REISSUE Rumor: Mark IIC+ and 2ch Recto

[spawnofthesith2]

Mike B. was mentioned in the video though? How many Mesa videos has he been featured in in the past? None as far as I'm aware of. The man is a bit elusive and clearly isn't one to seek the limelight... theres like one or two print interviews over the course of a long career out there. AFAIK that's the only time he's really addressed the public much.

As of a couple weeks ago emailing him, he is still very much active and involved at mesa. I don't think there's any conspiracies here, as much as people really want there to be (for whatever reason)

 

[tbonesullivan]

Anyone suspect Randall “retired” (left Mesa or was fired) after Gibson bought Mesa because they wanted to “reproduce”/ “re-release” the C+?

I doubt it. It's not like they haven't done reissues before, like the Mark I reissue, or the King Snake, though the latter was a more of a tribute amp than anything else.

Also, he left Mesa in, August I believe? That's way to short a time period to develop an amplifier like this. While the circuit, or at least one of the circuit revisions, of the Mark IIC+ is "done", it had to be updated and modified, new PCBs designed, parts sourced, new chassis made, an entirely new switching design made without LDRs, etc. They may also have had new transformers designed, or maybe they just used the transformers from the Mark VII, which should be pretty much the same.

 

[erickompositör72]

Mike B. is not getting any credit on the development which I find a bit odd. So far the story has been that it was Mike B. who modified the IIC with the input from Doug West without involvement from Randal Smith. Is this because this isnt true, gibson wants for marketing purposes utilize alternative facts or Mike B. does not want to be named. What do you guys think about this and why gibson is doing gibson things?

Gibson involvement in the promotional videos is evident They really are milking it. They go to great lenghts explaining how borderline impossible it was to realize this product, "that's not available today, that's not available today what to do what to do". Vactrols are the only components that are not available today, but one would assume that competent electrical dude has no issues finding correct replacement. Especially because they still have people who were involved with the original design so they propably know what was use and why, which helps greatly.

I still think Randall was wise enough not to re-issue MkIIC+. Number of units is so limited that very few have actually tried one, so you basically get away with anything. Every time they released new Mk-series amp, they could claim it's that bit closer to IIC+.

If you knew how most companies work, the people that get credit are not the ones who do all the work but their manager or supervisor, or perhaps the chief engineer who had nothing to do with the project get the credit. That is life and the boat I am in. I do all of the design work, testing, proofing, validating and making sure the product delivers all of the goals and such. Not just with the electrical aspects but the overall mechanical design and firmware development as well. It gets tiring, not even a pat on the back for job well done. As long as that increases sales, that is all they care about and take full credit for its development and engineering involved in its design. I am just a mushroom, keep me in the dark and feed me nothing but . Still, I take pride in my work, and I am sure those involved behind the scenes responsible for the effort to make this reissue as good as it can get, from the engineers, purchasing, supply chain managers, and all of the workers who assemble the product to meet a delivery schedule deserve all of the credit and gratitude. Good job. I am still waiting for mine to come in.

I know I'm not the only person here (and I don't claim to be) whose spoken extensively with Mike B., but he absolutely strikes me as someone who prefers not to be in the spotlight. I am sure he declined any invitation to be in the press releases for these.

And the more cynical side of it: he is already a legend to those of us who "know." I don't think he wants even more calls

 

[erickompositör72]

Anyone suspect Randall “retired” (left Mesa or was fired) after Gibson bought Mesa because they wanted to “reproduce”/ “re-release” the C+?

Absolutely. And I think he was right (but for the wrong reason). The IIc+, as many pointed out, was not his "brain child."

However, the reason I think he was right to not release a reissue was because, as many pointed out, it really cannot be "reverse engineered." It won't sound as open/organic as the originals. The new demos sound compressed (a la the VII, etc).

I'm convinced most of the magic was in the original PCB's (whatever they were made of), the fact that they were mostly hand-wired, and the signal path (which they admittedly had to change for the reissue).

All early comparisons lead me to believe this is the case. I don't believe there are limited quantities, so it will become common knowledge soon enough.

 

[VisaL]

Anyone suspect Randall “retired” (left Mesa or was fired) after Gibson bought Mesa because they wanted to “reproduce”/ “re-release” the C+?

I'd say it was likely part of the agreement that Randal stays over the transition period. Which he did. But I am 100% sure that at the time weasel (Cezar something, gibson CEO) started selling the idea of mesa acquisition to gibson owners, the mk2c+ was one of the strategic pilars in his powerpoint how to make money with Boogie brand. Could have been the only pilar. Let's see how that pans out.

 

[skoora]

I can't wait for complaints about R2, and people calling Mesa to send in their IIC+ for the R2 mod.

Can’t complain about something that doesn’t exist.

 

[Eevil]

Can’t complain about something that doesn’t exist.

Sad to inform you that it’s not that easy with humans

 

[CoG]

said it before and I will say it again, this is 100 per cent about turning Mesa from a pro gear brand where they have to invest in keeping up with technology and how music is made, into a mancave lifestyle brand that they can milk until early millennials hit the 'downsizing' phase. not unlike.... Gibson guitars!

 

[spawnofthesith2]

 

[bandit2013]

The videos are coming. This has to be one of the best videos on the IIC+ reissue yet. You may recognize some of the faces.

 

[Doug Doppler]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Cheers ~ Doug

 

[frontline205]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Cheers ~ Doug

If possible can you try to get it as heavy as possible? Like gain it out with the typical mark hi gain setting playing more modern metal?

 

[rarebitusa]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Sweet The right Boogie Man for the job I say!!! This will be very cool.

 

[cgscotto]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Cheers ~ Doug If possible can you try to get it as heavy as possible? Like gain it out with the typical mark hi gain setting playing more modern metal?

I second the request for heavy as possible, preferably through both the standard 4X12 with V30s and the oversized cab. I want to hear how much grind you can get on pick attack. At least one riff in D standard or lower. I would like to hear punchy visceral palm mutes with fast attack. Lead lines with hi gain so they sustain, but with lots of note definition. Something that shows off the harmonic content that IIC+s are supposed to be famous for producing.

I think that is enough for now. Also, I am going to call my Sweetwater rep to speed up getting me my amp. In the immortal words of Freddie Mercury, "I want it now."

 

[frontline205]

I second the request for heavy as possible, preferably through both the standard 4X12 with V30s and the oversized cab. I want to hear how much grind you can get on pick attack. At least one riff in D standard or lower. I would like to hear punchy visceral palm mutes with fast attack. Lead lines with hi gain so they sustain, but with lots of note definition. Something that shows off the harmonic content that IIC+s are supposed to be famous for producing.

I think that is enough for now. Also, I am going to call my Sweetwater rep to speed up getting me my amp. In the immortal words of Freddie Mercury, "I want it now."

I know the feeling man. Mine should be here saturday

 

[rarebitusa]

I know I'm not the only person here (and I don't claim to be) whose spoken extensively with Mike B., but he absolutely strikes me as someone who prefers not to be in the spotlight. I am sure he declined any invitation to be in the press releases for these.

Yes that's my take as well, twice I've been up to Mesa and spent a decent amount of time with MikeB. He's pretty chill especially about the whole IIC+ deal, had a number of good stories but yea got that feeling he definitively wanted to fly under the wire.

 

[Doug Doppler]

First tracking!!! Settings as shown, Bank A/Preset 1 on CabClone IR (Oversized Recto)

 

[rarebitusa]

Different animals. I got fed up with all the volumes in Mark III (and NOT having crunch volume) back then.. in live environment it was hit and miss

This Exactly ^^^^ ... oh yea do remember, back in the day that it was difficult to get an optimal balance live. I'd also fight with getting the lead chan to cut thru at the vol levels I'd prefer. Seemed like it was always sacrificing the great liquid tone that had been dialed in between lead drive and lead master.

 

[Eevil]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Cheers ~ Doug

Would be helpful to know how the lead cleans up with guitar volume and how are the dynamics.. Starting with a bit too bright tone (bright pulled) and playing with tone about 7-8 with different pickup selection and then lowering the volume and tone back to 10 with different pickups selected

 

[VisaL]

Say hello to my little friend... well technically, it's on loan for me to shoot some video content with. While I'm not Burger King, I am curious to know what you folks might want to hear on the demo front. Watched most everything that's been posted so far, SUPER excited to have this amp here. I spent a BUNCH of time yesterday with 'OG' Mark IIC+ and I have to say I am STOKED to put the reissue through the paces!!!

Cheers ~ Doug

I think the main thing would be the plate voltages both on the inner Class AB pair and on "Class A" (which is not class A despite the marketing). Seeing that they ship with 4x6L6GC it's quite likely the output section is not identical to 2C+.