing beats in the room A/Bing, that said my channel is kind of a Mark tell-all.
https://www.youtube.com/@TIGHTENmetal/videos

 

[NinjaRaf]

Ok, perfect... you had both at the same time. I'd prefer to get a new amp over a used one that's 20-40 years old. For one, if I don't like it immediately, 30-day returns. So I'm really only considering the VII, JP2C, and possibly the HRG since it was mentioned earlier.

Is the JP darker? I've read a few accounts where people say that's the case. Contrary to popular tone-searching desires, I don't want brighter and more clarity. Amps in general can get plenty bright. I'm not after tons of not separation and treble. Don't need it. What I like is tight, thumpy lows and a solid mid-range with growl or snarl or aggression. Highs... I like dark. You can always turn the treble and presence UP. But if an amp is too bright, it can be hard to dial that out sometimes. I doubt any Mark series amp is "dark" though. KSR? Dark. Bogner? Dark. Mesa? Dark isn't a word I typically see used.

I also don't need a ton of versatility. I find a good high-gain sound and I stick with it. No need for channel switching and tons of features. That said, the Mark series amps (and Mesas in general) have tons of features. Not a problem though.

I was going over the list of amps I've owned in my life and was trying to see what else I might want to try that I never did. And a Mark Series popped into my head.

The only Mark Series I played was a real IIC+. But I don't think I was EQ'ing it right and I didn't know about the pre/post EQ thing.

Yeah, I made a couple of OK videos comparing the 2.

I would say yes, the JP is darker. When I dialed both amps to how I felt they sounded best, the JP was dark and maybe slightly boxy. The VII was bright and modern. But yeah, based on what you said here, maybe the JP is a better choice.

I loved the VII, but I don't think I would revisit that amp. It has a lot of stuff in it, and I use like 2 sounds. So it's a lot of features wasted. I used all of the features on the JP. If I were to choose between these 2 again, it would be based on feature set, and the JP wins that for me. More of what I want, less of what I don't.

I want another IV, but I also agree on the old amp thing. My IVa had to go to Mesa twice within 6 months. And now it's not as easy to get amps out there for repairs. Local dudes don't know how to repair Mesas, either, apparently...so it's definitely something to consider, and the main reason I haven't bought another IV.

I would consider the new RI, though...but I worry about the oscillation problems since I use a shit ton of gain lol.

 

[NinjaRaf]

Interesting that Petrucci was rockin' the VII here and not the JP2C. That said... I love what I'm hearing! I might just get a VII and call it good.

I think that's just because Rick has a VII and not a JP.

 

[FourT6and2]

If you don't need a bunch of options / switching for live work, and you play in normal-ish tunings, the C+ HRG RI is easily the best Mark that's come out since the IV. Only reason to look elsewhere is if you need more gig friendly features, or if you're playing low tunings & need more compression.

Nothing beats in the room A/Bing, that said my channel is kind of a Mark tell-all.
https://www.youtube.com/@TIGHTENmetal/videos

Awesome, I'll check out your vids. I'll most likely be playing in Drop C. The HRG RI seems interesting!

 

[FourT6and2]

Yeah, I made a couple of OK videos comparing the 2.

I would say yes, the JP is darker. When I dialed both amps to how I felt they sounded best, the JP was dark and maybe slightly boxy. The VII was bright and modern. But yeah, based on what you said here, maybe the JP is a better choice.

I loved the VII, but I don't think I would revisit that amp. It has a lot of stuff in it, and I use like 2 sounds. So it's a lot of features wasted. I used all of the features on the JP. If I were to choose between these 2 again, it would be based on feature set, and the JP wins that for me. More of what I want, less of what I don't.

I want another IV, but I also agree on the old amp thing. My IVa had to go to Mesa twice within 6 months. And now it's not as easy to get amps out there for repairs. Local dudes don't know how to repair Mesas, either, apparently...so it's definitely something to consider, and the main reason I haven't bought another IV.

I would consider the new RI, though...but I worry about the oscillation problems since I use a shit ton of gain lol.

Oh I saw your vids, didn't know that was you! Nice playing and great comparisons What's the oscillation issue about? I think I saw it mentioned somewhere else as well.

As far as working on old amps, I can do that myself. Although I don't want to have to, which is why I want to stick to a new amp (plus being able to return it if I don't like it).

 

[technomancer]

Oh I saw your vids, didn't know that was you! Nice playing and great comparisons What's the oscillation issue about? I think I saw it mentioned somewhere else as well.

As far as working on old amps, I can do that myself. Although I don't want to have to, which is why I want to stick to a new amp (plus being able to return it if I don't like it).

There's a ground loop in the reissues that if you turn all the knobs to 10 it squeals. It can be fixed by moving where a single wire is connected to ground.

 

[Tone Monster]

There's a ground loop in the reissues that if you turn all the knobs to 10 it squeals. It can be fixed by moving where a single wire is connected to ground.

I can get mine to squeal but it takes effort and wild settings that I wouldn’t dream of using. Non issue IMO

 

[technomancer]

I can get mine to squeal but it takes effort and wild settings that I wouldn’t dream of using. Non issue IMO

Yeah exactly. I had the IIC+ and currently have the IIC++ and I have not felt compelled to move the wire as they never squealed in my normal usage but I could make them squeal if I tried by maxing stuff.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Yeah, I made a couple of OK videos comparing the 2.

I would say yes, the JP is darker. When I dialed both amps to how I felt they sounded best, the JP was dark and maybe slightly boxy. The VII was bright and modern. But yeah, based on what you said here, maybe the JP is a better choice.

I loved the VII, but I don't think I would revisit that amp. It has a lot of stuff in it, and I use like 2 sounds. So it's a lot of features wasted. I used all of the features on the JP. If I were to choose between these 2 again, it would be based on feature set, and the JP wins that for me. More of what I want, less of what I don't.

I want another IV, but I also agree on the old amp thing. My IVa had to go to Mesa twice within 6 months. And now it's not as easy to get amps out there for repairs. Local dudes don't know how to repair Mesas, either, apparently...so it's definitely something to consider, and the main reason I haven't bought another IV.

I would consider the new RI, though...but I worry about the oscillation problems since I use a shit ton of gain lol.

great comparison, and sick fucking riffs. I think you buried the jp with the VII

 

[cardinal]

Unless you need the separate channels etc, I'd go for a Mark with all the controls (volume and lead drive). The JP2C and VII don't let you adjust both (though the JP2C has push/pulls to supposedly let you tweak them, and channel 3 is set higher than channel 2).

Those controls are important and it sucks they took them away in the modern designs.