In September of 2004 I had the opportunity to make the pilgrimage to MESA and spend a few days with Mike B., Tim, Tien, Jim and Randy Smith. What a trip, as I am sure that you can imagine, to be immersed in all things MESA, and to further sweeten the deal, Tim and I were guests at Ron Wood's art showing in San Francisco. Well, I wanted to take some time and share some of the sights and sounds of the trip. As most know who have dealt with the company on the phone, the MESA family is very friendly and helpful, and in person they are even more so. From my arrival on a busy Wednesday, to my departure on the weekend, I was made to feel like a truly important visitor and treated with a full run of the factory.

The first people that I spent time with were Susan and Mike Bendinelli, two of the most genereous and honest people God saw fit to put on this earth. We spent dinner that night covering every topic from who had the first hardwood, what would happen in the upcoming election, what the chasis codes stood for, the Kyoto accord, dealings with The Who on the 1982 tour and much, much more. All I can tell you is this, susan and Mike are fantastic. If you have a Boogie, make sure you get it to Mike to do his magic, and make sure you get a Studio Slip to put it in!