In this 3rd Chapter of the MESA® 50th Anniversary Celebration, Randall Smith recounts the inspiration and goals behind the creation of the Dual Rectifier® Solo Head, the Brand’s most bombastic and successful model ever that ruled Rock’s airwaves throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s and is still popular today. He also explains the reasoning behind the two Signature Models the Company ever agreed to do at the request of the original Boogie® Ambassador and Deacon, Carlos Santana and modern Guitar Virtuoso John Petrucci, both of whom have identifiable but different Tone that has become somewhat synonymous with the Brand’s legacy sounds.

In this series of short videos, Randall and iconic guitarists look back and touch on the things that first drew them to the “Family” and share what the amplifiers have done for their playing and their music. From the early inspiration and beginnings in the late ’60s and early ‘70s, through the “Big 80s” and Guitar-Culture sea change of the 90s, up through the new Millennium and today, Randall and his team of fiercely passionate “band mates” as he calls them, have contributed every major feature found on modern amplifiers and a universe of iconic Tone to the sound of the electric guitar, changing it forever more.

From inventing the pivotal High Gain Preamp in the first Mark i’s, to Footswitchable Modes and Effects Loops in the Mark II’s, to Multi-Channel/Multi-Mode Preamps in the Mark III’s, IV’s and V’s and Dual Rectifiers, to the several patented tunable Tube power, wiring and operating class configurations found throughout, the innovation and pioneering spirit has remained at the forefront of the small Northern California Company’s ethic.

Enjoy this up close and personal look into the history of MESA/Boogie with Randall and company highlighting points along a 50-year journey that would lead to MESA’s cult status leaving an indelible mark on the sound of amplified guitar and modern music.