Owner's Manual The Spirit of Art in Technology 1317 Ross Street Petaluma, CA 94954 USA
Greetings from the Home of Tone and Welcome to the Mesa/Boogie Family! We would like to congratulate you on the purchase of your new Nomad Amplifier. If you have not yet realized the power and versatility of this instrument, we hope this manual will provide an enjoyable tour through the many stylistic regions this exciting platform was born to roam.
Your Mesa/Boogie Amplifier is a professional instrument. Please treat it with respect and operate it properly. USE COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS: Do not expose amplifier to moisture, rain or water, direct sunlight or extremely high temperatures. Always insure that amplifier is properly grounded. Always unplug AC power cord before changing fuse or any tubes. When replacing fuse, use only same type and rating. Avoid direct contact with heated tubes.
Table of Contents Precautions Overview & Instant Gratification ________________________________________________________ 1 - 4 Tips for the Desert ___________________________________________________________________ 4 - 5 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS & SWITCHES Gain, Master and Presence ____________________________________________________________ 5 - 7 Treble, Middle and Bass _______________________________________________________________ 7 - 9 CHANNEL MODES: Channel 1 - NORMAL & PUSHED ____________________________
ALL TUBE AMPLIFIER Overview: Nomad amplifiers are available in many configurations in terms of power / speaker combinations, as well as “head only” formats. All Nomad amplifiers share basically the same pre-amp and since most Mesa/Boogies are available in many choices as to power and speakers, for all practical purposes, Nomad refers to this pre-amp. Pre-Amp: The Nomad pre-amp is comprised of three discreet Channels which may be footswitched between.
Overview: (Continued) Channel 1 switched to PUSHED reveals a much gainier region, perfect for all types of dirty chording or can be maxed for urgent high gain soloing. Channel 2 may be switched down to MODERN to unleash a tighter, meaner nature that works great for crunch rhythm or searing solo sounds. And Channel 3 can be switched down to VINTAGE where a more liquid, forgiving nature appears that when set low, can double as an amazing clean mode.
Overview: (Continued) The NOMAD 55: represents the deal of the century with its robust 55 watts produced by two 6L6 pentodes. With ample headroom for clean styles and a slightly brighter, more aggressive nature than its bigger brother the Nomad 100, the 55 lives in the region many players consider the perfect wattage arena. This Nomad is also available in two chassis sizes so it can be configured to taste and need.
Overview: (Continued) REAR VIEW Nomad 100 CH2 CH1 CH3 FTSW CAUTION ! SWITCH MUST MATCH TUBES NOMAD ALL TUBE AMPLIFIER 10% FUSE 6L6 FX MIX HANDBUILT IN PETALUMA, CA 100 WATTS 50 WATTS 100% BIAS EL34 replace fuse with same type and rating only. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. replace fuse with same type and rating only. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.No user-serviceable parts inside.
Tips for the Desert: (Continued) Quick Demo Settings: Clean Channel 1 NORMAL CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE MID BASS TREBLE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE MID BASS TREBLE PUSHED INPUT Purring Blues Channel 2 VINTAGE CH 2 CLEAN (NORMAL) PUSHED INPUT Crunch Channel 1 PUSHED Liquid Grind Channel 2 MODERN VINTAGE (NORMAL) VINTAGE CH 2 GAIN MASTER TREBLE MID PRESENCE (NORMAL) BASS MODERN MODERN Channel 3 MODERN CH 3 Spank Blue
The Controls: (Continued) GAIN : This control adjusts the predominant gain stage in each channels’ circuit with the function and taper being optimized for each individual channel. Remember that your Nomad is really three separate dual mode amplifiers built onto one chassis, so though each channel looks identical, the GAIN Control for each channel comes in a different place and adjusts a Most Balanced different point in that channels circuit.
The Controls: (Continued) MASTER : This control is the master feed from the end of the pre-amp to the driver stage and the Effects Loop. As you can see each Channel is fitted with its own MASTER Control, enabling the three channels relative volumes to be matched regardless of their extremely different sound styles and gain signatures.
The Controls: (Continued) TREBLE : (Continued) The one place you may want to throw caution to the wind and set the TREBLE Control above this median zone presents itself in Channel 1. In both modes ( Clean & Pushed ) the TREBLE Control can be used to dump extra gain into the mix. This is especially effective in the PUSHED mode for crunch sounds. When doing so use the PRESENCE Control to roll off some of the more than ample top end for a more compressed feel and fatter voice.
The Controls: (Continued) BASS: (Continued) The Bass frequencies are, as we mentioned, different in each channel and appear as follows: CHANNEL 1: Enhanced low and sub-low regions provide warmth and most importantly, breath for clean sounds which produces a bouncy, elastic feel and natural sounding fundamental, yet with plenty of air. CHANNEL 2: Sub-low extension defines this channels bottom end character and produces the deepest sounds in your Nomad.
Channel Modes: (Continued) PUSHED: This mode is a radical departure from the sweet shimmering blend of the CLEAN / NORMAL modes low gain character. Huge increases in gain early on in the first stages of the pre-amp produce one of the biggest differences between modes in the entire amplifier and transforms what you thought to be a tame and gentle clean channel into a raging crunch machine. This incredible amount of gain also creates one of the most expressive solo modes in your Nomad.
5 BAND GRAPHIC EQUALIZER : ( Nomad 100 Only ) If you have purchased the Nomad 100 you have probably already realized that the bonus gift of the On-Board 5 Band Graphic Equalizer is well worth the omission of the beautiful, but stoic, Nomad logo. This long time Boogie tradition is a powerful shaping tool and when added to the already fully evolved Channels of the Nomad, any sound you can dream of is at your fingertips.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS: (Continued) OUTPUT CONTROL : This control determines the overall output volume level of the amplifier. After the GAIN Controls have been set for the desired sound style and the three channels levels have been balanced with their respective channel MASTER Controls, the OUTPUT Control allows you to change the playing volume level of the entire amp by adjusting a single control. The OUTPUT Control is also wired as the Effects Loop Return Level Control.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS: AC MAINS : HI VOLTS ON (Continued) This switch delivers the A.C. power to the Nomad. Make sure the unit is grounded (all three terminals of the A.C. power cord must be connected whenever possible to avoid injury to the user as well as to the unit) and that the proper voltage is present. AC MAINS ON Follow the cold start procedure described in the previous section titled “HI VOLTS” when powering up your Nomad.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS: CH2 CH3 CH1 FTSW CAUTION ! SWITCH MUST MATCH TUBES NOMAD ALL TUBE AMPLIFIER 10% 6L6 FUSE FX MIX HANDBUILT IN PETALUMA, CA 100 WATTS 50 WATTS 100% BIAS EL34 WARNING: To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, replace fuse with same type and rating only. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS: (Continued) RECORDING OUT : This 1/4” jack captures the sound of your Nomads’ pre-amp and shapes the sound, enabling direct insertion into a console for both recording and live reinforcement applications. It produces a mono signal and can send a level that should be adequate, if not optimum, for most mixing consoles. The level of each Channel is dependant on the Channels’ MASTER Control.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS: (Continued) SEND, RETURN & FX MIX: Your Nomad is fitted with a parallel effects loop to provide optimum interfacing of outboard signal processing. In this way the maximum amount of pure amp signal with its attack character and warmth is retained because a large amount of dry amp sound can be mixed with a small amount of a very wet processed signal. To use the Effects Loop for your processors follow CAUTION ! CH2 CH3 SWITCH MUST MATCH TUBES these steps.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS: (Continued) 50 / 100 WATT : (Nomad 100 Only) This is the “half power” switch found only on the 100 watt Nomad. The two inside power tubes are put in a standby mode when the 50 watt position is selected reducing the RMS power to approximately 50 watts. This switch may be operated at any time during performance.
REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS: (Continued) SLAVE: This jack captures a signal directly from the speaker jacks and is “padded” to provide a way to use the entire sound ( preamp & power stage ) and send it on to other power amplifiers. This enables you to use your Nomad as the master amp in a large venue rig where multiple amps are used for increased coverage. It also can be used to send a signal on to amp switchers or effects processors. CH2 CH1 the amplifier without a load.
CHANNEL 1 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Neck Single or Humbucker CHANNEL 1 - Warm Vintage Clean HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Low Output Pick-Ups CHANNEL 1 - Hyper Clean HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Strat / Tele Style CHANNEL 1 - Twang HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 I
CHANNEL 1 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Neck Single or Humbucker CHANNEL 1 - Warm & Round HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Most Pick-Ups CHANNEL 1 - Old School HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 1 - Classic Rock HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 INPUT GAIN
CHANNEL 1 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 1 - Agro Crunch HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Most Pick-Ups CHANNEL 1 - Fast Track Solo HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS OUTPUT SOLO PUSHED INPUT Neck Single CHANNEL 1 - Mid Punch Clean HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CLEAN (NORMAL) CH1 INPUT GAIN
CHANNEL 2 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Neck CHANNEL 2- Fat & Purring HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS VINTAGE (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO MODERN Most Pick-Ups CHANNEL 2 - Violin Vibe HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON VINTAGE (NORMAL) CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE OUTPUT TREBLE MID BASS SOLO MODERN Neck or Multiple CHANNEL 2 - Pretty Clean & Brown HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS
CHANNEL 2 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 2- Rotundo HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS VINTAGE (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO MODERN Most Pick-Ups CHANNEL 2 - Edge HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON VINTAGE (NORMAL) CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE OUTPUT TREBLE MID BASS SOLO MODERN Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 2 - Agro Solo HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 2 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS VINTAG
CHANNEL 3 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps CHANNEL 3 - Mocombo TM Strat, Tele Style HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS MODERN (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO VINTAGE Most Low Output Pick-Ups CHANNEL 3 - Clean Clone HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS MODERN (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO VINTAGE Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 3 - Rocked Out HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TRE
CHANNEL 3 - Factory Sample Setting Page NOTE: All Settings pertain to all Nomad Series amps Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 3 - Flat Out HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS MODERN (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO VINTAGE Most Pick-Ups CHANNEL 3 - Blues Punch HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS MODERN (NORMAL) OUTPUT SOLO VINTAGE Hot Rear Humbucker CHANNEL 3 - Implosion HI VOLTS AC MAINS ON ON CH 3 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BAS
Nomad 45 NOTE: Before changing tubes, turn the POWER SWITCH to the off position or to STANDBY. CAUTION..Tubes are HOT when they have been in use.
Nomad 55 NOTE: Before changing tubes, turn the POWER SWITCH to the off position or to STANDBY. CAUTION..Tubes are HOT when they have been in use.
Nomad 100 NOTE: Before changing tubes, turn the POWER SWITCH to the off position or to STANDBY. CAUTION..Tubes are HOT when they have been in use.
TUBE NOISE & MICROPHONICS You may occasionally experience some form of tube noise or microphonics. Certainly no cause for alarm, this quirky behavior comes with the territory and the Tone. Much like changing a light bulb, you don’t need a technician to cure these types of minor user serviceable annoyances and in fact, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to cure tube problems...
DIAGNOSING PRE-AMP TUBE PROBLEMS: Because your amplifier is an all tube design, it is quite possible that you will at some point experience minor pre-amp tube noise. Rest assured - this is no cause for alarm and you can take care of the problem yourself in a matter of minutes by simply swapping tubes. Let us begin by saying; It is a “very good” idea to keep at least a couple of spare pre-amp tubes on hand at all times to insure uninterrupted performance.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Part of a continuous series) An Article written by Randall Smith that we thought you might find interesting. Here’s a question we often hear: CATHODE ( ) GRID ( , ) SCREEN GRID ( ) BEAMCONFINING ELECTRODE ( ) .. ..... .. .. .. ... . .... PLATE ( , ) “Why doesn’t Mesa put bias adjustments in their amplifiers?” Structure of a 6L6 / 5881 Beam Power Pentode. Well, there’s a short answer and a long answer to this question.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Continued) When you scrape your feet across a carpetted floor in dry, wintery conditions, your body can become charged with 50,000 to 100,000 volts of static electricity. And when you reach for the door knob, a spark jumps and you feel it! The voltage is super high but the current (measured in micro-amps) is tiny - otherwise you would die from electrocution. Contrast this with your car battery, which puts out a mere 12 volts.
BIAS ADJUSTMENT: (Continued) But don’t these alterations imply that you are second-guessing the amp designer and that there’s a better set of operating conditions that the designer missed but the tube sellers have discovered? Now some players may like the sound of their amp altered by tubes with extreme characteristics and with the bias set to help compensate.
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: IMPEDANCE: Wiring up speakers to provide the most effective load and making sure that all of them are in phase will help in creating the best sound possible. This is not too difficult, as long as you understand a few things about loading and how to connect your speakers to provide an optimal resistive load. Mesa Boogie amplifiers can handle 4 and 8 ohms effectively.
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE MATCHING & HOOK-UP GUIDE: (Continued) PARALLEL: When wiring in parallel, the resistance of the speakers decreases. Two 8 ohm speakers wired in ( hooked-up ) Parallel results in a 4 ohm load. It’s easy to calculate the effect of a resistive load when all the speakers are all the same resistance. It is really not suggested to wire different resistive load values in Parallel ( 8 and 4, 16 and 8 etc.
WIRING SCHEMES...
WIRING SCHEMES...
WIRING SCHEMES...
WIRING SCHEMES...
ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN: A look into the inner workings of the Vacumm Tube With apologies to Friends and Relatives from the Emerald Isle - who will make their appearance soon enough - the humor which follows is dedicated to the memories of Spec McAuliff and Fae (Rafael) McNally, two of the True Greats. As their numerical references suggest, the terms Diode, Triode and Pentode indicate the number of elements within the vacuum tube i.e. two, three or five.
ON TRIODES, PENTODES & IRISHMEN: ( Continued ) Thus a diode tube - one with a cathode and an anode - is mostly used to rectify alternating current into direct current by passing it without restriction, but in one direction only. This also explains why closing time is stricly enforced at Irish pubs: During normal operation, the traffic flow is similarily unimpeded and uni-directional toward the bar and this process rectifies the work-day negativity.
PENTODES: (Continued) Thus the proper cocktail waitress - visible through the louvers - is scantily clad so as to be all the more effective at reinforcing the attractive influence of her bar and by being located in between the door and the bar, she serves as bait to lure customers past the door’s negative influence.
FRONT PANEL Nomad 45 ALL KNOBS pt# 408200 SWITCH pt# 607101 JACK pt# 610120 POT pt POT pt POT pt 592150 POT pt 592792 592739 592151 592150 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS TREBLE MID BASS POT pt CH1 POT pt SWITCH pt# 607101 592739 CLEAN (NORMAL) CH2 POT pt 592148 POT pt 592736 VINTAGE (NORMAL) CH3 POT pt POT pt 592148 592738 POT pt POT pt 592737 592739 POT pt POT pt POT pt 592739 592150 592150 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS
FRONT PANEL Nomad 55 ALL KNOBS pt# 408200 SWITCH pt# 607101 JACK pt# 610120 POT pt 592739 CH1 POT pt 592150 SWITCH pt# 607101 POT pt POT pt 592792 592739 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS CLEAN (NORMAL) CH2 POT pt POT pt 592151 592150 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS POT pt 592148 POT pt 592736 POT pt VINTAGE (NORMAL) CH3 POT pt POT pt POT pt POT pt 592148 592738 592737 592739 LED pt# 395530 LED pt# 395550 SWITCH pt# 601073 SWITCH pt# 607101 POT pt POT p
FRONT PANEL Nomad 100 EQ SLIDER BUTTON pt# 408535 ALL KNOBS pt# 408200 SWITCH pt# 607101 JACK pt# 610120 SWITCH pt# 607101 POT pt POT pt 592150 POT pt POT pt 592792 592739 POT pt POT pt 592151 592150 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS CLEAN (NORMAL) INPUT SWITCH pt# 601073 SWITCH pt# 607101 592739 CH1 SWITCH pt# 601073 SWITCH pt# 607101 GAIN MASTER PRESENCE TREBLE MID BASS CH2 PUSHED POT pt 592148 POT pt 592736 592150 POT pt POT pt 592150 592151 GAIN MASTER
MESA BOOGIE The Spirit of Art in Technology Thank you for trusting MESA/Boogie to be your amplifier company and we wish you many years of toneful enjoyment from this handbuilt all tube instrument.
The Spirit of Art in Technology (707) 778-6565 FAX NO.
