"His creations have made an indelible mark on the sound of electric guitar." MESA/Boogie and Gibson part ways with Randall Smith

"His creations have made an indelible mark on the sound of electric guitar." MESA/Boogie and Gibson part ways with Randall Smith

MESA/Boogie, the pioneering amplifier company that has become a cornerstone of boutique craftsmanship and a revered name in guitar amplification, announces the departure of its founder, Randall Smith, who has been instrumental in shaping the sound of rock music for over 55 years. More than three years after selling MESA/Boogie to Gibson, Smith has officially concluded his tenure with the American brand as Master Designer, marking the end of an era for the brand he brought to life with his groundbreaking innovations.

Smith’s journey with MESA/Boogie began in 1969 when he founded the company as a small amplifier repair shop in Mill Valley, CA. With an innate ear for tone and a relentless passion for tube technology, Smith quickly made a name for himself by reconfiguring amplifiers to push the boundaries of sound and power. His innovative modifications, which provided small amplifiers with unprecedented input gain and birthed a new era of high-gain distortion, became the cornerstone of MESA/Boogie's reputation and set the stage for a revolution in amplifier design.

Over the decades, MESA/Boogie evolved from a local repair shop to the world’s first boutique amp builder, renowned for its uncompromising commitment to quality and tone. Smith’s deep connections with iconic guitarists from the San Francisco scene—legends like Bloomfield, Santana, and even The Rolling Stones—gave him unique insights into the strengths and limitations of the era’s gear. This understanding fueled a relentless drive for innovation that continues to resonate from MESA/Boogie’s craftory in Petaluma, CA, where each amp is still meticulously hand-built by skilled artisans, many of whom have been with the company for over 15 years.

The '80s and '90s saw MESA/Boogie solidify its position as a leader in tube amplifier technology, with a slew of patented innovations that further entrenched the brand’s status as a go-to for musicians seeking unparalleled performance and reliability. Today, MESA/Boogie amplifiers and cabinets are celebrated globally, revered not just for their sound but for the enduring principles of craftsmanship that Randy Smith instilled from day one.

In recent years, Smith played a pivotal role in expanding MESA/Boogie's product lineup, overseeing the launch of new offerings like the popular Gibson Falcon amplifiers. His influence remains woven into the fabric of the company, with a new generation of designers continuing to uphold the standards of excellence that have defined MESA/Boogie for more than half a century.

“I am incredibly grateful for Randy’s pioneering insights, design, and trust in Gibson,” says Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson. “Randy’s DNA will always be present, and over the last few decades, he has trained the new generation of designers that have been leading the way for Gibson and MESA/Boogie amps. As we evolve our Gibson Amps collection, including our Gibson and MESA/Boogie brands, Randy, and his original design ideas, will continue to inspire us to make the best and highest quality amplifiers we’ve ever made.”

Doug West, Director of R&D at MESA/Boogie, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the profound impact of Smith’s mentorship. “We’ve all talked about this day and have prepared for it in many ways over the years, but Randall Smith is a ‘force of nature,’ and you can’t imagine it coming to fruition,” adds Doug West. “Now, I reflect on the fact that few in this world ever get the chance to be mentored, coached to excellence and to perform at their consistent personal best in the ways our design team and everyone here at MESA/Boogie have under his tutelage. Randy leaves us in good stead to carry on his legacy and tradition of excellence. With our respect for him and our shared love for what Gibson and MESA/Boogie represent to music, Randy can bask in the contentment of knowing he has spread Tone and Joy the world over with his creations have made an indelible mark on the sound of electric guitar and bass over the last 55 years.”

For more details, visit MESA/Boogie’s official website.