Here in the R&D chamber we call the Tone
Lounge, we have been doing anything but lounging. In
fact, there are so many exciting products we have been working on
- our big dilemma is trying to decide which one will see daylight
first. With the release of the bodacious Single Rectifier series
combos and heads and the long awaited ship status of the Formula Recording
Pre-amp, we were finally able to clear a slot and get on to updating
the Dual Caliber series. Now all you Caliber Owners are probably
saying "Hey...what's wrong with my amp...it smokes everything I put
it up against " and to this we say "Bravo...we agree".
In their 14 years of continuous backorder status, they leave a proud
long list of inspired and satisfied owners. But the one
area of the MI marketplace alongside home recording that seems to
be growing steadily as guitar continues to be young musicians axe
du jour is ampli- fiers. And the ever popular "around a grand
" region is a competitive venue to be sure, where players really shop
their choice. Here, stripped boutique offerings are impossible
- as they would get killed off quickly by feature hungry players needing
a value priced performer. And major manufacturers are forced
to deal Tone a mighty blow at the hands of the ever powerful profit-conscious
suits and penny-pinching accountants. Thank goodness we have
successfully dodged the many buyout offers over the years in favor
of staying small enough to remember the Musician and focused enough
to remember the Tone.
So
for us this project was a challenge and tested our design skills
like no other. Build ultimate value, tone and performance
into
a package that delivers mind- bending sound quickly, effortlessly
and affordably! Manage to do so using all the same custom
designed, high-quality parts used in our more expensive models.
And finally, ensure that there simply is no competition in
this strata of the marketplace . A Tall Order. But after 27
years pushing the envelope of high performance tube amplifiers,
we have some pretty solid tracks to follow. So, with trance
like determination we look forward into the future - and reverently,
back through our past to create a collection of circuits so defined
in personality... that they are instantly recognizable in any domain
. Like the Nomad. At home in any land.
For eons, these wandering bands filled with inspiration and the
calling of a higher purpose have left responsi- bility behind in
search of a feeling...an experience. Trading the habitual
life of security for that brief glimpse into the timeless...that
fifteen minutes in the sun. It is in the spirit of this courage
and resiliency that we offer a new line of all-tube, three channel
amplifiers dubbed appropriately... Nomad.
With three different fully evolved and independent channels, the
Nomad pre-amp covers the sonic continents with mysterious confidence.
Combine this footswitchable gain and shaping finesse with three
robust power section configurations ( 40watt-EL84 & 50/100watt-6L6
) and pack them into three combo speaker choices (1x12, 2x12 &
4x10 )... you can arrive assured that you'll conquer any city you
visit .
Channel 1 ( Rhythm ) pays tribute to the Dual Calibers sparkling
clean channel - which is black face in lineage, but refuses to be
positively identified as it shifts to double as a high gain drifter.
This new pull "Pushed" control located on the Gain pot is the same
ugly circuit causing riots on the front panel of the new Single
Rectifiers' and is a full blown lead mode in its own right .
Channel 1 alone offers more flexibility than most two channel amps
!
Channel 2 is a fat-ass blast from the past that has become
all of our favorite new lead sound around the shop . Browner
than the How-Now-Cow, this channel is part Mark1, part Heartbreaker
and part Formula Pre and is so juicy, it's downright messy.
Its liquid gain response in any region, from virtually clean to
a violin howl is our easiest to play, fattest single note voice
to date and should be played for the first time in near proximity
to an uncrowded restroom .
And then there is Channel 3.....This rebellious channel
- now a traitor to the crown - escaped only recently from across
the Atlantic. Recognizing its potential we offered political
asylum, freedom and a whole new identity . Imprisoned there
for years...lying dormant in a sedentary life serving low gain signal
to a dynamically impaired set of EL's, this brash young circuit
is reborn Yankee and now threatens to challenge even the mighty
Rectifier army. With an uncanny ability to disguise itself
as either warrior or sage, it defies logic and description as it
massages the deepest blues grudge - then turns, mercilessly slaying
the unwary at the local mosh pit. Don't take my word .
Just play .
The culmination of so much discovery, hard work and breakthroughs
beyond frustration lives in these Nomad amplifiers. They are
totally comprehensive and deliver instant gratification while never
sacrificing long-term satisfaction. They promise the most
amplifier you will find in virtually any price range and certainly
represent the deal of this century and possibly the next at their
respective pricing. And best of all...they really are at home
in any musical land .
Enough tales for now... excuse the overly graphic nature of my
descriptions of these new Nomads' - if you get down to your
local M/B pro center and take one of these camels for a ride you'll
better understand my exuberance. Tone this good
you just gotta share! Gotta' change strings now... the iron is hot
and I can feel a brainstorm downstairs in Randy's tech lab.
Any minute he'll be bustin' in with the next proto and we'll
be off on the next tonal adventure. I'll keep you posted .
'Till then... Happy New Year and I hope you close out this millennium
with the golden note - and the best tone you ever had.