IIC+ Head For Sale

[MesieBooga]

SOLD

 

[Mahoner]

A IIC+, not in the original cab, isn't worth that much. There also should be a "pull deep" above the Master 1 knob. I have doubts that it's really a C+.

 

[MesieBooga]

A IIC+, not in the original cab, isn't worth that much. There also should be a "pull deep" above the Master 1 knob. I have doubts that it's really a C+.

It's a verified C+, sounds awesome and is in great cond. It's one of the best tones you can get thru an amp. The Gain Boost 's were early ones. Go here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ayan/history.htm

Gil Ayan writes, "(here are some) tips on determining what Mark II you have: 1. Plastic knobs with silverdomes --> Mark IIB (JR Elswick clarifies: 'In case the dome idea leads to some confusion, the knobs on my IIB are black plastic with inset silvery 'tops' which are concave and conical.') 2. Solid plastic knobs with a 'Pull Shift' of the bass knob --> IIC 3. A '+' above the power cord and initials below it, typically 'MB' (no, not Mesa Boogie but Mike Bendinelli) --> IIC+." "To further validate the IIC+ claim, look for the serial number. It has to be between 11XXX and 14XXX and the date on the underside of the chassis has to be 1983-1985." "Last but not least, it has to sound ******* good!"

 

[chedgeco]

If someone is thinking of buying this and you are worried about it's authenticity, you should call Mike Bendinelli at Boogie and ask him if the amp's serial number can be verified.

MesieBooga... you should really post pictures of the back as well as the front for serial number verification. That's pretty penny to ask on faith alone.

The boost indicates a IIC but it also indicates, as you say, a very early IIC+.


http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/IICPlus.html

Quoted from The Boogie Files (Thanks Ian):

Mark IIC & IIC+:
The Mark IIC+ was the last of the Mark II series and featured a more sensitive (i.e. useful) lead channel and, more importantly, an improved circuitry in the effects loop. Unlike earlier Mark II models, pedals could be used without the amp's signal overloading their inputs. You can tell if a particular amp is a "+" by looking for a hand-written black "+" mark directly above where the power cord attaches to the back of the amp. Be aware that many people are want to jack up the price on a Mark IIC+ but often don't know anything about what the "+" means . Indeed, the mark itself can be forged, so let the buyer beware. But, you can figure out if it is a true IIC+.

Knobs:
The knobs on the Mark I through to the Mark IIB are the silver center ones similar to Fender amps. With the introduction of the Mark IIC MESA switched to the all plastic knobs with the flat tops, with white inlaid numbers, used in the Mark IIC, IIC+ and the Mark III up to the '90's. The knobs remained the same shape and color, except in the '90's the numbers were not inlaid and were of a cream color.

Front Panel:
On the Mark IIB there was no Pull shift on the Bass, whereas the IIC and IIC+ had this feature. Both the IIB and the IIC had Pull Gain Boost with the Master 1 Volume, the IIC+ (save for the first few or IIC's that had been modified to IIC+) had Pull Deep function with Master 1.

IIC+ Tone Controls:
The two input jacks on the front panel are marked Input" and "Foot Switch. The lead/rhythm footswitch plugs in and has a red LED to indicate function in the rhythm mode. The front panels read Volume 1, Treble, Bass, Middle, Master 1, Lead Drive and Lead Master. It has "Pull-Bright" on Volume 1, "Pull-Shift" on the Treble, "Pull-Deep" on the Master 1 and "Pull-Bright" on the Lead Master"

Date of Manufacture:
Like all Mark amps, the Mark IIC+ amps have the date of manufacture written on the bottom of the amp. For a IIC+ this should be very late 1983 to all of 1984, and very early 1985.

Markings:
A true Mark IIC+ will have a "+" over the power cord and Mike Bendinelli's initials on the back below the cord and on the bottom of the amp. As well, on the side of the amp chassis will be the MESA amp code DRG. As well, the date of the amp's manufacture will be written on the bottom.

Serial Number:
To further validate the IIC+ claim, look for the serial number. It should be between 125XX and 14XXX, but there is variability with the low end of this range as the exact start of the IIC+ and end of the IIC was in the 12,3XX range.

Mark IIC+ Effects Loop:
To have the definitive proof that an amp is in fact a IIC+ claim, one must first ascertain the above, but to prove beyond a doubt, there is a simple effects loop play test.

1) Plug your guitar into the fx return with the amp in LEAD mode.

2) Play a chord and let it ring out.

3) While it is ringing out, adjust the lead drive pot.

If there is a change in sound as you adjust that lead drive control - it is NOT a C+, it must be a Mark IIC. Reason is because the lead voice was placed entirely in the pre amp section in the C+ whereas the original C had some shaping after the pre amp which is why that lead drive would effect the sound when you plug your guitar into the fx return (bypassing the pre amp section).

 

[MesieBooga]

I have loads of photos I can email anyone if they're interested. [email protected]

 

[Boogiebabies]

I have looked at this amp in great detail including very detailed pics of the PCB. It is a 100% Mesa Boogie MK IIC+. It has every correct component in place that would make it a IIC+. If you ask Mike B., A IIC upgrade is still a IIC+ regardless. It used the same PCB and power board. This amp has Mike B written all over it. If you cannot verify it by looking at it and the PCB, then you have no business attempting to discredit it. Call Mesa with the serial number and I guarantee you they will pull up an RA with the IIC+ upgrade. The earliest IIC+'s were gain boost faceplates as well. Era correct head shells and combo's are on E-Bay all the time if you need it to be perfect.

I have seen a dozen that fit as a factory IIC+ with untouched circuits with serial numbers not much higher than this one. If you want a pristine example, go drop $ 3400.00 if you have the kahonies. This amp may have started as a IIC, but it was only a month or two away from being a IIC+ anyway. IMHO, you can get the same amp at a decent discount. I have an Imbuya IIC+ 1X12 with simul-class, EQ and Reverb with the EV-12L. If you want it, I will take $ 3400.00 for. The bar has been raised. I have a IIC+ head that is loaded and I will take $ 2500.00, or an early 131XX 1X12 tolex combo with the EV-12L. $ 3000.00 should do !!!!
This amp is proportional to the market value. It is also not a MK III C+ with Mesa's current thin traced, jam packed componentry PCB.

Also, The Boogie Files site is a great reference, and I hold Ian as the keeper of the flame but it does not do anything for you to verify a IIC+ unless it is sitting in front of you. Cutting and pasting is useless in this case. Some guys like the mojo, mystique, stories and theories. I like the guts and what makes them tick.

Not to piss anyone off, it is how it is.



Vote for Pedro !!!!

 

[funk49]

I just saw the DRG in huge letters recently when I took my photos. What exactly does that mean? I was wondering what the hell that was when I saw it.

And by the way, Boogiebabies is spot-on regarding the price and serial. My serial is 128XX and is dated June of '84. This puts Todd's amp right at the tailend of the C- production. The days of finding these things for under $2k is quickly coming to an end. If anyone out there knows what is happening to the Plexi market, the same thing is happening here, except there's a lot LESS of these amps made than the Plexis.

Case in point...look at this crap below. Mustard caps that are NOS in a Plexi. I'll let you click on the link to see the insane price. Hopefully you'll be sitting down while viewing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5815045705&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

 

[Boogiebabies]

DRG is the Mesa's internal model code. KRG would be one of the coliseums. If it has DRG you are in good shape. It should have DRG and a number. My earliest DRG is 13. Yours is probably lower. I am trying to correlate it to the week of production since the IIC+'s inception.

 

[MesieBooga]

DRG is the Mesa's internal model code. KRG would be one of the coliseums. If it has DRG you are in good shape. It should have DRG and a number. My earliest DRG is 13. Yours is probably lower. I am trying to correlate it to the week of production since the IIC+'s inception.

Here is a buddy of mines IIC+:

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showalbum.php?aid=3635&uuid=68

There I see "HG".

 

[Boogiewan Kenobi]

DRG means nothing about if it is a C+.

DRG means Simul-Class, Reverb and E.Q. The number is the week of production.

BWK

 

[funk49]

This is really cool info to know. It also had a 15", which I assume indicates long chassis. I'm pulling mine again tonight to see what the number was as I didn't snap a photo. I'll keep you guys posted in case anyone wants to cross-reference my serial and date with the DRG number for week of production.

 

[funk49]

Just pulled my chassis and it says, "DRG 15' 17.

I'm assuming it is a 15" chassis and 17th week of production. Mine is serial 128XX, dated 6/84.

Hope this helps the dating process.

 

[Boogiebabies]

Weird, my earliest is DRG 13 is from 8/84. We have a discrepancy.

 

[funk49]

Can anyone else on here post theirs and maybe we can figure out the discrepancy?

The 17 on mine doesn't make sense for week of production as the number should be much higher in June of '84, if production started in late '83. Crap...I'm getting too old. I can remember clearly what I was doing back during that exact month.

--Rob

 

[Sanchez]

I would have been in 5th grade. :shock:

 

[Boogiebabies]

I was 12, but always wanted a Mesa IIC+ and a San Dimas Charvel. I did'nt get the Charvel until I was 20 and I could not find my first C+ until I was 29.
The C+ loaded is a lot harder to find than you think. A buddy of mine just picked up a base model with reverb, EV and an Imbuya Cab for $ 900.00.
That is worth the cabinet alone these days. I hate him now.....

 

[MesieBooga]

SOLD