Mesa/Boogie The Storied Mark IIC++ Available as a Limited-Edition Production Model

July 16, 2025

Built in Petaluma, CA, experience one of the rarest and most coveted vintage amplifiers ever, the Mark IIC++, in solid new form, built by the same artisans who crafted the originals 40 years ago.

NASHVILLE, TN. MESA/Boogie® is the original boutique Home of Tone, handcrafting amplifiers of uncompromising quality from the world’s finest materials in Petaluma, California, USA. Today, with reverence and pride, MESA/Boogie has announced the arrival of the storied Mark IIC++® amplifiers. An extremely limited production, now is your chance to own an original icon. The new MESA/Boogie Mark IIC++ amplifiers are now available worldwide to the public for the first time at authorized MESA/Boogie dealers and on www.mesaboogie.com.

We’re excited to bring a very special first official production run of the Mark IIC++, a very special ‘mod,’ done to a very few Mark IIC+ amplifiers at the request of, first Vivian Campbell, and later after other artists hearing about its added gain and girth,” says Doug West, Director, Tone Lab, Gibson Amplifiers and MESA/Boogie. “Over time this mod that was never an official model, logged a healthy list of A-Level artist recordings and this kept our Chief Tech and IIC+ guru Mike Bendinelli busy for decades doing the mod for musicians who’d heard of the legendary aggression for metal styles and sent their IIC+’s bought used to him for an update. This limited run of 200 very special new production amplifiers gives those who have always dreamed of a C++ a chance to own one without the hefty price tag of a pre-owned 40-year-old original IIC+ and the shipping and labor costs for the update. Not to mention that it’s a solid, reliable, and consistent new build backed by our five-year warranty!”

The iconic Mark IIC+ amps were first developed in 1985 at the request of Vivian Campbell, and later by Kirk Hammett of Metallica, along with other noteworthy artists of the day who eventually heard them, MESA/Boogie made some modifications to a few production Mark IIC+ amps to achieve more gain in the overdrive mode and attain a thicker, heavier gain sound. These “++” designated IICs were created 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 obscured the exact number; however, it is believed that perhaps 20 or so of these mythical IIC++’s were created during the original mid-1980s IIC+ lifecycle.

In the years that followed, players who heard tales of the blistering tone and were into heavy sounds, sent their C+’s to Tech Guru and archivist at MESA/Boogie, Mike Bendinelli, to have the “++ Mod” performed outside of production time at considerable cost. Now, MESA is excited to announce a limited-edition build of only 200 of these rare amplifiers, in tribute to the music played on them and the era that spawned the great guitarists whose work therein has withstood the test of time and become truly iconic.

This new Mark 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.Listen/watch Philip Näslund–guitarist for Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden’s solo band–try out the Mark IIC++ from MESA/Boogie HERE.

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++

About MESA/Boogie:

Since 1969, MESA/Boogie amplifiers have shaped the evolution of electric guitar tone with innovation and features that can be found in almost every guitar amplifier made today. Handcrafted in Petaluma, California, each individual component is selected in pursuit of the purest tone in its category. Uncompromising construction quality, with the world’s finest materials, MESA/Boogie’s attention to detail is second to none. The choice of world-renowned artists and tone enthusiasts for decades, MESA/Boogie’s award-winning Boogie® and MESA Engineering® guitar and bass amplifier collections include the MARK SERIES, RECTIFIER^®, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA TWEED, SUBWAY^® bass series, and a full line of pedals and signal management solutions. For more information, visit: https://www.mesaboogie.com/en-US/.

About Gibson:

Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by all Gibson brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage Nashville, and the Gibson Garage London.