Mesa Mark VII vs JP-2C

[JonPearson1994]

Yeeeeeeaaaah Mark VII! I've played not quite all, but most of the Mark amps that have ever been, and the preamps that are in the family. The VII is my favorite. For heavy sounds, it is the best one. It beat the IIC+ RI, my favorite blue stripe Mark III, and a JP2C.

I've not tried the combo, but I'm surprised you liked it better. Typically, the Mark combos are super boxy to my ears, congested. I'll admit, I don't love the vertical 2x12s though, it isn't as shocking that it fell short.

 

[FourT6and2]

Yeeeeeeaaaah Mark VII! I've played not quite all, but most of the Mark amps that have ever been, and the preamps that are in the family. The VII is my favorite. For heavy sounds, it is the best one. It beat the IIC+ RI, my favorite blue stripe Mark III, and a JP2C.

I've not tried the combo, but I'm surprised you liked it better. Typically, the Mark combos are super boxy to my ears, congested. I'll admit, I don't love the vertical 2x12s though, it isn't as shocking that it fell short.

The combo roared more for sure. It was every bit as loud and tight as the 2x12 closed back. It had slightly more mid-range emphasis and I can see how that could be described as boxy. But I didn't hate it!

 

[BABMusic]

@FourT6and2 Very interesting update you posted. I am not surprised the IIC+ is not your favorite -- I don't usually use that mode in my Mark amp. If I have to buy a Mark in the future, it will likely be a VII or V. Mark amps are just a lot of fun to play.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

UPDATE

I Found a local shop with a Mark VII, Mark VII 1x12 combo, JP-2C, and Mark IIC+ Reissue. I played the head through a Recto vertical 2x12. The Combo had Black Shadow. Brought my Mayo Duvell with Lundgren M6 in the bridge.

JP-2C
I played this one first. Not bad. Some useable high-gain sounds on channel 2. Channel 3 was slightly too compressed. Not enough bark or aggression for me in general. Too smooth. Engaging the built-in boost (shred mode?) added more gain and saturation, but it was just too much. Dual graphic EQ is nice, but ultimately, if I can't get an amazing base tone, it doesn't matter how many switches or features it has.

Mark VII
Yes. Much better. From the first chord I knew it was better. After a few tweaks I was getting incredible modern rhythm sounds on Channel 2/VII mode and Channel 3/IIC mode. Both had lots of chunk and bark. Mark VII mode seemed like a middle ground between Rectifier and Mark series. IIC mode sounded better than the original IIC+ I played and the IIC+ Reissue. The graphic EQ is also easier to use than on the JP-2C because it's larger compared to the same space divided into two EQs. But a minor issue. I didn't play around with the clean channel or all the other features much. Just focused on modern high-gain sounds.

Mark IIC+ Reissue
Nope. Not my thing. Not enough saturation or aggression for what I play. For classic rock, '80s metal, etc., sure... But to get it sounding good, it had to be cranked so loud you would never be able to use it unless you were playing a stadium. I also found it more difficult to dial in compared to the VII. Push/pull switches and interactive EQ, gain, and volume controls are just not my thing. The VII is much easier to dial in and sounded better for the kind of music I play. The IIC+ has its place, but that place isn't with me.

Mark VII Combo
Ok wow. The combo amp sounded better than the head through the recto 2x12. Tighter, even though it's a 1x12 open-back combo. More punch, more growl, more chunk. Just a fantastic sound. Part of it could have been it's down on the floor, whereas the vertical 2x12 is up a little higher. But the combo amp seemed to really hit all the right notes for me. Black Shadow speaker has a nice timbre compared to V30s.

I'm getting the VII. Now I need to decide between the head or the combo. My cab is a Mesa trad 4x12. I can always get an open-back cab with Black Shadows in the future. So the head is probably the way to go.

How I EQ'd the Mark VII and Combo (snakeskin)

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Your settings on the combo IIC mode are close to mine. What pickups were you using? I've had mine since last June and its a gas killer every time I plug in. Mine is a head into a Schecter USA 4x12 1960B clone with an x pattern of Creamback neos and Splawn small blocks. Real responsive to guitar, and different pickups to switch eras.

 

[FourT6and2]

Your settings on the combo IIC mode are close to mine. What pickups were you using? I've had mine since last June and its a gas killer every time I plug in. Mine is a head into a Schecter USA 4x12 1960B clone with an x pattern of Creamback neos and Splawn small blocks. Real responsive to guitar, and different pickups to switch eras.

Lunmdgren M6. I liked the IIC mode on the VII, but not the actual IIC.

 

[Beyond Black]

With all respect Mike, there was either something wrong with that IIC+ RI or the settings.
Tone preference is subjective and the C+ may not be your jam, but the HRG RI is an absolute MONSTER that can be set up to destroy in any genre from rock to metal, classic to modern, whisper volume to holy shit levels.
The master volume is as good as any amp I’ve ever played.
Are you sure you had “Lead Drive” pulled? What your describing sounds like that may have been pushed for a much lower gain crunch tone. Those can be tricky to dial in if not familiar.

 

[nightlight]

I've had a few Marks. I owned a Mark V:25 twice, and sold both of them because even though the tone was spot on, it was a very anaemic sounding amp due to the EL84s in it. That kind of made me swore off small amps for the most part, unless they have big tubes and big iron.

Other than that, a Mesa Boogie Quad (which is a Mark 2C/2C+ and a Mark III in a single enclosure, but only the preamp section) and a Mark IV.

I really like the first channel on the Quad, it sounds incredible and very 2C+esque. Here's a slightly long clip where I demo the rhythm and lead tones on this channel:



A cool thing about this amp is that the two EQs are switchable, so you can have the first channel with the Mark III EQ or vice versa. You can even have two EQs active at the same time. ,

The Mark IV is also awesome, another clip. This is just some LoG and Metallica tones:



I wish I had the cash to splash on a JP2C+, that's the Mark that I've always been curious about.

 

[Racerxrated]

With all respect Mike, there was either something wrong with that IIC+ RI or the settings.
Tone preference is subjective and the C+ may not be your jam, but the HRG RI is an absolute MONSTER that can be set up to destroy in any genre from rock to metal, classic to modern, whisper volume to holy shit levels.
The master volume is as good as any amp I’ve ever played.
Are you sure you had “Lead Drive” pulled? What your describing sounds like that may have been pushed for a much lower gain crunch tone. Those can be tricky to dial in if not familiar.

The learning curve on the C+ (OG or reissue) is real. If one spends just a few minutes, without knowing the 'tricks' to dial it properly it can sound low gain, almost flat...but, the feel at least should impress.
Once I got some guidance on how to dial it in( I remember Steve K giving me his settings RIP) it was a total monster of gain. WAY ahead of its time for 1984....the lead drive on 5 is almost too much.

 

[FourT6and2]

With all respect Mike, there was either something wrong with that IIC+ RI or the settings.
Tone preference is subjective and the C+ may not be your jam, but the HRG RI is an absolute MONSTER that can be set up to destroy in any genre from rock to metal, classic to modern, whisper volume to holy shit levels.
The master volume is as good as any amp I’ve ever played.
Are you sure you had “Lead Drive” pulled? What your describing sounds like that may have been pushed for a much lower gain crunch tone. Those can be tricky to dial in if not familiar.

Yes, I pulled all the relevant dials haha. Also, it wasn't an HRG. It sounded about the same as the actual IIC+ I played and that one also wasn't anywhere near modern metal tones. And before I even plugged it in, the guys at the shop also said I probably wouldn't like it based on what I was playing on the VII and JP. They said it wouldn't have enough gain or aggression for my needs and they were right.

 

[tallcoolone]

Hated that amp...Couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Others seem to really dig it.

Yup—I’ve never decided an amp wasn’t my cup faster. Big ‘meh’

 

[mentoneman]

UPDATE

I Found a local shop with a Mark VII, Mark VII 1x12 combo, JP-2C, and Mark IIC+ Reissue. I played the head through a Recto vertical 2x12. The Combo had Black Shadow. Brought my Mayo Duvell with Lundgren M6 in the bridge.

JP-2C
I played this one first. Not bad. Some useable high-gain sounds on channel 2. Channel 3 was slightly too compressed. Not enough bark or aggression for me in general. Too smooth. Engaging the built-in boost (shred mode?) added more gain and saturation, but it was just too much. Dual graphic EQ is nice, but ultimately, if I can't get an amazing base tone, it doesn't matter how many switches or features it has.

Mark VII
Yes. Much better. From the first chord I knew it was better. After a few tweaks I was getting incredible modern rhythm sounds on Channel 2/VII mode and Channel 3/IIC mode. Both had lots of chunk and bark. Mark VII mode seemed like a middle ground between Rectifier and Mark series. IIC mode sounded better than the original IIC+ I played and the IIC+ Reissue. The graphic EQ is also easier to use than on the JP-2C because it's larger compared to the same space divided into two EQs. But a minor issue. I didn't play around with the clean channel or all the other features much. Just focused on modern high-gain sounds.

Mark IIC+ Reissue
Nope. Not my thing. Not enough saturation or aggression for what I play. For classic rock, '80s metal, etc., sure... But to get it sounding good, it had to be cranked so loud you would never be able to use it unless you were playing a stadium. I also found it more difficult to dial in compared to the VII. Push/pull switches and interactive EQ, gain, and volume controls are just not my thing. The VII is much easier to dial in and sounded better for the kind of music I play. The IIC+ has its place, but that place isn't with me.

Mark VII Combo
Ok wow. The combo amp sounded better than the head through the recto 2x12. Tighter, even though it's a 1x12 open-back combo. More punch, more growl, more chunk. Just a fantastic sound. Part of it could have been it's down on the floor, whereas the vertical 2x12 is up a little higher. But the combo amp seemed to really hit all the right notes for me. Black Shadow speaker has a nice timbre compared to V30s.

I'm getting the VII. Now I need to decide between the head or the combo. My cab is a Mesa trad 4x12. I can always get an open-back cab with Black Shadows in the future. So the head is probably the way to go.

How I EQ'd the Mark VII and Combo (snakeskin)

View attachment 436245

View attachment 436247

cool and interesting review.
i played the VII combo at GC H-weird when it first came out, and then the head/2x12 months later when it first came into my local Oahu GC.
love this amp too.

i liked the idea of the head better so it’s lighter to move around and easier to pair with different cab/speaker configs. speaking of which i got these bad boys in today….