Today I played a Mesa JP2C...not sold on it.

[thiswaythatway]

I've had IIC+'s in the same room and they're not all the same. I bought a IIC++ from Guitar Center for $999 because they thought it was a Mark III. It didn't sound that great. I took it to Fuchs for a recap and it still wasn't anything special. Sold it for a LOT. I've had IV's that were better. I had a 60 watter IIC+ that was killer.....but I remember playing a Blue Stripe III next to it and the III had more gain and aggressiveness. The 60 watter IIC+ was sweeter though. But I think it's splittin hairs really. A shitty player on the best IIC+ is still a shitty player.

Also, I just picked up a TC-50 for pretty cheap and I think it's the best clean and rhythm chunking amp Mesa has ever made. The lead channel.......verdict is still out for me. Great overall amp though, like it much better than the Mark V.

 

[EvilBatman]

I posted this on another forum for this same topic... but it bears repeating here:

I’ve never seen the JP2C sold, described, or marketed as a straight up exact MKIIC+ HRG clone by Mesa/Boogie. It’s based on that amp, but with several additions, tweaks, changes wanted by JP himself. Just look at the front panel. It’s got 3 independent eq-able channels, 2 graphic eqs, independent reverb pots for each channel, a shred mode, certain functions of the orginal are non-adjustable and preset internally... and a bunch of other stuff. And people are shocked that they sound different from the originals... no really?!?!



I you want the old school original, buy an original. Simple.

+∞

 

[EXPcustom]

Mine does...nothing but extraordinary going on at my house. I would want a IIC++ for the edge it barely has on mine and it is infinitesimally small. Bendinelli did extensive work on my amp.

Mike is great. I'm sure it's a killer...Mike did some mods to a IIB Coliseum, more gain, tighter, loop was made usable, but...when I A/Bd it against my 2C++ the IIB+ went up for sale.
Lol.
You should take EXP Custom up on his offer for you to try his 2C+...
No bad tones here, but the 2C+ is..addicting.

I really would like to do a side by side with TJ's(Exo-Metal) factory modded III.

I am skeptical but we will see.

I just had filter caps/service and brand new NOS Mesa 6L6GC Sylvania and Winged C EL34s put in it by the factory along with chinese 12ax7 preamp tubes.

Maybe I should make a video for my Youtube channel.

 

[EXPcustom]

I also played a 2C+ that was glorious. The owner then had it modded to ++ and the amp was great, but seemed to lose some of that glorious sound. I should have bought it and converted back to stock.

That's how I feel about my C+. There's something to it. As much as I love my C++, the C+ has a certain vibe that sounds great. I had half a thought to covert it to a ++ as well, but decided to keep it as-is.

I have heard the ++ and I prefer the stock C+ tone. I think it brings it into too much gain territory with the ++ and that seem to rob it of some of the lower bass frequencies.

I also despite rumours believe when it came to recording Metallica used the C+ not the C++. Look I know they have C++ amps and it's confirmed but I bet they used the regular C+ for most of the recorded tracks.

FYI Metallica did have like eight to ten C+ and ++ amps between Kirk and James.

 

[EXPcustom]

Tone is subjective folks. I've not seen a Mark III that feels the same to play as a Mark IIC+ yet, and I dare you to find someone this side of James Hetfield that's owned more than I have... I'm sure lots of guys could make any Mark II/III/IV sound almost identical, and there's probably guys that could dial a modeler in the same, but the touch sensitivity and feel just isn't the same as a C+. There's a certain something that only a C+ has, hard to put your finger on it.

I wish the III/III+ had it (had those too). Would have saved me a boatload of cash... That doesn't mean the III is a lesser or inferior amp. I know guys that prefer IIIs to the C+. Still doesn't give a III the same vibe as a C+ though.

I 100% agree with you and love my IIC+ heads and honestly would have both of them right now but when someone offers you 5500 for a head in 2012 you can't say no. A lot of people disagree with me on this and give me shit including other well known "Amp Gurus" that are close friends of mine as well.

My only regret was when I was with my friend I never pulled out my iPhone just to record the comparison and because he was in the "business" we had access to a bunch of other Mesa amps including fully loaded mk IIIs and we A/B them right after this IIC+ came out of Mesa. I mean it was clear cut which one was superior.

 

[Superunknown]

I love my JP2C. And I own an original IIC+...

 

[NewWorldMan]

I've had IIC+'s in the same room and they're not all the same. I bought a IIC++ from Guitar Center for $999 because they thought it was a Mark III. It didn't sound that great. I took it to Fuchs for a recap and it still wasn't anything special. Sold it for a LOT. I've had IV's that were better. I had a 60 watter IIC+ that was killer.....but I remember playing a Blue Stripe III next to it and the III had more gain and aggressiveness. The 60 watter IIC+ was sweeter though. But I think it's splittin hairs really. A shitty player on the best IIC+ is still a shitty player.

Also, I just picked up a TC-50 for pretty cheap and I think it's the best clean and rhythm chunking amp Mesa has ever made. The lead channel.......verdict is still out for me. Great overall amp though, like it much better than the Mark V.

I think I own one of your old Mark IV (A) heads. Been considering giving the TC-50 a try (again), but hesitant to pull the trigger on it.

 

[NewWorldMan]

I remember the first time hearing that killer amp. I had just got another 2C+ and the seller had a friend that wanted to sell his as well. Of course I paid $2,500 for mine with 2 sets of Sylvania 415’s... then my friend tells me he paid $2,000 shipped for his. When he brought his over it had 415’s and 416’s in it...no reverb. I was super jealous how much better his sounded than mine. We both felt that if it sounded that good stock, it would kill with the ++ mod. Nope. The amp lost some magic. It sucks since I would pay Top dollar right now to buy it unmolested as the day we heard it...

I'd believe it. What's funny is my C+ is running a 415/416 combo, whereas my C++ is all 415s. Maybe I should drop a pair of 416s into the C++ as well.

 

[gibson5413]

Also, I just picked up a TC-50 for pretty cheap and I think it's the best clean and rhythm chunking amp Mesa has ever made. The lead channel.......verdict is still out for me. Great overall amp though, like it much better than the Mark V.

I'm interested in hearing more from this amp. I still love my ElectraDyne combo but I have been intrigued by the TC series. Would it be a good upgrade for me or should I just stick with the ED? I have really liked the ED for the past few years and bought it for $600 from Guitar Center.

 

[BrentSSL]

I have played 2 of these amps one was through a Mess 1 or 2x12 new and the other was through an old school Mesa 4x12 the one with the metal grill that says Mesa Boogie on it. The older Mesa cab sounded world's better I think newer Mesa cabs might suck lol. It's could have had c90s or Gt1275 in it to be honest I have no idea. But that Cab in New Jersey sounded like it had Line 6 speakers in it that thing sounded terrible. Used to have a newer Mesa V 30 Cab in that thing sucked ass as well.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

It's all about personal taste, different ears and the tone all of us have been chasing for so many years. Personally, my mark 3 blue stripe sounds perfect for that tight 80s and 90s metallica thing...I like the rawness and aggressiveness it offers. So far it has killed all other amps we have tried in the studio+ it records amazingly. It used to be such an overlooked amp, due to the mark iic+ thing, but with the advent of modern recording tools and the help of youtube, there is really high demand for these once overlooked amps.

 

[Whowantsamustache]

I have pretty much every Mark series amp except the mark I and the V, which sucked major ass.

Honestly for the money I would get a Mark IV or III and save some major dough.

The IIC+ is highly over rated. This is coming from someone who owns an original and a iic++.

The older Marks do sound way better than the newly released models though. Just more louder and prouder.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

I have pretty much every Mark series amp except the mark I and the V, which sucked major ass.

Honestly for the money I would get a Mark IV or III and save some major dough.

The IIC+ is highly over rated. This is coming from someone who owns an original and a iic++.

The older Marks do sound way better than the newly released models though. Just more louder and prouder.

Amen...

 

[Crunchtime]

I have pretty much every Mark series amp except the mark I and the V, which sucked major ass.

Honestly for the money I would get a Mark IV or III and save some major dough.

The IIC+ is highly over rated. This is coming from someone who owns an original and a iic++.

The older Marks do sound way better than the newly released models though. Just more louder and prouder.

Be careful. You might upset the guys that want to keep the hype up. Not saying a IIC+ is not great but, I really can't believe it's 4 times greater than a MK III.

 

[SpiderWars]

I have pretty much every Mark series amp except the mark I and the V, which sucked major ass.

Honestly for the money I would get a Mark IV or III and save some major dough.

The IIC+ is highly over rated. This is coming from someone who owns an original and a iic++.

The older Marks do sound way better than the newly released models though. Just more louder and prouder.

Be careful. You might upset the guys that want to keep the hype up. Not saying a IIC+ is not great but, I really can't believe it's 4 times greater than a MK III.

It's definitely a law of diminishing returns. The IIIs/IVs are sooooo much amp for the money compared to other amps you could buy imo.

 

[Robby G]

I dialed mine in and have been playing in a room with cathedral ceilings and it sounds absolutely huge and inspiring!! "Mesa oversized cab with vintage 30's"!! I love my Bogners but I am digging the shit out of this amp...….

 

[Markedman]

All Mark amps are great if you know how to run them. Mark III's & IV's rule! C+, & C++ are Kings & the JP2C is better than the Mark V which is still greater than most amps I've played.

 

[BrentSSL]

I have pretty much every Mark series amp except the mark I and the V, which sucked major ass.

Honestly for the money I would get a Mark IV or III and save some major dough.

The IIC+ is highly over rated. This is coming from someone who owns an original and a iic++.

The older Marks do sound way better than the newly released models though. Just more louder and prouder.

I liked the mark it B and yes the V did suck glad someone else said it

 

[EXPcustom]

I know a lot of people are saying they had a C+ and it wasn't all that and the Mk.X series blew it away but seriously not many exceot one person in this thread had or has a fully loaded long head C+. (Shout out to Superunkown, love your C+ clip)

Given the layout of the amp the difference between a short and long chassis can make a distinct tonal difference.

My loaded long chassis heads made a tonal difference.

Flame suit on!!!

 

[braintheory]

I know a lot of people are saying they had a C+ and it wasn't all that and the Mk.X series blew it away but seriously not many exceot one person in this thread had or has a fully loaded long head C+. (Shout out to Superunkown, love your C+ clip)

Given the layout of the amp the difference between a short and long chassis can make a distinct tonal difference.

My loaded long chassis heads made a tonal difference.

Flame suit on!!!

Can you describe what tonal differences you actually hear between the long and short head and why you prefer it? I wonder if maybe Mike B would be able to mod a short head to sound the same unless the difference really is significant. I also wonder if my mark iii++ coliseum (no stripe) would be more like a long or short head. As I said before, it sounds like a bigger, better version of my factory mark iic+ HRG, while my iii++ blue stripe coliseum’s don’t