Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Mesa/Boogie announces King Snake

News
By Rob Power
Published 10 December 2013

Santana signature Boogie to land in 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Mesa/Boogie announces King Snake

Mesa/Boogie announces King Snake

Mesa/Boogie has announced the Limited Edition King Snake, an version of the amplifier that first introduced the Boogie brand to the world over 40 years ago.

Essentially an updated take on the legendary MKI Boogie that Carlos Santana used on his 1972-3 tour, the King Snake emulates the look and sound of the original while adding in a few key updates.

Featuring an updated reverb circuit, an FX loop and a new Fillmore speaker, plus edge moulding and embossed leather covering, the King Snake will only be available in 1x12 combo configuaration.

Shipping in January, each amplifier also includes a metal plate on the rear signed by Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and we're predicting it's going to be pretty popular - it's only going to be produced in small numbers, so you'd better start saving now if you want to get your hands on one in 2014.

For more information visit the official Mesa/Boogie website.

Mesa/Boogie press release

In 1971, at the crossroads of Vintage and Modern amplified guitar sounds, stood two pioneers, Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and the little amp that could... the Boogie®.

The passion, creativity and dedication of these two artists intersecting at that revolutionary time in music history can only be called fate, and the resulting impact on the guitar’s voice will be felt forever more. With so many FIRSTS, that set the world’s pro guitarists on their collective ear, the Boogie® ushered out the old notion of a guitar amp and transformed it once and for all into a legitimate instrument.

The Limited Edition King Snake™ is legendary in both sound and story because it is the direct descendant of the original Mark I™ Boogie that stood alone at that intersection so long ago. That amp was the transitional link between the low-gain single-channel amps of yesteryear and today’s current high-gain, multi-channel footswitching amplifiers.

Before the Boogie’s appearance back then, players had to turn an amp all the way up to get overdrive and sustain and it occurred in the power section, which of course was LOUD. With the creation of the world’s first high-gain tube preamp in 1970, found only in the little Boogie by MESA Engineering®, players could achieve sustain and singing tube overdrive at any volume. Revolutionary!

The rest is history – and while it is correct to say that the little high-gain, high-power 1x12 Boogie Combo changed guitar and popular music forever, the story doesn't end there…

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Mesa/Boogie Limited Edition King Snake

Mesa/Boogie Limited Edition King Snake

Mesa/Boogie has announced the Limited Edition King Snake, an version of the amplifier that first introduced the Boogie brand to the world over 40 years ago.

Essentially an updated take on the legendary MKI Boogie that Carlos Santana used on his 1972-3 tour, the King Snake emulates the look and sound of the original while adding in a few key updates.

Featuring an updated reverb circuit, an FX loop and a new Fillmore speaker, plus edge moulding and embossed leather covering, the King Snake will only be available in 1x12 combo configuaration.

Shipping in January, each amplifier also includes a metal plate on the rear signed by Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and we're predicting it's going to be pretty popular - it's only going to be produced in small numbers, so you'd better start saving now if you want to get your hands on one in 2014.

For more information visit the official Mesa/Boogie website.

Mesa/Boogie press release

In 1971, at the crossroads of Vintage and Modern amplified guitar sounds, stood two pioneers, Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and the little amp that could... the Boogie®.

The passion, creativity and dedication of these two artists intersecting at that revolutionary time in music history can only be called fate, and the resulting impact on the guitar’s voice will be felt forever more. With so many FIRSTS, that set the world’s pro guitarists on their collective ear, the Boogie® ushered out the old notion of a guitar amp and transformed it once and for all into a legitimate instrument.

The Limited Edition King Snake™ is legendary in both sound and story because it is the direct descendant of the original Mark I™ Boogie that stood alone at that intersection so long ago. That amp was the transitional link between the low-gain single-channel amps of yesteryear and today’s current high-gain, multi-channel footswitching amplifiers.

Before the Boogie’s appearance back then, players had to turn an amp all the way up to get overdrive and sustain and it occurred in the power section, which of course was LOUD. With the creation of the world’s first high-gain tube preamp in 1970, found only in the little Boogie by MESA Engineering®, players could achieve sustain and singing tube overdrive at any volume. Revolutionary!

The rest is history – and while it is correct to say that the little high-gain, high-power 1x12 Boogie Combo changed guitar and popular music forever, the story doesn't end there…

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Mesa/Boogie King Snake full frontal

Mesa/Boogie King Snake full frontal

Mesa/Boogie has announced the Limited Edition King Snake, an version of the amplifier that first introduced the Boogie brand to the world over 40 years ago.

Essentially an updated take on the legendary MKI Boogie that Carlos Santana used on his 1972-3 tour, the King Snake emulates the look and sound of the original while adding in a few key updates.

Featuring an updated reverb circuit, an FX loop and a new Fillmore speaker, plus edge moulding and embossed leather covering, the King Snake will only be available in 1x12 combo configuaration.

Shipping in January, each amplifier also includes a metal plate on the rear signed by Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and we're predicting it's going to be pretty popular - it's only going to be produced in small numbers, so you'd better start saving now if you want to get your hands on one in 2014.

For more information visit the official Mesa/Boogie website.

Mesa/Boogie press release

In 1971, at the crossroads of Vintage and Modern amplified guitar sounds, stood two pioneers, Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and the little amp that could... the Boogie®.

The passion, creativity and dedication of these two artists intersecting at that revolutionary time in music history can only be called fate, and the resulting impact on the guitar’s voice will be felt forever more. With so many FIRSTS, that set the world’s pro guitarists on their collective ear, the Boogie® ushered out the old notion of a guitar amp and transformed it once and for all into a legitimate instrument.

The Limited Edition King Snake™ is legendary in both sound and story because it is the direct descendant of the original Mark I™ Boogie that stood alone at that intersection so long ago. That amp was the transitional link between the low-gain single-channel amps of yesteryear and today’s current high-gain, multi-channel footswitching amplifiers.

Before the Boogie’s appearance back then, players had to turn an amp all the way up to get overdrive and sustain and it occurred in the power section, which of course was LOUD. With the creation of the world’s first high-gain tube preamp in 1970, found only in the little Boogie by MESA Engineering®, players could achieve sustain and singing tube overdrive at any volume. Revolutionary!

The rest is history – and while it is correct to say that the little high-gain, high-power 1x12 Boogie Combo changed guitar and popular music forever, the story doesn't end there…

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Mesa/Boogie King Snake from behind

Mesa/Boogie King Snake from behind

Mesa/Boogie has announced the Limited Edition King Snake, an version of the amplifier that first introduced the Boogie brand to the world over 40 years ago.

Essentially an updated take on the legendary MKI Boogie that Carlos Santana used on his 1972-3 tour, the King Snake emulates the look and sound of the original while adding in a few key updates.

Featuring an updated reverb circuit, an FX loop and a new Fillmore speaker, plus edge moulding and embossed leather covering, the King Snake will only be available in 1x12 combo configuaration.

Shipping in January, each amplifier also includes a metal plate on the rear signed by Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and we're predicting it's going to be pretty popular - it's only going to be produced in small numbers, so you'd better start saving now if you want to get your hands on one in 2014.

For more information visit the official Mesa/Boogie website.

Mesa/Boogie press release

In 1971, at the crossroads of Vintage and Modern amplified guitar sounds, stood two pioneers, Randall Smith and Carlos Santana, and the little amp that could... the Boogie®.

The passion, creativity and dedication of these two artists intersecting at that revolutionary time in music history can only be called fate, and the resulting impact on the guitar’s voice will be felt forever more. With so many FIRSTS, that set the world’s pro guitarists on their collective ear, the Boogie® ushered out the old notion of a guitar amp and transformed it once and for all into a legitimate instrument.

The Limited Edition King Snake™ is legendary in both sound and story because it is the direct descendant of the original Mark I™ Boogie that stood alone at that intersection so long ago. That amp was the transitional link between the low-gain single-channel amps of yesteryear and today’s current high-gain, multi-channel footswitching amplifiers.

Before the Boogie’s appearance back then, players had to turn an amp all the way up to get overdrive and sustain and it occurred in the power section, which of course was LOUD. With the creation of the world’s first high-gain tube preamp in 1970, found only in the little Boogie by MESA Engineering®, players could achieve sustain and singing tube overdrive at any volume. Revolutionary!

The rest is history – and while it is correct to say that the little high-gain, high-power 1x12 Boogie Combo changed guitar and popular music forever, the story doesn't end there…

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Rob Power
Read more
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Friedman Jose 20 Series
Guitars Friedman's Jose 20 series pays tribute to amp guru whose mods helped shape the high-gain revolution
 
 
Carlos Santana
Artists Carlos Santana on Miles and McLaughlin, Hendrix and SRV, and his quest for eternal melody
 
 
Marshall Billie Joe Armstrong 1959BJA Artist Signature
Artists A baby blue amp for a Green Day frontman: Marshall launches Billie Joe Armstrong’s “Dookie Mod” head
 
 
Joe Bonamassa with his two new signature Martin acoustics
Artists Martin unveils a pair of Joe Bonamassa signature acoustics based on his 1937 pre-War vintage unicorn
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Lemmy in trademark mic action
Bass Guitars “Experience the gear that created their unmistakable sound”: Motorhead exhibition set to open with interactive element
 
 
Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers
Artists How Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers teamed up to write a song with no chorus
 
 
A Harley Benton HSS electric guitar on a teal background
Guitars The best value guitars in the world just got even cheaper thanks to up to 60% off Harley Benton in the Thomann Guitar Days sale
 
 
Positive Grid Spark Pedal
Guitars Positive Grid brings its smart amp experience to your ‘board with the Spark Pedal
 
 
Brian May plays the Red Special live onstage; on the right, William Shatner holds what looks like an AI-generated Les Paul
Artists fOXX Phaser set to stun! Queen’s Brian May signs up for William Shatner’s all-star metal enterprise
 
 
Angus Young lights it up during AC/DC's 2026 Power Up Tour
Artists Does this viral video really show Angus Young 'forgetting' a guitar solo or did he actually nail it?
 
 
Latest in News
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12:  Billy Joel  attends The Music Of Billy Joel Annual Charity Concert at Carnegie Hall on March 12, 2026 in New York City.  (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
Artists Billy Joel confirms that he’s had surgery after being told that performing live was damaging his brain
 
 
Jill Scott, Prince, Stevie Wonder
Artists Jill Scott reveals how she had the "best night of my life" with Prince and Stevie Wonder
 
 
Lemmy in trademark mic action
Bass Guitars “Experience the gear that created their unmistakable sound”: Motorhead exhibition set to open with interactive element
 
 
Elektron Outbox 8
Audio Interfaces Outbox 8 can add multiple audio and CV outputs to your favourite Elektron groovebox – or any other class-compliant hardware
 
 
Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers
Artists How Brian Fallon and Brandon Flowers teamed up to write a song with no chorus
 
 
A Harley Benton HSS electric guitar on a teal background
Guitars The best value guitars in the world just got even cheaper thanks to up to 60% off Harley Benton in the Thomann Guitar Days sale
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...