REISSUE Rumor: Mark IIC+ and 2ch Recto

[Appleridge]

I messaged my sweetwater rep and put in a preorder as well. No money down, just a place in line. I asked him if he felt like there would be challenges getting one and he stated “no, we have quite a few on order, you won’t have any issues”. I’m sure mesa will be on backorder for months, but sounds like no limited run?? I need to get this to see what’s what…I don’t have a C+ to compare it to, but I have a loop modded IIb that sounds amazing. Looking forward to a/b’ing!

 

[woodbutcher65]

Why are you talking about germanium? Germanium diodes and transistors have NOTHING to do with the Mark II's tone. Even if the EQ may (or may not) use germanium devices, the EQ can be re-engineered to use Silicon devices with no negative effects.

 

[GJgo]

Why can't they use Germanium when everyone else can? China placed a ban on export of Gallium and Germanium based products, does not mean it is a ban worldwide. Those two elements are primary for silicon chips. It is just BS. Other countries can produce products with those elements. China has placed a ban on export of all rare earth metals. Has nothing to do with EPA but more so with military use. Those elements are not included in the ROHS directive. If things go sour as they are looking to do so, they will be classified as conflict minerals just like copper, silver and gold.

The EU banned Germanium and since Mesa makes the same amps for their market they stopped using it.

 

[GJgo]

Why are you talking about germanium? Germanium diodes and transistors have NOTHING to do with the Mark II's tone. Even if the EQ may (or may not) use germanium devices, the EQ can be re-engineered to use Silicon devices with no negative effects.

It's information from a conversation with someone I trust that indicated the fundamental properties of the germanium based components used couldn't be recreated with their repalcements, and this was one key reason why the reissues can't match the OGs.

I really hope the reissue is true, but so far the V, JP & VII have not been so...

 

[Darkstar2]

I messaged my sweetwater rep and put in a preorder as well. No money down, just a place in line. I asked him if he felt like there would be challenges getting one and he stated “no, we have quite a few on order, you won’t have any issues”. I’m sure mesa will be on backorder for months, but sounds like no limited run?? I need to get this to see what’s what…I don’t have a C+ to compare it to, but I have a loop modded IIb that sounds amazing. Looking forward to a/b’ing!

Please report back your opinions - I look forward to reading them!

 

[bandit2013]

It's information from a conversation with someone I trust that indicated the fundamental properties of the germanium based components used couldn't be recreated with their repalcements, and this was one key reason why the reissues can't match the OGs.

I really hope the reissue is true, but so far the V, JP & VII have not been so...

I doubt there will be any more Varactors made, that is a given. Germanium is a common element used in LEDs, transistors, Silicon chips (logic and CPUs like midi controllers and such). Gallium Arsenide probably should be banned but that is also a common element in all of the above. Not sure if the Varactors used with the light reactive CAD cell is possible as Cadmium is a banned mineral in the USA, heck, even Cadmium Oxide used on high power relays is also banned. I have to deal with finding alternates for that since most relays do not hold up for long without wearing out when loaded with inductive loads. More than likely what was used to block signals or turn on circuit paths will either be relays or JFETS.

Then there comes the power tubes. Is Mesa going to use up its stash of STR415 Sylvania tubes (they have them but do not list on any website as that is a private request that must be handled through email direct to Mesa and not through Gibson channels.) That is how I got a quad of them a year or so ago. Expensive but worth it.