Cornford MK50H or 3rd Power HD100?

[Shreddy Mercury]

Ive been eyeing a Cornford for the past couple of months. Never had one, never played one, but the relative rarity and mystique, and the demos I've heard are driving me towards one. None are local; one is a 9 hour drive to Northern Virginia, one is a 10-11 hour drive to Jacksonville, FL, and yet another is shippable from the upper midwest. I've wanted a 3rd Power HD100 for years (in the back of my mind as sort of a bucket list amp) but never really pursued one much or tried selling any gear to get one. I happened across one that's only an hour and a half away, and the guy mentioned he was willing to drive up to 3 hours to sell it to avoid shipping, plus he sent me several videos of him slaying it with various styles and I loved every sound, and that was even when recorded on a cell phone...and it's about $600 cheaper before you factor in gas/food/hotel/taking a day off or shipping.

I know the older 3rd Powers don't sell for what they once used to, but both are fantastic sounding amps in every well made demo I've heard. I feel the Cornford will have more resale value if I wanted to sell or trade it on down the line and there's just something about them whenever I see one, it's like it tickles this nerve down inside me. But then again, the sound of the 3rd Power is right there too.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've never played either, but from info I have on them and the clips I'd go with the Cornford. I'm thinking like you that the resale will be there with the Cornford, as they are just more rare. The 3rd Power stuff does sound amazing, though. Can't really go wrong. One thing to mention, the Cornford stuff is a darker Marshall type circuit, from what I understand where the 3rd Power HD is all straight up Marshall. If you have a preference.

 

[glip22]

Cornford all day. I owned 2. I didn't care for the HD100 I owned.

 

[jcj]

Can’t speak to the 3rd power, but the MK50 is probably my favorite amp of all time. Having said that, lots of people seem to find them unforgiving, so keep that in mind.

If you can get it at a decent price and don’t dig it, I’d probably buy it as a second.

 

[bubucci]

MK50 is really great amp. Massive iron, very responsive, articulate, unforgiving. I recommend Cornford cab either. Frontloaded pine cab with very special voicing.

Here is mine MK50II with Soldano 4x12 V30, LP with PRS Dragon I pickups

 

[mooncobra]

Cornford all day. I owned 2. I didn't care for the HD100 I owned.

+1 - get the Cornford!! awesome amp!

 

[psychodave]

Cornford by a mile. They are killer amps.

 

[suhrimmetal]

Loved my MK50II... has that aggressive marshally mid snarl and bite. Really, really well built... tho I found they do need volume(like a SLO)... they get this really organic and sweet saturation when pushed. I have a newer version 3rd Power and their hybrid master volume is great for bedroom playing to stage... it's really good. If you can push volume, the Cornford is a fantastic amp.

 

[glip22]

Fwiw, Mark Cameron always said,"If he didn't do his own amps, he would be playing an MK50" I think Josh agreed with him

 

[halebox]

I didnt like my MK50 live but sounded cool at home. Have not tried a 3rd power. Im interested in the Victory Kraken 100 which is designed by Martin Kid of Cornford fame. Sounded killer at Namm

 

[jdel77]

I used to own a Hellcat and a mate's got a MK50H.
They're in the Soldano ballpark.
Huge sonic footprint, very clear and full amps and very honest and responsive off your picking hand.

 

[braintheory]

I’ve gotten to try the Cornford’s at Ultrasound studios a bunch of times and thought they were nice, but preferred the Komet Concorde and even just the JCM800 they had when I compared them. The Komet was more raw, ballsy and organic to my ears and just more nuanced and detailed in its tone

As far as modern made/non-vintage amps go, the Komet was one of the most organic sounding that I’ve tried. Even my Wizard isn’t as organic or detailed, but it has that unparalleled rock solid note definition going for it, which why I still have it. So far the only modern made amp I’ve tried that may be able hold its own with the Komet in that regard would be my Savage Blitz