Has Randall Smith retired from Mesa?

[Water buffalo]

I thought impending retirement was part of the Gibson takeover/merger announcement.

Michael Tobias (supposedly. I'm pretty sure, but I don't have documentation) said that working with Gibson was like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer... It feels good when you stop.

 

[seamonkey]

Great Bio here:

Randall's Story | MESA/Boogie®

Music is in my blood. And building vacuum tube amplifiers has become my personal art

legacy.mesaboogie.com

 

[Iristone]

That’s the speculator’s problem, not Randall’s. I don’t see the problem here…dude had a great career, sold to Gibson and made a good chunk of change, and will have a sweet retirement hopefully.

Could be that people are too worried if Mesa would go the way of Tobias or Steinberger. Seems different since Ned Steinberger hasn't retired even now!

 

[Iristone]

send manufacturing to China

That's not "degrading" per se. Moving to China, if anything, SAVED brands such as Ampeg.

 

[Thumpin6string]

That's not "degrading" per se. Moving to China, if anything, SAVED brands such as Ampeg.

Really? That is what you got from my post? Sad.

 

[brianrost]

Could be that people are too worried if Mesa would go the way of Tobias or Steinberger. Seems different since Ned Steinberger hasn't retired even now!

No, he left and started another company (NS Design) where he can’t use his own name since it’s now a Gibson trademark.

 

[JimmyM]

Michael Tobias (supposedly. I'm pretty sure, but I don't have documentation) said that working with Gibson was like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer... It feels good when you stop.

That was under Henry Juscewicz or however you spell it. He's gone and a new guy who seems to know what he's doing is there now.

 

[agedhorse]

“Randy has completed his time with Gibson as Master Designer and Pioneer of Mesa/Boogie”: Gibson confirms the departure of legendary amp designer and Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith

The influential boutique amp builder joined the Gibson family of brands following the firm's acquisition of Mesa/Boogie in 2021

www.guitarworld.com

“Randy, and his original design ideas, will continue to inspire us”: Gibson confirms exit of Mesa/Boogie founder and legendary ‘boutique’ guitar amp designer Randall Smith

It’s the end of an era as Smith parts company with the Mesa/Boogie brand he founded 55 years ago

www.musicradar.com

 

[Water buffalo]

That was under Henry Juscewicz or however you spell it. He's gone and a new guy who seems to know what he's doing is there now.

Yep, I use to work for Henry. It was interesting to say the least.

 

[Wood and Wire]

“Randy has completed his time with Gibson as Master Designer and Pioneer of Mesa/Boogie”: Gibson confirms the departure of legendary amp designer and Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith

The influential boutique amp builder joined the Gibson family of brands following the firm's acquisition of Mesa/Boogie in 2021

www.guitarworld.com

“I am incredibly grateful for Randy’s pioneering insights, design, and trust in Gibson,” says Gibson’s CEO Cesar Gueikian. “Randy’s NDA will always be present, and over the next few decades he better keep schtum, if he knows what's good for him."

 

[JimmyM]

Schtum is a good word.

 

[Michedelic]

For what it’s worth, and if you can get past the silly ads, here’s the Premier Guitar info release…

Gibson Confirms Departure of Mesa Boogie Founder Randall Smith

Over three-and-a-half years after Randall Smith sold Mesa/Boogie to Gibson, Smith has completed his time with Gibson as the brand’s master designer and pioneer. Through his ground-breaking work at Mesa/Boogie, Smith was responsible for innovative modifications that gave small amplifiers more...

www.premierguitar.com