Mesa Boogie has announced the return of a legendary amp, the Mark IIC+. This dual-mode amp, known for its clean and overdrive tones, was originally produced in the mid-80s and has been a favorite of rock and metal guitarists ever since.
The Mark IIC+ was discontinued in 1985 but has remained popular on the used market. Mesa Boogie cites numerous requests from players for a reissue, and after nearly three years of development, they’ve delivered.
The new Mark IIC+ is built to the same specifications as the original, but with modern components and construction techniques. This means you get the same iconic tones in a reliable package with a warranty.
Dual-Mode Simplicity
The Mark IIC+ features a single channel with separate clean and overdrive voicings. This simple layout makes it easy to dial in your sound, while the onboard EQ and pull-shift features offer a surprising amount of tonal sculpting potential. The IIC+’s single row of controls is shared by its two modes (preamps), one for Rhythm (clean) and one for Lead (overdrive). Independent, though still interactive, sets of gain and volume controls help optimize each gain structure while shared Tone controls handle the broad stroke voicing. Fine-tuning of the sounds is accomplished by the PULL SHIFT voicing features – some Mode specific – fitted to the simple controls and further shaping via the on-board 5-Band Graphic EQ. Though the “Q” of the individual Bands (Slider Pot frequencies) is fairly wide around their Center Points, they provide a surprising degree of surgical-level sculpting quickly and musically.
The Rear Panel of the C+ provides the important features that keep this amp as relevant as ever 40 years after its initial run. Global PRESENCE and REVERB controls are centered for easy navigation from the Front in stage environments. A series, tube buffered Effects Loop provides a seamless interface for your time-based processing. The Power Select switch at the far right (left from the Front) allows for your choice of the full 75 watts of “SIMUL-CLASS” power for richness, authority, and max headroom or “CLASS A” for 25 watts of reduced power and low end along with easier, smoother power clip at lower volumes. One 8Ohm and two 4 Ohm Speaker Outputs provide for a wide array of cabinet impedance matching. And though not a compensated Direct Output for Consoles or Interfaces, a SLAVE tap off the speaker outputs captures the entire sound of the amp-preamp and power section-to produce a non-compensated feed for IR Readers or external processors that might even serve an era-appropriate “dry/wet/wet” rig.
A Legacy of Tone
The Mark IIC+ has been used on countless recordings by some of rock and metal’s biggest names. This reissue is a chance to own a piece of that history and experience the amp that inspired generations of guitarists. If you’re looking for a classic amp with a proven track record and a focus on great clean and overdrive tones, the Mark IIC+ could be a great choice. It offers classic tones, modern reliability, and a simple yet powerful feature set, making it a serious contender for guitarists seeking a straightforward amp with a rich history.It’s particularly well-suited for players who prefer a simpler layout compared to Mesa Boogie’s more feature-rich models. However, for players seeking a ton of versatility, the Mark VII might be a better option.
