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Thank you, Randall, for sharing the fascinating history of Mesa Boogie and giving us a glimpse into the evolution of such iconic gear! It's amazing to hear the stories behind the innovations. ❤ I have a question about one of your prototype preamps called 'Nunya.' Could you share how it came to be, what the design goals or inspirations were, and what expectations you had for it during development? I'd love to learn more about its story! Thank you again for everything you do! Cheers!

I sure hope you keep doing these. I love them.

Great stories! What are your thoughts on amp modding and people that took on the niche of repairing and modding Boogie amps? As you said - most techs refuse working on them and right now the ones that do - are very few in Europe. (The ones that do a proper job - you can count on one hand). I started my tech journey as a guitar player and a fan of the sound first, immediately started putting my electronics education to the test by modding and tweaking an old ,50 Caliber and then it slowly became a second passion. Now having a bunch of choice old Boogies - some of them rebuilt from the ground-up, some of them bought because "I had to". My studio slowly turned into a small museum with some of the best Mark amps in my opinion, and half of my apartment turned into a Boogie graveyard - spare parts and disassembled amps everywhere . Not gonna lie - it's a love/hate relationship sometimes, but every time I see the list of amps I managed to bring back to life and put back into circulation - it puts a smile to my face. So what are your thoughts on that? Some people try to make it seem like you never liked outside hands in your amps, but thru the years I had great communication with the support - lately not the case, but I don't consider Mesa active without it's founder. Cheers and keep 'em coming!

I love my Mesa Nomad 100.

How many times have you been shocked when you were learning to repair the ham radios and early amp work?

I'm 71 and just bought my first Boogie, California Tweed 20. But that is totally secondary to the fun I'm having just hearing all these stories. Love you, brother!

This is the best so far Mr Smith. You are a bonafide legend.

Thanks for this !! Cheers !!

It's great to hear your life stories and experiences. I've been a boogie loyalist for decades and it's fascinating to hear about how you became the icon. Thank you for all you've shared with us.

Randy, I remember you typed these stories and passed ‘em around the shop. But hearing your voice gives the stories so much life! The Diana Krall cd you gave me lives in my car’s disc player. Her guitar player is amazing! -Dalmacio

Many thanks as always.

THE NEWER BOOGIE AMPS SUCK, THE TUBE SOCKET NOT EVEN BOLTED TO THE CHASSIS 😢

The Pioneering Spirit. This episode is awesome. So many insights. Please keep telling us these awesome recollections.

I also forget time when your talking randall,keep it coming

Thanks for the awesome stories

These are amazing episodes Randall. Thank you for sharing!

As we listen to this traveled wisdom, ideas expand and so do our precepts of action and of what can be made from what is….just because words can’t be held in one’s hand, materially, does not mean they hold no value. The value is not quantifiable. The value of the Kinkos and Pioneer Spirit stories are enormous and confirming - one needs that pioneering spirit and courage to challenge the fear of the unknown or you become an employee working for those that do have the spirit. That in itself is not a bad thing, but it may not seem like enough for many - and as I have been learning and this story confirms that is the missing component from many career employees like myself. Not a bad thing to be an employee, and now I have an answer to a persistent question. Thank you, Sir.

That's a great story on how Kinkos got started! Thanks for sharing!

Great stories. I've loved every episode. I saw a mid 70s Mesa ad with Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia. Thanks so much!

For me, this is like hearing new music in a sea of music.

It's very generous of you to share these stories. Far be it from me to give advice to anyone as accomplished and interesting as you. But these sound like the makings of a Best Seller.

I've hopped a few trains in my life, and I know the spirited feeling of adventure. I've also made a few copies at Kinkos. KINKO!! I love hearing your inside informative memories. Keep'em coming, Randy!

Randy - thank you - another great chapter we all love hearing these, and from my end as an avid guitar player (and sure can speak on behalf of all players) and Mesa owner, you are standing side by side with Steve Jobs!!!!

Hi Randall, here’s a question I would love you to answer in future video. Do you still have some amp ideas/circuits you would want to make or are you retiring for good? PS: Personally, I would love you to build a Mesa Mark V that would be fully digitally controlled…

Pioneers 😊

There is a documentary on Xerox from a number of years ago. Their R&D people invented the PC, computer mouse and a whole bunch of other technology that they let go when the R&D people left to pursue their creations.

Thank you, Randall! This is precious! I knew there was more to my love for Mesa Boogie than “just” its magical tones! Soul tribe type shit going on here watching your videos and your cool stories! Feels like you are a friend from another lifetime. I’m an even prouder owner of a Mark IIC+, Mark IV and Dual Rectifier now. Keep them coming! Much love from Brazil!

This was the best one yet.

13:01 The Kinko’s story! Oh my goodness!

Called mesa boogie today wanting to get service on my 1994 dual rectifier, they basically didn't give a shit and said I could email Mike B and see if he feels like looking at it! so sad I'm very disappointed with the customer service I received. Looks like Mesa is going down hill!!! Won't buy another!

That story about the Kinko's origin was great. I spent many an hour at my local Kinko's making copies of my band's gig flyers to staple gun up on telephone poles in town.

Keep'em coming Randy! Really enjoying the stories.

Whenever i see one of your new videos pop up, i stop whatever i'm doing to watch

I never hopped a freight train, but I've always had a love of trains. When I was in a road band and had the opportunity (route, timing and enough money) I would take a train to the next gig or home at the end of the tour. Love your videos and especially your products and your commitment to excellence. 👍

Randall how close is the C+ in the Mark V to the Original? Have had the combo since 2010 and love it so much.

damn that Kinko's story blew my mind!!!!! Great story!!! More please

More interesting stuff.

That story about Kinko's was most unexpected. I had no idea that's where the name came from. Cali seems to be at the epicenter of anything and everything that became great. Looking forward to the next one!

The image of Randall Smith doing the boxcar boogie is simply priceless. Thank you, sir.

I’m sure glad I found you channel! Keep it up!

What the hell was that at 3:05?

Randall, thank you so much for doing this channel, it is absolutely wonderful to hear all of these stories about your journey building a great American company that left its mark on music. I look forward to all of the latest tales. It would be amazing to hear stories about the guitarists and bands that you dealt with, like when the Metallica guys came down to the shop, and when you guys built John Sykes’ custom 180 watt Coliseum with the Mk3 preamp section! I played a mid 90’s Dual Rec half stack after saving my money for two summers as a teenager…and recently ive been revitalizing an ‘88 MK3…just an uncaged animal of an amp, versatility and tone wise! Greetings from NJ 🎸🎸

Hi Randall.. Back in Feb of 1979 I became an early adopter of your original Mark II amp. The timing of my amp order makes for an interesting story. I placed my initial order for a Mark 1 amp in May of 1978. At that time the only available amp model was a Boogie Mark 1. From the time I ordered my amp till the time of delivery, the amp underwent a design change, during which time the Mark 1 was discontinued. This was the time during which customers were place on a nine month waiting list, which I likened to the anticipation (or anxiety depending on how you look at it) of waiting for a human child to be born! This lengthy waiting period ended up working to my advantage however because due to the model change having taken place during my "waiting period", I actually ended up with the newer model, with new features and and a $265 price discount since I wasn't being charged the price increase for the new model!!! Unfortunately due to financial issues I did end up selling my Mark II but did eventually end up purchasing an original Mark IV and a simul satellite close to 30 years ago. I recently gave those two amps to my 37 year old son, who was thrilled to receive them and hopefully some day will pass them down to his now 2 year old son when he grows up to continue the musical tradition! Thanks Randall...You've had such a huge musical impact on my life as well as countless others...

Hi Randal I am 66 and still love jamming with my buddies. Back in the late 70s or maybe early 80s I filled out an order form, mailed it out to you and your shop and waited patiently for my order to arrive. I ordered the 50watt 12” EVM speaker- equalizer and reverb. I’m wondering if you could help me out. There is felt pen initials next to the power cord input. First letter is an M second letter may be a 2 or maybe the letter R. I would like to know if my messa boogie amp is a mark 1,2,3,a B etc. nothing else like it when cranked! Thank you-

Hello father, just wanted to let you know I have 1994 dual rectifier Rev G, that I modified to switch between a Rev G and Rev F, Would love to talk with you about the circuit if you have the time. Im so sorry that Gibson let you go, I think it's bullshit .

Thank you for doing these videos. I would love to hear some history on your bass amps, as well!

Gee this is the best thing in the world. Love these stories.

Hey Randall. I remember when I got my first Mark 1 back in 1983. I was playing in a LA club band at the time and I had seen another band with the guitarist using a Mesa boogie Mark 2C not the c+yet. Well I found that Mark 1 used how to Hollywood music store and tried it out with the 112 cabinet that it had and it sounded pretty darn good. But when I got it to the club and plugged it into my 412 it was so muddy and I had such a hard time dialing in the sound. But I worked with it to get it on the way I wanted to sound. Eventually sold bad amp and use Laney for a while. Then after seeing anthrax I decided to go back out to Mesa boogie. A friend of mine sold me his simull class long head and it was easy to dial in because I had the previous experience with the other boogie. But then 2 months later I found another old Mesa boogie for $500 in a shop. This one was just the regular Mark II or the mark 2A. Had a graphic eq but no reverb. Anyway about that second hit I bought I noticed the same problems with muddiness on that that I had on my original Mark 1. But instead of selling that Mark II a guy I knew told me he could get a rid of that boomy Bass by replacing a capacitor on the EQ sliders and changed it from a .3 microferet to a point 1. I finslly got the amp to sound the way i wanted to without using an external eq. Sounds great when I run it in tandem with my simul class head. Also managed to find me another Mark 2 c+ when looking for a tremoverb. But that one was a HRG model. They're all great amps that I have and very simple to operate.

My Grandpa, a WWII Navy veteran taught all of us scouts how to tie every knot to create our boards for the Pioneering merit badge. Every chance I had to spend time with my Grandpa in his workshop was pure joy. We made a telegraph set once for a school science fair. He was such a craftsman that these things were on beautiful oak bases with beveled edges, stained perfectly, the electromagnets were done with a drill turning slowly so that every turn was absolutely perfect. One of the judges gave me a bad score because “you aren’t supposed to use a store-bought kit.” 😡 I have them proudly displayed in my office, where every visitor stops to ask about them and what they are. I’m 57 now, my Grandpa long passed, but every day I get to see a part of him and something that we built together when I was just a kid. Not sure if there will ever be another generation like his.

Do you still operate Ham radio? Would be awesome to do a live broadcast even if it was digital.