Mark IIc+, MarkIII ,rk IV question!

[JC_Denton]

Hey guys.

I am from Estonia( EU) and since here ppl usually dont have money for expensive amps, guitar shops dont sell high end amps here. there are probably only like 15 mesa boogie amps in my whole country(majority of them 3 channel rect.), so it is very difficult to try different ones out. I am a big fan of Mesa amps and have owned 2(triple rec and mark III 300) and played 3 .

So most of my opinions are based on internet posted clips which doest always do justice.


It would help a lot if someone of you could tell me the main difference between the high gain channel of MarkIIc+, Mark III and Mark IV.
Why ppl love c+,?? does it have more bottom end or...... why is it better than mark IV or mark III.

How do mark IV and Mark III compare?



Please answer, anything you might know could help!!!



Thank you.

 

[Geiri]

Hi

I´ve never played a 2c+ but I have compared the mk3 and mk4. For my ears either of these would be brilliant to have tonewise. The main thing I discovered was that the mk3 seems to dish out more bottom and is more thunderous while the mk4 is smoother and has more gain on tap plus is a lot more versatile.

If you are thinking about a mk series amp you can't go wrong with a mk4, trust me.

 

[Elpelotero]

The clean channels on all the Marks are very good, so I won't speak as much about these. All three of the amps are similar in their bottom end, which can vary from extremely tight to chunky if you know how to dial them well.

The IIC+ has 2 channels, and shares tone controls for both channels. It can have a Graphic EQ or not (EQ recommended for metal), and can also come as 60watt, 100watt, 180watt, or Simul Class (6l6 and el34 combined). The C+ is most famous for providing tones for Metallica and Dream Theater, among other bands. It has a very liquid and smooth distortion, harmonically rich, and is somehow aggressive at the same time.

The III has 3 channels, and similar options as the IIC+, meaning EQ or no EQ, 60w, 100w, 180w, or Simul Class. The three channels share the same set of controls, which many find to be a nuisance because it is difficult to find one setting for the controls that works across all three channels. Some people have figured out a mod to provide a separate volume knob for channel 2. The Mark III also had various "stripes," or revisions. These range from black, to green, red, blue, purple, etc. Each stripe sounds slightly different. One other complaint many have about the III is that it can sound too bright and harsh, whereas the IIC+ was much smoother in tone. Otherwise, the IIC+ and III are very similar in sound, especially the red and green stripes sound close to a C+.

The IV is very advanced in terms of technology. It has many switches, and all of them came with EQ and Simul Class as standard options. The IV is smoother than the III, bringing it slightly closer to the sound of a IIC+. However, it is also the darkest amp of all 3 of them, whereas the C+ and III are much brighter and vintage rock oriented. It has a very modern sound (see the bands Lamb of God, or Chevelle). The IV has three channels and 2 sets of tone controls to be shared across the three channels. It really is a great amp and it takes time to dial in well. The IV has more gain available at lower volumes, whereas the IIC+ and III require higher volumes to reach equal terms of gain.

Finally, the Mark V, which debuted last year. This amp is a collection of tones from all the Marks. It features the Mark I Carlos Santana tones in channel 1, the IIC+ in another channel, and finally the IV in another channel. Each channel has its own set of tone control knobs, and there are countless other features too long to list here. It does not offer its own new tone, so to say, but rather is a collection of past tones from the history of the Mark series. Each emulation of its ancestors does not 100% nail the tones you would find in the original. But they do capture the spirit and basic tone of each amp.

 

[JC_Denton]

Geiri and Elpelotero thank you!!! IT helps a lot

 

[dodger916]

If you are thinking about a mk series amp you can't go wrong with a mk4, trust me.

+1. For the money, it's hard to beat a Mark IV. Describing what makes the C+ special is like describing what makes the Mona Lisa special: it really needs to be experienced to be understood. For me, I love the C+ because it delivers a tone and FEEL that no other amp has delivered. I find it contains a perfect BALANCE of aggression and smoothness. It's the feel of these amps that is hard to describe or duplicate.

 

[Geiri]

If it wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg I would get myself a fully loaded 2c+ in a hardwood cabinet with a wicker cane grill and keep it in the living room of my house. I think the mk series amps are not just that tone, but in hardwood they are somewhat a piece af art to look at. And if I was going to spend the cash on a hardwood amp I'd make sure the inside was a 2c+ .

But I'm happy with my black tolex mk4 and somewhere in the future there will probably be a mk5 in black tolex with my name on it. I dunno there is just something that Randall stumbled upon in the creation of the mark series. Those who dig that tone get hooked for life.

Sorry for the ramblings but when I get started on the mk series I tend to turn into a slobbering idiot