The Ultimate Nomad Modification - "Blasphemy Mod"

Hey guys, all kidding aside, I got tired of chasing the sound I was after from my Nomad 45 with little modifications here and there, so I gutted it, re-used the PT and OT and built a 2204 clone inside the Nomad 45 head chassis. 1 channel, and it sounds darn good if I don't say so. (still need to turn up loud at next jam, the townhouse I live in is not 110db friendly).

Here's some Pics










Sorry, couldn't resist that last one. But if any of you suffer from CTS, there is hope for guitarists after open CT release surgery. I had both wrists done in the fall. I'm %100 better now and no more pain/numbness.

So I guess this is me signing off on the boogie board, as I am no longer an owner of their products. Good luck and great tone to all of you, I've learned a lot. I'll check back here once in a while. When I get some decent sound clips, I'll post them here to show off, I'm sure.

Pat the cat.

As a guy who scratch-builds himself, that's clean work. I like the ground bus, as well. Did you follow the Ceriatone schem?

I definitely commend you on doing what you need to do to get the tone you are after. All that matters is that you are happy. No one can fault you for that. Boogie/Marshall - no matter. I'd certainly put a GM 350 into my S2000 if I had the funds .

I'm also glad your surgeries went well. That's a terrifying ordeal for a musician to endure.

Now that's the mod we've been looking for!

Sure fixes up channel 3!


10% of the componentry, 10x the tone!

@fdesalvo: Thanks, It's my first build actually, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. The layout I followed is from here:

http://www.dreamtone.org/pdf/NEW2204LayoutSchemBomDreamTone.pdf

It has a BOM and a schematic, all on the same page.

I also learned a lot about the process from lurking Joe Popp's blogs.

http://www.joepopp.net/jcm8002.htm

@Tommy_G, I couldn't agree more. When I look at the Nomad PCB now with all of those pots and wires and 500 components, I'm a little disturbed by it. Guitar stuff shouldn't need to be complicated to be good, IMO.

HaHa!
I looked at the pix and said "that ain't a Nomad" Then read. Nice work. Whats a 2204? a Marshall with a master volume right?

Yes, Marshall master volume. If I'm not mistaken, the model 2204 amp was originally labelled as a JMP, was produced between 1975 and 1981. It's basically a JCM 800.

Yes, jCM 800, not to be confused with the 'other' JCM800 that used silicon diodes for the sort of clipping loved during the later 80's

That is nice work!

You wouldn't want to sell the original boards would you?

I could be persuaded, but you should know that the amp was noisy and unreliable before the conversion. If you want a project though, email me


[email protected]

I have a bad case of CT too. My main instrument has always been drums, but now every time I play my hands go so numb I can barely hold my sticks. Also, now even when I eat or brush my teeth my thumb and fingers go numb.

Hollis,

You need to take your condition seriously, starting now. Go and see your doctor and get a referral to a neurologist for a nerve study. The Neurologist will refer you to a Surgeon. The Surgeon will book the operating room. All of this process can take a great deal of time, but it is completely worth it. I am cured.

This condition can cause permanent nerve damage (ie. no feeling in your fingers/hands, forever), if left unchecked and untreated. You owe it to yourself and your music to take care of this. I pray you have insurance, or else live in a great country with all-inclusive medical care.

Godspeed you Hollis

Thanks thelastleroy, you are right. I really do need to get this taken care of, and I do have good health insurance through my job, so I really have no excuse. The last gig I played on the drums was New Years Eve, 3 months ago, and I barely was able to get through it. I just played the bare minimum. I have not picked up my sticks since that night. My condition has improved since I haven't been playing drums, but it's still there. When I play guitar, I can feel it creeping up after a few minutes. At one point, prior to 3 months ago, it was so bad I could not play my acoustic guitar at all, and I've already mentioned about eating/brushing my teeth. I'm 35 years old and have devoted my entire life to playing music: guitar and drums. I couldn't imagine not being able to play anymore. So, does it sound like I have CT? My sister is a doctor and she has referred me to a specialist hand surgeon. She says that I shouldn't trust my hands to just anyone. I'll make the appointment. Thanks again!!

And I forgot, that's one awesome amp!!! We need some audio clips!!