Mesa Mark IIC++ reissue confirmed

[sloanthebone]

Coming in May. Limited to 200

 

[Eevil]

Proper limited strategy to pump up the price

 

[fretout]

I read someplace that someone asked Mike B if the new C+ Reissues could be modded to C++ specs, and Mike B mentioned that he wasn’t sure if they could be or not.

The fact that M/B would release the C++ as its own standalone amp model ALSO seems to imply that the new C+ Reissues can’t be modded to C++ specs.

I wonder what would prevent the C+ from being modded to C++ specs? I’d imagine that there’s some proprietary layouts between the new Reissues.

I really wish manufacturers would stop with these “limited edition” products. Would it be so difficult to manufacture these things on an order by order basis? The forced scarcity of really neat products is a terrible precedent, and it strikes me as disrespectful to the customer. And this is coming from someone that owns a few limited amps/guitars.

Are people going to jump on the IIC++ now, or wait for when M/B announces a IIC++ Coliseum head. Maybe it’ll be artificially limited to 73 units again…

 

[dtrax]

The ++ mod at it's core adds a 2.2uF cap to the 5th stage cathode. This increases gain by about 6dB, but keeps the low end at bay, so to speak. And IRCC, to compensate for the added gain MB strategically reduced the gain throughout the preamp. Off the top of my head they added a 100k resistor between the treble wiper and volume pot, so even if you dimed both there would still be some attenuation.

I can't speak to layout considerations, as well as the switching involved. But frankly, hardwiring a R/I 2C+ to ++ specs would be easy, assuming the schematics I've seen are to be trusted. This release just seems like a money grab, but what do I know.

 

[JustPassingThrough]

If he says "yeah they can be modded easily" he's made the new release pointless. Mike works for Mesa, part of his job is to protect Mesa's business interests, which is selling the amps and is not in demystifying them.

Once again it's the sizzle they're selling, not the steak.

I'd wager it could be modded very easily, but they're not going to tell you how. Why should they.

 

[fretout]

If he says "yeah they can be modded easily" he's made the new release pointless. Mike works for Mesa, part of his job is to protect Mesa's business interests, which is selling the amps and is not in demystifying them.

Once again it's the sizzle they're selling, not the steak.

I'd wager it could be modded very easily, but they're not going to tell you how. Why should they.

That absolutely seems like the Gibson business model. However, there is a big difference between “difficult” and “cannot”.

Mike hasn’t had any problem refusing the C++ mod in the past, so if it was an unwillingness on his part, I’d assume he’d just say so.

We’ll see soon enough though. I have a bandmate that bought both, so comparing them will be easy to do soon.

 

[meesa_jarjar]

100% they are capitalizing on the hype., meaning they could've easily made all of the the reissues switchable +/++. It's a few dollars in basic parts they already have on the shelf. This is the Gibson we've all read about.

Also want to add that I'm a ++ fanboy and hope to own one someday, whenever I have disposable income to throw at one. Most likely I'll have to settle with building my own though.

 

[little-b]

Got one on reserve .I was #7 from this particular store. Wasn't interested in the new iic+ as I have an og in exc cond.Plans are to work both into a live rig with a switcher into 2-4×12 cabs.If the iic++ doesn't impress or do it for me,it'll go up fs.Will give it a fair shot first tho.

 

[bandit2013]

Waiting for the release video of this one. It has more gain but we will only demo the clean mode. No Metallica settings for you.

I assume the ++ stands for double the cost? If it is just a slight mod, one can easily replace the midrange pot with a pull pot for that feature to pull in a cathode cap if the grid stopper resistor is missing off of the V1B circuit, just add it. Probably why the first batch did the boogie whistle in the first place. It cost how much? Starting price is $20k or will it be at $100k to compete with the used market so it can go with your limited edition 1959 Les Paul that cost just as much. I will take a pass on that.

 

[adiaz7531]

Got one on reserve .I was #7 from this particular store. Wasn't interested in the new iic+ as I have an og in exc cond.Plans are to work both into a live rig with a switcher into 2-4×12 cabs.If the iic++ doesn't impress or do it for me,it'll go up fs.Will give it a fair shot first tho.

If you don’t mind me asking what is the cost of this limited release amp?

 

[little-b]

^^^^
My rep told me 3799.Whether that's accurate or not,I guess we'll see in time.
You would've thought mesa would've just made the ++ a switchable function on the current reissue and been done with it.If you want ++ mode,pull the switch out,if you dnt,dnt pull the switch lol.

 

[frontline205]

My rep is telling me 3799.99 as well. I wont divulge my source because I dont think they're supposed to say, but I'm number 1 on their list so I should be getting one.

 

[gts]

Would it be so difficult to manufacture these things on an order by order basis?

That's the way Mesa did it long ago in the 80's.

 

[fretout]

That's the way Mesa did it long ago in the 80's.

I know, I remember back then. I feel like that’s a better policy then the have a predetermined end date for a desirable model. I’m sure it boosts initial sales, but I feel like a special placard, or sone other little thing-a-ma-jig would ensure high initial sales, while also providing a solution to guitar players long-term.

 

[LockStock]

The original IIC+s varied some in how much gain they had even for the same spec. I've never played a C++ so not sure if the ones with more gain got that far.

 

[Jamme1961]

I’m reading that Mike B said C++ is only for metal players- others have said ++ messed up clean channel? Just reading this stuff because have C+ on order - again and now they come out with ++ that apparently is such a rare amp that opinion differs greatly in what posts I can find

 

[little-b]

I may have a conversation with Mike B when my iic++ comes in to get the ++ mode switchable with the + mode so you can have both on this amp.Is this something you all would want too? Maybe we could get this to happen if it is possible within the circuitry and schematics. ? What's your thoughts????

 

[danielpasco]

I got Mike to do a switchable ++ mod on my 60 Watt IIC+ when I sent it in to get some TLC. He ended up using the PULL DEEP to toggle ++ mode and moved the actual PULL DEEP to the Mid knob.

Why, I cannot say. The ways of Mike B are inscrutable. May have been proximity of the pots to where the work needed to be done.

In any case, it does what it says on the tin: pull the deep control and your cleans go to **** and your lead tone will have James Hetfield HEYYEEEAHS coming out of everyone within a three mile radius.

...the neighbors have asked for some warning before activating it. it's apparently disturbing to hear Metallica grunts from small children.

 

[danielpasco]

If he says "yeah they can be modded easily" he's made the new release pointless. Mike works for Mesa, part of his job is to protect Mesa's business interests, which is selling the amps and is not in demystifying them.

Once again it's the sizzle they're selling, not the steak.

I'd wager it could be modded very easily, but they're not going to tell you how. Why should they.

Totally agree and I don't really have a problem with it either. The difference in costs sounds like it'd be about equivalent to shipping it and getting the work done by Mike anyway. Which I paid happily.