EVERY amp at MESA/Boogie gets the hammer test. This test tells the technician that the amplifier is ready for battle and ready to handle the rigors of the road and deliver exceptional tone, night after night. Today’s slo-mo hammer test is a JP-2C and this amp passed with flying colors. Ready to rock. | Mesa Boogie

The "classic" tube amp wasn't made to unplug the speaker from the head while they’re on. This is an unspoken rule and it exists for a reason. The Mark VII is different. When you pull the speaker cable, it automatically switches to an internal reactive load. So the power amp is still seeing a proper load, the transformer stays protected, and the amp keeps behaving the way it should. Nothing explodes and nothing gets hurt. We didn't change the rule, just the design. | Mesa Boogie

Tone Sessions: John Browne/Monuments & Mark Five: 35 – “Stygian Blue” Playthrough