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* EDIT: Up-to-date information is available in Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Amplifier Models *
Corncob M50: based on Cornford MK50H II
I first heard and saw a Cornford amp when Dweezil Zappa played one at a Zappa Plays Zappa gig in The Netherlands. That was before he started using Fractal gear. His sound blew me away. As a matter of fact it blew Steve Vai’s tone away too, who was playing his usual gear. Richie Kotzen and Guthrie Govan were other well-known Cornford players.
Yes, “were”, because Cornford amplifiers in Britain no longer exists. The designer went on to found Victory amplifiers (not to be confused with Victoria amps in the USA). Guthrie Govan plays Victory amps.
In the Axe-Fx Standard / Ultra the Corncob RK100 was an established popular amp model. That was based on Richie Kotzen’s signature amp. The model in the Axe-Fx II and AX8 is based on another amp: MK50 II, Cornford’s flagship.
The MK50 II is a two-channel amp, with either EL34 or 6L6 tubes, and a solid-state rectifier.
Output is 50 watts. I think that the model is based on the version with EL34 tubes. It’s a hand-built amp with PTP wiring.
Cliff’s comments:
The model is based on the Overdrive channel. To be honest the M50 model in the Axe-Fx II didn’t work for me at first. At least not in the same way the old RK100 model did. It came alive when Quantum firmware was released.
The model incorporates a lot from other brands, such as Marshall, Mesa and Soldano, and still has its own vibe. It sounds big and brutal and bold. It combines the best of those.
I always play the model when writing these write-ups. This is one of the models I enjoyed playing most so far. It’s very different from the other high gain amps we’ve discussed till now. It isn’t the amount of gain. It’s that “Bam! In your face!” abrasive type of tone. If I was playing in a hard rock band, this would be a top candidate.
And you know what works great with this model: put a Drive in front of it. The T808 with Drive at zero and Level at 7. This tames the bass of the amp mode and makes the tone even better.
The amp’s Clean channel isn’t modeled so we’ll skip that.
Controls on the Overdrive channel are: Gain (model: Input Drive), Overdrive (Model: Overdrive), Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume. There are two Master controls, Presence and Resonance (Model: Depth).
The Overdrive provides two gain controls (model: Input Drive and Overdrive). On all amps like this, including those by Dumble, Fryette, Carol-Ann and Mesa, the first control sets the “sensitivity” and the second one sets the amount of distortion. Cliff:
Models with Input Drive and Overdrive controls always feel “elastic” and spongy, a real joy to play.
The amp has Master controls. This means that the amp’s distortion is created in particular by the preamp tubes, not the power amp. The Master Volume, which works in the power amp section, is still very important to the tone and feel. You have to decide for yourself what setting in the model works for you best. The default setting is a good point to start of course.
Here’s the manual.
Cornford cabinets have V30 speakers. Take your pick from the stock cabs. In this case I like the combination of the 4x12 Fractal cabs: #60 and #61.
Here’s a clip featuring the model by @Guitarjon.
Corncob M50: based on Cornford MK50H II
I first heard and saw a Cornford amp when Dweezil Zappa played one at a Zappa Plays Zappa gig in The Netherlands. That was before he started using Fractal gear. His sound blew me away. As a matter of fact it blew Steve Vai’s tone away too, who was playing his usual gear. Richie Kotzen and Guthrie Govan were other well-known Cornford players.
Yes, “were”, because Cornford amplifiers in Britain no longer exists. The designer went on to found Victory amplifiers (not to be confused with Victoria amps in the USA). Guthrie Govan plays Victory amps.
In the Axe-Fx Standard / Ultra the Corncob RK100 was an established popular amp model. That was based on Richie Kotzen’s signature amp. The model in the Axe-Fx II and AX8 is based on another amp: MK50 II, Cornford’s flagship.
The MK50 II is a two-channel amp, with either EL34 or 6L6 tubes, and a solid-state rectifier.
Output is 50 watts. I think that the model is based on the version with EL34 tubes. It’s a hand-built amp with PTP wiring.
Cliff’s comments:
“Plexi-meets-Modern tone with big cojones.”
The model is based on the Overdrive channel. To be honest the M50 model in the Axe-Fx II didn’t work for me at first. At least not in the same way the old RK100 model did. It came alive when Quantum firmware was released.
The model incorporates a lot from other brands, such as Marshall, Mesa and Soldano, and still has its own vibe. It sounds big and brutal and bold. It combines the best of those.
I always play the model when writing these write-ups. This is one of the models I enjoyed playing most so far. It’s very different from the other high gain amps we’ve discussed till now. It isn’t the amount of gain. It’s that “Bam! In your face!” abrasive type of tone. If I was playing in a hard rock band, this would be a top candidate.
And you know what works great with this model: put a Drive in front of it. The T808 with Drive at zero and Level at 7. This tames the bass of the amp mode and makes the tone even better.
The amp’s Clean channel isn’t modeled so we’ll skip that.
Controls on the Overdrive channel are: Gain (model: Input Drive), Overdrive (Model: Overdrive), Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume. There are two Master controls, Presence and Resonance (Model: Depth).
The Overdrive provides two gain controls (model: Input Drive and Overdrive). On all amps like this, including those by Dumble, Fryette, Carol-Ann and Mesa, the first control sets the “sensitivity” and the second one sets the amount of distortion. Cliff:
“Input Drive increases the gain amount as you rotate the knob clockwise. As the gain increases the tone is shifted from a treble and upper mid emphasis, which produces an up front sparkling tone, to a lower mid and bass emphasis, which produces a thick meaty tone.
Overdrive increases the gain amount as you rotate the knob clockwise but with no alteration of the tonal balance.
Different combinations of Input Drive and Overdrive settings will have a dramatic effect on the response of the amplifier and the personality of your instrument. It is easy to get familiar with the action of these controls and you’ll be amazed with your ability to make any guitar sound mellow, fat, soulful or aggressive.”
Models with Input Drive and Overdrive controls always feel “elastic” and spongy, a real joy to play.
The amp has Master controls. This means that the amp’s distortion is created in particular by the preamp tubes, not the power amp. The Master Volume, which works in the power amp section, is still very important to the tone and feel. You have to decide for yourself what setting in the model works for you best. The default setting is a good point to start of course.
My simple settings: Input Drive 4.5, Overdrive 8, Bass 3.50.
With the T808 OD (Drive at 0, Level at 7).
With the T808 OD (Drive at 0, Level at 7).
Here’s the manual.
Cornford cabinets have V30 speakers. Take your pick from the stock cabs. In this case I like the combination of the 4x12 Fractal cabs: #60 and #61.
Here’s a clip featuring the model by @Guitarjon.
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