Mesa Boogie was started by Randall Smith in the early 1970s. Randall had a life-altering experience as a young boy. He was working on a Boy Scout project and for a merit badge he had to go to his scout leader with some wood carvings. The leader took him into this shop, an electronics lab, cut up his wood carvings in a band saw, and told him "this is what I think of your projects and you!" The leader explained to Smith that he wouldn't want that showing up one day when he was making decent stuff and would ask himself, embarrassingly, "I did that?" Randall took an instant liking to the electronics lab, and began learning from his odd friend. He also took a liking to cars (Mercedes in particular). He would repair cars for friends.
In 1966, the hippie movement came through San Francisco, and music was the thing. Smith got a drumset to get into the scene and joined a band. One day an amp blew in the band and shortage of funds made fixing it at a shop not feasible. So Randall took a look at it and ended up fixing it in fifteen minutes. The band instantly thought they should open up a shop and Prune Music was then set up in N. Berkeley, California. Randall fixed amps in the back of the store and a lot of great artists would come in including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother, Quicksilver, and Santana. Randall also would modify amps for people, and as Smith states, "What started out as a joke became the foundation of the company." Barry Melton's roadies came in and wanted something to be done to make his Princeton amp "melt." Randall stripped the chassis, put a chassis from a 4-10 in. Fender Bassman, and carefully installed a 12 in. JBL D-120 speaker while at the same time the amp still looked stock. He got some regular customer to plug into it and was blown away by the new 60W Bassman/Princeton. Things really changed when Carlos Santana came in and played the concoction. Carlos is quoted as saying, "This little amp really boogies," which, ended up becoming the name of the company. It is estimated that 200 of these Princetons were converted before Fender stopped supplying Randall with transformers.
By 1970, Randall had left Prune Music, thinking that Prune would buy him out. He actually got zero money out of the deal and was out of a job, so he started fixing cars to get cash and would build amps at night. At this point he formed MESA Engineering as a company that suppliers would take seriously. He built amps for a while until Lee Michaels, an "equipment junkie," got his hands on these new Crown DC300 solid-state power amplifiers. Many companies had tried to make a preamp for this but they all had no tone. Randall was summoned where he worked his magic in the circuitry and came up with the winning combination. Randall had found something and thought it was for Carlos Santana himself. Carlos got an amp and people were coming after Randall wondering if the guy making amps in the shack was for real. The idea behind this amp was a cascading preamp, which is having the preamp stages lined up into each other that would produce enhanced distortion and gain.
The first amp Smith built from scratch was a snakeskin covered Boogie 130 Lead Head for English rocker Dave Mason of Winterland. Smith then began to develop a preamp design for Lee Michaels' new Crown DC 300 power amps. He ended up adding three variable gain controls at critical points within the circuit. Once Smith and Michaels tried the amp, they were blown away and Smith knew he was onto something. Smith, his wife, and a few friends began building the first Boogies by hand in his house during the early 1970s. These first amps were referred to as the Mark I but they didn't get labeled this until the second series (MKII) was released in the late 1970s. Smith estimates that 3,000 of these Mark I Boogies were built at his house.
In 1980, Smith moved to their current location in Petaluma, California. In 1980, they also introduced the Mark II-A, which was the first modern channel switching with separate rhythm and high-gain lead modes. Mesa and Smith continued to experiment and expand with the D-180 Rack-mount bass amp and the Mark II-B with an improved lead overdrive circuit and the first-ever effects loop in 1982. The revised Mark II-C+ was introduced in 1983 with the dual cascading lead stage. In circa 1985, the new Mark III Series was introduced with three independent channels. In 1986, they introduced the Quad and Studio preamps for rack systems that featured the first tuned recording outputs. In 1989, the Mark IV Series was introduced and became one of Mesa's most popular models until it was discontinued in 2008.
Also Mesa Engineering. Amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and other electronic products currently produced in Petaluma, CA, since early 1969.

MESA/BOOGIE Guitar Amplifiers Models

MESA/BOOGIE ROCKET 44 Image

MESA/BOOGIE ROCKET 44

- 44W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, eight tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front black control panel, single input, eight black numbered knobs (Rhyhtm Ch.: g, MV, Lead Ch." g, MV...

MESA/BOOGIE TRANSATLANTIC TA-15 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE TRANSATLANTIC TA-15 HEAD

- 25W (switchable to 15W and 5W), guitar head unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front chrome control panel, single input, eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, cut/MV, Ch. 2: g, t, b, MV...

MESA/BOOGIE HEARTBREAKER Image

MESA/BOOGIE HEARTBREAKER

- 100W, head-unit only, all tube Class A/B chassis, preamp: 7 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, 5AR4 rectifier, two channels, black front control panel, two inputs, eleven black knobs (v, t, m, b, r per channel, overall level), half-power switch, va...

MESA/BOOGIE POWERHOUSE 1-12 SPEAKER CABINET Image

MESA/BOOGIE POWERHOUSE 1-12 SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 1-12 in. PH Neo speaker, tuned front ported, adj. HF driver, 8 ohm (optional 4 ohm) impedance, Player Control network featuring a three-point crossover, premium horn attenuator, instant reset horn protection and Speakon and 1/4 in....

MESA/BOOGIE BASIS M-2000 Image

MESA/BOOGIE BASIS M-2000

- 600W, bass two-space rack-mount head-unit, hybrid three-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 12 tube-driven power Mos-Fets, two independent blendable channels, front black control panel, two inputs (active/passive), Vaccum Tube Channel contro...

MESA/BOOGIE ROAD KING (II) Image

MESA/BOOGIE ROAD KING (II)

- 120W (switchable to 100 or 50W), head-unit only, all tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6 & 2 X EL34, rectifiers: 2 X 5U4, four independent channels, reverb, front black control panel, two inputs, 24 chrome knobs (Master, p...

MESA/BOOGIE ROADSTER HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE ROADSTER HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W), head-unit guitar configuration, 12 tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, rectifier: 2 X 5U4, four channels, 12 modes, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 26 chrome knobs (Master, p, b, m,...

MESA/BOOGIE LONE STAR HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE LONE STAR HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W), head-unit, all tube Class A/B chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, rectifier: 1 X 5U4, two independent channels, front control panel, 14 knobs (g, t, m , b, p, r, MV for each channel), effects loop, two bu...

MESA/BOOGIE DC-2 STUDIO CALIBER Image

MESA/BOOGIE DC-2 STUDIO CALIBER

- 25W, guitar head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, three footswitch sounds, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 15 black numbered knobs (Ch. 1: g, t, m, b, p, r...

MESA/BOOGIE FORMULA PRE-AMP Image

MESA/BOOGIE FORMULA PRE-AMP

- preamp only, one-space rack mount head, five tube chassis: 5 X 12AX7, three channels, four modes (rhythm, boost, lead I, lead II), front black control panel, single input, 13 black knobs (Ch. 1: g with push/pull boost, t, m, b, MV, Ch. 2:...

MESA/BOOGIE JP-2C JOHN PETRUCCI HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE JP-2C JOHN PETRUCCI HEAD

- 60W/100W, guitar head unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, three switchable channels, 15 modes, spring reverb, front black control panel, single input, 18 black knobs (each channel: g, MV, p, t, m, b), EQ switch for...

MESA/BOOGIE F-30 Image

MESA/BOOGIE F-30

- 30W, 1-12 in. Celestion Vintage 30 speaker combo, all tube Dyna-Watt chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, fourteen black knobs (g, b, m, t, r, MV per channel, pull bri...

MESA/BOOGIE ELECTRA DYNE HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE ELECTRA DYNE HEAD

- 90W (switchable to 45W), guitar head unit, eleven tube chassis, preamp: 7 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6 or EL34, solid-state rectifier, single channel, three modes (clean, vintage lo, vintage hi), reverb, front black control panel, single input...

MESA/BOOGIE STILETTO ACE Image

MESA/BOOGIE STILETTO ACE

- 50W, all tube class A/B chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, rectifier: 1 X 5U4, two channels, six modes, front chrome or copper control panel, single input, 14 black knobs (Master, p, b, m, t, g per channel, solo, output), tube r...

MESA/BOOGIE EXPRESS 5:25 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE EXPRESS 5:25 HEAD

- 25W (Duo-Class power amp switchable to 5W), guitar head-unit, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, two fully independent channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 14 black knobs (two of each knob per ch...

MESA/BOOGIE MINI RECTIFIER 25 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE MINI RECTIFIER 25 HEAD

- 25W (switchable to 10W), head-unit only, seven-tube Class A/B chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, two channels, four modes, front black control panel, two inputs, 12 chrome knobs (Ch. 1: g, t, m, b, p, MV, Ch. 2: g, t, m, b, p, M...

MESA/BOOGIE SUBWAY BLUES Image

MESA/BOOGIE SUBWAY BLUES

- 20W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, six tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, five knobs (v, b, m, t, r), half power jack, fat/bright switch, effects loop, reco...

MESA/BOOGIE MAVERICK Image

MESA/BOOGIE MAVERICK

- 35W, head-unit only, all tube Class A chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 13 black knobs (v, t, m, b, r, MV per channel, output level), bright/fat swi...

MESA/BOOGIE NOMAD 45 Image

MESA/BOOGIE NOMAD 45

- 45W, head-unit only, Dyna-Watt power, all tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, three channels, six modes, reverb, front black control panel, single input, eighteen black knobs (g, master, p, t, m, b per channel, output, solo)...

MESA/BOOGIE BLUE ANGEL Image

MESA/BOOGIE BLUE ANGEL

- 38W (switchable to 33W & 15W), head-unit only, all tube Class A chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, 4 X EL84, 5AR4 rectifier, single channel, reverb, front blue control panel, two inputs, six black knobs (v, t, m, b, r, progre...

MESA/BOOGIE BASS 400+ Image

MESA/BOOGIE BASS 400+

- 500W, four space rack-mount head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 12 X 6L6, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs, six black knobs (m, b, t, MV, v1, v2), seven band EQ, effects loop with level control,...

MESA/BOOGIE JP-2C John Petrucci Rackmount Head Image

MESA/BOOGIE JP-2C John Petrucci Rackmount Head

- 60W/100W, guitar head unit, rackmount configuration, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 6L6, three switchable channels, 15 modes, spring reverb, front black control panel, single input, 18 black knobs (each channel: g, MV, p...

MESA/BOOGIE SINGLE RECTIFIER SOLO 50 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE SINGLE RECTIFIER SOLO 50 HEAD

- 50W, head-unit only, all tube Class A/B chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5U4, two channels, five modes, front black control panel, two inputs, 14 chrome knobs (Ch. 1: g, b, m, t, p, MV, Ch. 2: g, b, m, t, p, MV, outp...

MESA/BOOGIE RECTIFIER RECORDING PRE-AMP Image

MESA/BOOGIE RECTIFIER RECORDING PRE-AMP

- preamp only, two-space rack mount head, six tube chassis: 6 X 12AX7, two channels, six modes (clean, fat, bright, raw, vintage, modern), front black control panel, single input, 15 chrome knobs (Ch. 1: g, t, m, b, p, MV, Ch. 2: g, t, m, b...

MESA/BOOGIE SUBWAY ROCKET Image

MESA/BOOGIE SUBWAY ROCKET

- 20W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, six tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, two channels, front black control panel, single input, eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, g, Ch. 2: v, g, t, m, b, c), effects loop, headphone jack, record out...

MESA/BOOGIE RoadReady 1-12 Speaker Cabinet Image

MESA/BOOGIE RoadReady 1-12 Speaker Cabinet

- similar to the Powerhouse 1-12 Speaker Cabinet, except is enclosed in a roadcase cabinet, steel corners, aluminum edges, a removable front cover, recessed metal handles, and a black or silver metal grille, mfg. 2005-08.

MESA/BOOGIE ROCKET 440 Image

MESA/BOOGIE ROCKET 440

- 44W, 4-10 in. speakers, guitar combo, eight tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, single input, 11 black numbered knobs (Rhyhtm Ch.: g, MV, Lead...

MESA/BOOGIE TRANSATLANTIC TA-30 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE TRANSATLANTIC TA-30 HEAD

- 40W (switchable to 30W and 15W), guitar head unit, ten-tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front chrome control panel, two inputs, ten knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, r, cut/MV, Ch. 2: g,...

MESA/BOOGIE BASS PRODIGY FOUR:88 HEAD Image

MESA/BOOGIE BASS PRODIGY FOUR:88 HEAD

- 250W/125W, head-unit only, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X KT88, single channel, front black control panel, one input, eight black knobs (g, b, m, t, voice, MV, DI level, solo), three-band EQ, active/bright switch, mute sw...

MESA/BOOGIE F-50 Image

MESA/BOOGIE F-50

- 50W, 1-12 in. Celestion Vintage 30 speaker combo, all tube Class A/B chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, fourteen black knobs (g, b, m, t, r, MV per channel, pull brig...