Cornford

[spirit7]

Hi all,

Has anyone owned a Cornford MK50 II? I may be able to exchange my VH4 for one and am agonising over it. I love the VH4, but I'm definitely in the market for a more crunchy, souped-up Marshall type amp. I know Guthrie Govan plays one, and gets a phenomenal tone, but I'd be interested in any experience anyone else may have.

Cheers!

-C

 

[gbsmusic]

Hi all,

Has anyone owned a Cornford MK50 II? I may be able to exchange my VH4 for one and am agonising over it. I love the VH4, but I'm definitely in the market for a more crunchy, souped-up Marshall type amp. I know Guthrie Govan plays one, and gets a phenomenal tone, but I'd be interested in any experience anyone else may have.

Cheers!

-C

I had and still have some bad GAS for one of these amps!! GREAT sounding amp from what I've heard in clips.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

DO IT!


like you i've got a Herbert, VH4, and also a Cornford MK-50 II. the MK-50 II blows both of them away!


the Cornford does everything, and does it well!


besides, having a Herbert and VH4 is somewhat redundent, atleast for me. i know the VH4 is deferent, but i can kindda cover the VH4 ground with the Herbert.

 

[jcj]

Hi all,

Has anyone owned a Cornford MK50 II? I may be able to exchange my VH4 for one and am agonising over it. I love the VH4, but I'm definitely in the market for a more crunchy, souped-up Marshall type amp. I know Guthrie Govan plays one, and gets a phenomenal tone, but I'd be interested in any experience anyone else may have.

Cheers!

-C

I don't have a II, but I do have an MK50-completely different than a VH4, for sure.

I think channel 3 on the VH4 does the hot rodded Marshall thing really well; channel 2 gets there too, at least on the post 2007 amps. I like the immediacy on channel 3 of the VH4, especially when it's cranked up You won't get that on the MK, the MK's are looser and warmer; quite a bit more vintagey than the VH4. If you really love the response and feel of the VH4, I wouldn't trade.

If you're looking for a bit more vintagey vibe (with higher gain), you'll probably be happy. I love the Cornfords, and I'd personally do that trade, but they're two very different amps.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Hi all,

Has anyone owned a Cornford MK50 II? I may be able to exchange my VH4 for one and am agonising over it. I love the VH4, but I'm definitely in the market for a more crunchy, souped-up Marshall type amp. I know Guthrie Govan plays one, and gets a phenomenal tone, but I'd be interested in any experience anyone else may have.

Cheers!

-C

I don't have a II, but I do have an MK50-completely different than a VH4, for sure.

I think channel 3 on the VH4 does the hot rodded Marshall thing really well; channel 2 gets there too, at least on the post 2007 amps. I like the immediacy on channel 3 of the VH4, especially when it's cranked up You won't get that on the MK, the MK's are looser and warmer; quite a bit more vintagey than the VH4. If you really love the response and feel of the VH4, I wouldn't trade.

If you're looking for a bit more vintagey vibe (with higher gain), you'll probably be happy. I love the Cornfords, and I'd personally do that trade, but they're two very different amps.

my MK-50 II tracks really fast, equal or better than the VH4.

but yea, the vibe is deferent.

 

[RockNRun]

I don't THINK I've ever heard a Cornford MK50 II clip I didn't like. Dangerous GAS bait they are.

 

[spirit7]

Cheers all. Yeah, I find myself using the Herbert a lot more than a VH4 these days. I'd use the MK50 II for more hard rock stuff, and I do want an amp with a more vintage-y vibe (all of mine are modern high gain!).

That said, I'm really not sure I can bring myself to part with the VH4 It's such a legendary amp! Maybe if I sell the ENGL, Marshall TSL and scrape up some cash I'll go for the MK50 II.

Also - would you recommend getting an MK50 II over a Soldano SLO? Bearing slightly in mind that I'm in the UK so it's much easier / a bit cheaper to get hold of a Cornford!

-C

 

[Red_Label]

This thread is a classic example of the effects of GAS some of the variables involved.

Should you trade your VH4 for a Cornford? Depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who's more into tight modern metal chugging at the present, it's probably gonna be the Diezel. If you ask someone who's more into liquid modded Marshall lead tones at the present, it's likely gonna be the Cornford. Then again... it could be the opposite if someone hears or feels these amps differently.

If you ask me one day, I'd dig my XTC Classic more, the next it might be my VHT Ultra Lead. Mostly depends on the tones and musical genre(s) that I feel passionate about at that moment. Which is why I personally would think long and hard about trading away such a great amp. Might be exactly what the doctor ordered for you today. But what about tomorrow? I'm learning that GAS tends to distort my objective view about gear and what my real needs/wants are. I wouldn't make such a trade without spending some time with the perspective new amp. Very recently I was sure I was gonna trade/sell my XTC for a more modern amp. But then I got the XTC biased right with some new tubes and [thankfully] I put those notions to bed for the time being. No telling if I will eventually end-up trading or selling the XTC, but hopefully I will have at least laid my hands on an amp that I was thinking about trading for before taking such a drastic step. I've bought and sold a lot of gear. And I do have some regrets. GAS will do that to ya...

 

[grooveHT]

Cheers all. Yeah, I find myself using the Herbert a lot more than a VH4 these days. I'd use the MK50 II for more hard rock stuff, and I do want an amp with a more vintage-y vibe (all of mine are modern high gain!).

That said, I'm really not sure I can bring myself to part with the VH4 It's such a legendary amp! Maybe if I sell the ENGL, Marshall TSL and scrape up some cash I'll go for the MK50 II.

Also - would you recommend getting an MK50 II over a Soldano SLO? Bearing slightly in mind that I'm in the UK so it's much easier / a bit cheaper to get hold of a Cornford!

-C

This is just my take on it, but an amp can be legendary all day long and still be gathering dust in the corner. Who gives a rat's arse if it's legendary if it isn't doing it for you, right? It's an item that you can move that A) you aren't using and B) will bring in enough cash to furnish probably a few gear purchases...jettison it!

 

[Red_Label]

This is just my take on it, but an amp can be legendary all day long and still be gathering dust in the corner. Who gives a rat's arse if it's legendary if it isn't doing it for you, right? It's an item that you can move that A) you aren't using and B) will bring in enough cash to furnish probably a few gear purchases...jettison it!

Contrary to what I was just saying... it's hard to argue with this! Pretty much the exact thing I told myself every time I got rid of something that was considered "valuable" by others, but my heart just wasn't into it at the time. But as I mentioned, I'm not without regrets about a few of those things...

 

[rokker]

Seitz333 told me they were pretty compressed but the clips do sound killer.
A little compression is good IMO...

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I owned a Hellcat and that was a KILLER amp. I've never owned a MK50II, but it is definitely on my short list...

 

[jcj]

Cheers all. Yeah, I find myself using the Herbert a lot more than a VH4 these days. I'd use the MK50 II for more hard rock stuff, and I do want an amp with a more vintage-y vibe (all of mine are modern high gain!).

That said, I'm really not sure I can bring myself to part with the VH4 It's such a legendary amp! Maybe if I sell the ENGL, Marshall TSL and scrape up some cash I'll go for the MK50 II.

Also - would you recommend getting an MK50 II over a Soldano SLO? Bearing slightly in mind that I'm in the UK so it's much easier / a bit cheaper to get hold of a Cornford!

-C

Screw legendary, if you like the Herbert more than the VH4, make the trade!

I personally take the MK50 over the SLO, without question. More pleasing frequencies, to my ear.

 

[glip22]

The MK50 is the only piece of gear I have sold and miss. With that said I was an inch away from pulling the trigger on an MK100 EL34 and opted to jump on the CCV bandwagon. Martin said he would build it for me. I still dream about it at night. My Wife suggested trying out her Reiki Dream Candle. I did for three days and the dreams got worse. I gave her the candle back and asked her why she suggested it in the first place. She said it helps her with bad dreams. I said WTF, I'm not having bad drerams, thats the damn problem. Your candle made them even more real and better.

 

[rokker]

JCJ,
How's the MK compare to the CCV?

 

[spirit7]

Thanks all. I played my VH4 some more this evening and, once again, fell in love with it. I'm happy with the two Diezels

That said...hmm...I may well offload the Powerball and Marshall...

-C

 

[Red_Label]

Thanks all. I played my VH4 some more this evening and, once again, fell in love with it. I'm happy with the two Diezels

That said...hmm...I may well offload the Powerball and Marshall...

-C

That's how I was with my XTC. The bias had drifted and the =C= EL34s had died a quick death and I wasn't digging it, especially compared to the VHT Pittbull that I had picked-up at the time. But I threw some different tubes in there and got the bias set and fell in-love all-over again with her. Grass isn't always greener (gotta keep telling myself that one in every aspect of life, cause I have always been a "wanderer").

 

[glip22]

Thanks all. I played my VH4 some more this evening and, once again, fell in love with it. I'm happy with the two Diezels

That said...hmm...I may well offload the Powerball and Marshall...

-C

That's how I was with my XTC. The bias had drifted and the =C= EL34s had died a quick death and I wasn't digging it, especially compared to the VHT Pittbull that I had picked-up at the time. But I threw some different tubes in there and got the bias set and fell in-love all-over again with her. Grass isn't always greener (gotta keep telling myself that one in every aspect of life, cause I have always been a "wanderer").

Rave On. You just reminded me of Dion DeMucci

 

[zuel69]

Great post. I do miss my MKII..it's very different than a Diezel...put a bb preamp in front of it and that's where the magic really happened for me. Tightened it up a little and got more of what I love.

This thread is a classic example of the effects of GAS some of the variables involved.

Should you trade your VH4 for a Cornford? Depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who's more into tight modern metal chugging at the present, it's probably gonna be the Diezel. If you ask someone who's more into liquid modded Marshall lead tones at the present, it's likely gonna be the Cornford. Then again... it could be the opposite if someone hears or feels these amps differently.

If you ask me one day, I'd dig my XTC Classic more, the next it might be my VHT Ultra Lead. Mostly depends on the tones and musical genre(s) that I feel passionate about at that moment. Which is why I personally would think long and hard about trading away such a great amp. Might be exactly what the doctor ordered for you today. But what about tomorrow? I'm learning that GAS tends to distort my objective view about gear and what my real needs/wants are. I wouldn't make such a trade without spending some time with the perspective new amp. Very recently I was sure I was gonna trade/sell my XTC for a more modern amp. But then I got the XTC biased right with some new tubes and [thankfully] I put those notions to bed for the time being. No telling if I will eventually end-up trading or selling the XTC, but hopefully I will have at least laid my hands on an amp that I was thinking about trading for before taking such a drastic step. I've bought and sold a lot of gear. And I do have some regrets. GAS will do that to ya...

 

[shreddr69]

I own a MK II and it's great. I played both diezels when I had my mesa stiletto and maxon od808 rig. I took the mesa with me to compare it to the diezels. I plugged the stiletto into the diezel 412 loaded with vintage 30, which I usually don't care for but my mesa DESTROYED the diezels. My buddy that was with me and I had a serious epiphany and all the dudes in the music store where shocked! Honestly, so was I, at how much difference the cabinet made! That was the day when tone got really tricky for me because I realized it isn't just the amp, or the cab or the speakers but EVERYTHING! I should have just bought a diezel cab and kept the stiletto but I went on to own and try another hundred or so amps and finally, after listening to Greg Howes Sound Proof album, bought a Cornford, new without playing it first. I have had that amp longer than almost any other amp I have owned and I still love the tone ( I do miss my Splawn quick rod though ). I wish I had the MK50 only because of the smaller foot switch. I just don't use a clean channel as the guitar volume works just fine for me and I don't use any effects with the amp as the tone is complete, at least, for me. The size of the MK50 II foot switch is a bit big. A smaller foot switch would be very cool. Less buttons to accidentally tap! I've been thinking of a MK50 or a SLO 100 if for no other reason than to shrink my foot print on stage.