Cornford Harlequin

[the boogie man]

What do you guys think of the quality of Cornfords?

I just got the Harlequin and it sounds awesome, but I noticed that it had Jamico caps. I have always associated that brand with cheap electrical components. When I opened up the amp I expected to see F&T or Sprague. The amp is only 6 watts and I understand that it does not require outstanding caps. But I would think that for $1,500 they would use quality parts.

On the other hand, this is fast become one of my favorite amps. I think it sounds great and can really get any kinda tone you want, and at bed room volumes.

[robert]

Hi,

I agree: mostly cheap standard parts used... but, don't worry (beside the IMHO really high "Boutique-price"): the main thing is, that it sounds good.
A good amp- sound depends nearly complete on a clever & good design & layout (and high quality transformers, of course!).
The experience and sound- taste of the builder is the main thing- that matters the most!

Regards

Robert

[demonufo]

$1500
Crikey, that's a mark up and then some.
Mine cost £600 when I bought it about 6 or 7 years ago (apparently they're around £650 now).

Personally I find it too dark sounding, and compresses far too much for my tastes. Far more gain than I'll ever need as well.
It does have good cleans though.

I bought mine at a time when I was very ill, and thought I needed a lower wattage amp to "keep my hand in" since at that time, I was too unreliable to be in a band. At about the same time, I started modding my 4104 though, and ended up using that, and never really touching the Cornford much.

But for me, the Cornford doesn't really have many redeeming features, which is why I'm about to put mine up for sale.


You really shouldn't be surprised that anything is fitted with cheap components though. Remember that mustards were cheap and plentiful during Marshall's heyday, and although the prices of Cornfords across the Atlantic are obviously quite high, an awful lot of that must be import markup, since over here, they're not exactly "exclusive boutique" prices IMO.

[toner]

Congrats on the new amp. I tried some Cornfords and they sound pretty good. The Harlequin is very versatile for recording. They seemed to get more of an American (Fender) tone than British, which surprised me. I didn't care too much for their overdrive tone. I thought they sounded better clean but there are much better clean amps out there (Carr, Dr. Z, Victoria). They're way too expensive for what you get, IMO - at least in the U.S. They could at least include a standby switch for that kind of money!

I don't mean to put down your amp but since you brought up the topic of quality, I've got to share this:

I was playing one of their "cheaper" Roadhouse PCB amps in the store and it blew up! I had the volume at about 50% for about 10 seconds and poof! - lost a lot of power and started ghosting REALLY bad like an out of tune bass guitar was playing along, then I smell smoke and shut it down. The shop owner just took it in stride and acted like it happens all the time. I'm sure their hand wired stuff is better but that pretty much ended my interest in Cornford.

[robert]

Hi,

here in Germany we use to say: "They all cook with water, only"

Regards

Robert

[the boogie man]

I don't mean to put down your amp but since you brought up the topic of quality, I've got to share this::

Don't worry about putting down my amp, I'm an amp whore. Thanks for sharing your story.

I'm gonna hold on to the amp for the time being. It is a great little amp. I love the fact it is PTP, with NO FX loop, No slave out and Class A 6 watts. It is fun to play and sounds great. I just wish they used higher quality parts. I wonder where the trannies come from?

Hi,

here in Germany we use to say: "They all cook with water, only"

Regards

Robert

Huh?

[Demonoid]

What do you guys think of the quality of Cornfords?

I just got the Harlequin and it sounds awesome, but I noticed that it had Jamico caps. I have always associated that brand with cheap electrical components. When I opened up the amp I expected to see F&T or Sprague. The amp is only 6 watts and I understand that it does not require outstanding caps. But I would think that for $1,500 they would use quality parts.

On the other hand, this is fast become one of my favorite amps. I think it sounds great and can really get any kinda tone you want, and at bed room volumes.

Hi , I'd like to ask You to make several more pictures of Harlequin from inside (better if that would be n high quality )
I can't see clearly: turret board, tube Socket (the wire side) and the Power unit ( electrolytic capacitors and resistors)

I'm very grateful for Your assistance