Cornford Roadhouse 30W Head

I bought this amp new mid summer 2008. It's a pretty basic design, one channel with a footswitchable boost feature and a simple series effects loop. I believe the loop is designed for line level, it would be nice to have a switch to pad the level as well. A second footswitchable master (and perhaps loop) would have been nice also, this feature is pretty standard on all Cornford's other amps. It's a pretty simple add-on and widens the live use of the amp considerably. All in all, the features are what you'd expect I suppose.

I play a Gibson LP Standard with Dimarzio Anniversary PAF's and an Ibanez RG fixed bridge model (all mahogany body) with a Dimarzio Tone Zone and PAF Pro. Both guitars sound good through this amp, the LP being a little brighter (maple cap).

This amp has a good bit of gain available and can actually be pretty tight, with the right gear and tuning this amp can sound reasonably heavy. The voicing is definitely more hard rock based though, it's got a very "open" feel and is heavy on the mids, not compressed feeling. It cuts well in a band situation and starts to really come alive with the volume just past noon. That said, the volume control is very usable and not super touchy and it's loud enough to compete with any 50W in my opinion, I've had no issues with it seeming weak and it's got plenty of low end. It's also worth mentioning that it sounds good at low volumes, I know many people spend more time playing quietly rather than super loud. This amp does not get fizzy sounding ever, regardless of volume level; it stays pretty true to it's tone.

There are nice cleans available as well, though it's not easy to get a nice clean and dirty if you want a decent amount of gain. The boost feature relies heavily on where the master gain is set; with the gain real low and the boost up high you're still not going to get a lot of distortion. The amp cleans up pretty well with the volume knob though, enough to get a decent mix of clean and dirty as long as you have time to play with the guitar's knobs between parts live. If you're doing a bluesy tone, you can take the gain way down and crank the master to get super nice punchy cleans and kick in the boost for a great mild breakup.

This amp is actually quite versatile in the end, and has some great tones for the money. I have tried a couple boost pedals in front to beef it up and it seems to respond pretty well to those for giving it that saturated edge for certain types of lead work. It's quite responsive to different cabs and the one I usually use it through does not do it justice (Marshall w/ GT75's). My VHT fatbottom with P50E's sounds much better so I think it's time to dump the Marshall and experiment, I'm thinking greenbacks maybe, or a H30/greenback X pattern... I'm sure the Cornford cabs are killer but are pretty expensive.

The amp seems pretty solid, though almost everything is mounted to a pcb. I'm not so happy with the cheaper look of the inside, with wiring harnesses and whatnot but that's how they cuts costs I suppose. I could imagine it's super easy to throw one of these things together when they're used to hand soldering their other amps. I still think they cut a few too many corners for the price. It sounds good, so as long as it lasts, it should be cool.

I've not dealt with Cornford directly but the US dealer I bought it from (solidbodyguitar.com) was awesome to deal with.

It's a nice amp and affordable if you want a Cornford. My advice is make sure you try it with different cabs/speakers. This is the make or break with most gear in my opinion.

Amp was made in 2008, I think Im the 1st person in the country to purchase one from a store (US).
The amp is very versatile for a one channel amp. I have it set for a clean with my guitar volume at half, a good beautiful drive on full, and hitting the boost puts you in amazing lead territory. Great effects loop. 30 watts, but a good 30 watts. 2 el34 tubes and 3 12ax7.

UPDATE 8/15/08:
This is the same guy that reviewed this amp a while ago (first post). I realize now that if the ratings went to eleven (like the tone of this thing), I would rate it that. Its better now than when I bought it.

This amp is incredible.

I play with a dean ml limited run, bareknuckle in the neck, tonezone in the bridge, all mohagony, set neck. This amp is FAT, and juicy!!!!!!!!!!!!! After going through countless boogies and Diezels, I now know that the only other amp Ill buy...Is cornford.

Cleans are beautiful, some of the best, full, fat, clean,pristine, all of the above, and much more.

Its overdrive is STELLAR!!! Reminds me somewhat of the lonestar, but with alittle more on tap, and smoother, more fluid, very easy to play (unless your technique is off, it will let you know). Best overdrive Ive ever heard in an amp. Can be raunchy, or smooth and full of mids, and perfect articulation.

With th boost on and gain cranked, its the best lead sound Ive ever played on (only to be shared with a mark 4), but this things fatter. So smooth with great harmonics, this thing is full of Elven Magic. For anyone looking for an amp that does rock in spades, and looking for a lead tone that can do andy timmons/petrucci/SRV/Van halen, this is it man. Killer!

Havnt had it long, but its build and design is incredible.

Cornford...THE BEST!

Playing for 15 years, Ive owned too much...And Ive spent too much. this amp makes me wonder why I spent 2 and 3 thousand on other amps...This is so organic and rich.