MESA/BOOGIE

LAUNCHES “WHAT MAKES A BOOGIE”—NEW SERIES HONORING THE HEART, HISTORY, AND CRAFT BEHIND THE GROUNDBREAKING AMPLIFIER MAKER’S LEGENDARY TONE

Chapter 1: History & Legacy premieres today with a rare historical interview featuring 43‑year MESA veteran and Tone Lab Director Doug West, tracing the handcrafted‑in‑Petaluma, California heritage of the MESA/Boogie brand.

MESA/Boogie announced the launch of “What Makes a Boogie,” a brand-new multi‑episode video campaign that explores the story, spirit, and craftsmanship behind one of the most influential names in guitar amplification. The series invites players and fans into the world of MESA/Boogie—its people, its innovations, and the relentless pursuit of tone that has defined the brand for more than five decades.

The debut chapter, History & Legacy, launches with a rare, in-depth interview featuring Doug West, MESA/Boogie’s Tone Lab Director and a 43-year veteran of the storied brand. Drawing on decades of first-hand experience, West traces the company’s journey from its late-1960s experimental roots to the groundbreaking amplifier designs that helped define the modern electric guitar sound—all crafted in Petaluma, California. This opening episode offers a compelling, insider perspective on the brand’s evolution and enduring influence WATCH HERE.

Click on the image above to play “What Makes a Boogie” Chapter 1. Download MESA/Boogie media assets:HERE.

For more than 40 years, every MESA/Boogie amplifier and cabinet has been handcrafted in Petaluma, California, where the company has operated since 1980. This commitment to craft remains central to the brand’s identity and will be celebrated throughout the “What Makes a Boogie” series, which highlights MESA/Boogie’s most iconic products and its ongoing design leadership.

Anchored by West’s personal reflections, the episode illuminates the culture of experimentation, originality, and tone first thinking that has guided MESA/Boogie since its founding. His stories bring to life the origins of the “Boogie” name, the early workshop days, and the innovations that established MESA/Boogie as the original boutique amplifier builders.

This snakeskin MESA/Boogie Mark I is an early example of one of the first Boogie combos ever built. It was created at the same time Carlos Santana was shaping the sound that launched the Boogie legacy.

A look inside the original MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Prototype.

This new series expands MESA/Boogie’s ongoing commitment to telling the stories behind its craft—spotlighting the roots, defining innovations, and tone‑first philosophy that have shaped the brand for more than five decades. “What Makes a Boogie” underscores the values that continue to guide MESA/Boogie today: passion, integrity, excellence, premium quality, and hand‑built craftsmanship. More than a retrospective, “What Makes a Boogie” looks ahead—showing how the brand’s next chapter is being shaped by the team that has carried its standards forward for decades, many of whom have worked at the company for over 30+ years. The series celebrates the people and ideas behind MESA/Boogie’s legacy while spotlighting the innovation and craftsmanship that continue to inspire musicians worldwide.

Jim Aschow on the MESA/Boogie craftory floor in Petaluma checking out Rectifiers being burned in.

With this launch, MESA/Boogie invites players, fans, and tone‑seekers everywhere to rediscover what truly makes a Boogie—and to experience the heritage and future of a brand whose impact on guitar tone continues to resonate globally, preserving the craftsmanship and spirit that musicians around the world continue to trust.

A MESA/Boogie artisan shapes the wood for a MESA cabinet.

Read more about the new video series on the Gibson Gazette HERE, and explore all things MESA/Boogie HERE.

MESA/Boogie’s groundbreaking amplifier designs and innovations will be showcased throughout the “What Makes a Boogie” series including:

MESA/Boogie 90s Dual Rectifier Standard

MESA/Boogie 90s Dual Rectifier Standard

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Dual Rectifier became one of the most defining high-gain amplifiers of its era. Its aggressive voice, multi-rectification architecture, and unmistakable punch helped shape the sound of modern rock and metal. The 90s Dual Rectifier Standard model remains a benchmark for players seeking the raw, authoritative character that made the Rectifier series legendary.

MESA/Boogie Mark IIC+ HRG

MESA/Boogie Mark IIC+ HRG

Revered as one of the most sought-after amplifiers in electric guitar history, the Mark IIC+ HRG represents the pinnacle of MESA’s early Mark Series innovation. Known for its articulate gain structure, expressive dynamics, and unmistakable lead voice, the IIC+ has been a favorite of top artists for decades and continues to influence amplifier design worldwide.

MESA/Boogie Mark V 35 Combo

MESA/Boogie Mark V 35 Combo

The Mark V 35 combo distills more than 45 years of Mark Series evolution into a compact, versatile head. With selectable wattages, channel‑assignable voicings, and the iconic Mark lead sound, it delivers the flexibility and tonal depth that define the Mark lineage—making it a modern classic for players who demand precision and musicality.

MESA/Boogie Mark VII Head

MESA/Boogie Mark VII Head

The Mark VII represents the most advanced and comprehensive Mark Series amplifier ever created. Building on the legacy of its predecessors, it introduces new modes, expanded versatility, and refined performance capabilities. The Mark VII stands as the next chapter in MESA’s flagship line, offering players unprecedented control and tonal range.

MESA/Boogie Subway Bass‑800D

MESA/Boogie Subway Bass‑800D

The Subway Bass–800D brings MESA’s boutique craftsmanship to a lightweight, high-power bass platform. Known for its clarity, punch, and road-ready reliability, the 800D delivers the authority of a full-scale rig in a portable format—making it a favorite among modern bassists seeking premium tone without compromise.

MESA/Boogie Subway TT‑800 Bass

MESA/Boogie Subway TT‑800 Bass

The Subway TT‑800 Bass expands the Subway family with a dual‑channel design inspired by MESA’s classic tube‑amp heritage. Combining warm tube‑style character with modern precision, the TT‑800 offers bassists a wide palette of expressive, musical tones suitable for any genre or performance environment.

MESA/Boogie:

MESABOOGIE.COM | X | IG| FB | TT

Gibson:

GIBSON.COM | X | IG | FB | TT | GIBSON APP | GIBSON GARAGE NASHVILLE | GIBSON GARAGE LONDON | GIBSON AMPLIFIERS | GIBSON CERTIFIED VINTAGE| GIBSON RECORDS | GIBSON GIVES| GIBSON TV EN ESPANOL| GIBSON TV

Epiphone:

EPIPHONE.COM| X|IG|FB|YT

Kramer:

KRAMERGUITARS.COM | X | IG | FB | YT

KRK:

KRKMUSIC.COM | X | IG| FB| YT

Maestro:

MAESTROELECTRONICS.COM| IG

About MESA/Boogie:

Since 1969, MESA/Boogie amplifiers have shaped the evolution of electric guitar tone with innovation and features that can be found in almost every guitar amplifier made today. Handcrafted in Petaluma, California, each individual component is selected in pursuit of the purest tone in its category. Uncompromising construction quality, with the world’s finest materials, MESA/Boogie’s attention to detail is second to none. The choice of world-renowned artists and tone enthusiasts for decades, MESA/Boogie’s award-winning Boogie® and MESA Engineering® guitar and bass amplifier collections include the MARK SERIES, RECTIFIER^®, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA TWEED, SUBWAY^® bass series, and a full line of pedals and signal management solutions. For more information, visit: https://www.mesaboogie.com/en-US/.