Mesa Nomad owners - is this a fair price?

keithb · #1 01-17-2005, 01:00 AM

I've been looking for a Nomad combo - found a 1x12 Nomad 55 w/ graphic EQ for around $800 in perfect shape - is this a fair price? Should I hold out and wait for a Nomad 45 2x12 for the Extreme power amp option?

I'll be playing mostly at bedroom volumes, sometimes with a band, if that helps.

Thanks!

keithb · #2 01-17-2005, 01:21 AM

Whoops, it's actually a Nomad 100 1x12 widebody combo, 2000 model - like new condition.

Al M · #3 01-17-2005, 06:18 AM

If that was in the UK it would be a total steal! For that matter if that was £ and not $ it would still be a steal, overe here at least!

Gresh · #4 01-17-2005, 06:44 PM

Sounds a tad high for a 1x12, but it's not off by much. If it were $700 it would feel more in line, but maybe the 100watters are getting more in used market. For bedroom playing though, that's one serious hunk of amp...do you really need that much amp?

Al M · #5 01-17-2005, 06:50 PM

I have a 100, and i cant use it in the house at all! If you want it to sound sweet its gotta be cranked!

Whey · #6 01-17-2005, 07:33 PM

I got my 100 head for $810.00 if that shows you anything. 800 is a tad high but the nomad is a nice series. You can wait a bit there usually are some that come on here and there. Yet i didn't think the eq controls were on the 55

Whey · #7 01-17-2005, 07:36 PM

Heres a 55 on ****.com currently going for $400 will increase though

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Just thought i'd post it

TheToneZone · #8 01-17-2005, 08:13 PM

bedroom volumes

hehehehe
sorry

keithb · #9 01-18-2005, 01:35 AM

Yeah, I realize a 100W tube amp isn't going to do me any good at bedroom volumes

I think I'm going to let this one pass. The Nomad clips posted by Drew and track7 sound soooooooo good, but it's just not a smart idea.

Any suggestions on what I should look at?

I want good tone at bedroom volumes, easy recording (probably direct recording) and the ability to play with a band a few times per month.

I have a V-Amp Pro that I run into a Mosvalve power amp, but it just doesn't sound as inspiring as I'd like. Maybe a PODxt? Maybe a nice rack preamp and Mesa 20/20 with a DI box? Inquiring minds want to know!

Gresh · #10 01-18-2005, 10:38 AM

A few things, Drew and Track both have (or had in Track's case...theft) the nomad 45 2x12 combo, same amp that I have as well. Search for comments on it which I'm sure you've already done. I think the 100 is a 6l6 powered affair, while the 45 is EL84. They are going to sound a bit different. While my 45 sounds ok at reasonable volumes, it sings when you let it loose, as do most tube amps. More often, I just run my POD Pro through a set of studio monitors when I'm at home. It's easy and saves tube life and still sounds like I want it to.

Running anything tube for bedroom type playing/practicing is a waste if you ask me. Even a 20/20 which i also used to own is way too much amp. The power amp and speaker cabs are going to color the sound of a POD anyway, they are really best when run through a super clean, full range power source and speaker set up, like studio monitors or a pa system....even your home stereo setup would suffice.

I'm big on not wasting money, so if I were you I'd go with a modeling setup through some powered monitors or just headphones to start with. Once you get the monitors you've automatically upgraded your PC sound set up. For that matter, before I had much of anything, I ran my POD Pro through my PC soundcard and out the cheapo little speakers included with my PC, and it didn't sound bad at all. Some people hate the modeling stuff, but for quiet rehearsing and noodling at whatever hour they are priceless. I love mine, but it won't cut it live with a band, that's what the boogies and riveras of the world are for.

keithb · #11 01-18-2005, 11:57 AM

Thanks for the thoughts Gresh. At one point I was considering getting some powered monitors, maybe I should reconsider - they would make a very nice practice setup.

The only remaining issue is, what to do at band practice? I've been using a V-Amp pro through a Mosvalve power amp, and the sound I'm getting isn't quite what I'd like.

track7 · #12 01-18-2005, 12:18 PM

Heya,

I may have came into this discussion too late, i havn't been able to log into jemsite for nearly a week now!

dont know what thats about but anyway

Yea the nomads one heck of a sweet amp, but you've all heard me say that enough...

The only thing I've got add is that after my nomad 45 was stolen i got the 100 1x12 widebody combo w/EQ you're talking about the exact one. And honestly I think the 6L6's sound even better than the 45, and this is at lower volumes. I run it in 50watt mode and can play at TV volumes with an amazing tone. Yes of course turn it up and it sings like an angel but I was sitll amazed that the 100 was getting me better tones at lower volumes thatn the EL84 45watt version.

Ok then enough babling some more proof!? I recorded this the other week as a demo for someone else looking at the nomads

http://www.davidbeebee.com/nonsitest...Nomad_Demo.mp3

sory if that doesn't come up as a sensible link I'm stil lgetting used to this new forum and for some reason I cant find the formatting bar for the URL.

In all honesty though as much as I love the nomads and mesa tube stuff in general if what you're after is something to pracitse and direct record with and you have strict volume limits then you cant beat the pods. They feel like you're playing a ton of bricks but the sound is very close to a tube amp.

It depends on your needs, if you play out at all then by god just get a tube amp and thank yourself...i played solid state and tube/hybrid preamp stuff for years before I got my first valve amp and then it was like switching on a lightbulb "ahh so this is why my heroes sound the way they do" I'm all for saving money but generally there's a reason why mesa and co. are the prices they are.

On the other side to that though Laney make some amazing tube amps for very little money, well over here's its peanuts anyway dont know about your import prices, but the LC15 is a 15watt tube amp and absolutley cooks! Mega tone at mega low volume, not for metal but can get a great singing lead and crunchy rock tone. May wanna check that out

Oh the clip I recorded was above bedroom level but certainly not loud let alone cranked.

Hope you find it useful

Tkae it easy

Track7

keithb · #13 01-18-2005, 01:21 PM

Thanks for confusing me once again

I think part of the problem is that I haven't been able to demo the 100w version, so I'm not sure exactly how loud it is.

track7 · #14 01-18-2005, 08:29 PM

sorry for the confusion mate, though I just had to get in the fact that these amps really are awesome

you can basically break it down to this.

"Do you like the feel and tone of modelling amps?" If you answer yes to both of those questions then its a no brainer i'm not gonna defend a 100watt mesa against the pro's of being able to play with headphones @ 2 am.

However if you've had experience with tube amps then you WILL know the difference and the feel and response is like night and day. For my main sound I could never use a modeller I just feel that if we all go that route we'll all end up sounding like a tweaked preset of someone else, really the art of tone shaping will be almost redundent bar the fingers (ok ok lets not start that ole' chesnut again!!)

Way up the pro's and cons of what you need versus what you know and like, price wise its gonna come out to around 600-800 for a full modelling setup anyway esp. if you wanna play with a band cause you got poweramp/cab to factor in as well.

Ultimatley over the last 4 years at college I've had the pleasure of playing and recording some very very beautiful amps, soldano, diezel, mesa and honestly I think that even regardless of the price the Nomad gives them all a serious run for their money. Its the most flexible best sounding and of course if you live stateside affordable tube amp there is. The only thing I think that it comes second to is the Road King or maybe a Diezel VH4 but thats going into the seriously heavy specialist tone. Other than that I wouldn't part with my nomad for anything.

Sory for making your brain ache, just trying to help you be informed as possible, if you lived over here you could come over and shred throuhg mine for a few hours as cranked as you like and as quiet but darn that atlantic ocean, take it easy hope you find what you're looking for

David

keithb · #15 01-18-2005, 09:14 PM

Darn that ocean

Going with the thought that it's better to regret what you've done instead of what you haven't done (same reasoning that got me a Jem), I've decided to go for it. I'm not happy with my F-30, so it's on the block, and that'll cover most of the cash for the Nomad. I doubt the Nomad will lose significant value over the next few days, so I feel safe buying it. I think I'm also going to get rid of my current modelling setup (which sounds a bit....eh) and buy a PODxt for recording/2am headphones while the gf is sleeping.

Thanks for the help all, I'll let you know how it goes!