Need info on the following: MK2C/MK3 Purple stripe and Blue

[steve thomas]

So I'm in the market for a combo and have narrowed it down to a MK2C (not plus) a Purple stripe and a Blue stripe model. I have seen the page explaining the stripes but I still don't know that much about the purple model only about the R2 channel. To be honest, I'm only really concerned with the clean and Lead so how does the purple stripe lead channel compare to all the other stripes in terms of voicing as well as how does it compare to a MK2C and a MK2C+. Finally (and I've read the sticky on the 2+) if anyone can give me an insight into how the 2c and C+ compare it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tuna141]

I can help with a IIC vs III blue - I have both:

First of all, both are great amps. either one would be a great choice. Can't go wrong with either.

clean tone = The C's clean is slightly more lively, chimey, Fenderish, than the III's. I'll also add that I like the III's clean more than my IV's clean. The clean on my C is better than both my III & IV.

distortion/lead tone= The C's lead is more focused and in your face than the III's. The C's lead can sound harsh/grating at times - but, this mnakes it cut through a band mix awesome. The C's lead has lots of rich sustain - notes bloom when held.
The III's lead is thicker and bigger sounding than the C's. The III can get more distortion than the C. The III sounds mean, whereas, the C has more of a classic rock type lead tone.

The III is better than the C for palm muting. For lead playing I prefer the C over the III. The III is better with single coils than the C - probably due to the addtional gain on tap.

I actually like R2 on the III. The III has the advantage over the C in terms of versatility (the IV wins for versatility though - well, I guess the V actually does now). The R2 volume mod on a III is well worth it.

Again, both amps have a slightly different vibe, but both are great

 

[CoG]

Seriously, the only difference between the purple and the later stripes is that R2 has comparatively less gain and a bigger, rounder sound. R2 on my green is really only good for rhythm and it's pretty overdriven no matter what you do. R2 on the purple can be a little bassy and boomy unless you give it a little boost but it has really nice blues/rock lead sounds with a lot of dynamics if you're into that (which, again, made more sense in 1985 than two "heavy" channels.)