Voodoo Amps Mesa/Boogie Nomad 100 Long Head Mod

Same as before, this is an update to my earlier review.

Ok, I let Trace know that I was not 100% satisfyied with the clean channel. He remembered what guitar I played (PRS CE 24)and what pickups were in it(HFS bridge), and reccomended I try a Semour Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge and Jazz in the neck. Unbelievable difference. Cleared my problem right up. Some minor tweaks to the top-end of the amp and now this thing is exactly what I wanted. Everything sounds better.

See my last post.

This just re-emphasizes what I have said in my last post. Voodoo Amps personfies customer support.

Since my expreince fas been so good with Voodoo, I turn to them before I go anywhere else. Trace will tell you if you should go somewhere else for something, or if he can't or wouldn't reccomend doing what you're asking (not that that happens a lot, there's not much they can't do). He'll also try to point you in the right direction if you need it. He has changed out pickups in two of my guitars - and matched them PERFECTLY, treated my Marshall 1960B cab (whoah!) and I now am awaiting a Witchdoctor Head (his newest creation) to add to my collection. Everything he has touched so far has turned to gold, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. The prices are fair, and the servcie is top notch.

This is a 2002 Mesa Nomad 100 Long head modded by Trace and Anthony of Voodoo Amps in Ithaca, NY. The features of the stock head were retained after it was modded. Lots of goodies here- 3 channels - clean, crunch, and lead (Green, orange, red) w/ separate EQ, volume, gain, ftswtch reverb and presence controls. Global effects loop, solo boost, 5 band footswitchable EQ, tube bias switch (6L6 / EL34) and master volume. If only it had 2 footswitchable effects loops (ala Marshall TSL) it would get a ten.

I currently play a PRS CE24 -> Dunlop Crybaby 535Q -> Nomad Head -> Marshall JCM 900 1960B cab with a Line6 delay in the loop.

Sound quality before the mod - 7. I decided to have this amp modded because of all the wonderful things I've heard about Trace's work.

After the mod - Trace did exactly what I asked him for, he made the mids actually usable, gave me a ridiculous amount of gain, tightened the bottom end, made every note ring clear, even fully distorted. I gave him Tool as an example of how I wanted it sound, but not emulate, if that makes any sense. Channel 2 is also MUCH better in this department. The clean channel still breaks up a little early, but is no worse, it's actually better because you can once again use the mid controls and get a desirable sound. I didn't ask him to make the clean better anyway, the dist. channels were my main concern.

Not really sure about the Nomad, but Trace stands behind his work 100% It is a tube amp, maintenance is required periodically.

Mesa gets a ten, but I would give Trace a 20 in this department. If all companies has his level of customer service, I would be buying a lot more things right now. He truly is a stand up guy, and he treated both me and my girlfriend like a king and queen while we were in town. He answered all 400 of my emails before the mod and continues to do so. He really does care if you are satisfied and would do anything at all to make sure your'e experience was a good one. In fact, I'd give him a million points in this department, but don't take my word for it, call him yourself and see. I'm sure if any problems do arsie, he'll be right there to help me out. Class act.

I've been playing on and off for about 8 years now, I also have a Marshall TSL and Mesa Recto cab collecting dust now. I'm getting a little bored of this question, but it does make a good point- if it were stolen or lost I would probably check out one of Trace's custom VooDoo Hex amps before going anywhere else. I may actually send him my Marshall TSL to see what he can do with it. I love the articulate high gain sounds that come out of this amp, solo's scream with the delay / wah. I do wish the clean was a little bit better, not that it's bad, but you can't get blood from a stone I guess. I origanally bought the Nomad because it was different than that Recto sound, but still held up and was versatile. I consider this a Voodoo amp now more than a Mesa, it sounds 100 time better than it did stock. Another satisfied customer!