Cornford MK 50 H

Just upgrading my review above

Just upgrading this from my review below from a "5" to a "7"

I have finally made contact with Paul @ Cornford twice on 2 different issues and he's been more than helpful (and the second time he got back to me within 24 hours) and apparently has got their email issues handled. He even sent me a new metal cabinet logo as he couldn't get his paypal account working so he sent it for free. Still deducting 3 points due to the initial 2 month wait for a response as there is no guarantee that won't happen to someone else. Note: email paul@cornforamps.com directly for anything not info@cornfordamps.com as it will get buried. They are a small company and not very internet savvy (their site doesn't even have the new Mk50hII), one gets the felling they are used to doing business with a handshake.

Mine is roughly a 2007, it's got all the features I need though negative points for the single channel only as it's gain volume needs to be turned way down and one of the masters way up to set up for a "faux" clean channel. Your best bet is a volume control roll off for a clean sound (sounds great) as the straight clean is not a plus-point on this head. This is minor for me as I'm mostly recording these days but might be a problem for a gigging guitarist. Also, though mine was modified to have external bias points and the ability to switch EL34's and 6L6s, that's not standard though the new MK50hII does the tube swapping. Comes with effects loop.

I own Les Pauls, Strats, Teles, SG, PRS, Parker Fly and Super Strats. I have 4x12 cabs with Celestion Vintage 30's, English Celestion Greenback 25watters, and Celestion 75's among others. I play hard-rock to prog rock to fusion. Head suits my style perfectly, but I can see it also in other styles like, punk and pretty much any rock style save the most brutal scooped metal tones. This is a mid range amp. If scooped is you're bag, go elsewhere. Though I know hardcore metallers that like mids and not scooped so it could work for that too. The head is very quiet and it's tone is extremely organic. It's a vocal tone that really invites vibrato, it sings like a tenor. Like a killer Soldano crossed with a one-in-a-thousand hot Plexi. It can get plenty of distortion (more than my JCM800 easily) but I tend to run the gain at around 12-1 o'clock as above that is really just preamp tube gain. I run into a thd hotplate at around -8dbs and turn up to get the power tubes sweating a little bit. This head is LOUD. I will not subtract points for the mediocre clean sound as you shoul dknow what you're getting with this head. The rolled off volume control tone is awesome however and can give you a glassy clean with a tiny bit of dirt tone to bluesy goodness to scorching and everything in between with just the knob. The gain on this head is so pure and clear yet compliments the natural midrange growl beautifully. Note: I run EL34s in mine, haven't tried the 5881s.

Looks very solid. PTP components would be easy to repair.

Have to give a low score here. I've sent 3 emails to different addresses (including Pual's email) at cornford over 2 months inquiring after a part for my cab and have got no replys. A bud of mine who's Cornford was the first I tried told me Paul is a bit of a jerk, but of course that's his experience. I also ordered a t-shirt from the site 2 months ago and never got it. Good luck contacting anyone.

been playing for 30+ yrs, own several amps, would replace this one immediately if lost/stolen (though probably with a MK50hII so I could continue to switch out tubes). Been checking out a LOT of heads recently, could have bought anything I wanted, this thing is the best I've tried or heard. So many equipment reviews are people justifying their purchases because they are stuck with them, this I can say honestly isn't one of them.

Just a short update, my footswitch needs a fix!!! its wired in and with about 500 metres of cable needs winding tight to fit in the bag, herein lies the problem, if the switch or cable breaks the amp wont do anything but master 2 and overdrive! eeeeeek
Am sure a new fix will be in place soon as I am fitting a socket in the switch box and carrying 2 or 3 spare leads of varying lengths, not a hassle but a shame that when it went wrong I was stymied!!

This is basically a two channel amplifier with shared EQ which makes it more like a single channel amp with solo boost with the Master 2. The amplifier has Serial FX Loop and 1/4" Switch on back for foot switch functions. Comes with manufacture foot switch but unlike some reviews on this amp I had no issues whatsoever getting my Voodoo Lab GCX to perform the switching functions for me so I do not use the foot switch. You need a insert cable stereo into the switch on the amp, two monos into two GCX loops and your good to go. Not any features I wish it had, if I wanted a true 2 channel amplifier I would have purchased their two channel head. I use this amp for home recording, live playing. For 50 watts it packs a heavy hit. This amp is PTP no PCB boards anywhere, top quality!!!

The sound quality is incredible. The first amp that I love to play with just my guitar and cabinet. No overdrives are needed with this amp. It has great clarity, very articulate and good low end with no flub. I am using a Genz Benz 2X12 with the cabinet and the GT75 speakers sound good. I have heard the vintage 30's and Greenbacks sound best. Noise level is good for a high gain amp. You can dial in quite a few gain settings and the knobs for the EQ are very responsive. I was able to set the volume/overdrive on about 4-6 and roll back my volume on the guitar to get a raspy clean, bring it up for AC/DC type tones and the straight into most 80's rock/metal. This is leaving quite a bit of gain on tap for more over the top stuff. Roll things back and you can easily play other styles of music. The amplifier shows your playing character and does not hide your mistakes. It also shows your guitars personality and each guitar will sound different unlike some amps I have had.

Seems really well built. I have not had long enough to comment here however.

Never dealt with.

I have been playing since the early 80s and have had quite a few amplifiers. I am not going to mention other amp names as I do not want to praise one over the other. This is my favorite amp of all the ones I have had. I find this amp enjoyable to play as well as it brings out the character in my playing which I really like. If it was stolen I would hunt the taker down and beat them then buy another one.

Cornford MK50H, Great single channel amp with switchable master volume, Used Strictly for recording, amazing tone... Probably the best amp I own. (bogner Uberschall, Orange Rockerverb 100, Framus Dragon, Marshall JCM 800)

Hand made in england and it shows... beautiful craftsman ship....

Used PRS Custom 22, with Dragon 2 Pickups. Sound is just lovely!

Breaks up so beautiful, so much head room, from some really brutal gain to some simple nice cleans all with a turn on the old guitar volume!

No problems yet!

They where great emailed me back next day! Answered all my questions!

Simply a Beautiful amp!

This amp is the best amp hands down!!!!

its very versitile if you are an old school guitarist and dont rely on a 6 button amp footswitch to make the different sounds, if you can use your guitar controls then this amp will do anything you can think of. Basically find you ideal sound with volume and tone on the guitar maxed and once you achive this mess them around a little to get the hidden sound in between totally clean and super saturated leads.

Ive added a few little extras to my MK50 to make it mine, so now its acctully 11/10 but before the stock am is a 10 .
Ive added 4x 1958 long plate mullards ECC83s 2x RCA 6L6s and in the cornford speaker cab ive got 2x Celestion Alnico Golds.
This is the best sounding amp ever IMO, with my trusty PRS custom22 i can do any style of music with out touching the amp at all.
I use the THD 16ohm hotplate so that i get that creamy power amp saturation, so i run master 2 on full and master 1 at half for different textures.
The rythum sounds massivly organic and the leads sound like liquid, huge mid range without the bloatedness of other amps, chords sound complex and detailed.
This amp possesses that lovly clean touch sensitive distortion that not many can match.

No problems for the time ive had it

phoned them to ask a few questions once and they were fantastic i spoke to martin kidd the guy who co built this amp. MK=Martin Kidd

WOW!!!

Bought this baby yesterday, having run the 335 I bought from Andertons (thanks guys!) as a tester-How could you say no after hearing it!!-OK MAYBE it needs reverb, then you turn it up, through the 1x12 and think REVERB.....NAH!
I'm pretty sure its going to do everything my Marshall and Vox do but a lot longer!

Annoying the neighbours at home last night, its clean is clean enough for most but always warning you that a little more pick digging and its going to tip you over the edge! The gain is everything and more. I had Boogies, Fenders, Marshalls, Line 6, Vox HH Vamp and looked at Matchless drZ THD Soldano and will never need to shop again (I HOPE!!!)

No comments yet, mind reading other reviews maybe the vox for peace of mind til I get used to carrying 1 amp and 5 guitars!!!

Rang them a Month or 2 back when thinking about boutiqing it up, they were soooo cool and helpful. No reasons to doubt they will be now I'm in the family!

I rune a 335 re-issue, Les Paul Custom shop- heavily modified Strat and whatever else is in the cupboard I have forgotten about!

VoxAC30
Marshall 100DSL/4x12
A stomp tuner (who needs pedals????)
Quality leads

Will revisit if anything changes, but somehow I think not!

2004, Cornford MK 50, This amplifier is THE GREATEST AMPLIFIER EVER CONCIEVED! I play in the style of modern instrumental rock / metal joe satriani, john petrucci, steve vai, gary moore, mark knopfler, blue scareceno, richie kotzen, paul gilbert. It is a single channel amp but with two master volumes, two inputs and a switchable overdrive. so its more like a 3 channel amp but without all the bullshit of a boogie. You get an effects loop 4 12AX7WA preamp and 2 5881 power amp rated at 50 watts.

I use this with a PRS custom 24 and gibson sg and the tonality and musicallity of the amp is enough to make you melt. I played boogie amps for 5 years and thought they were amazing until they kept playing up technically. The reason i switched is because boogie give out the pretence that they are point to point wired when in actuallty they whole modern range is dependable on pcb boards, resistors and lots and lots of gimmikery. This amp takes away all the bullshit and lets you focus on playing the fucking guitar and lot flying a spaceship. 50 watt heads are much better of musicallity of overdrive sounds at blistering volumes. this thisn is only 4db less that a boogie and wattage is purley about headroom. I Live in UK and am selling my Dual rectifier triple channel to buy this amp (chrisglancy@hotmail.com) thats how much i love this thing.

BRICK SHITHOUSE, no switches, or pcb boards to worry about, any amp tech can service this. Its all hand wired and laboriousley constructed, unlike boogie which are i am afraid now mass produced just like marshall dsl etc. MADE IN BRITAIN -

This is the main reason i am changing from boogie to cornford, Boogie are like a big corporation now and they dont seem to help you if you are not living in the US. Paul cornford is based near london and i have spoken to him in person about the MK50 and hellcat, they are legendary for customer service. Its like becoming a member of a small number of people where you are well looked after. Thaks Paul Cornford for opening my eyes to the limitless tone and letting me focus on my playing and not all the bullshit usually found on amps.

I am going to play these amps on every recording i make forever, i hope that when or if i get anywhere in the music industry that there will be a long partnership with Cornford amps. I am getting the cornford MK50 and when i get some more cash the harlequin and oh fuck it gimme all their amps .....:-)

You all know the features by now. Suffice to say this will do anything you throw at it effortlessly and with real style. The best part is how responsive the amp is to your playing style, volume and tone controls (remember those) and different guitars. This makes it a far more useful amp than most of those multi channel switching jobbies. I only give it a 9 as there is no reverb. The amp sounds so good it doesnt really need one, but Ill give a 9 for the sake of a realistic review as some may miss a reverb.

Utterly breathtaking no matter what style you play. This is a real valve amp with monster tone. The way it picks up all your playing dynamics and nuances, even at EXTREME levels of distortion makes everything else sound like SH**E. I set it up for a crunchy sound on the volume setting. This gives a huge fat distortion sound with enormous variation to jangly and clean sounds and everything in between by using the guitars controls.Kicking in the overdrive throws you into rock nirvana with huge thick creamy distortion. As brutal as you want it if you wind back the mid control a touch.

Seems to have been meticulously made. Have only had it 5 months so cant really comment.

Bought this direct from the company complete with matching flight cases and 4 x 12 cab. Very helpful and friendly staff who kept me well up to date re the order.

Have owned loads of other amps over the years, including a Boogie Tremoverb, Boogie Mk 3 Various Marshall, Carlsbro and Line 6 stuff, oh and a George Dennis combo. Not a cheap amp, but you get what you pay for. You would pay a lot more for a Boogie in the UK and they arent in the same league as this baby. Im saving up now for the Cornford Hellcat combo for smaller gigs.

The amp was made in 9-2000. It is versatile enough for me to sell my Matchless,Bad cat Hot cat 30r and Bogner extacy 101b. It is a one channel amp that has boost,Master1,master 2 which is basically like having three channels. I use this amp for recording and Clubbing. It has 50 watts and plenty of power(2db quiter than a 100watter)which is what I like about it, It breaks up faster without killing your audience. It's all point to point which I really dig.

I use a Les paul Custom, G&L legacy with Fralin vintage hot pickups, Ibanez RT with dimarzio Breed pickups. Every guitar has it's own character unlike so many other amps I have had(name one and I bet I've owned it!)I play a Jazz,Blues,Funk,Classic rock and Prog. Rock and some nu-metal and it covers all these styles so well I sold three of my other amps I thought I would never part with. The main thing is to USE THE VOLUME knob. If you set the amp primarily for clean tones you should have no problem getting Excellent cleans at gigging volumes,and If you want to go from Clean to heavy Gain,Hit the master switch and roll of the volume just a bit. If that is to hard then you should ask yourself if you ever touch the volume or tone knobs during a song. The distortion blows away my VHT Pitbull ultra lead and Extacy. It is also a more musical Heavy gain.

I have been gigging with it for the last 3 years and have even had some numb nut drop it while "helping me load it" and no problems at all.

I have honestly never dealt with cornford and am not worried at all.

I've been playing seriously for the last 15 years and have been on the quest for tone for to long,went through the rack of doom years which sucked and have owned VHT,Bogner,matchless,Badcat,Carvin,Marshall and Mesa(yuck!) if it were stolen I would not hesitate to lay down another $2400 for it. I do not hate anything about this amp.I would like to say that in the future that people that do not own the amps they are reviewing should not post because it just hurts the reputation of the amp itself. Also when you se most everyone laying down 9's and 10's and then see a Dipshit lay down 1's and 3's ask your self is this the guy that owns a $2000 guitar and amp and can't play his way out of a wet paper sack(probably so!!)It will do anything from clean to mean. Check out Guthrie Govan and Tonequest for a ton of Cornford Mark clips and See him go from country to jazz, to funk, tuck andress to blues,classic rock and metal. And see how many times he rolls the volume and tone controls. For you cornford haters out there it's time to go back to your solidstate Randall warhead and Plexi glass BC rich guitar.

This is an amp made in England and mine was built in 2002. Definitely not for an amateur guitar player because of high price tag. Some of the worlds best guitar players are using this amp. Go to cornfordamps.com. Point to point wiring and is definitely one of the best built amps around. Lots of attention to detail and generous use of high quality parts. This is essentially a two-channel amp but the switching can only be done via the footswitch. By the way the footswitch is also well built (like a tank) although I don't like the cord coming out of the front of the footswitch instead the back. The amp has two inputs (Hi, Lo). Volume, Overdrive, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master 1 and Master2, Presence, Resonance. It also has a series effects loop, Impedance matching and the design of the box is such that you the feel of "well built" and "quality". The tubes and transformer have plenty of space to dissapate heat, very open design.
This amp does not have reverb but when you listen to it you know why... you don't need it. Nice fat sound with a lot of balls. This is just a fabulous tone machine. It does have a quirky way to get a clean sound because you have to switch off the overdive and switch on the Master2 (both on the footswitch) and turn down the volume pot on your guitar. This amp uses 12ax7 and two 6l6 in its design. It is smplicity at its best, once you play it, you'll be hooked.

I play this amp with a PRS custom 24 and I also use a gibson 335. It just sounds killer. When you switch to clean from a very high overdrive, the cleans are not so clean but useable. You find yourself using the guitar volume pot much more on this rig. The distortion is as brutal as you want it. Through a 4 x 12 stack it is huge, fat, ballsy and not ear piercing.

This amp just has a solid feel to it and I have had no problems in two years. Don't expect any except for tube wear. I don't go to any gig without a backup but that is just me. I always carry a small combo around just in case.

Never had to deal with them

I have been playing for 25 years and I have used Mesa, Riveras, Fenders etc. This is a high end amp that you will treasure for many years to come. I hope this is never stolen or lost because it cost a lot of cake. One suggestion for Cornford would be to put the on/off switches the right way ie UP is ON and Down is OFF. He has it the Engish way, just the opposite. The leather handle is nice but it did develop a crack from lugging this unit around. Perhaps a stronger handle?

this amp is simply the greatest. It is the simplest and most versatile amp i have ever used by far. The tone controls are so responsive that i will never have to use a patch ever again, and the way that this amp works through my guitar is simply genius aswell, the dials on the guitar just become so responsive with really crunchy rhythm tones being easily transformed into sum really fat clean tones simply by turning the volume down. This sort of versatility is unrivalled. the reason for the 9 is because it doesnt have reverb but i even feel guillty saying that cos i dont feel it needs it.

The sounds on this amp is juust amazing, seriously jaw droppingly good. i dont feel the need to ever get another amp, except maybe a cornford hellcat. This amp is just so incredibly versatile, i can create any sound i want, whether its a mega hard hitting distortion which will blow u away (if every metal band had cornford mk50h's the world wood be a heavier place) or a crunchy ac/dc sound or a blues sound or a really crisp fat clean sound etc, the list goes on. This amp is just kick ass!

never had any problems at all.

Those cornford guys are just awesome. They make this brilliant amp and continue to be genuinely helpful whenever u have any queries.

I have been on a search for the holy grail of amps for the whole of my life and i have finaly found it, the mk50 and reached my nirvana. if i could i would probably start dating this amp. This amp jusr blows the competition away. i would certainly buy another one if it got nicked. Hopefully this amp will just get more and more widespreadly used as it deserves it, and so hopefully marshalls will finally get exposed for what they really are, rubbish mass manufactured fizz soundmeisters that i am now completely sick of cos of their media induced popularity. Well done martin and paul this amp is definately a winner. LETS ROCK!

The tone controls are very receptive and a whole range can be done with them, add in the presence and resonance controls it its great. The 2nd master boost is a good idead. The only thing missing is a reverb, but the sond of then amp makes up for it.

Absolutely amazing. the veratility of sounds is great, from clean cleans with beautiful harmonics to jimi and some ACDC to a full blow metallica sound, I love this amp. The tone controls are very receptive as well and a wide range of tones can be made from them. The price of the mk50h head is 3 times that of a marshall dsl, and I can understand why. It simple does sound great. Only annoying thing is becuase it is a 1 channel amp, you cant go from clean cleans to full blown metallica style distrotion.

Its built like a tank. Had it a year, no complaints

I 've emailed them a few times and the actual designer of the amp emailed me back straight away, really helpful. Just cant beat that.

Been playing 11 years now, I own ESP Custom, Fender American deluxe and a Gibson Les Paul Standard. I would certainly by this amp again if something were to happen to it.

Knocks the spots off of all other amps I have tried, I just love the sound soo much.

Got it Dec.24,'03. Merry Christmas to me! Production date June '02 which I discovered signed on the inside of the chassis. The design is simple and right to the point. Nothing more than I need. Hyper-sensitive to the guitar and its volume knob which makes my playing and my guitar's tone the driving force. I can take this amp anywhere my ear wants to go except ultra-clean (roland jazz cho. or fender twin). The effects loop is perfect with my rocktron replifex and lexicon pcm 42. Pedals, not as well. Dont like to use em in the loop anyway.
I wish it would switch (the overdrive in/out and master 1/2) with my CAE RL8 (Bradshaw) but it wont. It will switch with the replifex switching output. The Cornford switching pedal works fine as it should. Rehearsals, small clubs and recording.....great. Just as advertised on the Cornford web site: .."without pratting about". You will get your tone and be into your performance with a minimum of tweaking. This amp delivers the goods based on your versatility as a player which is to say: it is as versitile as the you are. Power? More than enough.

Les Pauls, custom strats, Ransom customs(Dan E.,mi amigo!) with vintage output (Custom shop SD), PRS w/stock dragon PUs.

This amp sounds great. It leans toward an exceptional Vox AC30/Matchless Chieftain but better, more fat and wholesome. Its sooo sweet with the guitar vol. backed off. Chime and charm! Roll on some volume and get that great break-up at the "right" frequencies. Articulate yet sustaining and warm. I set it and forget it....get lost in the guitar and whats in my head.

Overdrive. The British are.....HERE. HEAR-HEAR. Just listen. Rich and 3-D and obeys your guitar's vol. setting. This amp has an AWESOME dynanic envolope. Switch in the OD and there is no compressed drop-out of volume! There is a subtle yet audible boost so when its time to burn, just play! Some amps need a master vol. for overdrive. This one has it designed in! One less thing to ajust. It also has a second master vol. which is switchable. The overdrive is crush. Drop the mids and hear it for yourself. I've tried to use different dist./OD pedals at different settings but the pedals just get in the way. It delivers without any gain pedal in front.

I put a pair of THD Yellow Jackets in for fun. The result was predictable. It comes on huge at a much lower volume- just as any tube amp would. This is my "at home" and recording set-up. This is probably what the Huricane sounds like (without the overdrive).

Power. Its just 50 watts. I played an Ubershall before I got this. I also tried an Avenger Soldano. A Koch multitone and a Bogner 101b.
The Cornford MK50 has enough power and earth shaking energy to cause an attacking swat team to have a mass involentary bowel movement with a single strum. Without drop tuning. It is all that. Period.

No problems. Use it almost everyday. The tubes are two years old but I've swoped with new ones with no change in tone so the old ones continue on. I've looked inside and it looks like it was made at NASA.
I will write another review if anything goes bad.

Martin Kidd was kind enough to return my email reguarding the switching. It seems that Cornford has made theirs backwards or "inside out" and different than typical American latch switching (ala boogie, and CAE). Their power and standby switches are upside-down too.
Hey Cornford, are ya flying the Union Jack in the face of American amp builders?! Perhaps you HAVE turned this industry upside-down!!
How about a US export that works with US switching devices?

Played for years. Have: Old Egnater TOL 100(KEEPER).Vox AC30 RI (SOLD), Matchless Chieftain(SOLD), Naylor super 60(SOLD), Boogie MKIV(SOLD), Boogie dual rec.(SOLD). Celestions v30s, 80w, Tonetubbies.
The Cornford is my Favorite to date. I cant get over it, I just love it. I already want the Hellcat. Another one...YES. Special note: Abrownsoun.com makes Tonetubbie speakers based on the old "Blue Bell" Vox speakers with alnico mags. THEY SOUND FABULOUS WITH THE CORNFORD! As well as everything else. Dont spend a penny before you hear and PLAY the Cornford amps.

This is an update to the review I posted some time back and having the advantage of giiging it over 50 times. The features are as stated previously and in other reviews

Well, 50 gigs on I can confirm that for my needs, playing in a power blues band, this amp is great. It is more like a good early 70's Hiwatt with greater flexibility for bringing in more gain and having a handy boost function for soloing.

I agree with a previous review that it does not do prestine clean to grungy filth switching in the gain; but then it is not marketed as a two channel amp. However, going between clean and classic blues rock type of distortion it is great. Also, I learnt to use the volume control on my guitar with this amp.

In response to Kris Singh's ranting non review of this amp, based on playing it in a shop; I agree it does not sound like a Matchless or Victoria, but it's not supposed to. From what was written in this non review, you did not mention Marshall, Hiwatt, Bognor, Wizard, or this type of amp so my conclusion is that you obviously aren't taken to this sound. Your choice, but really, you own over 70 amps; you really ought get more and play a little in real situations.

Never let me down yet

Mailed Cornford a few times and Paul has respondd each time, although it does sometimes take a while. It is a small outfit so I expected that; as I would with Clark, Victoria and all the other genuinely small output producers of quality product.

I purchased the amp for a specific purpose and it has repayed me with my first 50 gigs and I have no desire to change it for my next 50. So, still happy and this must be fantastic value. I haven't even changed the valves yet!

Very well built, top notch quality, heavy duty 50 watt all valve head. One channel with footswitchable master volumes and gain/overdrive (effectively the same as most companies 2 channel amps). Valves: 2 x 5881, 4 x 12AX7WA Hardware: All corners, screws, cup washers, handle fixings etc are nickel plated. Grills are bespoke CNC punched and powder coated. 14 gauge (2mm) powder coated chassis with 14 gauge base / screening plate secured to chassis with 4 machine screws. Leather handle. Transformers: Custom designed in house and hand wound. Controls: Chicken Head knobs. Metal toggle main switches. 2 x inputs (hi and lo). Front panel from left to right:- Volume/Gain, Overdrive (footswichable extra gain with red LED indicator), Bass, Middle, Treble, Master 1, Master 2 (footswitchable for volume lift, power amp, tonal differences etc. with green LED indicator), Presence, Resonance, Standby, Mains. Rear Panel from left to right:- Mains Inlet, Mains Fuse, H.T. Fuse, Speaker Impedance Selector 4, 8 or 16 ohms, Series Effects Loop send and Return, Footswitch Socket.

English High to moderate gain and Vox like cleans by rolling off the gain. It seems impossible to get a clean sound out of the amp if you want high gain and clean without rolling your ax volume back. This amp ONLY works with the footswitch which I find insanely stupid. There are NO switches on the amp to change "channels" or turn the gain on and off. You MUST have the or "a" compatible footswitch connected to even access the gain knob. Essentially you have an overall gain /master volume knob that goes thru some eq'ing, gain and 2 other switchable "channel" master volume knobs. The only thing this is useful for is to boost the amp level for a solo or something because it's essentially the same eqing. on the footswitch you can change those "channels" or access the gain knob. I was able to get a wonderful warm cooking rock tone out of the amp with the gain on about 2 o'clock. It seemed to get muddy after that depending on the guitar. I also had the 1st volume cranked to about 1 or 2 o'clock in order to really make the amp scream with excitement. With these settings I was unable to get a decent clean out of the amp when I turned off the gain on the footswitch. Plus I still felt I wasn't really getting enough gain in the gain channel. adequate, but not filling my needs...Still the amp sounded kik@ss and being a 50 watter it really gets at the verge of feedback easier than a 100 wt. Definitely a warm sounding moderate gain amp. Not a metal amp...

Seems to be pretty rock solid. Hate the having to hook up the footswitch scenario. And my GCX switching system was unable to change channels on the amp. So you'd HAVE to use the footswitch. I'd only use the amp as a one channel gain amp anyway due to the way it had to be set up.

Emailed Cornford a few times with NOT A RESPONSE EVER.

Basically a great 50 wt head if your looking for a moderate gain amp with a good warm feel to it. I'm selling it as I like my Marshall, Soldano and Mesa amps better.

Features for this amp as stated before - single channel but with gain, overdrive, 2 masters, hi/lo input, FX loop. The 1*12 cab I have has a Celestion Vintage 30.

I use a number of guitars - PRS singlecut, Fender USA strat, Tom Anderson Drop Top, Ibanez Jem. I play all sorts from jazz to nu-metal and everything in between. I've been playing for 20 years and only had 2 previous amps - a Marshall DSL and a Mesa Boogie F50. This amp is the only amp I have ever heard that brings out the sound of each guitar, pickup, touch, and pick attack with such musicality. Clean sounds are Vox and Fender like; distortion is whatever you want it to be. The controls are intuitive and easy to use; its dead simple to dial in the sound you want and be rewarded by the sonic treat you get in return. Its also good enough to allow you to develop your own voice, without being pigeon-holed to any particular tone/maufacturer.

Not had it long enough to say, but the way its built I doubt if I ever will have any problems except the run of the mill valve changes from time to time. The cab is also well built and solid.

It's the best amp I've ever heard or used. Period. If stolen I'd get another one.

I don't know when this amp was made.But I play Blues,Rock,Soul and I play at functions like weddings etc I play in pubs and small club gigs also have done outside mini festival type gigs.It's only got one Channel but with footswitchable overdrive and two master volumes I find it very versatile. I've never found that I needed more volume.The only thing I wish it had is a built in reverb like the Hellcat head.

I use Gibson Les Paul,Fender Strat, Fender Tele,Prs McCarty. The great thing about this amp is different guitars sound different.I've been playing 30+ years. Usually through a variety of Marshalls,a fender and also spent several years with a Mk4 Boogie Which cost me nearly twice the price of the Cornford. This amp breaks up with a lovely just on the edge sound which I haven't been able to get from the Marshall TSL 100 which I was using.Then when you start pushing it you get a lovely creamy fluid sustaining overdrive.Definitely in the British mode (Not Fizzy). I've found that using the guitars volume gives you a range of sounds most amps would be hard put to emulate with multiple channels.I just plug the head into a 2x12 or 4x12 depending on the size of gig, incidently both cabs (Marshall) I've had loaded with Celestion Vintage 30's.

It is built like a tank, never had reliability problems with it yet.

I sent an E-Mail enquiry regarding their cabs and Paul Cornford himself responded within two days.I also rang the factory to ask about the amp and they were friendly and helpful.

As I said been playing, 30+ years. I still own Some Marshall amps but I just love what you can do with this amp. I would get another one.
It would get a 10 for this catagory if it had reverb.

I DO NOT OWN IT. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE FEATURES. I JUST TRIED IT OUT.

Not that great. Amps like Bruno and Matchless whhop its ass. Easy. I was not impressed after all the hype I have heard. It was not that good. I buy every good amp. I have over 40 amps and 79 electric guitars. This was not up to snuff. Try it next to a Bruno 30 or a Matchless Chiefton. It will suprise you. It is not a bad amp. It is good. It is not great. It is no Bruno, Victoria, or Matchless. It is n where near them. Do your own testing and thank me later. Keep in mind, I give it a 7 seven because it is good. I do not want to bash it to hard, but see the others I have mentioned. See for yourself.

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See the sound section. That is all I have to say.

I own two MK 50's SN 0001, built 4/9/99, so today is it's third birthday! The other head SN 0010, built 24/2/00. I use both of these amps in stereo, using one as a slave split with a boss DD5 delay pedal. I have used many amps over the years, and have found that the Cornford MK 50 is the simplest and most versatile amp I have ever used. I use this rig for both recording and live, with the current set-up playing approximatly 250 shows a year. I have not even had them re-valved yet!I have found since using Cornford I have re-discovered the controls on the guitar, as opposed to relying on programmed preset patches. The amp is perfect in every way, and when people ask me who do I feel has the best guitar tone, I simply reply ...ME!

I use Musicman Axis Super sport, and Sport guitars fitted with Humbuckers and Soap bars, and find the match is perfect. Being a Musicman endorsee I have used the heads on two extensive clinic tours,where I have had to demonstrate a wide variety of tones, and styles. I have also recorded several Total Accuracy Jam with CD's/books, as well as a long running column for Guitar Techniques magazine. I have also just had my first book/CD published by Sanctuary publishing call Giants Of Metal. All of the above projects have been recorded using this amp and guitar combination. The setup is both quite and vesitile. I have recorded everything from Country, blues and metal with this rig, and as a working guitarist the amp is flawless. The cleans are crisp glassy, and fat, while the distortion is a real bowel mover! It kicks my ASS! My rig is a no fizz/no fuzz pedal zone...I love my creamy Cornford filth.

As I have said, I play over 250 gigs a year as well as tons of sessions. I have yet to have any form of problems with my heads, and never take a backup. The amps have not even had a re-valve in over three years.

Cornford Rock! They even built me a a custom foot switch that operates the over drive and Master two on one head, and just the Master two on the slave. Paul and Martin are great to work with, and are always open to suggestions. They even invited me to try the prototypes of the Hurricane, and the Hellcat, both of which I have now bought!

I have been playing guitar for 26 years, ( I started when I was 4 yrs), and for the first time in my entire playing career I am happy with my setup, for both sound and reliability, and easy of use. I was in the market for a new rig after using a large rack for years. I tried many other boutique heads, but all sounded weak, fizzy and average compared to the MK50. I could not be without my Cornford's, they are the most important part of my sound. If you want to see pictures of my gear, feel free to check out my web site www,jamiehumphries.co.uk

This is a very simply designed tube amp and the range of tones available is stunning. Once you get the hang of how a 'real' tube amp works you can find everything from SRV 'Twang' to searing overdrive. The controls on the amp may take a bit of getting used to but it is important to remember that the 'Volume' knob controls the pre-amp gain and the Master controls the power amp level. With the overdrive control you select how much 'more' you want to push the preamp, it doesn't switch to a different channel. You can get a vast range of tones from experimenting with different balances between the pre-amp and power amp levels. There are two master controls allowing you to set one slightly higher for a quick volume boost on either channel. Learning to work this amp is like going from driving an automatic car to driving a manual.
The only thing I would like to see is perhaps reverb, but I try not to use too much of it live anyway!

I am using this amp with an Ibanez JS1000 or a Fender Strat with Virtual Vintage pickups. This amp really shows up the differences between guitars, much more so than in any amp that I have ever played. It really seems to allow the voice of the guitar to come through clearly. I play all sorts of contemporary electric styles and this amp sounds great for pretty much anything. It just goes to show how a good 'fundamental' sound can get you through any situation.
It responds extremely well to dynamics. Adjusting the guitar's volume pot can take you from overdrive to clean very smoothly and some of the most beautiful clean sounds are to be found when rolling off the volume slightly with the overdrive kicked in.
Remember that this is a real tube amp, not an amp-modelling toy. You can't put the volume on 2 and the master on 2 and expect a fantastic sound. The harder you make the tubes work, the richer the sound. I found the best results by keeping the volume and overdrive fairly low with the masters both set relatively high. This yields a very Fendery fat bottom end. The exact opposite settings (Volume and overdrive high and Masters low) produce a more aggressive overdriven tone that is much tighter and defined. I personally prefer the fatter power-amp driven sound.

Built like a tank, looks like it'd survive being run over by a bus. Unlike my previous amp (Mesa Boogie, blew up 4 times in 7 months, fixed by authorised Boogie people all four times)

I was originally lent this amp on approval after returning all of my Boogie equipment which did nothing but blow up on gigs. I had to use it for gigs right away and emailed Cornford with a few questions (such a 'traditional' amp was a bit odd to me). Paul Cornford himself replied to my questions and was very helpful. I have no doubt that if anything ever went wrong with my amp, I would have no problem getting it sorted out. Much unlike my experience with Mesa Boogie.

I have been playing for 12 years, I have owned loads of amps (Fenders, Boogies etc.) I would have saved myself loads if I had just bought this in the first place. All you need is one fundamentally good sound and you can cope with anything. I have been looking for 'the last amp I'll ever buy' for ages and I think I've found it.

The amp was made in 2002, the amp is a handmad British amp put together by Paul Cornford and crew in Kent. This amp has a single channel but works like any other manufacturers two channel head. There are two 'channels' that are switchable by the provided foot switch, the foot switch also has an extra button to add extra gain. The amp is rated at 50 watts and is loud enough to cope with the majority of gigs whether you are professional or not.

I use the amp with a selection of guitars inc. a Musicman Luke, an Ibanez JCRG5, a Washburn N4, and a Fender Strat. The amp suits all musical styles from Rock to Jazz and even has enough gain to cope with Metal. You find yourself utilising the volume knob on your guitar to go from gain to clean.

I have had this amp for only a week but it is constructed very well so I cannot see any reason for there to be any problems. The amp is hand built so it could easily be fixed if required. I know Paul Cornford personally and I trust his craftmanship 100%.

The warranty is for a year and any support required is answered by one of the members of the team or Paul personally.

I have been playing for about 10 years and this is easily the best amp I have ever owned. I have had Carvin, Mesa Boogie Single Rectifiers, Marshall, Line 6, and Roland amps but this is definately the best. Keep up the good work guys.

This is a 50 watt 2 channel head complete with footswitch, effects loop. As far as I am aware this is a 2002 made amp. As a guitar teacher and session player this amp supplies me all the essntial features i need. Stylisticaly i range from trying very hard to be Gary Moore or Joe Satriani to whipping out some George Benson ideas. It is a Valve, hand wired demon!
I have no 89 , these are all hand built amps so us valve spotters can all discuss serial numbers later.

With this amp i use a variety of guitars but predominantly a Yamaha Pacifica 812W with seymour duncan pickups , Fender Strat plus with Lace sensors, and a Burns Brian May with burns trisonic pickups. This amp makes all the sounds u ever wished for! I have hunted long and hard for the amp that gices me crunch for chords and searing sustain for lead lines, I have owned Peavey 5150 Soldano SLO 50, numerous marshalls, recently i was running a Boss GT5 into the Marshall 20w Valve Stero power amp through 2 2x12 200w cabs, LAney Lc15r through various cabs. All have done certain things very well, this amp does all the things well ! I have heard people remark that the distortion isn't quite as evil as perhaps metallers would like. Have u tried detuning though 2 4x12 and just making the power amp work?? Its got enough trust me !
Clean? i keep the amp on the overdrive channel and just back the volume on the guitar down....remember before amp switching and pedals?? cleans up beautifully and just gives you more richness of tone..and is that what an amp is for!!!

Well so far it still works. It is built like a bomb shelter and weighs quite a bit too. I can't see it going wrong but if it does well its made by hand and there fore is repairable by one too :-)

I have yet to deal with the company as the service from the shop I purchased it from was so good. They inform me that Cornford are very friendly and helpful. So i guess they are great. I hope never to have to contact them because the amp will always be fine.

I have been playing over 20 years, a GIT graduate, Former guitar shop employee and now teacher and recording artist. I have had lots of gear in my time. This is the most i've ever spent on an amp, but once i'd heard it and tried it on a couple of rehearsals, the money wasn't an issue, the issue was do i want the head or the Harlequin 20 watt combo. After lots of deliberation i plumped for the head just because i have lots of cabs and the Head looks sooo damn good !
If you haven't tried one of these amps I strongly urge you to find a stockist ( I use GUITAR VILLAGE in Farnham surrey) and try any of the range, I tried all of them and they all blew me away. However don't do what one of my students did, to my disgust, buy the 6 watt combo then plug a zoom pdeal in the front end !! Ketchup on cordon bleu cooking is the phrase i believe.
Only thing i wish it had , and i am really really nitpicking now, is an emulated out so i can not have to search high and low for a palmer speaker simulator! (bit loud for most home studio work ! )
Visit their website www.cornfordamps.com i think and read the list of users, and if u get a chance check out the demo cd they have, pretty impressive stuff. Cornford...THANK YOU I have a tone !

The features have already been listed .. suffice to say what it doesn't have, it doesn't need. Having previously owned Boogies with all the whistles and bells it is a breath of fresh air to just switch an amp on and play through it rather than muck about with knobs and buttons for half an hour first. The tone stack doesn't do a lot but thats half the beauty of it. I defy anyone to get a bad sound out of this amp. To illustrate this point, when I take the amp to gigs I just put it on top of the cab, switch it on and start playing. I have never once felt the need to check the settings first. They undoubtedly move around in transit but it just doesn't seem to matter.

Like the other contributors I tried a lot of the high-end US amps before I bought the Cornford. They were all excellent, but twice the price (or more!). Cornford have produced an amp that sounds sublime at a very sensible price. I know it's expensive when compared to Marshall et al but you kinda get what you pay for.

This is also the first amp I have ever owned which lets you roll the volume off on the guitar to clean the amp up. I know all amps will do this to some extent, but this amp does it so effortlessly you find yourself playing in a completely different way. I am used to having to channel switch to change tones, like most people. You simply don't need to with the Cornford. I actually leave it in overdrive mode all the time and just roll the volume off for clean .. don't even touch the supplied footswitch.

What I do use the footswitch for is to boost the volume for solos. This works well for two reasons. One, it boosts the volume (duh..) and two because you are now driving the power stage that bit harder it drives that bit better and adds just a tadge more compression .. lovely!

Oh, and it makes my Strat sound like a Strat for the first time ever (are you listening Randall Smith?).

Haven't blown it up yet .. not planning to either. I take a back up POD with me just in case but more out of habit to be honest.

Jo at Cornford is exceptionally helpful and has answered all my daft questions with a patience beyond the call of duty.

This is a purely subjective comment .. This is the best amp I have ever owned or heard. There may be better out there .. who knows, but I am absolutley delighted with it and for the money I don't see any competition. I think that Mr JC Marshall ought to be as terrified as the day the Gibson guys first saw a PRS .. which in the long term might be good thing for all of us.

I got this new from Chandler Guitars, number 51, built in 2001. I play power blues and this amp has everything for my style. It is marketed as a single channel amp, but has both a clean and overdrive pre-amp section, each with it's own volume boost for soloing; and all this is footswitcheable! So, although a single channel amp in the purist form, it really is more versatile than any suppossed twin channel amp without individual tone controls. No reverb, but it does have an effects loop to allow a quality unit set into the signal path.

It's a 50 watter, but being tube, these are loud watts and I can't think of a live situation this amp would not be suitable for.

It's a 50 watter, but these are LOUD amps, in every sense; both clean or distorted. The sound is also QUALITY, with it's own distinct voice. It's tube and has the most pleasing edgy sound, where it just starts to go in the throws of distortion; wonderfully warm and musical. And that sums the sound up in a word; musical. There are no bad sounds to be had, and the voicing is very sweet, although has the bite to really rock when asked.

It's built to last. Maybe in a few years time I will revisit and update the site. I do use it at gigs without a back-up, and the build quality inspires the confidence to do just that.

Never needed to try them as yet.

Been playing 26 years, and I use my PRS, Tele, Strat, Les Paul, Silhouette and SG. Each sounds wonderful, but each in their own very different ways. And this is the key to this amp. It brings out the best in whatever guitar you put through it and does not try to change it's voice; only amplify in a very musical way.

I have a Mark 3 boogie, which is very nice, a Boogie Blue Angel, which never always cut it in medium to large clubs and bars, a JCM900 (single channel version which is vastly superior in sound to the dual reverb models) and a Flextone Line 6. However, the sound this amp makes is in a totally different league. I tried it against many american boutique amps; Soldano SLO 100; Bognor and a Matchless combo. Each time I preferred the voice of the Cornford; and in England Cornford's are less than half the price of the American equivalents. If it was the same price or slightly more I still would have got the Cornford. Due to their scarce availability in England, I doubt if many Americans will get to hear, let alone try one. If you can, do so; you won't be dissappointed.