Did Gibson Really Fire Randall Smith? The end of Mesa Boogie!

[@JillandKevin]

Randy is a good friend from my past. We played together when he was boosting amps in Prune Music in Mill Valley, CA and then building Mesa Boogie amps in his garage in Lagunitas CA. Boogie was TOTALLY Randy back then! He developed Mesa Boogie into a world class name in his Petaluma factory, along with the amazing ears of Doug West and a great team. I got to watch Randy and Doug develop a couple of amps, and it was TEAMWORK!! Randy would make a couple of changes in the circuitry, and then Doug would plug it in and make suggestions on tonal changes, then randy would make more changes and Doug would try it again, repeating until they had a desired tone. They did this almost every afternoon!!! THAT is how Mesa Boogie tone was developed!! One can bet the farm that Gibson won't/can't do that!!! I'm mind blown that Gibson has the gall to let him go! Mesa Boogie IS Randy Smith!!!!!!!

[@addictedtogear]

I totally agree with you. It’s amazing how people don’t realize this. In my opinion it will just be a matter of time before Mesa boogie is absorbed into the Gibson eco system and loses its individuality as a stand out company.😢

[@David-ry9ly]

He made the choice to sell to Gibson and now because of this many of us former Boogie owners will never be able to afford one again thanks to Gibson's owners greed. I'm talking mega price increases here in the UK.

[@svtrader]

What did you think he would do? Work till the day he dies? He cashed in his chips and went fishing. Get over it.

[@JillandKevin]

@@svtrader Randy is a friend of mine, and he WAS fired by Gibson, against the agreement he made with them.

[@svtrader]

@@JillandKevin Every time there's M&A, the lesser company's CEO is always pushed out. I'm sure that can't come as a big surpise to Randall. He made a lot money. Que Sera, Sera

[@amd3449]

Yes! Mesa Boogie.R.I.P. And for the ones to own one!. Keep it safe!

[@vinniesworld459]

I think ultimately, the big unknown isn't really the designs per se, but rather whether Gibson can get artists to endorse the amps. Let's face it, other than a small fraction of the internet, most people buying amps are primarily influenced by their guitar heroes and rockstars, and really don't give that much thought as to who designed the amps. The high gain amp market is so saturated with variations on the same theme that it's no longer the case that you have to have a Mesa to get *that* Mesa sound. However, if the hottest bands in the market are using Mesas in their backline at major festivals and tours, consumers will still gravitate towards them, thereby allowing Mesa to push out new products (and reissues) that people will buy. The other thing of course are their prices - sure the Mk VIIs are awesome, but it's a tough call as to whether they are $3.5k awesome...

[@johncollins5552]

If you get paid over 3500 a gig then a mesa boogie is dirt cheap😂

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

He was not the CEO but the creator of MESA. The company will survive like Gibson with an endless stream of the same products made new by putting a different color of Tolex vinyl. If Randall Smith is interested in passing the time he should get in contact Boutique Amps Distribution and do what Mike Soldano did and simply design for them and license his name so they can make Randall Smith Amps.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

If they can let the Mesa employees worry about the designs and focus on the marketing I think all will be fine. The moment they start looking to make an entry level Mesa branded amp for their beginner packs and to have Mesa amps in the sub-$1k category built in China, it will be an issue... or maybe not. I think the key is making sure that high end USA built amps need to stay the focus and as long as they don't mess with cutting corners to save costs, they will be fine.

[@tkjcz]

He sold his company and then continued to run it until he retired.. He is going to enjoy his millions and enjoying life of the affluent on the beach..

[@johncollins5552]

Cant expect a guy to work until he's a 100 years old 😂

[@JillandKevin]

He already has plenty of money. He loved developing amps, and he was protecting the people who worked for him. Randy is a friend of mine, and made an agreement with Gibson which they did not honor. This is fact, not speculation.

[@stanesposito2664]

Like someone else mentioned, he's 78 years old and most likely wanted to retire. What will happen, we shall see.

[@chefboy6123]

Techs most hated amps for repair.

[@addictedtogear]

@@chefboy6123 just like a Ferrari they are built to perform and not to be easy to fix…

[@maidenthe80sla]

That is why I sent my Mark III to Mesa in Petaluma for a basic repair, circuitry check, and replacement & updating of capacitors and resistors on this 40 year old amp.

[@johnbriggs3916]

​@addictedtogear No, it is because they are unnecessarily complicated and badly laid out (essentially badly designed.) Not to mention the lack of documentation.

[@David-ry9ly]

@@johnbriggs3916 They also use cheap components

[@Alex.Murphy0987]

​@@addictedtogear Lol what an idiot and idiotic analogy! 😂😂😂

[@richszmal1653]

An end of an era.

[@shanewalton8888]

Knew this was going to happen. Why did anyone expect different? It’s Gibson ffs. They got the reverse-Midas touch. Everything they buy turns to crap.

[@chrisburzenski2317]

Depends on how the noncompetition clause in the contract was written. He may be able create a new company a la Leo Fender.

[@jakesmith4506]

It was a great run.

[@nonamejustbecause-b9k]

I am sorry but if the Reissue of the 2C+ doesnt make clear why Randall was let go...I dont know what could make a bigger statement of fact.

[@geetargeek79]

Here's me hoping Randall Smith can continue his legacy the way Steven Fryette is able to continue his after VHT. Could be looked at as an opportunity, especially for BAD...

[@peterengland2892]

? what's the single p/up guitar you're holding Tony?👍

[@addictedtogear]

Custom built EVH stealth model I made.

[@richardsali1954]

I think that the Mesa Boogie amps, in about a years time will be a Gibson version of the Fender Tonemaster line. Much cheaper to make, and if they can faithfully reproduce the MB sound they will charge as if it is a hand wired tube amp equivalent. It’s all about money and profit margin. every corporate decision is.

[@charlesbolton8471]

They already charge as if it’s a “hand wired” tube amp and literally call them that even though by most people’s definition they aren’t “hand wired”.

[@TheDogPa]

Got to love the mediocrity of the corporate world.

[@6stringcodger450]

He had to go sometime. He is older and time to retire. It was his choice to go with Gibson in the first place and maybe even his to leave (have not seen any real details on the departure). This is just how the ebb and flow of business works. Not a crisis as some youtubers are making it out to be. It's not like we dont have good amps to choose from! Anyone can get a run of a hundred pc boards made for almost nothing these days. The general design of amps has not changed much for decades. I think it's only magic to those that have not worked in the electronics field. Someone will always be picking up where others have left off. Several of my friends built great amps in the 80s at home while building missile guidance systems at work. The older Mesas just became more valuable !

[@robertcarey3383]

Everybody knows Pre-CBS Fenders are much better than after Fender sold to CBS. I sure Mesa Boogie will be the same thing, Mesa Boogies after the sale to Gibson will be less valuable in the used market.......while costing more new.

[@thomask.9850]

That 'handwired' Falcon made me smile when i learned about it. In a way good for him to move on. He probably doesn't fit into this anyways.

[@edwinstovall3334]

I can tell you how I feel about this development in comic book terms. Not the characters, though ... the companies. Does anyone remember Malibu Comics? They had two imprints: Genesis and Ultraverse. I know jack about Genesis, but the Ultraverse had some of the best stuff available -- really killer. The Malibu business model was not good enough, though, and the company got bought by Marvel Comics. When I learned about that, I knew that those killer characters and titles were truly doomed. I think Ultraverse was dead within two years. Figure Gibson as Marvel and Ultraverse as Mesa Engineering and you'll get it.

[@thomcat1969x]

Mesa will change but much of the remaining crew are long time employees so who knows if that will help perpetuate knowledge for service. This would be at greatest risk. You could send your amps to them previously, I was fortunate to live close enough to make the 45 min drive. I must say that I did make it up there more than once as I established relationships at the company. I must say that only one of them was to have an amp serviced though, and I own 5 of them. Having that said I can see under the influence of Gibson, Mesa doing a line of re-issue of highly sought after models of out of production amps. Tom Murphy aged even? 😅

[@Locrum]

Didn’t work out that well for Lucasfilm. Will see if they run it into the ground or not.

[@charliewelch328]

Randall should start a new Amp Company and name it Nosbig Amps.

[@slashvanyoung]

Finally a reasonable take on this situation. Thank you.

[@RJcoolray]

Boogie has always been a players amp. for the sound and options. Now I'm afraid it will become a electricians amp. that means they try to make it better from a circuit point of view. like fender did in the 70's I'll keep my Mark IV and my DC 5. forever

[@beeps123]

No it’s not. Leo fender does not work for fender. Gibson is not in the picture and Les Paul is gone. So why not here. Life goes on. People will buy. Maybe even more. That being said, I’ll never buy another one again.

[@jimsalman7257]

It might be that Gibson bought Mesa mainly in order to have their own, ready-made amplifier design and manufacturing infrastructure. So perhaps we'll see the Mesa line phased out while a whole new line of Gibson branded amps gets released.

[@addictedtogear]

@@jimsalman7257 Boy, I hope not…

[@uvicjames]

That seems far fetched. The Mesa name has goodwill. In fact, it would be interesting to see the analysis of the sale price as the goodwill would be significant.

[@laurentfargues8113]

The guy is 81, give him a break, he deserves a retirement with some good money

[@Fastvoice]

Don't make him older than he is: 78.

[@SociopatheAssume]

What a bad move ( one more to an already long list) from Gibson : Randall was the heart and soul, the dNA of boogie's amp : can someone imagine Apple when it was at it's peak, being sold to another company, for whatever reason, and some months later the new company fires Steve Jobs ?? who could have done such a stupid decision like that ? Well, now we now, Gibson

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Randall clearly saw the writing on the wall....the death of guitar amps..so got out by selling out to Gibson...lol

[@uvicjames]

There will always be a market segment that will use analog instead of digital. I think a bigger issue is the death of music period, thanks to the cell phone generation.

[@johnnyguitar-uu3zr]

those 2 gibson amps are Overpriced and Not worth the money .. I Just bought the REVV D20 amp made in Canada for $921.00 Brand New !! I have a 12" Celestion Vintage 30 Made in UK not china , that they use in the Revv Combo . so i didn't need to spend the extra money .

[@drlarcey]

Buy up some old, clean amps and hang onto them. They’re gonna go up in value. If I had to guess in five years, they probably won’t be selling many amplifiers. I have a feeling Gibson will destroy the whole situation and the old amplifiers will be worth a fortune.

[@victormats949]

Selling to Gibson was a mistake for the brand, maybe not for Randall himself for the paycheck. I would have prefered a buyout from Fender as they tend to respect the brands they acquire.

[@guitarlobos5069]

MK IIc +😁 , 2 MK 4s🔥🔥🔥👅

[@johnbriggs3916]

The idea of Gibson not screwing things up is fanciful.

[@addictedtogear]

There can always be a first time!

[@bradfordjeff]

I think he just retired. He's almost 80 years old. He sold the company to Gibson three years ago. Time to retire and enjoy the cash-out while he's still alive.

[@TheMetalMag]

I have a mark 1 I sold my JCM800 Marshall cos mesa is just most powerful

[@JPP-i6o]

Gibson almost killed Gibson. On the bright side, all my pre-Gibson Boogies will be the new "Fender tweed Deluxes".👍🤑

[@MetalAsFk]

I would not buy a Gibson amplifier or a Post Gibson/Messa Boogie app

[@ricdale7813]

Gibson wants more control on designs and parts and assembly out sourcing etc...... Eventually Mesa's will be exactly like the Re issued Gibson Falcons. Over priced ,underwhelming, cheaply manufactured amp designs. Sadly most who followed this Merge knew that Gibson would raise prices and change things drastically in production they just didnt realize that meant ousting the original Engineers and designers- Randall Smith.

[@Mark_Ocain]

The Gibson curse

[@candydormizzi2500]

Buy a Wizard and move on up

[@addictedtogear]

@@candydormizzi2500 too expensive for my blood!

[@uvicjames]

Different circuit... good amps though.

[@victormats949]

Honestly, just buy an Axe FX III. You get several Mesa models (and other brands), plus cabinets, IRs, lots of effects, and the practicality of designing your presets. Also playable with headphones and at low volumes.

[@uvicjames]

The danger is that they will turn Mesa into a boomer brand... they'll coast on their past reputation. Mesa has already slowed down drastically in terns of innovation. There were a couple of big innovations in tube amps in the last few years (Blackstar's digital switching power supply, etc) and Mesa played no part in them. Gibson is basically a company that sells overpriced guitars to boomers, and that's what they'll do with the amps.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Boogie is over...too loud ...too heavy...too expensive

[@stevenbernfeld6415]

Dumb show. Tell the truth. If you actually owned one, you would say they rarely work for long, and virtually zero techs can repair them.

[@addictedtogear]

@@stevenbernfeld6415 I’ve owned the mark 3, the Stiletto, the Triple Crown, the Electra Dyne and the Lone Star and never had any issues with any of them. Just saying…

[@stevenbernfeld6415]

@@addictedtogear Appreciate that, own the blue angel, heartbreaker combo, Lonestar, a few others, none worked consistently!

[@addictedtogear]

@@stevenbernfeld6415 sorry to hear that.

[@stevenbernfeld6415]

@@addictedtogear The Subway blues worked well, others, not so much. Plus, for some odd reason that no one knows, few technicians can repair these correctly?

[@jonathannelson1024]

Never had an issue with any of my Boogies. Mark IV, V or my VII in 20 plus years 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@lsmith869]

🤣🤣🤣 That analysis was a joke. Randall Smith was Mesa Boogie, it will be dead as a brand as soon as Gibson starts its ususal