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 .