Mesa Studio Preamp MKIIC+ mod - Clips added

[mboogman]

So I'm thinking of doing the IIC+ mod to my studio preamp. So far, I've found this guide:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1969488/converting_the_mesa_boogie_mark_iic.html

Looks easy enough. I figure I should be able to knock this out in about an hour. Has anyone here done this mod, and does this info look correct?

Edit: Done. Here is a clip I recorded really quickly before heading out to work this morning.

Clip: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=1057446&songID=11184795

 

[roadifier]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

 

[mboogman]

Link fixed.
If I understand my Mesa history correct, the Studio Preamp was based on the MKIIc tone stack, right? Mine is a mid 80's model, can't remember the exact date, but I'm thinking '86, so I figure it should be the IIc preamp design. I would welcome any expert advice here.

FWIW, I'm not going for the exact MKIIc+ sound, since I am using the power section of my Marshall 2204 for the rig (which sounds really nice BTW). So far, the Studio Preamp has the best sustaining lead tone I've got in my entire rig.

 

[petejt]

Post some clips when you get it done, please.

 

[jerrydyer]

tone stack is a portion of the tone of that great amp.. what power amp you using?

 

[skoora]

you should before and after vid/clips where the knob settings don't change. Then maybe just a clip where you dial in the best tone you can after the mod.

 

[roadifier]

I just bought a studio preamp and a 295. I will probably do this mod to it.

 

[wheelman]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

 

[roadifier]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

No, a mark III also has a simul-class power amp, Mesa just changed some things between the II and the III. The 295 is very close the the IIC+ with the studio pre amp. I was playing it today, and I got a great MOp, and AJFA tone out of this rig. When I plug the studio preamp into a recto power amp, it will sound a lot different. But IIC+'s and III's sound a lot better with simul-class power sections.

 

[wheelman]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

No, a mark III also has a simul-class power amp, Mesa just changed some things between the II and the III. The 295 is very close the the IIC+ with the studio pre amp. I was playing it today, and I got a great MOp, and AJFA tone out of this rig. When I plug the studio preamp into a recto power amp, it will sound a lot different. But IIC+'s and III's sound a lot better with simul-class power sections.

Ok gotcha tried a MKII with a aphex parametric eq? That's where the MOP tone is. Simul class isn't that important when you run one of them.

 

[The Hoff]

I owned a Studio Preamp with the IIC+ mod done to it and I currently own an actual IIC+. Not 100% but damn close and it is one hell of an amp on its own merit.

I recommend doing the mod

 

[roadifier]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

No, a mark III also has a simul-class power amp, Mesa just changed some things between the II and the III. The 295 is very close the the IIC+ with the studio pre amp. I was playing it today, and I got a great MOp, and AJFA tone out of this rig. When I plug the studio preamp into a recto power amp, it will sound a lot different. But IIC+'s and III's sound a lot better with simul-class power sections.

Ok gotcha tried a MKII with a aphex parametric eq? That's where the MOP tone is. Simul class isn't that important when you run one of them.

Yeah, I will have to get one of those when there is a good deal, instead of someone selling, that says "james hetfield eq!!, get his tone!" and they charg $5000 for it

 

[wheelman]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

No, a mark III also has a simul-class power amp, Mesa just changed some things between the II and the III. The 295 is very close the the IIC+ with the studio pre amp. I was playing it today, and I got a great MOp, and AJFA tone out of this rig. When I plug the studio preamp into a recto power amp, it will sound a lot different. But IIC+'s and III's sound a lot better with simul-class power sections.

Ok gotcha tried a MKII with a aphex parametric eq? That's where the MOP tone is. Simul class isn't that important when you run one of them.

Yeah, I will have to get one of those when there is a good deal, instead of someone selling, that says "james hetfield eq!!, get his tone!" and they charg $5000 for it

I know it's crazy and they aren't advertised to much. They are getting rare.

 

[mason5182]

I'm very curious about the Studio and Triaxis C+ mods. Also, the mod for the Studio which makes it a stereo EQ.

I love the Studio preamp a lot and wonder how much better the mod can make it sound.

 

[mboogman]

The directions I'm looking at are saying to use a particular type of capacitor and resistor. I was just planning on using Silver Mica / Carbon comp./ Any reason I shouldn't?

 

[jerrydyer]

The link doesn't work. And for the real IIC+ sound, you will need a good simul-class poweramp like a 295. The preamp of the mark IIC+ and te III are te same, except for a change in the power amp. By the way, the link doesn't work.

So a MIIC+ without simul class power is just another MKIII? I thought the MkIII's were a little more "ragged" sounding.

No, a mark III also has a simul-class power amp, Mesa just changed some things between the II and the III. The 295 is very close the the IIC+ with the studio pre amp. I was playing it today, and I got a great MOp, and AJFA tone out of this rig. When I plug the studio preamp into a recto power amp, it will sound a lot different. But IIC+'s and III's sound a lot better with simul-class power sections.

I just found James Art Reno on facebook. He was a tech at Lab Sound Garden Grove. He could make your setup dead on if you wanted. He hasnt responded yet. I have some other things to discuss with him.Hope he aint burned out on it all.

 

[mboogman]

Finally got around to ordering the parts for this. Got the parts in yesterday, did the mod last night. So far, seems like a definite improvement. I did the mod in the wee hours of the morning, so I could only test it through Torpedo PL-Free cab sim, but I'm liking what I'm hearing. Also ordered a new reverb tank (from MojoTone) for it, since the one that was in it was missing a couple of springs. Got that all wired in, and man it sounds really nice for a spring reverb unit. All said, after only $28 in parts and shipping, I've got a much nicer preamp now.

 

[petejt]

Going the reverse way- I wonder how a Recto preamp would sound through the 5-band EQ and Simul-Class poweramp? Basically slave a Recto through a IIC+?

 

[CaseyCor]

Going the reverse way- I wonder how a Recto preamp would sound through the 5-band EQ and Simul-Class poweramp? Basically slave a Recto through a IIC+?

I was just thinking the same thing. I like a Mark Series slaves into a Marshall. Wonder what this would sound like....I'm sure it's nothing like a traditional Mark series sound by any means.

 

[roadifier]

I put my recto preamp through my 295. It sounded really good. Still agressive and what not, but not as fizzy/harsh on the top end. It sounds really good, and still like a recto.