MESA/Boogie Founder – Randall Smith Interview

Mitch Gallagher sits down with Randall Smith, the founder of MESA/Boogie amplification for this special interview.

#Sweetwater #MESABoogie

[sweetwater]

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[getgetoutout]

Bought an eBay MESA Dual Rectifier head in 2007. UPS dropped it, broke every tube, cracked the case. Drove from Sacramento to the MESA factory to see what the damage was. Randall walks out, makes a comment about the non-MESA tubes and says call back in a week. I go to pick it up and he had gone through the entire amp, replaced almost every POT and charges me minimum shop labor. $50

[GUSSTASS]

ISN'T IT SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT QUALITY STILL EXITS' AND THERE IS CRAFTSMEN THAT LOVE THEIR WORK.

[kirabarsmith]

Great interview, I could listen to Randall's stories all day, it's hard to comprehend the impact he's had on music. His work ethic is exceptional too, inspiring stuff.

[geoffwright]

I wrote to to Randall in 1973 when I first saw Mahavishnu in Australia...Boogie had an ad the size of a postage stamp on the back page of guitar player
That was the first inquiry he'd had from Australia...I still have the hand written letter
What a history...what a great man...and I LOVE my boogies ...and I'm leaving them for my grandson who's a guitar player Randall ❤️

[discotex]

"I keep my soldering iron hot all the time". Randall's pick up line. I have three Mesa boogies, thanks dude!

[tysonhodgestrio]

Absolutely love my Boogie Mk I. Serial number 1006, Randall's signature on the chassis, heavy as hell, awesome tone. What an amazing piece of music history.

[blessedfold]

@Sweetwater The interviewer couldn't have done a better job! Thanks for not interrupting Randall.

[ejaymo]

I have played Mesa amps for 30 years and don't see myself stopping.

[rayfoster]

i really love this, brought tears to my eyes, i mean this is the father of high gain, he is the reason we can do what we love to do so much, us metal guys owe him a great debt of gratitude

[ShawnTubbs]

I bought my first Mesa Boogie amp when I was 19-20 years old or so. I went on to eventually get to meet and work with Randy Smith and Doug West and I'll never forget the things I learned. I truly cherish and miss those days. Randy is truly one of the great innovators of the industry and his right-hand man Doug West is a fabulous guitar player and FLAT KNOWS TONE!!!

[TheSixfinger]

My friend kept telling me, “ ya gotta get a Boogie” he said he’d tried one in London and it left everything else in the shade! All I could find round the music shops at the time were the usual amps, Fenders, Marshall’s, Peavey’s etc. Then one day I went to a trade show and they had the Boogie stand right opposite the Marshall stand. What an ideal opportunity! Marshall has just released the JMP 1 and the fifty fifty power blocks, very impressive! I went over to the Mesa stand and saw the Triaxis! I asked the guy if there was that much difference between that and the Marshall? He chuckled! First he went through all the Marshall style tones the Triaxis could do then all the Fender cleans and finally the Red channel! That was it! Nothing sounded like that! And with that much versatility? Then he explained how important it was to run all Boogie! Triaxis, 295/395 plus the cabs! The shock came when I asked the price! The JMP 1 was around £400/£500 if I remember correctly, the Triaxis alone was either £2200/£2400! This is not a joke, the first thing I did after selling the house was go out and buy the whole rig! And I’ve never regretted it! The first rig was stolen! Today I have a Triaxis Mk1 395 and 2x Mesa Half Backs! Nothing compares! I’ve tried them all over the years but nothing comes close to Boogie! Those big power amps have a 3D quality that no other amp has! And they sound awesome at any volume! Thank you Randall! You changed everything!

[HansAaraas]

The man himself. Awesome interview! I love Mesa.

[Auen]

Yes! Randall Smith is such an interesting & cool guy. Such a renaissance
Mercedes engine builder & jacking up houses and replacing foundations to fund his love for tube amp development.
I think Randall has raced vintage class cars over the years as well? He and his colleagues built quite a legacy & company.

[JohnDoe-pqyw]

The beauty of a free society is that it allows men and women like Randall Smith to follow their dreams. Imagine a whole world of free men and women.

[billtice]

Love this guy and love his amps! Thanks Randall Smith for all you’ve done for us players.

[alexpiva]

This interview is priceless. What a fantastic human being.

[Pokey]

I have a Mesa Boogie Mark IV and a JP2C and I play everything from Tom Petty to Tool and both amps. I've tried them all and I keep coming back to my Mesa Boogie. There's NUTHIN LIKE IT... PIANOLIKE TONE!!! Love em...

[LeonTodd]

Thanks to Randall for the Mark Series and the Triaxis, and to Mike Soldano for the Dual Rectifier :p

[Mr_phil_]

Thank you Randall Smith !!! My triple rectifier and F50 are absolute treasures in my collection.