- Joined
- Apr 4, 2021
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 52
Figured we needed a dedicated thread to this amp. So far I think its a great purchase. I did some tube swapping and am currently running 415's in it. I swapped the pre-amp tubes with some mesa branded suare-getters, but didnt find they were necessary. Honestly, the stock pre and power tubes are just fine. Im comparing to a IIb (+) and a III+ (green). The IIb+ is a 60 watt with the RP9C board (STR415's) and mesa square getters. The III+ has 415's, 442's and mesa square getters. Cabs are a metal grill 4x12 (V30, MC90 and 2 EVM12L), a 2X12 (V30 and MC90), and a 1X12 (V30).
The RI does well with all 3 cabs, but really shines with the 4X12. Very full gain feel and very forward in the band mix. At home it runs through the 2X12 and sounds great too. I like the 1X12 the least out of the 3. I find the 1X12 widebody a little too boomy for the RI. I compensate by dancing between the presence and 6600 slider along with the bass pot and 80 slider. I can make it sound good, but prefer the other 2 cabs with it. The clean is exceptional. I do go back and forth with the EQ engaged or disengaged with the clean. Obviously its on when lead mode is pulled. It does have a little less gain than my other two classic marks. Im running VOL 1, Treble (pulled) and Lead Drive closer to 8. My classics are closer to 7...This thing sounds nearly Identical to my III+ green IMO. The IIb+ is spongier and has more grit to the distortion....I think some refer to it as "hair". I'm a hard critic, and find the IIC+ RI to be a great version of a new, classic amp. Is it different enough from my IIb+ and III+ to justify ownership? No. I think I choose to hang on tho this because it is indeed a brand new version of an old platform that I gravitate to. That being said, it makes sense to keep (sort of). If I had to dump one, I think it would be the III+, but barely. The IIb+ is the preferred model at this point for me, but the RI is really a great platform. 8.5/10!
The RI does well with all 3 cabs, but really shines with the 4X12. Very full gain feel and very forward in the band mix. At home it runs through the 2X12 and sounds great too. I like the 1X12 the least out of the 3. I find the 1X12 widebody a little too boomy for the RI. I compensate by dancing between the presence and 6600 slider along with the bass pot and 80 slider. I can make it sound good, but prefer the other 2 cabs with it. The clean is exceptional. I do go back and forth with the EQ engaged or disengaged with the clean. Obviously its on when lead mode is pulled. It does have a little less gain than my other two classic marks. Im running VOL 1, Treble (pulled) and Lead Drive closer to 8. My classics are closer to 7...This thing sounds nearly Identical to my III+ green IMO. The IIb+ is spongier and has more grit to the distortion....I think some refer to it as "hair". I'm a hard critic, and find the IIC+ RI to be a great version of a new, classic amp. Is it different enough from my IIb+ and III+ to justify ownership? No. I think I choose to hang on tho this because it is indeed a brand new version of an old platform that I gravitate to. That being said, it makes sense to keep (sort of). If I had to dump one, I think it would be the III+, but barely. The IIb+ is the preferred model at this point for me, but the RI is really a great platform. 8.5/10!
