Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: horsehead on March 27, 2007, 06:53:53 AM

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: horsehead on March 27, 2007, 06:53:53 AM

I've got a Harlequin amp & I've got to say I love the sound, but it's just not loud enough. Now, every review says that all of their amps are marvelous & I'd like to get a head & cab, but I'd appreciate any ones input on this. I'd also like to keep it british...don't know why, maybe my in-built national pride (that doesn't extend to the football team at the moment)

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: maliciousteve on March 27, 2007, 08:06:28 AM

I've got a Harlequin too, nice little amp. The MK50 heads sound awesome, though a bit on the expensive side.

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: horsehead on March 27, 2007, 11:51:02 AM

yeah but for the whole thing of it (ie hand wired, beautifuklly put together & amazing sounds) I think it's OK. It's no more expensive than the Bad Cats etc

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: dave_mc on March 27, 2007, 02:51:43 PM

i really like the hurricane. excellent amp. Maybe not loud enough for what you want, though. i haven't tried the harley or carrerra. (i don't actually use one, I've just tried them)

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: hunter on March 27, 2007, 04:31:35 PM

I suggest you go try some amps against each other, in this price range (2000 EUR) an investment should be well researched.

I tried SO MANY amps before I got the Shiva. In fact I wanted a Bogner from the start, but it helped to play all the Soldano's, CAEs, Diezels, VHTs, Bogner XTC and XTC classic, Randall RM100s, Bad Cat etc.

Looking for sound with mids, a Cornford is definitely in the evoked set, but so should be Orange Rocker30 and Rockerverb 50, Bogner Shiva, I would also have a look at the Suhr Badger, which is quite amazing it seems. Both the Bogner and the Suhr would be amazing at low volume as well as cranked up.

I played a Rocker 30 recently and although it wasn't that great at low volume, I just loved it's bite and crunch when turned up a bit.

Do you have access to a shop that has some good selection of amps? I tested a lot here (they have great range):
http://www.muziekhandel-jukebox.nl/

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: PhilKing on March 27, 2007, 05:52:34 PM

If you are looking for British makers, then you should also look at Matamp and Cornell.  Depending on your needs, the Cornell Plexi or the Matamp King Street would both be good to check out.  I am sure they will be at LGS.  Dennis Cornell is a really nice guy to talk to, and the crew from Matamp are all animals (but of the very best sort - I have been to the factory a few times and they always have tea and biscuits available).

I have a Mini-Mat with 1x12 and if I lived in England still would probably have an XV or a 1224 (or both, knowing me!).

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: Skybone on March 27, 2007, 06:32:40 PM

Phil's bang on there, Matamp build superb quality amps for the money, that sound awesome, have superb customer focus. They are also a really nice bunch of people. Plus they'll build it to your specs, your choice of coverings, and your choice of speaker if you buy a cab, usually all included in the price.

I'd highly recommend a trip over to the factory near Huddersfield, not only will you get to try out some amazing amps, you'll get a brew and a healthy dose of northern humour! ;)

The King Street Major is a great 50w head, with a triode/pentode switch which knocks the power valve operation down by half, and a full/half power switch which further reduces the output to around 15w. Very useful! The 1224 takes this a few steps further by giving you the choice of Class A or Class AB operation, with either 1, 2 or all four valves!

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: froglord on March 27, 2007, 08:28:05 PM

+1

You've gotta try the Matamp experience. Unlike anything else on Earth!

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: dave_mc on March 27, 2007, 11:08:58 PM

I haven't been able to try matamp unfortunately, but phil and co are normally spot on with their recommendations. +1 on cornell, though, i tried the romany plus (the fendery one) a while back, and it kicked ass. tried it in the same shop as the hurricane, in fact, though I wouldn't like to say which is better, they were both excellent and both very different in tone.

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: DeanS on March 27, 2007, 11:24:05 PM

I have a Harly and love its liquid sustain, if I were looking at another head for my collection it'd be a toss up between a Matamp 1224 or a Cornford Hellcat

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: Rob Stobbs on March 31, 2007, 06:55:23 PM

Quote from: PhilKing

If you are looking for British makers, then you should also look at Matamp and Cornell.  Depending on your needs, the Cornell Plexi or the Matamp King Street would both be good to check out.  I am sure they will be at LGS.  Dennis Cornell is a really nice guy to talk to, and the crew from Matamp are all animals (but of the very best sort - I have been to the factory a few times and they always have tea and biscuits available).

I have a Mini-Mat with 1x12 and if I lived in England still would probably have an XV or a 1224 (or both, knowing me!).

Just for you then Phil........Meet My New Baby!!!!!
GT1 Heavily Modded AND a King Street all in One Head!
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/lexlurid/MatampGT1Custom005.jpg)

Custom Designed for me by Dave Green, I have 55Watts of GT1 with the addition of "EPS" Power Scaling. Then...Flick the switch on the Back and I have 15 Watts of King Street....still with EPS, Voicing etc etc. All running through 2 Celestion Hot 100s. There is also a very natty Footswitch which allows me to change Voicing, EPS and Boost.

For those that enjoy such things...this is the Inside
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/lexlurid/MatampGT1CustomInnards001.jpg)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/lexlurid/MatampGT1CustomInnards004.jpg)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/lexlurid/MatampGT1CustomInnards008.jpg)


Tell You What??  Bare Nuckles LIKE this!   :lol:

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: horsehead on March 31, 2007, 08:02:14 PM

Not being cheeky, but how much did that cost altogether please?

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: dave_mc on March 31, 2007, 09:44:52 PM

wow, that's a pretty complex innards there.

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: PhilKing on March 31, 2007, 11:03:04 PM

Hi Rob, they do great work, but I'm always amazed that there is no ash inside :D

I was asking Hayden and Dave about a KT66 head, they said to talk to Jeff a bit more after LGS.  I want something a bit like a hot rodded original T&B.  Yours sounds like an amazing amp though.  I just have the red covered Minimat with a matching 1x12 with a heritage G12M.   At the moment the dollar is so weak that I have to wait, but once I find out if they can make it (I know they can - it is really what is the price!), then I know I will want to get it!

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: Skybone on March 31, 2007, 11:46:46 PM

Awesome amp you have there Rob, exquisite taste as well I have to say! ;) The name plate's the same as my 1224.

The wiring on them is nothing short of stunning.

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: willo on March 31, 2007, 11:58:30 PM

Can you stop talking about Matamps please?

Seriously. Let's talk about things I don't want to buy, like Valvestate Marshalls for instance.

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: dave_mc on April 01, 2007, 04:43:24 PM

^ :lol: :lol:

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: horsehead on April 01, 2007, 05:07:48 PM

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..................MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP, MATAMP,



MATAMP,  :twisted:

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: HTH AMPS on April 01, 2007, 05:46:47 PM

you really can't fault Matamp - they sound great, build quality puts almost every other builder to shame, they'll build a custom amp to your specs AND the price is excellent.

as for Cornford, I've tried them and think they sound great but maybe a little pricey compared to Matamp.  I spotted some internal shots of a Cornford on ebay, I really hope they don't build amps like that anymore (yikes)... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CORNFORD-HARLEQUIN-VALVE-COMBO-S-N-0020-CUSTOM-SHOP_W0QQitemZ280099501860QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cornell amps are very tasty but again very pricey.  I'd love to see how their Plexi head sounds - see if it really nails that old vibe.

 :twisted:

Title: Any one using Cornford amps?
Post by: Rob Stobbs on April 01, 2007, 05:51:15 PM

I  have been a Cornford user at one point and I have to say that in the right hands....i.e. anyone other than mine.... I am sure they are great....I just could never get the sound I wanted. That said, having been a Matamp user since 1973 I suppose one gets accustomed to ONE thing?

But WHAT a Thing!!!!!!!  :D