A few random thoughts: One of Mesa's challenges is no gateway products in sub 1,000 price range. Affordable amps are getting better these days so I imagine it's hard to compete as what amounts to a luxury brand. I always thought killing off the original walkabout was a bad move though I'm sure Mesa had their reasons.
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Gibson Acquires Mesa/Boogie
- Thread starter braud357
- Start date
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,952
- 5
- 220,600
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I don’t think you have this right. Perhaps you are not familiar with the cost of the Subway D-800, D-800+ and WD-800? (the successor to the Walkabout, which was driven by suggestions made here on TalkBass)
All of the fears about what will happen to Mesa Boogie in the hands of Gibson that mention what happened to Trace-Elliot, Tobias, etc. are way off base. The people who ran Gibson from 1986 through 2019 - when all of that bad stuff happened - ran Gibson into the ground and were forced out in 2019. The new folks Gibson, at least so far, seem to actually care about making top quality stuff. Bashing those folks for the bad stuff the old owner did is like ripping the folks who own Fender today for what CBS did in the 60’s.
Look, if the new Gibson people screw up Mesa Boogie I’ll be right there to rip them. But it’s just not fair to blame the new Gibson for stuff the old owner - whom the new guys actually fired - just isn’t fair.
Look, if the new Gibson people screw up Mesa Boogie I’ll be right there to rip them. But it’s just not fair to blame the new Gibson for stuff the old owner - whom the new guys actually fired - just isn’t fair.
What?! Is Gibson buying cornflakes?!
Oh, well. I'm an old guy. Hopefully these two will outlast me!
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a band name I've always wanted to use (but haven't after been repeatedly overruled): low expectations
Yeah. Sorry. That'd be a "No" vote from me, too. (As appropriate as it has been on occasion, including my current project.)
I love products from both brands, so I'm excited for this. Past Gibson leadership was very different than current.
It's bizarre that people can't grasp men of retirement age wanting to slow down or bow out after a lifetime grinding in the biz, and after 2020. It's clearly stated right in the press release how long Randall's been at this, and how old he is.
How else is he supposed to ensure his retirement, legacy, and provide for his staff whatever passes for job security these days?
Those who know much about business and economics are only surprised it took so long - generally speaking on the wave of buyout/mergers and trends in music/amps retail, not necessarily about Boogie specifically... though I'd "go there".
From Sadowsky to Boogie; don't sweat it, cuz if you really loved their past output so much you're all set and never need to buy anything from them again anyway. Yamaha rules in everything they do from $250k concert pianos to drum kits to street bikes. Lucky Ampeg! Korg kills it too. Don't cry for Aguilar.
Concern and support for the people who work there, for sure. Logos and "things" aren't so important.
It's bizarre that people can't grasp men of retirement age wanting to slow down or bow out after a lifetime grinding in the biz, and after 2020. It's clearly stated right in the press release how long Randall's been at this, and how old he is.
How else is he supposed to ensure his retirement, legacy, and provide for his staff whatever passes for job security these days?
Those who know much about business and economics are only surprised it took so long - generally speaking on the wave of buyout/mergers and trends in music/amps retail, not necessarily about Boogie specifically... though I'd "go there".
From Sadowsky to Boogie; don't sweat it, cuz if you really loved their past output so much you're all set and never need to buy anything from them again anyway. Yamaha rules in everything they do from $250k concert pianos to drum kits to street bikes. Lucky Ampeg! Korg kills it too. Don't cry for Aguilar.
Concern and support for the people who work there, for sure. Logos and "things" aren't so important.
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Actually it would be a player "again" in the amp business. Back in the 60's Gibson amps were another top-tier amp like Fender...not nearly as popular as Fender, but it wasn't uncommon to see a Gibson amp on stage back in the mid-60's. One of my buddies in high school had one. Then in 1971 (I think) Gibson rescued Standel after they got a bad batch of modules that made it into the amps and they were swamped with returns. Gibson bought Standel and handled all the warranty repairs but just a couple of years after that they disappeared entirely. Standel is back in business again although they are only making the older guitar amps and mostly on a "bespoke" basis.
Man...I hope they don't swallow up Mesa and disappear it like Fender did with Sunn...
So... Mesa will start suing everybody who makes class D amplifiers with knobs and switches on the front?
Hey @agedhorse I hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow
Now Mesa can have automatic tuning.... 
Seriously this will end badly, Gibson has destroyed everything they've ever touched
Seriously this will end badly, Gibson has destroyed everything they've ever touched
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
I saw the post somewhere here on TB about the Greenboy website not working. Who took over?
Stuff like this is generally shrouded in NDA's
I imagine Jim Dunlop took a look as their HQ's are only 30 min apart. Maybe Korg - but they obviously decided to go another way
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
