United States · Est. 1969
Mesa/Boogie
The American brand that invented modern high gain. The Dual Rectifier is the sound of 1990s and 2000s metal, and the Mark V is the prog and jazz fusion reference.
About the brand
Mesa/Boogie was founded in 1969 by Randall Smith in San Francisco, California. The first Boogie was a modification of a Fender Princeton that Smith made for Carlos Santana: he took a small amplifier and transformed it into a high-gain beast that left Santana astonished. That moment is the origin of modern high gain.
The Mark I and its successors established a new standard for high-gain amplifiers with musical tone. The Dual Rectifier (1992) was even more influential: its aggressive, dense, saturated sound defined the alternative metal sound of the 90s with bands like Tool, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots and Pantera. The Mark V and Triple Crown continue that tradition.
In 2021 Gibson acquired Mesa/Boogie, but manufacturing continues in Petaluma, California to the same artisan standards. Every Mesa amplifier is still hand-assembled, and the brand maintains its reputation as one of the most consistent and highest-quality amplifiers on the market.
Key facts
- Founded in 1969 by Randall Smith in San Francisco
- First amplifier built for Carlos Santana
- Dual Rectifier (1992) defined the sound of 1990s metal
- Acquired by Gibson in 2021, manufacturing continues in California
Iconic models
Mark I
The first Mesa Boogie amplifier, built by Randall Smith by modifying a Fender Princeton, pioneered the concept of high-gain valve amplification.
Dual Rectifier
The quintessential 90s metal amp, its heavy and dense sound with silicon or valve rectifiers became the sonic signature of bands like Tool and Metallica.
Mark V
The culmination of the Mark series, with ten operating modes covering everything from Fender-clean to modern high-gain in a single versatile chassis.
Lone Star
A classic American-voiced amplifier inspired by vintage Fenders, prized by country, blues and rock musicians for its dynamics and touch sensitivity.
Fillmore 50
A tribute to the San Francisco rock sound of the 60s and 70s, offering lush cleans and gentle breakup in an elegant two-channel architecture.