Who's the go-to guy in Petaluma?

[zebpedersen]

I'm in the process of restoring my 1977 Mark I to original oldschool spec - gonna have the FX loop mod reversed, pots and sliders replaced...usual vintage amp maintenance.

At some stage, someone replaced the Dymo labels on the back with printed lettering, which is wearing out pretty bad. I'm going to replace it with Dymo labeling again, however the serial number is worn off.

I emailed Boogie and got a reply from Michael Taylor asking for more information and photos. I replied with photos and information about the amplifier, but his reply was a bit useless, just confirmed the details I listed.

Anyone know who's the best person to email for info on those early Marks?

 

[Elpelotero]

I would place a phone call and ask for Mike Bendinelli, their lead tech. They close tomorrow and reopen Monday so make sure to call early today.

 

[Boogiebabies]

Don't bother with the customer service goons. Ask Debbie for Ext. 329.

 

[babow2]

Um, with all due respect, I know every one of the "customer service goons" in Petaluma. They are all nice guys, who love Mesa gear, all are all serious players, love helping customers, and have more work than they can handle. Goons seems a little harsh.

 

[phyrexia]

Rich Duvall is in charge of the Service Dept, I believe. I would ask for him. He may direct you to Mike Bendinelli. I've never called Boogie in regard to older amplifiers.

 

[JOEY B.]

Anyone know who's the best person to email for info on those early Marks?

Don't bother with email.

Your best choice would be ext. 329, as Ed says. If you get voicemail, he will return your call. Have the amp sitting where you can inspect the guts while you are on the phone. On any Boogie older than a Mark IV, Mike Bendinelli is the go-to guy in Petaluma, other than RCS. 8)

 

[av8or3]

I agree with Joey & Boogiebabies , ext 329, Mike Bendinelli. He is the go to guy in Petaluma!
Jim

 

[av8or3]

I can say as well that Chris Dilbeck in Customer Service IS THE BEST! Period!
Jim

Nothing personal against Kris,really,he has earned my respect. But when I asked if the STR415's were still available I could hear/feel the stress in his voice as he informed me of the new price.
While I'm not writing off Mike B. , I'll probably miss Kris.
Mesa, see 'ya'
Jim

 

[>Photi G<]

+1 On that. Kris Dilbeck is a nice guy. I've dealt with him on the phone before while ordering parts. But Mike B. is the man for older amps. Or even better, get Randy himself! :mrgreen:

 

[zebpedersen]

In the UK unfortunately guys, so no phone calls possible.

I got great email help from Tien a few months ago when I was going to have a cabinet built, but I ended up not going ahead (waaay expensive) and I would feel kinda bad to bother him.

Does Mike have an email address?

This is the problem with these hippy companies! No corporate email hookup & BlackBerrys

 

[VoodooChild24]

I agree with everyone on Mike B. He will definitely be the go to guy. But I'm pretty sure all of them are in the know with boogie stuff. I just talked to Rich Duvall two weeks ago and he seems ok.

Kris is great person to talk to as well.

 

[Boogiebabies]

Um, with all due respect, I know every one of the "customer service goons" in Petaluma. They are all nice guys, who love Mesa gear, all are all serious players, love helping customers, and have more work than they can handle. Goons seems a little harsh.

You have a right to your perspective and I respect that.

It's alright for Doug West to take shots at us in an owners manual though ? Most of them are marginal at best.
The best guy left and the only one who does not make you feel like a burden and seems to still care is Tim McKee. I don't think Tien will
be demoted anytime soon either. He was the nicest guy and extremely helpful. Comparing Tim to the rest, Goons seems just right.
Tim could be on fire and you would not know. The rest hum and haw while rushing you and still send you the wrong parts.
I much prefer dealing with Tim or directly with Mike B. or George Mueller. Rich DuVall being called useless would be a compliment.
Our regional sales rep, Trent takes three months to do anything if he does anything at all.
If you think they are over worked, talk to Randy. It's 2010 and he still hand draws PCB's and has to do five revision before the bugs are
worked out and the experiment is on you and me !!! With CAD you can test the whole circuit before it's even close to printing a circuit board.
Every NEW amp I have bought from them since 2001 has either blown up or had so many glitches it was pathetic. Three Road Kings and three Dual Recto's
worth of nightmare. If it's not made before 2000 I don't even bother anymore. Anything I have owned or own from before 2000, five 84 & 85 C+'s, 90 MK III, 93 MK IV, and a 92 Dual Recto I have yet to even have a fuse blow and some of these amps are 26 years old !!!!!

It's nothing personal, it's just business. Like many other people I don't care for their current products or how they treat their customers
so I have taken my new business elsewhere. I still love the company and wish them well, but other than certain Boogie only sourced parts
or a chat with Mike B. thats the extent of my needs towards Mesa. I am happy you are friends with them and hope you remain so for many years,
but I cannot accept any, "Um, with all due respect" as a valid retort to my experience regarding Mesa. You are more than welcome to rebuke whatever I say, but I will not reply.
Everyone is entitled to express their own experience and that is what I did. Just because you have a different "story" does not invalidate mine.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

Man I hope someone at Boogie is reading this. I've always wondered why the attitude was slowly shifting. Of course, I've always known the answer, but I still scratch my head.


Mike B. is the guy for your amp. I don't know if he has a direct email that they give out though. Probably not.
I'm with BB on most of the above stuff. Their older amps are incredible. Not too fond of the newer ones or the garble in the manuals.

 

[av8or3]

Man I hope someone at Boogie is reading this. I've always wondered why the attitude was slowly shifting. Of course, I've always known the answer, but I still scratch my head.


Mike B. is the guy for your amp. I don't know if he has a direct email that they give out though. Probably not.
I'm with BB on most of the above stuff. Their older amps are incredible. Not too fond of the newer ones or the garble in the manuals.

Mike has told me that he dosen't do computers, so he can only be contacted thru the phones and (I presume) written correspondence. He will probably call you back tho' and I've talked enough with him to know he is a really cool guy who enjoyed the '60's and still believes in a lot of the things we valued at that time. He's a lucky guy to have the gig he does, and while at times he can be a bit impatient with you he's still worth knowing and staying close to. Still gets my vote for the "go to guy in Petaluma"
Jim

 

[Monsta-Tone]

:lol: Just don't get him started on Silonix LDR's or Parallel FX Loops! :lol: He'll start ranting like crazy!

 

[Neptical]

:lol: Just don't get him started on Silonix LDR's or Parallel FX Loops! :lol: He'll start ranting like crazy!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
TRUE DAT!

All the Best,
~Nep~