Any one using Cornford amps?

[horsehead]

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)

[maliciousteve]

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

[horsehead]

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

[dave_mc]

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)

[hunter]

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/

[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!).

[Skybone]

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!

[froglord]

+1

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

[dave_mc]

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.

[DeanS]

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

[Rob Stobbs]

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!


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







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

[horsehead]

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

[dave_mc]

wow, that's a pretty complex innards there.

[PhilKing]

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!

[Skybone]

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.