Author Topic: Cornford Roadhouse (Read 11334 times)

AngusYoung01 · « **on:** April 24, 2008, 04:30:42 PM »

Saw this amp in this months Guitarist, got all 5 stars and the guitarist Gold award, looks phenominal. I remember there was a little bit of controversy about this a while back, the use of PCB's from the company. Personally, from this review, I think it sounds fantastic, and the cost is something us mere mortals can afford. I definitely want to check this out. What are your thoughts?

Here's what Guitarist gave it -
Build Quality: 5*
Features: 5*
Sound: 5*
Value for Money: 5*
Guitarist Rating: 5*

And here's a clip of Guthrie Govan demonstrating it at NAMM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS4Tf9gwCgw

Lew · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2008, 04:45:43 PM »

I still think its a bit odd that they ramble on about pcb vs ptp etc for so many years and then do this ...but anyway, they look like great amp's at great prices.

dave_mc · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2008, 04:46:49 PM »

^ that was my big problem with it... not the fact that they changed to pcb, but the fact for years they'd been banging on about how much better HW was...

i'd like to try one, of course. if it's anything like the HW cornfords, it might be cool.

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:00:13 PM »

Regardless, it does look amazing.

Infact, in Guitarist, on the topic of PCB's, the guy from Cornford says "It makes no difference tonally", and talks about how it's just a reliability thing.

I'm new to the company, so I'm not sure if this contradicts their earlier beliefs?

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:16:03 PM »

They're known for advertising the benefits of ptp wiring, and that sort of thing, allways been considered as high quality boutique builders etc, and then they release a production line PCB amp.

So generally, yeah, it contradicts the Cornford name slightly.

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:21:58 PM »

what's a PCB?

Roobubba · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:31:39 PM »

Printed Circuit Board

opprobrium_9 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:40:07 PM »

Quote from: Roobubba

Printed Circuit Board

as opposed to what?

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:40:38 PM »

Quote from: opprobrium_9

Quote from: Roobubba
Printed Circuit Board

as opposed to what?

Point to point wiring...

Lew · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2008, 06:53:49 PM »

I couldnt give two shites if an amp is pcb really and dont really buy the tone argument.

My pcb VHT kicked ass...

On the other hand I am really close to buying a Cornell Plexi 7 which sounds superb and Cornell say it is due in part to the ptp

:roll:

Philly Q · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:02:47 PM »

Quote from: Lew

On the other hand I am really close to buying a Cornell Plexi 7 which sounds superb and Cornell say it is due in part to the ptp

I'll be interested to know what you think of it. I was really keen on buying one but 600-odd quid just seemed too much for such a tiny and essentially limited-use amp.

Gizmo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:34:49 PM »

The cornford roadhouse sounds superb on their demos that come with the mag. I think guthrie is doing the demo. The amp can do all styles of music from jazz to metal and everything in between really really well. i guess it helps when you have someone so technically good as him playing.

i'd be interested in the cornell as well. i wish they did clips of it. still not heard a clip or demo of the amp. i saw one in a shop in richmond but not tried it. £600 is a lot for a practice amp but when u think u can pay £1600 for a Carr Mini Merc its quite good value. a tiny terror + cab is 500 and although it can do small gigs most people buy them for a practice amp in their house and the cornell has the potential from its spec to do it better and quieter.

JamesHealey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:45:45 PM »

PCB does NOT mean bad construction methods.

Soldano, Suhr, Bogner, '73 to '84 Marshalls, THD, VHT..

The list goes on... yes PTP construction has a difference to the resistance in the circuit but this same phenominon can be recreated with a bit of clever voicing of the amp.

PCB is better for mass production as it's perfect in recreation everytime, but can be just as well built as PTP in terms of reliablility.

PTP is great for the small scale builder on a mission to find tonal nirvana, coz he can change anything instantly without having to re-draw a PCB design.

JamesHealey · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:48:00 PM »

as for cornfords move to PCB? well personally i'd be more concerned if they'd sourced the transformers externally to cut costs rather than laid the circuit down on a PCB rather than a tag board..

Transformers are where the magic is at with Cornford amps, they're designed and handwound in house.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:58:24 PM »

Quote from: AngusYoung01

And here's a clip of Guthrie Govan demonstrating it at NAMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS4Tf9gwCgw

what a bloody awfull demo - jesus, that sounded like my old Spectrum loading up. I can't even tell whether the tone was good or bad to be honest, it was just a blur.

I don't mind some shred, but it's got to be textured so that the fast bits in the solo have dramatic effect.