How to achieve the Mark IIC+ sound

[VanHalen]

Hello,

I'm looking for a Mark IIC+ but it's expensive and very hard to find. I'm interested in
However, I can easily find Mark III, Studio Preamp and Quad Preamp and Simulclass 2 : 90.

Do you think it's possible to achieve the IIC+ sound with these amp/preamps ?

Is the Mark V the best way to do it ?


Thank you.

 

[JOEY B.]

I can easily find Mark III, Studio Preamp and Quad Preamp and Simulclass 2 : 90

So what does that say about the 2C+?

 

[VanHalen]

I just want to know if it is possible to sound like a IIC+ taking the preamp section from somewhere (studio preamp, quad preamp, Mk III or Triaxis for instance) and the power amp section from the 2 ninety.

 

[ncdb07]

Any of your choices will get you in the ballpark. We need more specifics as to what sound you want to achieve. Also, how much versatility are you looking for?

The rack setup will be a little harder to carry around than a head. The mark III depending on how you set it up will give an either great clean or great lead but very difficult to have both.

Listening to you tube videos the studio preamp sounds closer, definitely with the mods, but sounds and feel are 2 different things. I have read the studio only gets louder as you turn it up, while the 2c+ gets more responsive and really cooks.

I have had a mark III green stripe and now have a mark IVa. With a parametric eq in the loop there aren't very many sounds I can't achieve. I can get very close to Metallica's 2c+ sound with theses amps if that's your thing. I am so happy playing my mark IV that I do not worry about what I am missing with the 2c+. It may be true but I just cannot believe that the 2c+ sounds and feels that much better than the mark IV. At least not 2 to 3 thousand dollars better. I would rather buy more amps and guitars.

So to sum it up I would just get what sounds best or closest to me based on clips and videos and just play!

 

[VanHalen]

I'm interested in getting Hetfield Black Album sound but I know I need a lot of stuff to achieve this. The IIC+ sound is one peace of the puzzle with the Mk IV, the Marshall SLP and the ADA MP-1 (1960 Marshall V30 cabs + 9 or 10 mics + tent of doom + équalizer + right guitar + right pickups + right hand + ...).

 

[ncdb07]

The Mark IV will get you pretty close right out of the box. You will still need a decent parametric eq to get the extra scoop. I also think a bbe sonic maximizer to sweeten the sound would help. I also think mixing speakers like classic lead 80's with vintage 30's would help. I would also look at different tubes.

With the setup in my sig I feel I am between 93% to 95% there. Its so close that when some body comes over and hears it they say "that sounds just like the album". I am not interested in going any further to achieve that sound as I ultimately want my own sound, but I understand the obsession. I also chased that sound for a long time.

The Mark series in general all have similar voicing. Its a matter of what you want to spend. The reason I went withe the Mark IV is because I couldn't get a great clean sound and a great dirty sound out of the Mark III, but in general the lead channel sounds pretty close.

Keep in mind the parametric eq in the loop is very key to dialing that tone in!

 

[JOEY B.]

I'm interested in getting Hetfield Black Album sound but I know I need a lot of stuff to achieve this. The IIC+ sound is one peace of the puzzle with the Mk IV, the Marshall SLP and the ADA MP-1 (1960 Marshall V30 cabs + 9 or 10 mics + tent of doom + équalizer + right guitar + right pickups + right hand + ...).

If that is your intent, don't waste your money on the IIC+. A Mark III Coliseum will get you there for a lot less cash. :wink:

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

If you can find one! There is a Mark IIB Coli for sale on the bay in Cincy (not far from me)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mesa-Boogie-Coliseum-Series-300-Mark-II-B-180-Watt-All-Tube-Head-/140931265618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d0287452

Here is a Mark IIC+
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=63658

 

[gts]

Here is a Mark IIC+
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=63658

Weird but this link is dead - says topic doesn't exist.....

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

Yes, he must have changed his mind again, he just bought it for $2500.

 

[tony777]

Yes, he must have changed his mind again, he just bought it for $2500.

Yep, he probably just had a bad day and woke up. Everyone who sells a C+ will regret it someday :lol:

 

[SonVolt]

Get a Mark IV, a TS9 as a boost and a noise gate. Or find a a good deal on a used Mark V. Remember you can't nail a studio tone because there's a million other stuff involved than just the amp. but any Mark will get you close enough to stop chasing that tone. My Mark V did for me.

 

[VanHalen]

Is the Mark V with channel 3 (IIC+) the best solution ? I read that it was not exactly like the real Mark IIC+, is it right ?

Do you think there are mods for the Mark V to have sound like the IIC+ ? Do you think it's possible to sound very close to the Mark IIC+ with the V but not with mods but with pedals, effect... instead ?

Thanks.

 

[gts]

Yes, he must have changed his mind again, he just bought it for $2500.

Who is "he"?

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

Don't know his name, someone on this board.

 

[gts]

Is the Mark V with channel 3 (IIC+) the best solution ? I read that it was not exactly like the real Mark IIC+, is it right ?

Correct.

Do you think there are mods for the Mark V to have sound like the IIC+ ?

No.

Do you think it's possible to sound very close to the Mark IIC+ with the V but not with mods but with pedals, effect... instead ?

No pedals or effects needed to be "close". But close is a relative term - like the old adage; playing horseshoes and hand grenades.

Thanks.

Go read this thread. Subject: "C+/Mk V shootout, pt.1"
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37701



and maybe this one too. Subject: "Liquid Lead - IIC or V?"
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=60297&hilit=Mark+V+IIC

 

[Heritage Softail]

Not trying to say anything bad about Mesa, read twice if you get that impression.

When you buy a MKIIC, you get an entire amp. I own a simulclass GEQ model. It has great tones on both channels, huge variety there. Really is an amp capable of near human interaction with the player. It can sound angry. The wife said it was a pissed off end table! I have a hardwood wicker face combo..

Truly epic amp. I have owned a few other high gain beasts, SLO & Über TJ, 5153. It hangs with them and has its own mean tone, but awesome blues on ch1.

The MKV was mine for a year. It has one slice of a MKIIC modeled in it. They did a good job. But it is like one of 8 slices of the MKIIC pie. If you will be satisfied with that slice then the MKV works.

I like the great responsive flexible MKIIC and it is worth 2500-3000 as an end of the road amp.

But ya gotta have a rectifier too! A MKIIC and recto rig is the real deal. Thick merciless chug and the iconic angry Mark tone.

Good luck on the tone quest. If you find a little hardwood combo, it is a funny amp to take to a jam session. People that don't know what it is look at is sideways... Then when you rip some scooped metal madness then they really give the little end table amp the holy **** look!

 

[fretout]

Not trying to say anything bad about Mesa, read twice if you get that impression.

When you buy a MKIIC, you get an entire amp. I own a simulclass GEQ model. It has great tones on both channels, huge variety there. Really is an amp capable of near human interaction with the player. It can sound angry. The wife said it was a pissed off end table! I have a hardwood wicker face combo..

Truly epic amp. I have owned a few other high gain beasts, SLO & Über TJ, 5153. It hangs with them and has its own mean tone, but awesome blues on ch1.

The MKV was mine for a year. It has one slice of a MKIIC modeled in it. They did a good job. But it is like one of 8 slices of the MKIIC pie. If you will be satisfied with that slice then the MKV works.

I like the great responsive flexible MKIIC and it is worth 2500-3000 as an end of the road amp.

But ya gotta have a rectifier too! A MKIIC and recto rig is the real deal. Thick merciless chug and the iconic angry Mark tone.

Good luck on the tone quest. If you find a little hardwood combo, it is a funny amp to take to a jam session. People that don't know what it is look at is sideways... Then when you rip some scooped metal madness then they really give the little end table amp the holy sh!t look!

I couldn't agree more! A Mark and a Recto running at the same time gives you the cut and responsiveness of the Mark, but the Recto gives you the "3D", low end that made these amps such a staple for modern music.

I will say that with my Coli, the responsiveness is what you gain, but if you're looking for the aggression Metallica's earlier efforts have, just get a Mark III (GEQ or throw one in the loop) and you will be 95% there. I will say that as the owner of a few Mark IVs and Mark IIIs, the Mark IIIs are WAY more aggressive than the Mark IVs. The Mark IVs have a smoothness to the lead channel that makes it sound darker, but unless you need "over the top" gain, a Mark IV will be great for TBA-type tones!