Played a MKIIC+ RI

[GJgo]

The C+ smoothness is one of the things that makes it one of the best lead amps ever, and one of the things that (for rhythm at least) makes it so easy to get lost in a live mix. IMO the brashness of the III is better here.

I thought the RI was super legit for guys that don't already have an OG or want to deal with the price tag & service needs. Possibly best of the modern Marks. That said it would not kick a good II, III or IV out of bed for me.

 

[Bossman415]

I’ve played quite a few next to my Wizards…I liked them, but I prefer the Wizards.

Both are great amps, but damn those Wizards are something else... Scored an MCII 50w and MTL 100w both E34L loaded and would really like to cop a KT88 loaded Hell Razor and/or MTL MKII. Really well built amps, but man they carry a hefty price tag and kick like a MF'r.

 

[Bossman415]

And I’m not blown away, not even remotely.

I have a couple of questions for those who’ve played/owned both the OG and RI.

1. How do these 2 truly compare in your honest, no BS opinion?

2. Are the OG’s as noisy as the RI? I feel like my III is way less noisy than the IIC+ RI.

With that said, I do have to admit I really like the smoothness of the 2C+ and can now understand the complaint of the brasher sound of the III. If you’ve been spoiled by the 2C+ for many years, the 3 can be grating to your ears and what you’re used to. I can’t deny that anymore but also it still doesn’t bother me. I still like the aggression but not as much as I thought now playing the RI.

Also, I feel like the sliders are much more sensitive than my 3, 4 and JP2C. Not a terrible thing but also not as useful or as easy to dial to really hone in on what you’re looking for. Honestly, just a bigger learning curve I guess, not unusable by any means. The feel was also nice. Way less stiff than my III RS.

People praise the punch of the 2C+ but my IV kicks way harder and more 3D as well.

So again, to those who’ve owned and/or played both OG and RI, please chime in on the differences. If the RI is really a 90% or above iteration of the OG than I’m sorry the amp isn’t all that and once again proven that certain amps command internet hype for whatever reason *cough*metallica*cough*

Mesa had to make new GEQ boards with new component values to compensate the tolerance and travel.

They also mount differently, supposedly have more range and are better than the old ones. Got that from the man.

 

[psychodave]

The smoothness is what bothers me about all the 2c+s . Great amp don’t get me wrong . Just idk

I would agree with this, which is why I didn’t like simulclass C+ amps and preferred the 100’s. It wasn’t even close. For me the 100 was more aggressive sounding. The one I had was floating around here and best out At least six other 2C+ amps.

That said, I would love to try a reissue 2C+ and rectifier… I just refused to pay these prices

 

[braintheory]

I would agree with this, which is why I didn’t like simulclass C+ amps and preferred the 100’s. It wasn’t even close. For me the 100 was more aggressive sounding. The one I had was floating around here and best out At least six other 2C+ amps.

That said, I would love to try a reissue 2C+ and rectifier… I just refused to pay these prices

I agree the HRG has been my clear favorite version of any mark amp I’ve played. More raw, gritty, aggressive, open, punchy, powerful sounding to me. Maybe it’s also the pentode vs triode different, at least partially. Wish they would reissued an HRG rather than DRG, but I guess it’s just because that’s what Metallica played

The rectifier reissue is seriously one of my favorite version Recto’s. Haven’t tried a IIC+ RI yet

 

[psychodave]

I agree the HRG has been my clear favorite version of any mark amp I’ve played. More raw, gritty, aggressive, open, punchy, powerful sounding to me. Maybe it’s also the pentode vs triode different, at least partially. Wish they would reissued an HRG rather than DRG, but I guess it’s just because that’s what Metallica played

The rectifier reissue is seriously one of my favorite version Recto’s. Haven’t tried a IIC+ RI yet

You should be able to change out the resistors on the outside power tubes to make it non simulclass. As I understand there is no transformer magic, just changes on the outside power tubes. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[NineShallDie]

You should be able to change out the resistors on the outside power tubes to make it non simulclass. As I understand there is no transformer magic, just changes on the outside power tubes. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Yea, simuls and 100 watters uses different output transformers. Only the Colis can be converted from simul to non-simul without a transformer change.

 

[braintheory]

You should be able to change out the resistors on the outside power tubes to make it non simulclass. As I understand there is no transformer magic, just changes on the outside power tubes. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

That I wouldn’t know, but would be great if that’s possible. My current marks are all HRG versions anyway though

 

[Markedman]

Mesa had to make new GEQ boards with new component values to compensate the tolerance and travel.

They also mount differently, supposedly have more range and are better than the old ones. Got that from the man.

I have seen only one C+ RI in the wild so far, at the repair shop- broken 750 slider! No fucking OG had broken slider after 2 months old.

My OG is silent even when it has enough gain to rip an elephant's ear off. It can be tight as all hell or as smooth as tits, or anything in-between.

I really would like to try a RI out, but, I probably will think the same thing I did about the JP2C, loved it but new amps fatigue my ears after a short while, not with the OG.

 

[GJgo]

I agree the HRG has been my clear favorite version of any mark amp I’ve played. More raw, gritty, aggressive, open, punchy, powerful sounding to me. Maybe it’s also the pentode vs triode different, at least partially. Wish they would reissued an HRG rather than DRG, but I guess it’s just because that’s what Metallica played

IIRC the RI is Pentode Simul. Probably why I liked it. (Not a triode fan)

 

[GJgo]

I really would like to try a RI out, but, I probably will think the same thing I did about the JP2C, loved it but new amps fatigue my ears after a short while, not with the OG.

Nah man, the RI isn't like that. It's still smooth and good, IMO the best modern Mark.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

I agree the HRG has been my clear favorite version of any mark amp I’ve played. More raw, gritty, aggressive, open, punchy, powerful sounding to me. Maybe it’s also the pentode vs triode different, at least partially. Wish they would reissued an HRG rather than DRG, but I guess it’s just because that’s what Metallica played

The JP2C is supposedly modeled off of JP's favorite HRG. What would you say is different between the OG HRG and JP2C?

 

[braintheory]

The JP2C is supposedly modeled off of JP's favorite HRG. What would you say is different between the OG HRG and JP2C?

It's been many years now, but they were to me radically different when I AB'ed them. From what I remember the JP2C sounded much more processed/sterile like a newer amp, not an ounce of that feel, liquidity or 3D quality guys rave about, not an ounce of rawness/grit like a vintage amp. More tame/restrained. I remember some inherent honkiness to it (regardless of setting), the low end and highs couldn't get as extended (not as beefy lows or aggressive highs), resulting in a narrower sound. I hadn't tried as many amps at that time, so I still felt at the time it was a very good amp overall vs most, just nowhere near the OG's level in sound or feel

I'd bet money the new reissue is probably a lot better given how much I like the Recto Reissue, but still gotta try it one of these days. I'd be much more motivated to if they reissued a IIC instead lol

 

[Brandonrz]

The JP2C is supposedly modeled off of JP's favorite HRG. What would you say is different between the OG HRG and JP2C?

To me you can hear the differences on those recorded fairly well. Especially in the honky mid range. I honestly think Randall while he was there didn’t want to do a 1:1 recreation and always wanted to innovate so even though he’d say yeah it’s a copy, it was different. Whether people like Gibson or not, they gave the people what they wanted and did a good job from what I can tell.

This is a good comparison if it wasn’t already posted.



Whether one likes the iic+ or not is a total different deal. To me, they’re a good fun amp to play on. They are THE Metallica amp. But they lack low end (Ola even says this over several videos) and in a modern context… they’re not my deal and I’d take a boosted rectifier ANY day of the week over one.

 

[Bossman415]

The JP2C is supposedly modeled off of JP's favorite HRG. What would you say is different between the OG HRG and JP2C?

An original H power section has more push, sounds more full and alive.

The JP2C is a great amp but does sound more processed and sterile compared to an original.

WIth that all being said, it is splitting hairs in the grand scheme of things.

The JP2C shines with channel switching, dual eq's and shred mode, if you're after all that.

Personally, I use my IIC+/++ at home and for distortion, so no need for the extra switching/frills.

 

[7704A]

I made two videos on this exact topic. The RI was 95%+ the same as my ‘83 DRGX. Hear for yourself:

Thanks for reposting, I had forgot about these. Listening back again now that I have monitors revealed more than the first time I viewed 'em.

 

[Faded Abyss]

To me you can hear the differences on those recorded fairly well. Especially in the honky mid range. I honestly think Randall while he was there didn’t want to do a 1:1 recreation and always wanted to innovate so even though he’d say yeah it’s a copy, it was different. Whether people like Gibson or not, they gave the people what they wanted and did a good job from what I can tell.

This is a good comparison if it wasn’t already posted.



Whether one likes the iic+ or not is a total different deal. To me, they’re a good fun amp to play on. They are THE Metallica amp. But they lack low end (Ola even says this over several videos) and in a modern context… they’re not my deal and I’d take a boosted rectifier ANY day of the week over one.

Ola has always had a really beefy bottom end (no homo). He has always been able to keep it from getting blown out and muddy sounding. I’m curious on which load box pairs well with my ++ when it gets here

 

[GJgo]

Since we're reposting for posterity, here's some of my OGs as well as @frontline205 's RI in my garage.

 

[turtlefingers]

Any amp comparison without the same tubes on them are useless to me...
Or,
We should agree the different tubes don't make any sounding difference.

 

[Little B]

I prefer my og iic+ over the reissue. Taking it further,on the right day tho I actually prefer my mkiii red stripe coli over my og iic+.