New Mesa Boogie Mark amp?

[Grindspine]

Ola's comparison was pretty terrible IMO. I mean, maybe if you like just tight palm mutes over and over, they might sound the same. I usually tend to compare amps by hitting chords and notes that ring out. There are plenty of videos out there (Jeremy's above, has tons of others) that will show some clear distinctions between different IIC+s, let alone a IIC+ vs a MKIV or JP2C.

I mean, he is doing a demo of the Mark IIC+ modes; that amp is pretty recognized as getting great Metallica through Dream Theater style sounds.

The demo gave my ears something to hear to compare the amps. They all sounded like 2C+ versions to me. There was a bit of something lacking from the VII, barely noticeable. The 2C+ and JP2C seemed to just hit a bit harder. He didn mention some minor differences in settings due to the VII not having pull pots and a bit more noise out of the original. I am glad that he also mentioned a tube difference, which may or may not make a huge difference between the amps, but at least he tried to be thorough in possible differences.

Those three amps sound like 96% the same to me, the JP2C and original both barely edging out the VII. Between the feature sets and the demo sounds I have heard so far, I would still opt for the Mark V 90 watt head over the VII or the JP2C, but not by much.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Going back to the Ola video; The JP2C and IIC+ sounded like it had more bass going into the input. I wonder if you could dial up the bass and/or mid knob a bit more on the VII to get it closer.
The JP2C also soundned like it had more ***low*** lows compared to both amps. Like it's really moving air.
I can hear that MKV thing with the MKVII. It's got a tighter, more modern sound to it. Almost like a boosted amp. But as said before, there's something about it that just sounds better than the V. It's got a grind and gnarliness missing from the V.

 

[Shorts_Mike]

Going back to the Ola video; The JP2C and IIC+ sounded like it had more bass going into the input. I wonder if you could dial up the bass and/or mid knob a bit more on the VII to get it closer.
The JP2C also soundned like it had more ***low*** lows compared to both amps. Like it's really moving air.
I can hear that MKV thing with the MKVII. It's got a tighter, more modern sound to it. Almost like a boosted amp. But as said before, there's something about it that just sounds better than the V. It's got a grind and gnarliness missing from the V.

You may be able to dial them in slightly closer, but flipping the iv mode switch on with the VII would add low end and likely make the sound difference between the JP2C and the VII almost unnoticeable. This is what we saw on the VII Tonewars video and on some V vs JP2C clips. However, its pretty evident that any modern Mark is going to be quite a bit more compressed than the wide-open rawness coming out of the OG IIC+.

 

[narad]

I mean, he is doing a demo of the Mark IIC+ modes; that amp is pretty recognized as getting great Metallica through Dream Theater style sounds.

The demo gave my ears something to hear to compare the amps. They all sounded like 2C+ versions to me. There was a bit of something lacking from the VII, barely noticeable. The 2C+ and JP2C seemed to just hit a bit harder. He didn mention some minor differences in settings due to the VII not having pull pots and a bit more noise out of the original. I am glad that he also mentioned a tube difference, which may or may not make a huge difference between the amps, but at least he tried to be thorough in possible differences.

Those three amps sound like 96% the same to me, the JP2C and original both barely edging out the VII. Between the feature sets and the demo sounds I have heard so far, I would still opt for the Mark V 90 watt head over the VII or the JP2C, but not by much.

I don't really understand what you're saying about the modes / metallica / dream theater stuff. What I'm saying is that if you choose tremolo picking and palm-mutes, three amps that don't particularly sound the same will sound pretty much the same. I like the structure of the comparison... no idea why he went with those riffs though. If that's the style you're going for, probably don't use a mark at all.

 

[LCW]

I don't really understand what you're saying about the modes / metallica / dream theater stuff. What I'm saying is that if you choose tremolo picking and palm-mutes, three amps that don't particularly sound the same will sound pretty much the same. I like the structure of the comparison... no idea why he went with those riffs though. If that's the style you're going for, probably don't use a mark at all.

Feel free to make a demo video for us.

 

[narad]

Feel free to make a demo video for us.

The fact that I don't make a demo videos doesn't make that one good.

 

[LCW]

The fact that I don't make a demo videos doesn't make that one good.

If you think you can do better go ahead.

 

[narad]

If you think you can do better go ahead.

You don't need to become a YouTuber to point out shortcomings in people's videos. Ola's conclusions that these amps "basically sound exactly the same" -- which I can't disagree with from these recorded clips -- are probably going to be misleading people into thinking the amps are closer than they actually are, because of these specific riffs chosen.

 

[MASS DEFECT]

Multiwatt Dual vs VII



I think this dude is a forumer here. Interesting take on the VII having more low end than the JP.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Yeah I think that's @NinjaRaf
Dudes got great taste in tones... This video isn't any surprise in that case lol

 

[LCW]

Multiwatt Dual vs VII



I think this dude is a forumer here. Interesting take on the VII having more low end than the JP.

Not helping the GAS! 😝

 

[Guamskyy]

This thread inspired me to try out the red shred JP2C patch on my fm3 and it did not disappoint lol

As for me, I hope I can now snatch a mark v 25 for a steal haha

 

[Deadpool_25]

This thread inspired me to try out the red shred JP2C patch on my fm3 and it did not disappoint lol

As for me, I hope I can now snatch a mark v 25 for a steal haha

I've stupidly been keeping up to date on this thread and it's been triggering my GAS reflex. Every time it gets somewhat bad, I fire up my FM9 in 4CM with the Stealth through my 2002 Mesa straight slant cab. In less than 10 seconds I'm like, "nah, I'm good." 😂

 

[Hollowway]

I don't know, the Synergy at a third or half the price seems potentially better, more flexible and lower noise. It's not the real deal but it's more real than a modeller and lower cost than some of those too. You can tell at 4:23 Ola is amazed how close (better?) the Synergy is and even at 7min when using the Synergy's Eq itself too it's still better, imo, especially when you can buy another guitar or processor or even backup of the same system for less than the real deal, but you still need the power section so the cost goes right back up.

- I bet if this were paired with a Fryette it'd crush it, but then why not just get an UL? Yes, I'm starting trouble. All I'm saying is everyone seems to have way better ears and is way more picky than me that's for sure. They're almost the same to my ears. I'm starting to lean towards an UL/Deliverance or SLO and TDLX/Bman Synergy setup though at this point over amps and modellers etc. but they're so small. If Synergy comes out with full rack versions of these preamps with big knobs and sliders that be a big win too. If I were starting all over again I'd probably go for a SYn30 or 50 with a UL or IICP module. It's the way for basically every situation. Since I'm not moving around a lot though maybe go rack head and Axe III. It's all so complicated. jk. I rarely buy things.

Amazing how good it sounds though. At least for chugs.

It's a total first world problem thing for me, but it stresses me mentally to wonder if what I have rigged up is close enough to the real thing to satisfy me. Like, I had a 50CL (I still do, but I used to, too (RIP Mitch), and kept wondering how a UL would sound. I had a chance to get a 100CL, because everyone said they sounded close. But I knew that I would never stop pining for a UL, so I eventually found one.

Same would be true for the 2CP Synergy (or the UL, for that matter). I'd have to run it through a different power amp, which would then make me wonder how far off it was from an actual 2C+. Or, at least an actual Mark amp. So then the only way around it would be to have an actual Mark amp, and get the 2CP module to run it through. And if that's the case, it makes more sense to just buy the V.

Now, if I had any sense whatsoever, or upped my SSRI dose, I wouldn't be stressing about something so ridiculously insignificant. But, that's how my dumbass first world mind works.

 

[Hollowway]

I've stupidly been keeping up to date on this thread and it's been triggering my GAS reflex. Every time it gets somewhat bad, I fire up my FM9 in 4CM with the Stealth through my 2002 Mesa straight slant cab. In less than 10 seconds I'm like, "nah, I'm good." 😂

And then like an hour later you're lying in bed reading more about Marks. At least, that's what my last two weeks have been like, lol.

 

[narad]

And then like an hour later you're lying in bed reading more about Marks. At least, that's what my last two weeks have been like, lol.

And then a year later you're sounded by 3 generations of Mark variations. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, TOO!!

 

[MatrixClaw]

It's a total first world problem thing for me, but it stresses me mentally to wonder if what I have rigged up is close enough to the real thing to satisfy me. Like, I had a 50CL (I still do, but I used to, too (RIP Mitch), and kept wondering how a UL would sound. I had a chance to get a 100CL, because everyone said they sounded close. But I knew that I would never stop pining for a UL, so I eventually found one.

Same would be true for the 2CP Synergy (or the UL, for that matter). I'd have to run it through a different power amp, which would then make me wonder how far off it was from an actual 2C+. Or, at least an actual Mark amp. So then the only way around it would be to have an actual Mark amp, and get the 2CP module to run it through. And if that's the case, it makes more sense to just buy the V.

Now, if I had any sense whatsoever, or upped my SSRI dose, I wouldn't be stressing about something so ridiculously insignificant. But, that's how my dumbass first world mind works.

I had the IICP and UL modules. The IICP definitely gets a very convincing Mark tone. I felt like it lacked the punch of my Mark IV, but maybe that's just how the IIC+ is. I didn't know it, but apparently Steven Fryette co-designed the IIC+ with Randall Smith... So I imagine it's damn close. That said, the clean channel on that module is probably the best I've ever heard out of any amp. It's seriously great.

The Ultralead module NAILED the tone of my SigX and then some. So much so that I got rid of the amp shortly after acquiring the module. Interestingly, I felt the Deliverance module was boring and lacked balls. The UL module could get all the tones the Deliverance could and a lot more.

 

[narad]

I had the IICP and UL modules. The IICP definitely gets a very convincing Mark tone. I felt like it lacked the punch of my Mark IV, but maybe that's just how the IIC+ is. I didn't know it, but apparently Steven Fryette co-designed the IIC+ with Randall Smith... So I imagine it's damn close. That said, the clean channel on that module is probably the best I've ever heard out of any amp. It's seriously great.

Who said that? Gonna call BS unless there's some reference. IIRC, during winter namm in like 83, a couple mesa guys stayed behind and were trying to update the IIC to be the perfect lead amp. IIRC, Doug West was one? Maybe it was Randall, Doug, and Mike? It's hard to imagine Mike not being involved given he's the guru now. I can't find the article, but there used to be a sort of history of the IIC+ development online in places. Now when I search I just get fluff pieces that are basically adcopy for the NDSP plugins, but it's out there somewhere. I'm sure I would have committed it to memory if Steve's name was mentioned there.

 

[ExMachina]

Who said that? Gonna call BS unless there's some reference. IIRC, during winter namm in like 83, a couple mesa guys stayed behind and were trying to update the IIC to be the perfect lead amp. IIRC, Doug West was one? Maybe it was Randall, Doug, and Mike? It's hard to imagine Mike not being involved given he's the guru now. I can't find the article, but there used to be a sort of history of the IIC+ development online in places. Now when I search I just get fluff pieces that are basically adcopy for the NDSP plugins, but it's out there somewhere. I'm sure I would have committed it to memory if Steve's name was mentioned there.

I think he talks about a lot of it in this video iirc. It's long so I'm not gonna double check.

 

[narad]

I think he talks about a lot of it in this video iirc. It's long so I'm not gonna double check.

The funny thing is, I've watched this before lol I don't remember him saying he ever worked for Mesa, but may have missed it. I know he used to work in the LA scene, same scene as Randall, but maybe Valley Arts?