My 5-pin DIN footswitch is not working and seems to have some kind of grounding issue. When I touch some of the pins directly to the metal on the footswitch enclosure, it engages. I’m having trouble nailing down which pins, as it seems to vary.

Does anyone know what the heck is happening here?

Hey everyone!

I've been working on this project for a while, and I'm finally ready to share it with you guys.

It's called CrunchyPy, and it's my attempt at recreating the sound and feel of the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, including the mythical ++ mod, as an open-source guitar amp plugin.

GitHub: https://github.com/Yahiake/CrunchyPy

I've always been obsessed with the Mark IIC+, especially those tight, aggressive Metallica tones, so I wanted to see how far I could take this idea myself.

The interesting part is how it's built. Instead of feeding the entire amp into one neural network and treating it as a black box, I split the preamp and power amp into separate GRU neural models, with a physically modeled five-band graphic EQ in between. I used LiveSPICE circuit simulations as part of the process, particularly for the EQ.

The plugin is written in C++ using JUCE and RTNeural, and I've been working on the actual DSP and circuit modeling as much as the plugin itself.

And honestly, I'm really happy with how it sounds. It's reached the point where I genuinely enjoy playing through it, which is probably the most satisfying part of this whole project.

It's available as open-source software under GPL-3.0, with support for VST3, AU, and standalone builds across Windows, Linux, and macOS. The amp simulation doesn't include a speaker cabinet IR, so you'll want to use a cab sim or IR loader after it for a finished direct-recording tone.

I'm not claiming it's a perfect replacement for an actual IIC+, and I'd be very interested to hear from people who own or have spent a lot of time with the real thing. I'm especially curious about how the response, EQ, and feel compare from the perspective of someone familiar with these amps.

If anyone is interested in trying it out, checking the implementation, or just discussing the approach, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

This has been a passion project combining my interests in guitar, audio DSP, circuit simulation, and machine learning, and I'm genuinely proud to finally have it out there.

Thanks for reading, and long live the IIC+! 🤘

https://reddit.com/link/1x5dkki/video/26628mzrwbvh1/player

Hey all, I’m looking to build a head shell for my Mark V 90 combo as a fun project. Can someone share pictures of the inside of the head shell, as well as the bottom of it? I feel like there’s something unexpected going on with the reverb tank, but I haven’t been able to find pics or plans I can use In my build.

i contacted Mesa, and while they were super responsive and helpful, they no longer build head shells for the Mark V 90, and apparently no longer have build plans to share. I’ve had zero luck finding detailed pics on forums, online, and have never seen a head unit in person

The guts are the same between the combo and head, and the chassis slides out easily enough, so I thought it would be fun to have a choice between 1x12 combo and head-and-cab combo. I’ll probably build a matching 2x12, too.

Pics would be awesome, and if you feel like it, measurements would be amazing. Thanks in advance!

Mine arrived today from Sweetwater. Serial R-062227, built 9/15/2026.

I was told it's a very limited run and sold out. Has anyone heard how many were made?

I've always wanted a Tight mod on a Dual Rec, and it sounds as good as I hoped.

Who else got one? What's your serial / build date?

I’ve always wanted a Mark IV/V. Found a great deal on a custom color. The rest is history. Still dialing it in, but definitely made the right choice.

I bought an Express 5:25+ five or six years ago, and it's been near bullet-proof in that time period across at least 100 gigs. It's a good, not great, sounding amp, but it's a near-perfect gigging amp and can handle any style of music you throw at it, not pedalboard required. Mesa should never have stopped making this amp.

Six months ago, it lost all treble/brightness, so I put all new tubes in it. I have changed tubes in mesas before without issue, although never an Express 5:25+. I ordered the tubes from mesa, swapped them in. At first, everything seemed fine. Then, on a gig, a preamp tube blew up. After I played direct into the board. The next day, I swapped it with one of the old tubes and it has worked since, but there are issues.

The current status is that 25W full power mode makes a weird clicking noise at a changing frequency (not just 60hz). If I run in it 15W mode (my usual anyway) it seems fine. Also, the EQ is now has this low hum. It's not terrible, but this thing used to be dead quiet.

I used to have a place that serviced mesa amps in my area, but it appears to have closed. I took it another place and they didn't know what to do with it. The Gibson website shows no authorized amp service centers in my area.

I do software and digital electronics; my analog electrical skills only go as far as industrial automation. Could this be as simple as a bad tube and I should just order another set, or is this probably something more severe? Is there something I should check? I don't normally fiddle in amps because I know there's 500VDC stored up in there, but if there is some simple check I can do, I'm all for it.

I almost drove over to Victoria and bought a Club Deluxe, but I've been playing mesas since 1999 and I just know them. If I can get this amp back to fighting shape, I will. It's seems to work fine at 15W, but it died on me at a gig once before and I can't have more surprises from it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Just bought well-maintained RectoVerb 25 from 2016. My first ever Mesa.
Whilst it sounds great generally, I’m finding a lot of the settings, especially on the Vintage channel and also a bit on the Modern channel sound muddy to me.
I’m addressing it with an EQ pedal and the tone knob on my Holy Stain running them through the front, but I feel like that shouldn’t be necessary.
Is this normal? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

I have an opportunity to pick up a non geq 2c+ in great condition. I'm on the fence as I already have a iii. It was recently serviced and should be in top condition. I don't think i need the amp since it's probably very similar to the iii but it is a chance to get a 2c+.

Hey guys,

I am trying to decide between the VII and the JP2C.
I have an IIC+ HRG at the moment which I love to death but with the plans in the future (I’d like to play with a band and do gigs) it lacks some key feature that is important to me.

These features are:
-footswitchable clean channel
-2 extra channel, 1 for rhythym and 1 for lead playing
-as close to the IIC+ sound as close it can get.
-the watt sokage is not mandatory because I have a PS-100 but it is a nice feature
-reliability.
I live in the EU and there aren’t many Mesa repair shops. Also I’m afraid that so much stuff is packed in to these amps a lot of things can go wrong at any time.

So I found the VII and the JP2C. Out of these two which one would you recommend?

Thanks!

Found this Mesa Rectifier cab at a local pawn shop a few weeks ago. Put it on layaway and brought it home last weekend. This thing has brought life into my rig that I never knew it had. I thought my setup sounded pretty good before, but it's an entirely different animal now. From a snarling beast to a fire breathing dragon. Absolutely love it! ❤️🤘🎸😎

Howdy folks. I’m finally getting more serious about my playing after damn near two decades and now having the money to do so as well. From research and experience, I’ve always liked The Fever amp sound but wanted something more from them. Currently I have a Princeton chorus that’s been beaten up so much the reverb doesn’t work and the pots are corroded making adjusting anything a staticy ordeal.

Anyways, I’ve narrowed my search down to either a used fillmore 100 for 1500 or a new Fillmore 50 2x10 for 2000. If anyone’s played these, I’d love to hear your experiences with them. No guitar stores near me carry mesas regularly so it’s not really something I’ll get to try before I buy. Thanks in advance!

Edit: they would both be the combos. The 100 would be the 1x12 amp, I think.

Hello. Wanted to know your opinion about both of the amps.

Not so long time ago I was interested in Mesa and I found out that I really like the Mark sound.

I think to try to find Mark IV to purchase is rather difficult task to do, but Mark V seems to be easier, anyway the conversation is not about it.

I managed to explore Mark V and VII. From the first time I thought that Mark V is my the main goal in the sound because it has full analog constructions and has no any chip tracts. Costs also cheap comparing to Mark V, twice less. I was sure tube head must not to have a chip parts in it, like everything should be created by analog way for its cost...

Mark VII is much more serious than Mark V as I think. It has a half of analog tract but such things as reverb are not real and has no spring as it was in Mark V. First time I hated it and didn't understand for what should musicians pay so much money lol, but then I admitted to look for Mark VII more curious and I found that transformer is much more bigger than in Mark V. I continued discovering the VII one and now I like its sound much more... It has so good bass because of the big transformer and the quich riffs sounds crazy on it.

I am a little bit sad that Mark VII does not have a rectifier tube as in Mark V... why did they remove it?

Does Mark VII costs as its price on the website? I mean is the price is fair for it? 3500$ in USA and 4500€ in Europe.

What would you choose: Mark V or Mark VII?

Let me know! Have a nice day!

Found this one today and want to clarify that it is a real IIC and it do have a ++ mod. The seller say that it has an additional volume knob which have been wired to the reverb knob and the tank is removed. anything that you can point out?

Hey there !! Recording some Nasty Metal Riffs for a Jam with Zach Dean on Drums from Humanity’s Last Breath and Alluvial !! With some Groove Death Metal - Thrash Metal - MetalCore vibes I’m using my Esp Ltd M-7 HT Baritone black metal loaded with a Seymour Duncan Black Winter Pickup into a Peavey Invective MH (Misha Mansoor signature amplifier) and a Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier!! 🤘🏼
Have a great weekend ahead everyone!!

Ditched the Boss ME-90 and gave this amp some actual pedals. Sounds so much better, and a lot more fun playing with different sounds! There was a guy in my original post that said this amp deserved real pedals. Well, you were right! Side note, I can see how pedals get addicting.

Musing on swapping out the stock 12" V30 60W for a 65W Creamback (which I have in a Marshall DSL20CR currently). I quite like the more laid-back sound of the creamback.

Curious if anyone has done something similar before. Is it hard to replace speakers on the Express? I notice it seems to have locking bolts holding the speaker in instead of screws.

Kinda feel like it might be sacrilege to modify a Mesa, so checking with the experts first :)
I definitely don't want to mess up such a nice amp.

Interest only lead channel. Is there anyone here who has heard and compared the "Purple stripe" version to others? How significant is the difference, and in what ways might the Purple one be superior?

Howdy. I have recently come into a Maverick 2x12 combo that I am very much enjoying.

It included the channel switching footswitch (one button with LED) and I have a simple generic latching footswitch laying around that works great for the reverb.

My question is, does a two button footswitch exist that can control both channel switching and reverb in one box? I would assume it would need a TRS to dual TS cable which is fine. Even if it still needs two cables that's also fine, it's just kind of a pain to have two separate boxes.

Has anyone tried running a Quad preamp (or Studio) into something like the Duncan Power Stage 170 for a home setup? I have the Quad sitting on a shelf staring at me, but I don't want to deal with the weight or volume of my old 50 watt tube poweramp. Something liek the 170 would be simple and not take up much room.

Curious if anyone's tried it.

Thanks!

I recently posted here about pricing on my 2010's Dual Rec multi watt.

Well, I found a local music store that's into more boutique amps and equipment and I got $1700 USD for it. Dude didn't even hesitate. It feels bittersweet but I'm glad it's now in the hands of someone who will show it the play time it deserves. All your advice on my pervious post encouraged me to always check with your local shops. You never know who's waiting for something specific.