Petrucci signature Mark IIc+

[MesaGoBloogie]

SRG=Sixty watt, Reverb, Geq. HRG=Hundred watt, Reverb, Geq. DRG=D-Simul class, Reverb, Geq. They also made the monstrous and rare 2C+ Coliseum, KRG...180 watts(!), Reverb, Geq. And all these models can be found without reverb or eq, usually less desired than those with.

I have a 1985 60W head with no options. You don't even wanna know what I paid....it was stupid cheap. Sounds awesome. I use it more for clean and non-metal tones, which it seems to excel at. I'm excited to get a JP-2C because I think it will cover the other end of the spectrum. I'd just never learned all the acronyms used meant.

You're not using it for metal because you likely don't have an EQ in the loop. Even with the cheap Fish & Chips for $15, a sixty will easily get you into sublime metal. Spend a bit more on the MXR or Boogie EQ, and it'll sound even better.

 

[Soulstealer]

SRG=Sixty watt, Reverb, Geq. HRG=Hundred watt, Reverb, Geq. DRG=D-Simul class, Reverb, Geq. They also made the monstrous and rare 2C+ Coliseum, KRG...180 watts(!), Reverb, Geq. And all these models can be found without reverb or eq, usually less desired than those with.

I have a 1985 60W head with no options. You don't even wanna know what I paid....it was stupid cheap. Sounds awesome. I use it more for clean and non-metal tones, which it seems to excel at. I'm excited to get a JP-2C because I think it will cover the other end of the spectrum. I'd just never learned all the acronyms used meant.

You're not using it for metal because you likely don't have an EQ in the loop. Even with the cheap Fish & Chips for $15, a sixty will easily get you into sublime metal. Spend a bit more on the MXR or Boogie EQ, and it'll sound even better.

I actually do have the Boogie EQ. It definitely will do metal, I just don't play that with my current band. i actually run my 60W dialed in to an optimal clean tone, and use a Rockett Dude pedal in front of it. Sounds blasphemous, but I can't get the amp past 2-3 in most venues and with our mix. On those rare occasions I can turn up the amp and use the overdrive, it screams. That's why I can't wait to get a JP-2C. I'll be able to dial in 3 optimal stages of gain from the amp itself. The originals really involve a compromise because of the push/pulls.

 

[InFlames235]

I want one but I'll wait a few years for the used market =D.

Probably won't need to wait a few years for that haha people flip gear like crazy I wouldn't be surprised seeing used JP-2C's after a month of release

 

[thegame]

This may be a great sounding amp in its own right, but I'm seeing some differences, in addition to the ones already mentioned, that make me question JP's claims of it being identical to a C+.

- in the lead channel the C+ has two masters always active (master and lead master). This has only one lead channel master.
- transformer size is deceiving, considering the small footprint the amp has. I'm sure the new one operates at voltages optimized for today's tubes, not the Sylvania tubes the C+ transformers were designed around. That would affect the feel in a big way.
- even if the most important parts of the circuit are the same, the overall circuit layout is way, way different to a C+, in part due to the location of all those controls. Most amp gurus agree layout makes a difference.
- slave out has no dedicated level control. How does one control it; with the channel master ?
- different chassis material. Perhaps negligible, buts its a difference.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Can't wait to try it out.

I knew Danyeo would be all over this...I am showing my age to you young bucks, but his clips of his Mesa with the crispy cream treble booster made me buy one. Actually i've owned two> I think you were playing Bad Boys by Whitesnake? Sounded killer. haha

Probably a Mark III I had. Right now all I have is a Mark IV. I was going to sell it a few months ago but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. I almost forgot how versatile it is. I wasn't getting sounds I liked but tried some different EQ curves and it's getting the sound I want. Kinda like a little bit of the smooth fatness of the Electra Dyne but with more gain and edge and liquidness.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Can't wait to try it out.

I knew Danyeo would be all over this...I am showing my age to you young bucks, but his clips of his Mesa with the crispy cream treble booster made me buy one. Actually i've owned two> I think you were playing Bad Boys by Whitesnake? Sounded killer. haha

I remember those clips as well. damn he can play and had killer tone.
Those clips still out there?


,,,,and,does the amp come with a footswitch or is it MIDI switching only and buy your own system?

Thanks for the praise. I have various clips somewhere on my pc, some on sound cloud. Been soo busy at home with 2 girls I need to dust off the rust and getting playing again.

 

[jlbaxe]

I had the Mk V and loved it but it was just missing something sonically that my Mk III has. I would a/b them playing the same lead and the Mk V just couldn't match it.

I still have my Mk III

I am looking forward to this new Mesa amp

 

[MesaGoBloogie]

SRG=Sixty watt, Reverb, Geq. HRG=Hundred watt, Reverb, Geq. DRG=D-Simul class, Reverb, Geq. They also made the monstrous and rare 2C+ Coliseum, KRG...180 watts(!), Reverb, Geq. And all these models can be found without reverb or eq, usually less desired than those with.

I have a 1985 60W head with no options. You don't even wanna know what I paid....it was stupid cheap. Sounds awesome. I use it more for clean and non-metal tones, which it seems to excel at. I'm excited to get a JP-2C because I think it will cover the other end of the spectrum. I'd just never learned all the acronyms used meant.

You're not using it for metal because you likely don't have an EQ in the loop. Even with the cheap Fish & Chips for $15, a sixty will easily get you into sublime metal. Spend a bit more on the MXR or Boogie EQ, and it'll sound even better.

I actually do have the Boogie EQ. It definitely will do metal, I just don't play that with my current band. i actually run my 60W dialed in to an optimal clean tone, and use a Rockett Dude pedal in front of it. Sounds blasphemous, but I can't get the amp past 2-3 in most venues and with our mix. On those rare occasions I can turn up the amp and use the overdrive, it screams. That's why I can't wait to get a JP-2C. I'll be able to dial in 3 optimal stages of gain from the amp itself. The originals really involve a compromise because of the push/pulls.

I definitely understand about the volume limitations - and the difference between 2 and 3 in terms of the master (and lead master when on that channel) is pretty stark. That said, I'm somewhat surprised that you're having trouble getting awesome overdrive tones even at those volumes while having great cleans. Not to state the obvious, but are you using the guitar's volume at all?

 

[thiswaythatway]

Petrucci is full of shit. If you take him at this word, he preferred the sound of the IIC+ mode from the Mark V to the original. I would expect his Sig amp to be more comparable to the Mark V IIC+ mode rather than the original. If so, that sucks. If not, he's a shill.

Petrucci is trying to help Mesa sell amps. There's only around 2,500 IIC+'s out there and they don't put any money in Mesa's pocket anymore. Mesa claimed the IV could duplicate the IIC+, they said the Mark V was better, now they say the JP puts the IIC+ in the corner. Yet, the IIC+ is still and will always be the benchmark that all Mark series will be compared.

There's a reason that you can buy a used Mark V for $1300 and a loaded IIC+ can fetch 4k.

 

[Soulstealer]

SRG=Sixty watt, Reverb, Geq. HRG=Hundred watt, Reverb, Geq. DRG=D-Simul class, Reverb, Geq. They also made the monstrous and rare 2C+ Coliseum, KRG...180 watts(!), Reverb, Geq. And all these models can be found without reverb or eq, usually less desired than those with.

I have a 1985 60W head with no options. You don't even wanna know what I paid....it was stupid cheap. Sounds awesome. I use it more for clean and non-metal tones, which it seems to excel at. I'm excited to get a JP-2C because I think it will cover the other end of the spectrum. I'd just never learned all the acronyms used meant.

You're not using it for metal because you likely don't have an EQ in the loop. Even with the cheap Fish & Chips for $15, a sixty will easily get you into sublime metal. Spend a bit more on the MXR or Boogie EQ, and it'll sound even better.

I actually do have the Boogie EQ. It definitely will do metal, I just don't play that with my current band. i actually run my 60W dialed in to an optimal clean tone, and use a Rockett Dude pedal in front of it. Sounds blasphemous, but I can't get the amp past 2-3 in most venues and with our mix. On those rare occasions I can turn up the amp and use the overdrive, it screams. That's why I can't wait to get a JP-2C. I'll be able to dial in 3 optimal stages of gain from the amp itself. The originals really involve a compromise because of the push/pulls.

I definitely understand about the volume limitations - and the difference between 2 and 3 in terms of the master (and lead master when on that channel) is pretty stark. That said, I'm somewhat surprised that you're having trouble getting awesome overdrive tones even at those volumes while having great cleans. Not to state the obvious, but are you using the guitar's volume at all?

I can totally get great overdrive at almost any volume, but getting an optimal setting on both clean and dirty is tough. To get the nice fat round clean tone I like, the lead tone suffers a little....and vice versa. It's easier to get the clean tone vs. The lead tone at lower settings, though. I do use my volume (and tone) knobs constantly, almost John Sykes-like OCD levels, honestly...lol

 

[MesaGoBloogie]

SRG=Sixty watt, Reverb, Geq. HRG=Hundred watt, Reverb, Geq. DRG=D-Simul class, Reverb, Geq. They also made the monstrous and rare 2C+ Coliseum, KRG...180 watts(!), Reverb, Geq. And all these models can be found without reverb or eq, usually less desired than those with.

I have a 1985 60W head with no options. You don't even wanna know what I paid....it was stupid cheap. Sounds awesome. I use it more for clean and non-metal tones, which it seems to excel at. I'm excited to get a JP-2C because I think it will cover the other end of the spectrum. I'd just never learned all the acronyms used meant.

You're not using it for metal because you likely don't have an EQ in the loop. Even with the cheap Fish & Chips for $15, a sixty will easily get you into sublime metal. Spend a bit more on the MXR or Boogie EQ, and it'll sound even better.

I actually do have the Boogie EQ. It definitely will do metal, I just don't play that with my current band. i actually run my 60W dialed in to an optimal clean tone, and use a Rockett Dude pedal in front of it. Sounds blasphemous, but I can't get the amp past 2-3 in most venues and with our mix. On those rare occasions I can turn up the amp and use the overdrive, it screams. That's why I can't wait to get a JP-2C. I'll be able to dial in 3 optimal stages of gain from the amp itself. The originals really involve a compromise because of the push/pulls.

I definitely understand about the volume limitations - and the difference between 2 and 3 in terms of the master (and lead master when on that channel) is pretty stark. That said, I'm somewhat surprised that you're having trouble getting awesome overdrive tones even at those volumes while having great cleans. Not to state the obvious, but are you using the guitar's volume at all?

I can totally get great overdrive at almost any volume, but getting an optimal setting on both clean and dirty is tough. To get the nice fat round clean tone I like, the lead tone suffers a little....and vice versa. It's easier to get the clean tone vs. The lead tone at lower settings, though. I do use my volume (and tone) knobs constantly, almost John Sykes-like OCD levels, honestly...lol

Yeah, you're definitely right - can't really optimize both at the same time. I love keeping the volume and treble extremely high at around 8-10 on each and the lead drive low (say a 2-3). The drive is just different at those settings, more percussive. The cleans do suffer a bit, unless you start tweaking the tone knobs a bit too. That said, it still sounds absolutely stellar even after those compromises.

 

[MesaGoBloogie]

Petrucci is full of shit. If you take him at this word, he preferred the sound of the IIC+ mode from the Mark V to the original. I would expect his Sig amp to be more comparable to the Mark V IIC+ mode rather than the original. If so, that sucks. If not, he's a shill.

Petrucci is trying to help Mesa sell amps. There's only around 2,500 IIC+'s out there and they don't put any money in Mesa's pocket anymore. Mesa claimed the IV could duplicate the IIC+, they said the Mark V was better, now they say the JP puts the IIC+ in the corner. Yet, the IIC+ is still and will always be the benchmark that all Mark series will be compared.

There's a reason that you can buy a used Mark V for $1300 and a loaded IIC+ can fetch 4k.

A lot truth in your post and I agree 100% with what you said. I don't blame Mesa at all and actually think it's very cool that they're putting this amp out there. I have a ton of respect for a company that is trying to stay true to it's U.S. and California roots, it's not easy in this day in age. Wish them all the success in the world.

 

[InFlames235]

I am sure there are going to be some clear differences between the JP-2C and Mark IIC+. I mean, right off the bat, it has way more features and not as many pull pots amongst what other folks were saying. All that combined means there will be differences. I am sure they did as close as humanly possible to replicate it and even if it doesn't hit it 100%, I am sure the tones it will be produce will be fantastic.

The major difference I see in this amp compared to the Mark V for Petrucci is that I don't think he ever used the IIC+ mode live? He was mainly using Extreme & Mark IV. Regardless of what he actually said about that mode, I don't believe he actually used or, if he did, it was only a little bit.The JP-2C was used throughout the entirety of the new album. The two songs that have been released so far sound absolutely phenomenal from a guitar tone point of view. He's also going to be touring with this and will likely be using it for years...he may never even be able to switch amps, contractually speaking, since part of the marketing to sell folks revolves around "Petrucci uses it".

With that in mind, I don't think Petrucci misfires with an amp he's going to be tied to, and might have to use, for as long as he's a touring musician.

 

[psychodave]

Petrucci is full of shit. If you take him at this word, he preferred the sound of the IIC+ mode from the Mark V to the original. I would expect his Sig amp to be more comparable to the Mark V IIC+ mode rather than the original. If so, that sucks. If not, he's a shill.

Petrucci is trying to help Mesa sell amps. There's only around 2,500 IIC+'s out there and they don't put any money in Mesa's pocket anymore. Mesa claimed the IV could duplicate the IIC+, they said the Mark V was better, now they say the JP puts the IIC+ in the corner. Yet, the IIC+ is still and will always be the benchmark that all Mark series will be compared.

There's a reason that you can buy a used Mark V for $1300 and a loaded IIC+ can fetch 4k.

Those 2C+ prices have come down a lot. I sold a mint upgraded 2C+ for $2,600 less than 6 months ago. Head shell was crazy clean and chassis had no wear...even the pots were tight. NOBODY wanted to pay up for it. It sounded great too.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Petrucci is full of shit. If you take him at this word, he preferred the sound of the IIC+ mode from the Mark V to the original. I would expect his Sig amp to be more comparable to the Mark V IIC+ mode rather than the original. If so, that sucks. If not, he's a shill.

Petrucci is trying to help Mesa sell amps. There's only around 2,500 IIC+'s out there and they don't put any money in Mesa's pocket anymore. Mesa claimed the IV could duplicate the IIC+, they said the Mark V was better, now they say the JP puts the IIC+ in the corner. Yet, the IIC+ is still and will always be the benchmark that all Mark series will be compared.

There's a reason that you can buy a used Mark V for $1300 and a loaded IIC+ can fetch 4k.

Those 2C+ prices have come down a lot. I sold a mint upgraded 2C+ for $2,600 less than 6 months ago. Head shell was crazy clean and chassis had no wear...even the pots were tight. NOBODY wanted to pay up for it. It sounded great too.

I got $2700 for one as well. But try selling a Mark V for for that.

 

[jlbaxe]

Would the few people that play out with a mk II c+ leave it home now and use the new Mk2c+ live? I don't think a crowd could tell the difference.

Or is the large majority of 2C+ owners collectors and bedroom players?

 

[psychodave]

Would the few people that play out with a mk II c+ leave it home now and use the new Mk2c+ live? I don't think a crowd could tell the difference.

Or is the large majority of 2C+ owners collectors and bedroom players?

I don't think venue has anything to do with it. I haven't played out in more than a decade. If I played out, I wouldn't bring my 2C+. I would bring a simple triaxis to deliver what I need.

 

[NewWorldMan]

Would the few people that play out with a mk II c+ leave it home now and use the new Mk2c+ live? I don't think a crowd could tell the difference.

Or is the large majority of 2C+ owners collectors and bedroom players?

I never used any of my IIC+ head live, and I've had about 8 of them over the years. As mentioned above, it's too much of a compromise to get the dirty tones I wanted simultaneously with the clean tones I needed. My old bandmate had a Mark III for a while and stopped using it live as well for the same reasons. If you only need one sound or just record or jam in the bedroom, you're golden. If you need versatility and don't want to drag multiple amps out to shows, it's not ideal.

That's why I think for gigging musicians, this could be great. The Mark V and possibly the JP-2C can get you in the ballpark while providing infinite more flexibility...if you need it.

 

[Soulstealer]

Would the few people that play out with a mk II c+ leave it home now and use the new Mk2c+ live? I don't think a crowd could tell the difference.

Or is the large majority of 2C+ owners collectors and bedroom players?

That's the plan for me....gig the JP-2C, leave the original home or for occasional gigs. Or run them both.

 

[MesaGoBloogie]

Petrucci is full of shit. If you take him at this word, he preferred the sound of the IIC+ mode from the Mark V to the original. I would expect his Sig amp to be more comparable to the Mark V IIC+ mode rather than the original. If so, that sucks. If not, he's a shill.

Petrucci is trying to help Mesa sell amps. There's only around 2,500 IIC+'s out there and they don't put any money in Mesa's pocket anymore. Mesa claimed the IV could duplicate the IIC+, they said the Mark V was better, now they say the JP puts the IIC+ in the corner. Yet, the IIC+ is still and will always be the benchmark that all Mark series will be compared.

There's a reason that you can buy a used Mark V for $1300 and a loaded IIC+ can fetch 4k.

Those 2C+ prices have come down a lot. I sold a mint upgraded 2C+ for $2,600 less than 6 months ago. Head shell was crazy clean and chassis had no wear...even the pots were tight. NOBODY wanted to pay up for it. It sounded great too.

You actually didn't get a bad price; upgrades simply don't sell close to the price of originals, and the discrepancy gets more pronounced as you talk about the more desirable models.