New Nomad owner - thoughts and inquires...

DNG67 · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 9

Hi guys.

Well, after 1-2 years of searching for a rehearsal-practice amp and generall as a backup for my Mesa Roadster head, i decided to purchase the Nomad.
I was looking for something light and portable for rehearsals, 2 ch with separate eq, rev, fx loop, and reliable.
So Carvin was my desicion.
As almost every owner of Nomad, i like a lot the killer clean ch and i'm so-so for the soak ch.
You know the story. Drive up to 5 it's ok and then muddy bass and fizzy treble. I don't mind too much because i'll boosted anyway for solos, but i would like a lot to have it's gain for rock rhythms without this "blanket" behaviour...
I know that with an eq in loop i can transform the amp and also i know for all the hasserl mods and definetely i'll do them (although maybe i'll wait until the warranty expire) but i speak for the amp's pure and original sound....

So, i have some qs:

1) Can the mods remove the fizzy treble and flubby bass?
2) Is there a chance to increase the soak gain a bit?
3) Can a compressor in front of the amp tight up a bit the muddy bass?
4) Is there a way to swap the tubes with 6L6s? maybe with biasing?
5) mine it's came with the speaker GT-12 100w. If i swap the speaker how much will improve and do you have to recommend one?
6) If i connect a volume box in loop and also have there for example a delay, it's level will depends from volume box level?
7) is it possible to convert the amp to midi with something like the rjm amp gismo?

Ok..i know that these are a lot of qs but i'm watching the forum for 2 yrs now to collect infos for the amp and it was really helpful!!!!

Come on mates, give me some opinions...

Thanks!!!!!

OldHouseScott

I'll take a stab....

1. The diode removal and channel revoicing mods can definitely get rid of the fizzy treble and flubby bass.

2. The soak channel has 3 gain stages, so think JCM800 level of gain. It won't get Mesa/Soldano/5150 levels of gain, but with the mods, it's a much thicker, more organic gain than stock.

3. I'm not a compressor user, so I'm not the best to answer, but IMO the best way to improve the soak channel is to mod it.

4. Don't bother trying to convert output tubes. Way too much work for what is in reality a value priced amp. If you like 6L6's, just get an amp with those. Plenty of choices in a similar price range to the Nomad.

5. Mine came with the older GT12 and I despised it for its mid-honk. I don't know if the new ones are any different. I replaced it with a Weber Sig12B which is very reasonably priced and happens to be one of my all-around favorites. Lots of better speakers out there than the GT12 IMO.

6. A volume box in the loop is a great idea. The Nomad is very loud and the volume box makes a great master volume. Place it last in the chain in the loop and it'll be fine.

7. That Amp Gizmo is interesting and would work fine with the Nomad. I wouldn't spend a bunch of time and money trying to integrate MIDI inside the chassis though. There's not enough room, and IMO it's not worth the effort.

Hope this helps......

DNG67 · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 9

Thanks man!

Do you speak about the stage I of Hasserl mods or do i have to do and the stage II also?

I have already a monster 6L6 amp (Mesa Roadster) and it was just a thought, not a necessity...

And i don't want to convert inside the amp for midi, but i have a couple of good mutli-fx processors and i think it would be great to use them...

Thanks for you input!!!

_arvin · Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: Orlando, FL

You won't be able to get high gain like a Mesa without doing the mod. Unmodded the soak channel is great for the classic blues and rock crunch sound though.

As for speakers, yeah, change that GT12 speaker out. Even a Vintage 30 would be better suited in there, but get something with a little headroom in the wattage if you're going to be cranking it that much.

DNG67 · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 9

_arvin · Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: Orlando, FL

I have only tried a few speakers with the Carvin Vintage series amp other than the stock VL12 and GT12 speakers. Also, they were separate cabs from the Nomad or Bel Air combo enclosure.

Legacy 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s sounded great, as usual. This cab does any amp good.

KRP Pro Audio 212 with Eminence Tonespotters sounded good too, more round and less punchy than V30s.

DNG67 · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 9

Thanks...

I was thinking for the Eminence Tonker actually...maybe i'll try it...

86general

I can't give you specifics on speakers because I have way to little experience. But I have a friend with lots of gear and I tested several different speakers with my X100b, and the difference in tone was striking.

It sounds, though, as if you love the clean sound and the classic rock and blues tones the amp produces; it's the gain part you aren't satisfied with. I'm not sure how much changing speakers will affect the crappy tone you perceive on the high and low ends with the soak past 5.

You said it's a practice amp for you? If you play alot of classic rock stuff, my advice would be to just leave the amp alone and play around with effects and perhaps different speaker cabinets while the amp is under warranty. I think it takes a while to get used to the amp and really hear it, plus you probably need to get the tubes heated way up and broken in, as well as the stock speaker.

After the warranty is up, if you still don't like the gain stage, have the modifications done.

DNG67 · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 9

Yeah, as i said above - just in case - i think i'll wait until the warranty expires.

I just want a great clean - already is there - and a tight crunch for rhythm.
For solos i boost it with one of my pedals...DS1 Keeley, TS9DX, Maxon SD-9, Blues Pro Overdrive etc.

I have many dist boxes which i use them mostly for boost and for a soft crunch.

We all know that an overdrive in front can transform a 2 ch amp to 4 ch

Don't get me wrong, i can live with the soak but if the bass was tighter and the treble sweeter....you know, this amp for me is here to stay definetely...and because of this, mods are kind of necessity...

btw i just bought a volume box and although it changes the sound ( a bit darker) i find it veeeery usefull and nice! The overall character is softer -not in the gain - and more friendly for home use...i have to use it live though....

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