Today we will be reviewing the Mesa Boogie Mark 2 C Plus Plus Reissue. Released in July 2025, this amp was limited to 200 units and sold out immediately through pre order, being the first time the amp was made available in 40 since 1985. This is a single channel amp with two modes – rhythm and lead.
We will also be answering the questions such as
Does the Mark 2 C Plus Plus have a different circuit board than the Mark 2 C Plus?
Yes, the Mark 2 C Plus Plus has a different circuit board than the 2 c Plus.
What transformers Does the Mark 2 C Plus Plus have?
the Mark 2 C Plus Plus uses Output Transformer
562004 and Power Transformer 561860 which have been used on other Mesa amps including the Mark JP2C.
What is the difference between the 2 C Plus and the 2 C Plus Plus?
The 2 Plus Plus was never made available for purchase, but was a mod artists could request in 1985. It was known as a “metal mod” which gives more gain compared to the regular 2 C plus.
These “++” designated IICs were done for the select few artists who requested them in the twilight of the C+ lifecycle and were never officially offered as a production model. The veil of time has made the exact number unclear; however, it is believed perhaps 20 or so of these mythical IIC++s were created during the original mid-eighties IIC+ lifecycle.
In the years that followed, some owners, hearing tales of the blistering tone and who were into heavy sounds, sent their C+’s to Tech Guru and Keeper of the Archives here, Mike Bendinelli, to have the “++ Mod” performed outside of production time at considerable cost. Now, we are excited to announce a Limited Edition build of 200 of these rarefied amplifiers in tribute to the music played on them and the era that spawned such great guitarists whose work therein has withstood the test of time and become truly iconic.
This new “++” IIC build has increased gain in the preamp, which affects the LEAD Mode only, leaving the CLEAN Mode to produce the same sparkling clean performance as the standard IIC+ production model. The LEAD Mode is thicker sounding in these “++” versions with enhanced low end and more top end gain, cut, and harmonic layering. Visually, the “++” is identical to the current production IIC+ model offered once again, aside from the “++” notation on the etched panel on the back panel and the IIC++ plaque on the front grille.
Experience one of the rarest and most coveted vintage amplifiers ever, the Mark IIC++, in solid new form built by the same artisans who built the originals 40 years ago. These awe-inspiring gain machines have fueled some of the most iconic rock sounds ever captured on record. Now, you can have a chance at owning one of these mythical beasts and utilizing its “incendiary” gain and expressive power for your musical dreams and aspirations. Don’t miss out on this limited-time build of the infamous Mark IIC++!
The first knob labeled Master 1 works as a gain knob, as does the Lead Drive Knob. The Fifth knob labeled Volume 1 acts as an overall volume knob.
For dirty tone set the Master 1 to 7 or higher and volume to 2. For Clean tone, set the master 1 to 2 and the Volume 1 to 6. You will polarize these two knobs to dial in clean vs a dirty tone.
To dial in the amp, you want to shape your tone with the 1st four knobs, adjusting bass, treble and mids does affect the gain structure. The 5 band graphic equalizer should be engaged last to shape your tone and desired sound.
The Lead Drive knob also allows the foot pedal to make the mode switchable if the know if pushed in.
Class A gives you 25 watts (and more headroom) while Simulcass gives you 75 watts.
Crunchberry settings
We will be playing a Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst with Custombucker in the nect and Seymour Duncan Super distortion pickup in the bridge
We will be playing through Celestion Vintage 90 2×12 open back cab.
We will be using a Fortin Zool + Noise gate, Catilinbread Callisto Chorus, Boss Chorus Ensemble and Menatone King of the Britain’s overdrive.
Overall the Mark 2c Plus Plus’s highlight is its clean mode and fluid liquid like saturation. If you are looking for Master of Puppet tone it will get you there, but is also worth noting that the Mark 2c++ and Crunchberries amp was slaved into a Marshall JCM 900 amp. There is more than a lot of gain on tap, but we prefer the distortion of a rectifier, and the Mark 2 C Plus Plus can be hard to dial in which also makes it easy to find less desirable tones.
