Cornford Hellcat Head

Made in UK in 2002,2 footswitchable channels,reverb(also footswichable)series effects loop whicn I never use,extremely versatile amp which I use for small/medium gigs,playing classic rock and blues.35 watts of delicious valve power via 4 el84's,this is loud enough for most gigs-anything bigger I go through the board.Even though there are relatively few features in comparison to other amps it still scores 10 because it's perfect for me.

This section is where the hellcat shines,the vintage channel is exactly that,vintage ac30 like tones- you can get just on the edge of breakup tone with the gain around halfway right through to a classic ac/dc crunch when wound up.I'm using a PRS cu22 and in single coil mode chords are sparkling and 3-dimensional.Switch to the modern channel and you can get the most wonderful clear distortion,does that make sense? fellow hellcat owners will understand.In this channel it will do a very good metal with the gain set high and master low using pre-amp distortion,but my favourite tones are with the gain low at around 10'o'clock and master high and making the poweramp stage breathe.With humbuckers you can emulate your favourite guitarists tones,Slash,Gary Moore it's all in there,just turn the guitar round to face the amp and the most beautiful harmonics jump out of the speakers,hang on to one note and it jumps to the 5th or the octave,you get the picture.The best thing is at 35 watts it is possible to turn it up to gig volumes and finding the sweet spot without damaging your hearing,even though it is still loud.How many times have you used a 100 watt head only to find the sweet spot was way too loud and nearly being paid off for upsetting the audience.
The reverb is very good too,but I only use a touch with the clean sounds-smooths it out nicely.
I have been using a mesa boogie roadking that cost twice as much as the hellcat and am not impressed by it,to say the least,it should be the most versatile amp on earth with 4 channels and different valve configurations but I have to say the hellcat absolutely murders the roadking for tone and is more versatile because it reacts well to backing off the guitar volume and is just a more musical amp,and more intuitive to use.I don't give out 10's lightly, in fact my review of the roadking was a 4 for sounds in an amp costing double that of the Cornford,but again a perfect 10 because it suits my style perfectly and has improved my playing over the last 4 months since I've had it.

Had a problem which was self inflicted- burnt out a resistor when trying different,unsuitable output valves,but excellent response from Cornford,won't try that again!
Top notch components,hand wired,point to point,built to last a lifetime,not expecting any problems and am gigging without backup.

Rang up needing the part as described above,spoke to Martin who sent it foc by return of post,even though I bought the amp secondhand,it wasn't covered by the warranty and the problem was caused by me pratting around with different valves.It doesn't get any better,this is getting monotonous but another 10.

been playing 25 years,gigging a lot of them, had too many amps to mention-probably about 30 including boogies,marshall,fender,peavey,laney and others- this is the absolute best amp I have ever owned,I'm afraid it's another 10 but it is well deserved,even though it is expensive you could save yourself a lot of time and money and be cured of gear acquisition syndrome.If only I could have bought this hellcat years ago it would have saved me a small fortune.

Before submitting this review, I would like to thank the prior reviewer for his comparisons of this amp to various high end models (esp Bruno, etc). I was lucky enough for this to be my first real high-end tube amp purchase, and judging by the comparisons that I've heard - I'm done!
This amp is serial number 026 - I won't go over all of the features as these are mentioned in the prior review.
This amp is as versatile as they come - with all tones being controlled by the volume control and pickup switch on your guitar as well as your pickup select switch, and then the channel switch pedal that comes with the amp. There are no bells and whistles with this amp. This is a plus for some and a detriment to others, so I will refrain from rating in this category. For me, this is perfect!

In all sincerity, I have been searching 20 years for this amp. I have tried other "high-end" models (except Bruno and Dumble!) and the thing that sets this amp apart is its incredibly controlled, tight distortion. It almost seems as if there is a built in compressor in the circuit somewhere. Notes are so well defined, and NO amp that I have tried cleans up as well as this one, even when you back off on the guitar's volume control to 2!
To use effects with this amp would be a blasphemy. There is no need for an overdrive pedal. The only pedal that I use with this amp is a Hughes and Kettner Replex (awesome pedal!), which imperceptibly colors the amp's tone - but it is barely noticeable.
The amp is not noisy, and it better not be for the amount I paid! ( I also have the Cornford cab).
I play mostly rock and progressive, atmospheric stuff. Nothing that I say here will compare with you actually hearing the magic of this amp.
I play a custom shop Strat (I have many other guitars as well) - but it is my personal opinion that this amp is made for stratocasters and passive pickups. If you are one who prefers active EMG style pickups, I cannot comment on how they would sound with this amp.

I have had the amp for almost a year and have had no problems whatsoever.

I would like to congratulate Paul Cornford on this masterpiece. I have not yet utilized the customer support yet.

I have been playing for about 21 years, and I own at least 15 "high-end" guitars. I have been victim to GAS(gear aquisition syndrome) but recently, I think that I have been cured. I learned a valuable lesson in getting this amp. There is no need to buy a 100 watt monster if you only utilize half or less of the amp's power. The beauty of this amp is that it is powerful and plenty loud, yet one can find its loud "sweet spot" and still have a pair of ears left. Like I said, I think I have finally found the sound that I have been looking for. If you are interested in this amp, however, no written review will do it justice. Pick up your guitar and take to the nearest dealer and make the discovery yourself.

British pure valve amplifier. Two channels sharing the same set of controls, that is, Bass, Middle and Treble. The two channels however have separate Gain and Volume control, which makes it supremely versatile.
35 Watts of pure Class A. It's really really loud. Loud enough for gigs.
Although that 2 channels share the same equalisation, they do have their own distinct voices. I find it extremely versatile for what I play (Blues, 60's Rock'n'Roll, AC/DC, Jazz and Deftones!!!).
It's an old school amplifier. Stop thinking in terms of plugging you multi-effect in it or 1000s of stompboxes, this is the real thing all these effects try to emulate! It's a valve amplifier for THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (and I salute such a good job!!)!!!
Wonderful features for me! It has to be a 10!
Not an amplifier for foot-tap dancers!!!

OK, this is where it really gets interresting!!!
Being the very proud owner of a Tony Bruno (the best custom amplifiers builder since Dumble? Maybe!), I think that I can submit a very very critical review of this amplifier.
I don't have a lot of guitars, but my small collection will definitely bring water to a lot of mouths. 2 PRS Custom 22, 1 PRS McCarty, 1 PRS Singlecut, 1 Gibson ES-175, 3 Gibson Les Paul Standards (one original 1959!!!), 2 Fender Stratocasters (1 Custom shop Eric Clapton Strat given to me by the Man himself!!!), 1 Fender Telecaster, 1 D'Aquisto Archtop. I'm really in love with all of them.
Before buying my Bruno, I had a Mesa Heartbreaker which was modified by a luthier in the UK. Since I bought my Bruno, I just don't use it anymore.
The Hellcat sounds absolutely ASTONISHING!!!! It cost me less than half of the price of the Bruno (cabs included) but to my ears it sounds just as good, if not better!!! I'll definitely keep both of them. The Bruno has an IRREAL clean tone. It's just out of this world. But when it comes to filth and blues dirt, I think that the Cornford is a class above. Absolutely Sir, A CLASS ABOVE!!!! It's that good! The thing that is really amazing is that even though you crank it to its maximum, which a lot of gain, you can still hear every articulation of your playing. And what is more important to me, I can really hear the difference in the guitars (which isn't as obvious on the Bruno). The Hellcat is so respectful of the guitar you are using that I can even hear the difference between my 2 PRS Custom 22!!!
The Cornford overdrive can be compared to dark chocolate, it's brown as the brownest thing! It's also very 3-dimensional and organic. JUST A DREAM!!!
Just think of Eric Clapton's tone with Cream, that's it!!! Or Jimmy Page, you get it! Dave Gilmour, easily! Very very sweet overdrive indeed!!!
I could talk for hours and write a book on this amplifier, it's just so good. But to be able to really understand the 'Cornford Effect!' you just have to try one of them (by the way, the Harlequin and the Hurricane are absolutely amazing as well!)

It's a completely handcrafted amplifier. Point-to-point wirering. 100% pure valves. Top notch components. Built to last forever!!!

Being a very small company, it's really easy to interract with the guys there! Special mention to Paul Cornford and Martin Kidd, you really ROCK guys!!!

I've been playing for more then 25 years, and I regularly gig. I don't do it as a living, but it's a lifestyle to me. I've had the blessing to jam with some of the most gifted musicians on this planet (Eric Clapton, Pat Metheny, Ben Harper, Angus Young, Eric Bibb).
Having made such fantastic experiences, and having heard the best guitar tones on Planet Earth, I have a very critical judgement of what an amplifier should sound like!
The Hellcat ain't a cheap amp. But just think about it. You are buying a one of a kind amp, and compared to top boutique builders in the States, Cornford seems to be amazing value for the money.
Believe me, just try the Hellcat, if you don't come out of the music shop with it in your arms (and with a bank overdraft!), you should start asking yourself what's wrong with you!!!