Mesa Mark VII vs JP-2C

[harddriver]

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!

The Mark VII Head that SGTThump brought to the STLouis ampfest was pretty damn impresssive and I'm not a fan of Mesa Boogie Mark amps having owned MKIIIC+ modded one in the past.

 

[Holy-diver]

And best of all it doesn't seem to have slight day to day tone changes all my other Marks had. Set it and forget it on the dials.

This is what I was referring to, I have owned 2 and they were pretty much the same

 

[Tone Monster]

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.

They’re inherently smooth but should have all the gain anyone could ever use

 

[FourT6and2]

They’re inherently smooth but should have all the gain anyone could ever use

Don't know what to tell ya. I've played two of them now and neither one made me feel warm and fuzzy in my pants

 

[JonPearson1994]

Don't know what to tell ya. I've played two of them now and neither one made me feel warm and fuzzy in my pants

I'm with you on the IIC+ mode on the VII compared to the RI. I had them both at the same time for quite a while, and I ditched the RI because the VII version was just better. Maybe not more faithful, but I don't care if it's better

 

[anomaly]

If I were you, I'd definitely play either of these amps first and then decide. Don't buy one based on Ola's clips. I've played both and I much prefer the Mark IV Rev A - less compressed / more raw sounding.

Realistically, the rev B and rev A Mark IV'S are VERY close to each other in tone when played thru the same cab. The main difference is the early rev B's with the attached power cable are a touch brighter, not the other way around like some people say. Also the master volume is more touchy on the rev B. They are both capable of great tones.

 

[anomaly]

I own a IV. They are smooth amps. Probably the tightest amps in the low end I've ever played and you'll never need a boost. Even though people compare them to the Recto, they really sound almost nothing like them. Rectos have a looser bottom and more bass and a differnt voicing. Marks have lots of bass (or more like thump) from the slider EQ. Basically to dial a Mark, keep the bass at 4 or less. I keep the mids at zero too. Gain, Treble and Drive are gain controls. The graphic EQ is your real EQ. They are actually not that difficult to dial in once you understand them.

The feel of them is something I enjoy. They have this sort of nice balance of more immediate yet smooth and soft feeling. You wont' have to use a heavy pick attack. They are very unforgiving though so be aware of that. Contrary to what a lot of people say, they can sound surprisingly Marshall-y, but they always have that Mark series voicing. Also, I found mine sounds better with V30s -- Greenbacks don't seem to work as well as the amp becomes too smooth. G12T75s work really well with them too. If you don't mind endless options to tweek, you'll love them.

Ya, they don't sound like a recto. The rectifier might sound like they have more low end, but the lows on a IV actually extend further, I can't see someone needing more lows than a IV gives with the presence pushed. They are pretty big sounding, just in a more punchy, tight way.

 

[anomaly]

Get the IV. My favorite mark of all time. Have had them all

The IV is probably my favorite too. You can really shape that lead channel any way you want. You can dial it very clear and bright, or dark and doomy... almost sludgy if you want. I like it more than the III I owned, but that was also a very good amp.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

The IV is probably my favorite too. You can really shape that lead channel any way you want. You can dial it very clear and bright, or dark and doomy... almost sludgy if you want. I like it more than the III I owned, but that was also a very good amp.

The III has a more aggressive and inspiring Lead channel, but the R2 channel lacks gain for metal rhythm and doesn't balance well tonally with the other channels. The clean channel (R1) is severely compromised when everything is set to Kill for the Lead, but a nice compromise can be reached, especially in full power mode and with plenty of presence (even better if you have at least 1-2 single coils).

The IV has a stunning clean channel and Lead, but R2 again lacks gain for metal rhythm.

They really nailed it with the VII, truly a complete, balanced Mark amp, no pedals/mods needed. You can get Valdez tankers of gain on channel 2 and 3, and the totally isolated clean channel is C-L-E-A-N. The VII doesn't have the charismatic wail of the Quad though, or the anvil crushing chunk, although the anvil is expected when you have double the power (using the 2:90 ). And the TriAxis / 2:90 is right there with the Quad for quality of tone and BIG BONES, although more complex to deal with.

I have all of the above amps, and play the Quad/2:90 and IV most.

 

[anomaly]

The III has a more aggressive and inspiring Lead channel, but the R2 channel lacks gain for metal rhythm and doesn't balance well tonally with the other channels. The clean channel (R1) is severely compromised when everything is set to Kill for the Lead, but a nice compromise can be reached, especially in full power mode and with plenty of presence (even better if you have at least 1-2 single coils).

The IV has a stunning clean channel and Lead, but R2 again lacks gain for metal rhythm.

They really nailed it with the VII, truly a complete, balanced Mark amp, no pedals/mods needed. You can get Valdez tankers of gain on channel 2 and 3, and the totally isolated clean channel is C-L-E-A-N. The VII doesn't have the charismatic wail of the Quad though, or the anvil crushing chunk, although the anvil is expected when you have double the power (using the 2:90 ). And the TriAxis / 2:90 is right there with the Quad for quality of tone and BIG BONES, although more complex to deal with.

I have all of the above amps, and play the Quad/2:90 and IV most.

I found the lead channel on the III to be a bit on the harsh side when dialing in enough treble and presence. The IV sounds excellent in the upper registers, no harshness at all. I actually use a bit of an offset V on the graphic (higher on the 2200 and 6600 sliders) and this makes it sound more aggressive and less low mid heavy.

 

[JonPearson1994]

Lol

I found the lead channel on the III to be a bit on the harsh side when dialing in enough treble and presence. The IV sounds excellent in the upper registers, no harshness at all. I actually use a bit of an offset V on the graphic (higher on the 2200 and 6600 sliders) and this makes it sound more aggressive and less low mid heavy.

The III works beautifully for way low tunings. In standard it can be a bit abrasive, but for all my 7 string stuff it was always great

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I found the lead channel on the III to be a bit on the harsh side when dialing in enough treble and presence. The IV sounds excellent in the upper registers, no harshness at all. I actually use a bit of an offset V on the graphic (higher on the 2200 and 6600 sliders) and this makes it sound more aggressive and less low mid heavy.

Harsh is aggressive. Will also accept brutal. It's meaner.

The IV is smoother and more refined for sure.

Me being me, I have both.

 

[angelspade]

I had a Mark III red stripe about 15 years ago. At the time was I was playing in a modern metal band tuned to drop C and Drop B...That head was that was one of the meanest sounding metal amps that I have ever encountered. I was baffled that Mesa produced such an amplifier in the mid-late 80"s. Even today few amps rival it's sheer aggression.

 

[Tone Monster]

I had a Mark III red stripe about 15 years ago. At the time was I was playing in a modern metal band tuned to drop C and Drop B...That head was that was one of the meanest sounding metal amps that I have ever encountered. I was baffled that Mesa produced such an amplifier in the mid-late 80"s. Even today few amps rival it's sheer aggression.

Agree. I loved the red stripe I had for metal tones.

 

[JonPearson1994]

I had a Mark III red stripe about 15 years ago. At the time was I was playing in a modern metal band tuned to drop C and Drop B...That head was that was one of the meanest sounding metal amps that I have ever encountered. I was baffled that Mesa produced such an amplifier in the mid-late 80"s. Even today few amps rival it's sheer aggression.

I really think that was their biggest problem, they were about 20 to 30 years too early. Especially by the time they got to the blue stripes. Those were so bright and cutting, it's hard to imagine that someone wasn't thinking about 7 strings or baritone guitars.

 

[SgtThump]

The Mark VII Head that SGTThump brought to the STLouis ampfest was pretty damn impresssive and I'm not a fan of Mesa Boogie Mark amps having owned MKIIIC+ modded one in the past.

Yo! It did sound good there! A friend came over recently and also through my Mark VII sounded great!

 

[harddriver]

Yo! It did sound good there! A friend came over recently and also through my Mark VII sounded great!

Do you still have it or did you sell it after your VH4 acquisition?

 

[SgtThump]

Do you still have it or did you sell it after your VH4 acquisition?

I still have it! No plans to sell it, but you know how that goes. LOL

Not only does it sound great, but I also really like it's smaller'ish size.

 

[mentoneman]

having been exposed to boogies since 82 all mark amps are like comfort foods to me. sweet cleans, tons of gain for crunch and leads.
i honestly had a flashback when i played the IIB mode of the VII. it was a lower gain classic Stones type sound that i rarely used and honestly forgot about, but it was dead on to my old IIB coli.

 

[jbru91]

having been exposed to boogies since 82 all mark amps are like comfort foods to me. sweet cleans, tons of gain for crunch and leads.
i honestly had a flashback when i played the IIB mode of the VII. it was a lower gain classic Stones type sound that i rarely used and honestly forgot about, but it was dead on to my old IIB coli.

What's your current favourite of the series?