MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ (D Standard) metal tones with a Gibson 70s Explorer

Watch a no-talking, just-playing demo of the MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ featuring a Gibson 70s Explorer in D Standard tuning.
All tones were professionally captured using a combination of a Royer R-121 ribbon microphone and a Shure SM57 dynamic microphone, carefully positioned to highlight the rich tonal characteristics of the Celestion C90 speakers in the cabinet.
▶ To secure your MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ click here: bit.ly/3Bpk2zL
Or contact your local MESA/Boogie dealer.
▶ Get your Gibson 70s Explorer Classic White HERE: bit.ly/41wEg5s
More demos:
Drop D Standard: • MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+...
C Standard & Drop C Standard: • MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+...
Watch: MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ metal tones with a Gibson Les Paul Session: • MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+...
In this series of playthroughs, we're putting the MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ amplifier through its paces using a variety of different Gibson guitars to achieve the classic rock and heavy metal tones the amplifier is renowned for. Stay tuned for even more videos releasing weekly!
Check out the full MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ playlist to discover the rich history of the Mark IIC+ and how it has been meticulously recreated to embody the soul of the original amp from the 1980s. Explore its tones, from bone-crunching distortion and bluesy crunch to characterful cleans, and learn how to unlock the full potential of your new Mark IIC+ amp with pro tips on specific tones and settings.
The Mark IIC+ is pure “vintage Boogie®” and based on the original Mark II™ (now called the Mark II-A) design, the world’s first “Dual Mode” amplifier containing independent performance modes dedicated to clean and overdrive sounds. The IIC+ model represents the 3rd generation of that game-changing single channel/dual mode layout and includes all the refinements made to that original format over its nearly five influential years.
Out of production for four decades, we welcome back this icon and celebrate its impact on the incredible guitar heroes and timeless recordings they made during one of rock guitar’s biggest decades. The Mark IIC+ legacy is one we don’t take lightly or for granted, and recreating it in today’s world with today’s available components and rigorous worldwide Compliance Regulations was no easy feat. However, we are just as proud and excited about this iteration as we were about the first one that was produced for less than two years, four decades ago.
There's no longer a need to chase vintage relics. The Mark IIC+ is the amp you've been looking for. Offering the fire, articulation, and nuanced tones the original was known for. Backed by 40 years of iconic tone and a devoted following, it’s truly a mythical amp.
MESA/Boogie® now available in the UK/USA/EUROPE
📼 Related Videos To Watch Next:
▶ MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+ full demo & tutorial ft. Doug West & Tommy Waugh: • MESA/Boogie® Mark IIC+...
▶ How to choose the BEST tube amp for you: • Give me 22 minutes and...
▶ The MESA/Boogie Mark VII demo: • MESA/Boogie Mark VII
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ABOUT MESA/Boogie:
Welcome to the official MESA/Boogie® channel - the home of MESA/Boogie amplifier videos, including demos, reviews, new product announcements, artist interviews, and more. Get first access to the latest MESA/Boogie guitar amps, hear your favorite artists discuss their love of MESA/Boogie amps, and learn more about each MESA/Boogie amplifier meticulously handbuilt in our Petaluma, CA shop.

[@Steve_Foretoken]

Tell me you read all the angry comments on the last promo video without telling me you read all the angry comments on the last promo video. Sounds killer

[@hyunjoonkim5329]

finally, properly dialed in

[@S1N15A]

Yeah only took them how many tries?

[@ericwicker208]

Shoulda just got James to come play through it fk

[@pranavphx]

Thank you Mesa for finally letting us listen to what we had been waiting. And thank you for bringing this back so that we don't chase old relics

[@vincelupone]

Best demo yet. I would still balance the gain lower and treble higher, but at this point we’re splitting hairs. Nice job!!

[@hip-hopjedi4423]

Agreed yet splitting hairs makes a big difference on this amp, so does having it set to class a

[@jake13b]

agreed, but that is the difference between people that actually own these amps. but you know the sample settings in the manual are useless. its a boogie thing. you either know or you dont.

[@markopperman6404]

Sounds great! I also like how the settings are shown at the bottom of the screen towards the end of the video. Great video!

[@mesaboogie]

Glad you liked the video, hope it's helpful!

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

The tone of the people 🤘

[@curtspoerer4424]

And the old cabs too, thank you!! Now thats what it is supposed to sound like..

[@louderthangod]

Now reissue those cabs!

[@zyxwfish]

The sound I’ve wanted since and justice for all.

[@FakeHeavenBand]

100% tone! Love it!

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

Okay everyone, it does the thing. Let’s all relax and get back to enjoying and playing guitar 😎.

[@mesaboogie]

Hope you're enjoying the tone!

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

@@mesaboogie1000%. The IIC+ has been a grail amp/tone for so many guitarists; there are players that have dedicated decades to chasing their fav Metallica vibes. ….The reissue sounds great and I’d love to plug in! This reissue could sure scratch a lot of itches as the OG IIC’s are simply out of reach for many. Exciting times to say the least! 🙏😎🙏

[@fizzervc7264]

@@Basedboomerchadbear This reissue is also out of reach for the majority of people as well lol

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

@@fizzervc7264 🤣

[@352daves9]

​@@fizzervc7264yup. They out here charging Friedman prices for an amp loaded with Chinese parts...

[@AntonioZaccariaGuitar]

I own that explorer and sounds amazing through my Mark IV, can't wait to get this reissue to try it!

[@fedrek01]

Now this is the demo people asked for since the first video, I commented on the first one and I liked the sound there, I'm not a harsh person, just didn't like what Dinesh did on SW video. Now I see that he can play and play good. Good tone, nice settings.

[@pavlegasic819]

Wow, gibson actually remembered what this amp was built for

[@MooseWilliams]

So I guess that means Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather and Prince forgot what the amp was actually built for? Pfff

[@shelbyavant5081]

​@@MooseWilliams Yeah, that's why these are getting reissued. Because the Larry Carlton guys had to have it.

[@MooseWilliams]

@@shelbyavant5081 my argument here is that Randy Smith didn't build the amp for Master Of Puppets.

[@shelbyavant5081]

@@MooseWilliams When did you talk to him last?

[@MooseWilliams]

@@shelbyavant5081 I just know the history of Mesa Boogie man. It's my favourite amp company :) also, crystal balls weren't invented yet either. I think that was around '88...

[@ReubensLair]

Ok now that's the mark 2cplus we wanted to hear. Someone dial in petrucci tone.

[@SHREDTILLDEAD]

🤦

[@resistorstudios]

Sounds good! Way better than the classic rock tones from other videos!

[@michaelallen434]

Love the amp and the different tones it’s capable of but, this where it thrives.

[@timmussmann5143]

Hammer time!!!!

[@woodward_alan]

Finally done properly. Thanks for listening. Now where do we find the white explorer

[@mesaboogie]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Link in the description.

[@antilaw9911]

That sounds real good. Dang! 👍

[@mesaboogie]

Glad you like it!

[@frankorion5926]

Let Ola Englund do a demo of this amp.

[@fattysworld1905]

When are the reissue CABS coming out?? 👀

[@anahowana]

Damage almost done ! This demo will save it for Mesa and Gibson ! The amp is versatile and could have so many applications from Country to Rock but the demographic is here for the sake of Hetfield and Petrucci. Cheers from Morocco.

[@mvyper]

Can't wait for Ola to compare it to his og mark.

[@JP-vg3qt]

I use a pair of old school MkII C+ modded Studio Pre's in my rig to this day... massive tone!!!!

[@1xRacer]

We just wanted you to do the iic+ thing 🤘

[@OfficialSNMvids]

This sounds so good! Pre-ordered mine from Cream City Guitars, on 11/25/24, come guys when is my IIc+ reissue shipping!!?? Great job on the tones here! \m/

[@mesaboogie]

We’re so excited for you to get yours!

[@3J_Music]

I'm now convinced that they did the initial videos on purpose. They had all of us talking (and bitching) and searching for videos for what, a week or two? Constant chatter about this amp, even though we all knew "it does the thing..." No such thing as bad publicity. Well played, Gibson

[@mesaboogie]

😉 thanks for being here!

[@Darth.Shredder]

Somebody has been reading the comments.

[@Greg-ht2uv]

Two things, first great sound and playing. Second, that is the right way to respond to criticism, shut up and play :)

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

Oooohhhh those cabs!! 😎

[@gringopig]

Pretty amazing!!!

[@123lowp]

Sounds pretty good

[@jorgiewtf]

Wait… I thought this was exclusively a “dad-rock” crunch machine. I’m cancelling my order immediately!

[@rl95719]

Gibson wanted a redo haha good on them.

[@ladc8960]

🏅LA MESA Bravo -----

[@carlosgunz85]

Common Sense! Tks ❤🎸

[@bryancroad2063]

Still kind of hard to believe this is reissued.

[@EdAlarcon120]

When a company listens to customer feedback 👏

[@loutrotechaud2598]

Alright, now please make a low watt studio version for bedroom hacks like me!

[@t2mccoy]

Wonder if there’s a noise gate on. Really clean signal.

[@MarkSDD]

Seems strange to not lead with this type of demo already. I know it's a versatile amp and Gibson want to market it to as many people as possible, but let's be honest, no-one is paying 7 - 10 grand for one of these used to sound like John Mayer or the guy from Blink 182. That price is the Metallica tax.

[@hughjanus5518]

And I will stick to my modelers.

[@orionz06]

I think you underestimate the amount of punk rock that used these. I will most certainly play more Pennywise than Metallica through this.

[@Nova_Femboy]

Bro he was play ajfa in one part, it was def a mimic of it

[@antilaw9911]

Let me put it clear for all the commentors that know nothing about tone or dialing in amps. THIS AMP IS POPULAR BECAUSE IT DELIVERS A VARIETY OF OVERDRIVE TONES. NOT JUST METALLICA!

[@vaportrails7943]

Indeed.

[@senorphilipe4242]

I think Mesa were right to lead with a more varied initial presentation - this amp is not a one trick pony - you can start with the overarching then dial down into the granular specifics

[@SHREDTILLDEAD]

I have a similar preamp and have had one similar combo. With the 5 band on board I'm convinced you can do almost any amp sound with minimal "add ons", sometimes none at all, just time to think about how you're dialing it in.

[@jessetate9701]

One day I’ll own it lol

[@ChristianHernandez-up7dx]

Sooo… is a Mark IiC+ mini head or a JP2C mini head out of the question? Asking for a friend.

[@Jaundice__]

Not helping my Mark gas, I want a IV so badly.

[@SluggerStark]

They are worth every penny.

[@calmccullen3539]

Now reissue the metal grilles for the cabs.

[@shadilamesbutr8239]

Master of Puppets’ tone right there.

[@antilaw9911]

Kirk said the key for that sound is the EMG's with the MKiic+

[@barry3045]

James or John weren’t available ??

[@SovereignKing]

Let’s face it, James likely said no and that’s why they went out of the gates all salty about it being the ‘Metallica’ amp.

[@AndorMatus]

PCP is the same as the original?

[@Eliphas_Elric]

I think I’m going to sell my mark v and get one of these.

[@senorphilipe4242]

Madness !

[@S1N15A]

A fool and his money will soon be parted

[@Eliphas_Elric]

@@S1N15A I mean I'm going to wait for the early adopters to figure out what the flaws are, but I already have a love hate relationship with my Mark V and all I really want out of a Mark amp is the 2C+ high gain sounds.

[@vaportrails7943]

Hopefully this will satisfy the complainers. As if they needed proof. But the thing is, the actual intent of these amps from their beginning with Carlos Santana is high gain lead. Infinite sustain. The song “Europa” is a famous early example. They can do everything else, but that is the place where they are truly unique. John Sykes’s use of it with Whitesnake is a better example of the amp than what Metallica did with it. 🤫

[@muleblues71]

will this play 38 special?

[@Infineonxdpe132g5c]

When mark IV comeback?

[@Murphy_R9]

You should've got a KZbin channel that owns one to do the demo! Just yesterday I heard a demo on Yt that sounded amazing!

[@michaeledwards7088]

JP2C owner, here...I have my eyes glued to the new 2C+, but I am trying to understand if there is a huge difference in sound between the two amps. Obviously the controls (and the Simulcast thing) are different and some the feel is different, but is it a completely different thing?

[@danielhenry4614]

Me to it’s nice have multiple channels and eq it would have to really impress me first being only having to have one perfect channel to use

[@S1N15A]

Stick w the JP2C it's a much better amp

[@fedrek01]

Almost same thing, JP2C has slightly more functions but it's only class A/B, this new reissue is SimulClass.

[@michaeledwards7088]

@@fedrek01 What is the difference there with the Simulclass? Does that create a huge difference in sound or feel?

[@fedrek01]

@michaeledwards7088 The amp operates the different power. Simul is both A and A/B running at the same time. To my friend it's punchier on palm mutes, tighter sounding.

[@driscollmach1219]

lol guess mesa read all the hateful comments on the previous horrible demos!

[@Thirteen31Music]

What are the chances of seeing a 25w version? Slim to none im guessing

[@KellyWV]

Synergy module…

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

This is the funniest product launch ever. Boogie does the first video going soft on the metal because everyone knows wtf that sounds like already. Everyone bitches and moans because they act like they’ve never heard Metallica on a IIc+ EVER, then Gibson sticks the pacifier back in your mouths with the Metallica tone demo.

[@redeyeddogproductions4222]

How about a video in E flat

[@wallofrock6725]

How about B#

[@imannonymous7707]

U know I love boogie tone, but there ought to be a clinic on dialing them in, cuz I have no clue

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

Bass 0, mids 0 or 1, treble high. GEQ to taste.

[@Greg-ht2uv]

Goto grailtone (boogie forum) . Its all there

[@PetParadiseVB]

Just let Ola do it lol

[@pz1792]

Mesa, what about oscillation issue? will it be fixed?

[@ookookook]

Now we’re talking. WTF were you guys thinking handing Fluff that amp with random EQ settings before???

[@chronicnarnia]

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the Rectifier reissue in the background with the chrome faceplate. I hope it’s a Rev F and not a Rev G reissue.

[@SHREDTILLDEAD]

Was the f only desirable for the faceplate? Heard people talk about it for years like it was a sound or feel thing.

[@TheBoomtown4]

There.

[@S1N15A]

This anemic sounding amp is $4k?

[@WayneMalloy-g7v]

😂 after the guitar community been going nuts.

[@BlackDogOriginal]

What’s with the avenue-pooper?

[@marco_andy02]

Please E Standard

[@Creature8389]

🤢🤮

[@AlexFernandezSMS]

YAAASSSSS

[@nicolasrivera5310]

The audio guy that did the videos for the Mark 5 35 and 25 needs to be contacted again! the audio on this recent videos is just horrible!.

[@rickyleeengle]

Not a fan of this guy

[@bl00dy1ng]

His guitar playing is like he’s 14 years old

[@pimpyohthrash]

Lol, must have hurt his ears.

[@guitarwilly81]

Now put vol 1 and treble on 10 and let's hear that sucker SQUEAL!!

[@RayRay-pg3fx]

I am not sure who is asking for this? I am sure that there will be some trying to get the classic Metallica sound without realizing that this was just.a piece in that chain. There are so many other amps on the market right now for way less money that sound so much better. This is another Gibson money grab.

[@guitarwilly81]

Did the OG use chinese filters and caps like these do?

[@352daves9]

For what they are charging you may as well just get a Friedman.

[@tcollacott]

Think I'll stick with my MV90w thanks......

[@theprisonier]

A bit of shame or a gibson move. What a poor copy of yourself. For the price. No IR, nothing new, but not the same component. Gibson is destroying mesa

[@srh361]

Apparently this is Gibsons response to all the hate videos, still WAY over priced!!!!

[@JeremyRoberts-g4t]

You can do that on any amp as it not music

[@3000KTM]

right now one of the largest dirt bike companies (ktm) in the world is going bankrupt … point being no one can afford them anymore so they aren’t selling product just a point there gibson / mesa , if the masses can’t afford it , it won’t last because your prices are stupid high

[@vaportrails7943]

They cost what they’ve always cost, adjusted for inflation.

[@3000KTM]

@ really , well in my country i bought a mark v new for $3300 , now they’re nearly 7 grand ! a jp2c is 9 grand , you can buy a good car for that . gibson guitars are pretty much the same , 6 grand for a les paul inflation sure , everything goes up , but no other brands have jumped that much , not even close by comparison average people can’t affiord it

[@vaportrails7943]

@ That has to be something with exchange rates and shipping. I do not claim to know about the foreign prices. Everything is messed up since Covid. In the US, it is as I said above. No change except inflation. $3,599 for the head, $3,899 for the combo.

[@3000KTM]

@ not really , im in new zealand , the US price you say would be $6200 here . but the point is not too many years ago i bought a mark v for $3300 , no other brand has doubled like that

[@vaportrails7943]

@@3000KTM If you look at the prices for a 100W IIC+ in 1984 with the same options, and put it in a US inflation calculator, it is almost exactly the same price.

[@kelperbelcher]

Finally ffs

[@Quantium]

Pull bright, pull shift? I paid $4k for this amp, just use normal english. Jesus.

[@fredpastukh3460]

Put tube screamer on front please

[@ChrisCleek]

Why?

[@BigRiffsRigs]

The bridge pickup is too high, making a squeaking sound

[@robvoyles]

sounds thin

[@texasmuddslingers]

Way over priced! :(

[@disco4535]

make more money :(

[@cmichalski420]

sounds like crap