Randall Smith fired from Mesa?

[tedtan]

So just pick a state you’ve never even visited, if you happen to like the laws that state has regarding the kind of contract you’re doing?

Yes, pretty much. Some states are far more business friendly (Delaware, Nevada) than others (California, Connecticut), so businesses tend to favor those for the choice of law provision in a contract*.

And it’s fairly common, even in international agreements. I’ve negotiated contract with clients in Germany that used the laws of England and Wales, clients in England that used Swiss laws, clients in Australia that used English law, etc. This is often done as a means of establishing a neutral “third party” choice of law rather than something favoring one party over the other.


* When it comes to labor laws, though, the labor laws of the state the employee is working in would still come into play, so there could be conflicts between the state labor laws and the choice of law used in the contract which can lead to some interesting lawsuit simply to determine which law applies.

Most are illegal nowadays as of 4 months ago:

FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes

Today, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide, protecting the fundamen

www.ftc.gov

There are lawsuits against the FTC over this (I know of at least two separate suits in Texas) and the judge has ordered an injunction preventing the FTC from enforcing the non-compete law until a final ruling, which is expected this month. But the court’s initial injunction contains wording to the effect that the FTC has overstepped its authority in making the non-compete ban, so it is expected that the ban will be overturned nationally. The Texas ruling will likely be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and with the current conservative sitting court, I expect the Texas ruling will be upheld, meaning that the ban will probably removed altogether, putting non-compete issues back in the hands of the various states.

 

[tedtan]

I find it wild the level of speculation that comes out of one guy possibly retiring. "Legend" or not, he's one guy. If the company hinged on a single solitary guiding figure, that doesn't speak very positively to the rest of the company. I'd rather let them speak for themselves going forward. If we suddenly see Mesa pivoting to bluetooth speakers, I'd suspect they were headed that way with or without R. Smith already.

Most small amp and guitar companies couldn’t survive the loss of the founder (Friedman, Mezzabarba, other boutique maker name du jour), but Mesa is one of the few that is large enough to survive that.

But, Gibson bought Mesa three or four years ago, so I suspect that any moves away from their standard amp line come from Gibson at this point rather than Smith (he’s likely only served as a consultant since the sale).

 

[Jon Pearson]

Well I mean they certainly do keep acting like it

I don't know, the lawsuits are the worst thing they do, and I'm not settled that they are completely in the wrong for them, just waaaaaaaaaay late and strategically stupid.

Agnesi seems to be doing a lot better than the Henry J. era at providing things that people want

 

[ArtDecade]

Agnesi seems to be doing a lot better than the Henry J. era at providing things that people want

Very true. He even gave me a lap dance at the last investor's meeting.

 

[Jon Pearson]

Very true. He even gave me a lap dance at the last investor's meeting.

You need the knees of a young man to pull that off, Henry J. hasn't had the kind of limberness in decades.

 

[Seabeast2000]

Mike Soldano sold his company but is also still "occasionally employed" by company. He even designed the new Astro amp. It is possible that Randall just wants to retire or work when he feels like it in a designer role.

somehting somthing new all-star SLO-based company.

 

[TedEH]

new all-star SLO-based company

MeSlo? Sloogie?

To be fair, I think that's already what music brands sound like to non-musicians.
"Wow bro, that guy plays a MeeSlo Sloogie Rectum Fryer!"

 

[budda]

Maybe Smith can hit local shows to tell owners of his gear how to make it sound better charge for the opportunity

 

[Wiltonauer]

Maybe Smith can hit local shows to tell owners of his gear how to make it sound better charge for the opportunity

“Jesus Christ — just because the turns that far doesn’t mean you’re supposed to use it!”

 

[Wiltonauer]

“Jesus Christ — just because the turns that far doesn’t mean you’re supposed to use it!”

[knob]

 

[Seabeast2000]

Maybe Smith can hit local shows to tell owners of his gear how to make it sound better charge for the opportunity

I think that would work pretty well if he wanted to do that but that sounds harder than retiring.
I know a guy who's a Mesa player, was semi pro or touring whatever 90s/2000s for some formerly famous younger boomer rock acts....not endorsed/sponsored AFAIK. Anyway, another guy from local band got big for a few years, apparently got a bunch of Mesa stuff shipped to him and phoned my buddy to come over and teach him how to dial it in. I think the story ended when he said what he's charging including travel time (he didn't want to do it but would if it was big bux).
No idea what he had, but it was right around peak Roadking era, IIRC, so maybe one of those.
Maybe that's why the band hasn't been heard from in 20 years as well. Still trying to dial in that Mesa?

 

[spawnofthesith]

absolutely nothing even close to credible, but it plays perfectly into internet crybabies gibson rageboners so here we are

I really thought I couldn't have any less respect for geartubers but here we also are lol.

Unless some actual reliable details come out on this, frankly I hope fluff gets blacklisted to oblivion by the industry....

Fair. Personally, I was always puzzled by the Express line. Obviously the heartbreaker was controversial.

But I don't remember anyone saying those amps weren't well built.

I actually really enjoyed the express 5:50+. Clean channel was really magnificent. Burn mode was probably the amps weakest offering but it had enough other amazing tones in there it was kind of like "so what". I'm willing to bet I wouldve liked burn/"modern metal" tones a lot more had I ever tried it through a closed back cab (had the combo)

I think the biggest problem with the express (and its predecessor lines) is that people see the GEQ and are expecting some sort of budget Mark amp, and while there are a couple vaguely mark-ish tones you can pull out of them, the results are much better if you treat it like its own thing

 

[spawnofthesith]

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/gibson-mesa-boogie-randall-smith-exit

 

[technomancer]

Let the rampant speculation continue

 

[Moongrum]

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/gibson-mesa-boogie-randall-smith-exit

“My whole life has been coupled with music and it’s an honor to be able to build equipment for musicians,” he told Guitar World. “I will never tire of it because it’s thrilling.

“I’m 75 years old now and I will continue to do this,” he continued.

God damn, imagine fucking liking your job. I need to figure this out