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Randall Smith Gone From Mesa Boogie/Gibson?
- Thread starter TSJMajesty
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TSJMajesty
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Me neither.
norminal
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Frodebro
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I’m sure the atmosphere at Boogie has been surreal for the past few years.
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I wonder why Randall didn't make it an employee owned operation.
Was the huge offer from Gibson too good to pass up?
Just seems strange that such an independent minded fella would sell
to such an entity, and not see trouble coming down the road.
I am also wondering if "No regerts!" does not apply in this situation.
Was the huge offer from Gibson too good to pass up?
Just seems strange that such an independent minded fella would sell
to such an entity, and not see trouble coming down the road.
I am also wondering if "No regerts!" does not apply in this situation.
Frodebro
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I wonder why Randall didn't make it an employee owned operation.
Was the huge offer from Gibson too good to pass up?
Just seems strange that such an independent minded fella would sell
to such an entity, and not see trouble coming down the road.
I am also wondering if "No regerts!" does not apply in this situation.
I was really surprised to hear that he sold the company to fucking Gibson, but I guess that’s where the money was. Most of the companies that follow a similar business model as Mesa are small, boutique builders and could not afford what Smith received in the deal. I would have preferred to see PRS acquire them.
EOengineer
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RS leaves a hell of a legacy.
I memorized the late 90s Spirit in the Art catalog while I had a brand new rev G Dual Rectifier on layaway. Eventually added a triaxis, simul 2:90, Studio Preamp, V-Twin pedal, and a Mark III.
No other amp company has made a bigger tonal impression on me, and I’m with the many others who fear the worst, even while hoping for the best.
This is truly the end of an era if true.
I memorized the late 90s Spirit in the Art catalog while I had a brand new rev G Dual Rectifier on layaway. Eventually added a triaxis, simul 2:90, Studio Preamp, V-Twin pedal, and a Mark III.
No other amp company has made a bigger tonal impression on me, and I’m with the many others who fear the worst, even while hoping for the best.
This is truly the end of an era if true.
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TSJMajesty
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Once I discovered stereo and traded in 2 Marshall heads for a Mesa Stereo 50/50 (to pair with my MP-1), I was a MB fan for life. I'm a brand snob, whether it be Gibson (1st), then PRS, MB, EBMM, and now Fractal, I find a company whose products I love, and that's enough for me.
I always lusted after getting more of their products, but since I tend to buy new, the prices were just a tad beyond my comfort level. Plus, I was fine with my rack rig for many years.
But I came across a killer deal for a Mesa stereo 4x12 cabinet, that came with a MWDR, so I scooped that up. I've since been amazed at how versatile that amp really is, if you aren't afraid to dial it in in ways you might not think to. Like using the clean channel with a lot of gain, in the Vintage mode, e.g. (IIRC)
The one Mesa piece that I really wanted though was Tri Axis/2:90, which I found some years later at a steal of a price. Had to drive to Long Island though, but it was worth it.
I've been extremely happy with the few Mesa amps I've owned, and I think Randall Smith belongs up there with Leo and Jim.
I always lusted after getting more of their products, but since I tend to buy new, the prices were just a tad beyond my comfort level. Plus, I was fine with my rack rig for many years.
But I came across a killer deal for a Mesa stereo 4x12 cabinet, that came with a MWDR, so I scooped that up. I've since been amazed at how versatile that amp really is, if you aren't afraid to dial it in in ways you might not think to. Like using the clean channel with a lot of gain, in the Vintage mode, e.g. (IIRC)
The one Mesa piece that I really wanted though was Tri Axis/2:90, which I found some years later at a steal of a price. Had to drive to Long Island though, but it was worth it.
I've been extremely happy with the few Mesa amps I've owned, and I think Randall Smith belongs up there with Leo and Jim.
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Sooo… any actual reliable sources on this yet?
norminal
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Not that I’ve seen. Perhaps we’ll get an official statement this week.
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As far as I’m concerned it’s all bullshit unless Randall makes some sort of actual condemnation statement, or if there’s some NDA stuff involved plenty of other moves he could make to make it clear to that that was the case
In the mean time, if the man even actually retired, let’s let him do so in peace. The man is 78 literally cited retirement as reason for the sale. And that was a few years ago. Of course the internet mob would never accept him retiring on his own will even if was in a wheel chair, because that wouldn’t match the “Gibson bad” narrative. Honestly pretty distressing to see the whole internet just run at face value with totally unsubstantiated rumors by YouTube shucksters and “trust me bro”
I’ll be happy to eat crow if some actual information comes to light, but until then
In the mean time, if the man even actually retired, let’s let him do so in peace. The man is 78 literally cited retirement as reason for the sale. And that was a few years ago. Of course the internet mob would never accept him retiring on his own will even if was in a wheel chair, because that wouldn’t match the “Gibson bad” narrative. Honestly pretty distressing to see the whole internet just run at face value with totally unsubstantiated rumors by YouTube shucksters and “trust me bro”
I’ll be happy to eat crow if some actual information comes to light, but until then
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As far as I’m concerned it’s all bullshit unless Randall makes some sort of actual condemnation statement, or if there’s some NDA stuff involved plenty of other moves he could make to make it clear to that that was the case
In the mean time, if the man even actually retired, let’s let him do so in peace. The man is 78 literally cited retirement as reason for the sale. And that was a few years ago. Of course the internet mob would never accept him retiring on his own will even if was in a wheel chair, because that wouldn’t match the “Gibson bad” narrative. Honestly pretty distressing to see the whole internet just run at face value with totally unsubstantiated rumors by YouTube shucksters and “trust me bro”
I’ll be happy to eat crow if some actual information comes to light, but until then
Thank you for the most outlandish and hyperbolic statement related to this whole thing/non-thing.
paisleywookiee
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Actually, I quite agree with this part:Thank you for the most outlandish and hyperbolic statement related to this whole thing/non-thing.
It very well might be true. But what makes it interesting is if he was fired, or if he (unsurprisingly) retired, the latter of which we knew would happen sooner than later.
What’s funny to me is the whole internet running wild on what a YouTuber says.
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Win win for YouTubers to push questionable rumors. If they’re wrong they can just post a “I WAS WRONG” video with a thumb clip of them grasping their head and still get a million additional clicks
TSJMajesty
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I think that's overstating a bit. Ryan, who got this started, could very well be a credible source, more than just an average YT'er, since he may be in touch with people who would know: EBMM Signature guitar, EBMM works with John Petrucci, who knows a few people at MB, so I don't see it as a stretch.
And then we're just a bunch of guys on gear forums talking about it.
Just how I see it.
