THE BEAST

In a historic move that’s sending shockwaves through the guitar world, Mesa/Boogie has officially released the Mark IIC++ as a production model for the first time ever. Known as one of the rarest and most revered high-gain amps in existence, the IIC++ is no longer just the stuff of gear lore—it’s real, it’s tangible, and for a very limited few, it’s finally attainable.

This marks the first time in the company’s storied history that the ultra-rare 1985 custom amp, long considered a tonal “unicorn,” has been made available to the public—albeit in an extremely limited run of just 200 units, which have already sold out.

From Dio to Metallica: A Tone-Born Legend

The origin of the IIC++ dates back to the mid-1980s, when Vivian Campbell, then the guitarist for Dio, asked Mesa/Boogie for a modded version of the already-legendary Mark IIC+. His request? “More gain and girth.” The result was a ferocious evolution of the amp’s Lead channel—more aggressive, tighter, thicker, and loaded with harmonics.

Though the IIC++ was never part of the official catalog, the custom mod quickly gained cult status. The amp became a secret weapon for a very small group of elite players—most famously, Metallica. James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett used their IIC++ (nicknamed the “Crunch Berries” amp thanks to a sticker on it) to sculpt the crushing tones on albums like Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All.

Speaking to MusicRadar, Hammett said,

“They made very few of those Boogies and we happened to get a few. And those amps, along with EMG pickups, were defining our sound. They enabled us to get the sound that we needed to get across. If it wasn’t for those Mesa/Boogie amps and EMG pickups, I don’t know how much further we would have got with just Marshalls. With the Boogies it was something different.”

What Makes the IIC++ Different?

While last year’s reissue of the Mark IIC+ already thrilled tone purists, the IIC++ brings something extra to the table—more gain, more punch, and a tighter low-end. On the outside, it may look nearly identical to the IIC+ (aside from a small badge on the grille cloth), but under the hood, it’s a very different beast.

The Lead mode has been given an overhaul with:

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  Increased preamp gain

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  A tighter, more focused low-end

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  Thicker harmonic content

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  More aggressive top-end bite

Meanwhile, the Clean mode remains faithful to the original circuitry, giving players the best of both worlds.

Mesa/Boogie describes the amp as:

“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.”

A Limited Chance at Legend

Only 200 of these Mark IIC++ amps were produced for this release, and according to Mesa/Boogie, they’re already gone—snatched up almost instantly by collectors, pro players, and serious tone enthusiasts.

Still, this moment marks a turning point in gear history: one of metal’s most mythical machines has finally stepped out of the shadows.

To learn more about the Mark IIC++, visit Mesa/Boogie’s official website.