Nomad 55 Combo or Nomad 45 Head

Onizuka · #1 01-20-2005, 06:28 AM

Which one of these should i buy u think?

Are they good amps?

What cab is best for the 45 head?

Thomas

Al M · #2 01-20-2005, 06:46 AM

nomad 100 combo :P

Onizuka · #3 01-20-2005, 07:39 AM

Hehe, oh well, so the Nomad series are good, or are the Mesa rectifier stuff better?

Drew · #4 01-20-2005, 05:02 PM

I VASTLY prefer the nomads to the rectos. The nomad can get very nearly as heavy, but the lead tones on tap approach those of a mark series for overall "singiness," with a bit of additional gain on tap relative to a mark. Huge sounding amp, I'd consider moving to a Road King, but that's it, on the Rectifier range.

As far as the 45 and 55, the 55's are discontinued, so they could be a little harder to find, but I've heard the 55 is vocied a little brighter than the 45 or 100. Worth thinking about...

The 45 2x12 combo I have sounds pretty sweet through its 3/4 back cab with Celestion Vintage 30's - a Recto 2x12 or 4x12 comes to mind, but really, the nice thing about a head and cab setup relative to a combo is that you have total freedom to try different cabinet setups- experiment and see what your ears tell you.

I think that, if I had to have one amp for the remainder of my life and couldn't use any others, a Nomad would probably be it. Sure, there's a few amps out there that excel in other areas, but in terms of overall quality of tone and sheer versatility, for me it's unmatched.

-D

Onizuka · #5 01-20-2005, 06:54 PM

Cool thanks

track7 · #6 01-21-2005, 08:17 AM

EXACTLY what Drea said!

The only thing i'd say that gives any edge is that the 45 does have an exteme mode poweramp re-voicing. Baically tripples the volumes tightens up the sound and gives more bass, makes for a very heavy compensation for having EL84's, which aren't that bad in the first place. I loved my nomad 45 to pieces. Unfotunatley it got nicked and now I have the nomad 100 which if possible I love even more!! The 6L6's sound very good at low volumes (the 45 ironically i found i had to push higher to get nicer bedroom levels) and the addition of a graphic EQ makes it like a 4 channel amp

Great for having a lead and a rhythm tone for each of the 3 channels.

All in all you can NOT go wrong with a nomad, most versatile, best sounding value for monmey amp period. I would not swap it for a mark, recto, bogner, diezel or anything, they may excel in some but the nomad has the whole darn package nailed. As Drew said the only things that could tempt me (and its because of the versitality) is the Road King

Hope this helped, rock on

Track

Drew · #7 01-21-2005, 01:10 PM

Although, the 55 and 100 can run of EL-34 tubes as well as 6L6's, which makes a nice option in its own right...

-D

ardell henderson · #8 01-21-2005, 05:42 PM

I just picked up the 45 1x12 w/1x12 extension cab - power tubes are a beautiful thing!

To me though, it's all about application & context. For example, I got it from my buddy who was having trouble dialing his sound in; he was using a PRS Custom 24. I've since A/B'd it against the PRS & the Jem7vwh - IMHO the PRS freq response is too much like the amp itself, 'cuz the Jem just makes it sing & seems to compliment the amps' characteristics, while the PRS makes it howl in a very muddy, boomy way.

That's my two cents...

Onizuka · #9 01-23-2005, 02:18 PM

Cool, thanks for all the info guys, i'll see what i'll do

Onizuka · #10 01-25-2005, 07:37 AM

Hi Should i get:

Nomad 45 1x12 w/1x12 extension cab (770£)?

Or

Nomad 45 Head (575£)? Have to get a cab for that though.

I have a Jem 7WVH, i guess the amp fits nice to the jems?

Drew · #11 01-25-2005, 11:21 AM

Well, it works well with my Universe...

I'd pass on the 1x12 with an extension cab, and either get the 1x12 or get the head. The 1x12 is a cool amp, and in keeping with Mesa's long tradition of small but VERY powerful amps.

The head might be fun, in that it gives you flexibility in terms of speaker choice, and down the road if you decide you don't like the head you can sell it and pick up a new head without having to replace your cab, or vice versa, picking up a new cab for the same head.

Really, though, it's your choice- how big a concern is space for you? Do you prefer combos or heads and cabs?

Keep in mind a combo, with it's 3/4-back speaker enclosure, will sound a bit different than a closed-back cab.

-Drew

Onizuka · #12 01-25-2005, 12:34 PM

I have uptil now had a crate 15W combo lol.

So now i'm up for some good tube i think, and it would be cool to have a head and cab instead of a combo, u know looks cool with big amp

Is the price i said erlier good for the head?

Drew · #13 01-25-2005, 01:14 PM

No clue, never bought one abroad before, and my 2x12 combo was purchased used. It doesn't sound bad, but like I said I'm no expert.

Onizuka · #14 01-25-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

No clue, never bought one abroad before, and my 2x12 combo was purchased used. It doesn't sound bad, but like I said I'm no expert.

Ok, the head i'm looking at is used aswell.

So anyone have some soundclips of the nomad?

wildealien · #15 01-25-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizuka

Ok, the head i'm looking at is used aswell.

So anyone have some soundclips of the nomad?

i know Drew has recorded some, and i believe track7 has one as well.

i second everything said so far about the nomads. i have a 45w 2x12 myself. i've had it for about 9 months now, and it still blows me away.

i got mine in mint condition for under $800. and, btw, i started with a Crate 15w combo too

. going from that to the Nomad was like night and day!!