Finally got around to running the JP2C alongside to the Reissue IIC+. I just learned that my sound memory is not Memorex quality. I admit, I sort of went on a Mesa boycott while waiting for the IIC+ Reissue to be delivered. That was a long wait. Sure, I did play through the MWDR and Roadster briefly, used the Badlander most of the time, and did make use of one Mark VII, and then two of them. Normally, this wall is not as baren as shown. Either three 412 cabs would be out or two and any array of amps. For some time it was two BAD and two Mark VII. Most of the wall was displaced as I am using one of the power strips elsewhere in the home. Need to get a replacement so I can bring back the one I had, it was great for the power warts since the terminals were oriented differently and I could fill up every position on it. The Furman power strip, the power supplies take up more than two plug positions so I am limited what I can run. Also did not feel like putting the Strymon BigSky on the floor. I had the MX version out so I need to make adjustments but the older unit was just fine as it was. Blah, blah, blah. What is the point?
This I did not think was possible. It has been some time since I ran the JP2C. At least 2 months. I do know the IIC+ mode of CH3 on the Mark VII is practically dead on to CH2 of the JP2C. The Mark IV mode is very much on par with CH3 of the JP2C. And when slaving one into the other they sound the same, meaning the Mark VII (IIC+) preamp sound identical to CH2 (JP2C) through its Class AB power section. Going the other way, the JP2C CH2 sound just like the IIC+ mode of CH3 when forcing it into the Simul-Class power section. There is no question of a doubt that the preamps are practically on par with each other and the difference in tone is due to the power tube output design. 100W Class AB is a bit darker, Simul Class full pentode 90W seems to have an added presence to it.
First thoughts from the Reissue, it is different. I could not be so wrong. WTF? It sounds identical to the JP2C. With the amp on CH2 and the gain control pushed in, it is supposed to be in the range of Vol 1 control at 6 based on the description in the manual. I did not run the pulled gain to see if it is similar to the IIC+ with the vol 1 at 7.25. CH3 with the gain pushed in is supposed to be at the same range, more like 7.5 on the vol 1 control. When pulled out it is to be a match for a vol 1 setting of 9. Well, they did not lie in the JP2C manual and I suppose the Reissue IIC+ is as close as it gets. It all seems to be accurate descriptions. Since most pots have a 270° angle of movement on average, I found the #5 on the control dial to be about the same location of the line on the controls used with the JP2C. Not sure they are the same value but for a rotational reference, that is what I used.
The Reissue IIC+ does have one characteristic, the lower mids that seem to be dominant are more forward sounding than they are with the JP2C. I can hear them and they sound about the same. Think of the sound spectrum in a 3D point of view. More forward, is closer to you as if you can touch it, not nested in the background or too rearward. I would not say it is displeasing to hear, it actually sounds cool in a way. Similar to the Royal Atlantic with the stock EL34 tubes, the upper mids are more forward and have more influence on what you hear. Change to the SED =C=EL34 (Mesa STR442) and that sound changes to a more 3D characteristic and what was too forward is now blended in with the rest of the sonic characteristics. Not sure if this forward effrect of the lower mids is a factor of the STR445 power tubes. It could be. What I have loaded in the JP2C are NOS STR415 I bought direct from Mesa two years ago. I got them the same time I was able to get a quad of STR448 (TAD red Base 6L6GC tubes). I gave up on the STR443 tubes (they had limits on them in terms of gain characteristics, made the gain control sound like they are not working). STR440 (grey) were the original tubes that came in the 2016 JP2C. Still like them but that give off a random static sound, assume issue with the cathode spitting off or boiling off too many electrons periodically, same tubes work great in the MWDR.
Anyhow, I am beginning to warm up to the reissue IIC+. Getting used to the amp being near full volume with the master set to 3, it is similar to the Mark VII set at 9am. I well roll out the Mark VII tomorrow. I am sure it will have some similar traits with the IIC+ and IV modes. It will not be able to do the crunch, VII, IIB modes. Just for it being a DAD amp, I pushed in the lead drive to run on clean with the settings I had to compare to CH3 on the JP2C and ran the JP in clean, JP was more pristine clean, what I had dialed in on the RI IIC+ was a light bit of grit but very close. OK, as both are reissue amps of the IIC+, I can assume they are much on par with the original IIC+ of their respective HRG/DRG formats. The reason why I did not get a second JP2C, I favored the wider field of gain structures of the Mark VII. Also the reason why I have two Badlanders. However, now that I have the IIC+ Reissue, it is much the same as the JP2C but without the cab-clone, midi and separated settings into the appearance of three channels, it is much like having another JP2C. Interesting to note I was running both FX loops into one Strymon BigSky reverb. They were both operating at the same level and not competing for dominance. Mark VII was a bit more influential over the JP2C so it did not play well in stereo unless it was another Mark VII (another reason why I have two).
Cool that the Reissue IIC+ is much the same as the JP2C but with more caveman controls vs having independent controls for simplicity. I do not see having one over the other as an advantage. The overall tone of the reissue does have a nice forward dry sounding lower midrange content that can either bother you or please you. Not muddy in any way which is another term for flubby. I am sort of liking this new toy the more I play through it. Now that it was discovered to be on a familiar ground with the JP2C, I am pleased it was not an ice pick like the Mark V90 I have. Still feel the Mark VII had more to it. I would miss the Mark VII and crunch modes. Different but cool in their own way much like a Badlander but different.
The granularity with these adjustments poses a compromise as yes.. constant adjustments are the norm and there is that compromise of clean vs lead live.
