Novanex
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 07/25/2006 at 02:38pm by Bigtruc
Features: 10
As detailed in the other reviews, the novatruc is a 3x12 class A single-ended(whatever the hell that means!) combo rated at 5-8 watts, depending on your valve selection-more on this later.We have a wonderfully simple EQ comprising Bass, Mid and Treble-how utterly refreshing in this age of tecnological lunacy (n.b I'm in my early thirties so don't write this comment off as the senile ramblings of an old guy).We also have a rather tasty reverb circuit(fully valve driven-whatever that means).There is a series effects loop sensibly located on the control pannel-no more cricking your neck to plug in those O-so-quirky modulation devices that we like to impress the missus with.And finally ,and I'm not convinced on this, there is the much-heralded self biasing valve-changey type thing.O.k-the idea is that you can switch the output(and pre-amp) valves to produce different tones-again more on this later.I own a number of Cornfords and this is loaded with goodies-however a footswith for the reverb would have been nice.This is ,of course, the ultimate in nit-picking.Why the hell include such a feature on a studio/practice amp?I'm sure it has kept the cost down.
Thanks for reading this far!!
Sound Quality: fantastic
Sounds-well here we come to the really important stuff.I think that the(ahem!) older player reared on the non-master tube amps of old would think that all of their Christmases had come at once.This is a serious investment and I think certain younger players(myself to some extent) may be expecting something that no amp could ever provide-i.e SRV/Hendrix/Whoevever-you-like on tap.Not just the tone but everything else.Well younger players take heed!This is good but inevitably it is all in the fingers.
Saying that, having gotten over the initail disappointment of not immediately morphing into Brian May, the sounds to be had from this amp are truely great, individual and ultimately inspiring.And what's more at sensible and sociable volumes.
The distortion is the best I have ever come across.High gain settings sustain with that lovely harmonic thing.Roll off on your trusty Axe and you have that classic "bell-like" clean tone.Wack the hell out of the power stage at low gain settings and front-end a decent OD pedal(I use a fulltone) then you have a completely different bluesy thing going on.Reverb is good at all levels in my opinion.I would respectfully suggest that you keep FX to an absolute minimum and invest in bloody good short leads.It really does make all of the difference.I am fortunate to own a diverse range of high-end guitars.I have also spent many years playing through cheap stuff(hence my comment about it all being in the fingers).I have yet to find a guitar cheap or expensive that doesn't sound as it should through this amp.I can not see how you can improve on the sounds that this little beauty produces.
Just a word on the valve-changing feature.I haven't extensivly investigated this,but going from the supplied 9-8 pin options doesn't make a huge difference(except in volume) to the sound of the amp.Now this isn't criticism as we are not looking at a modelling amp-and congrats to Cornford for retaining a distinctive tone.I am no pro and I'm sure these guys would really relish this feature-just don't expect too much from this if you're a bedroom player!
Reliability: 10
I have a Hell-cat, a Harlequin, the Carrera and also run two 2x12 Cornford Cabs.I have had the Hellcat for approx 3-4 years.Quite frankly reliability is not an issue.Coupled with the excellent after- sales service(4 years later!!)from a certain Gallery in Oxford-UK I simply pick up the phone and any concerns are addressed immediately.I don't gig as often as I would like, but taking the Cornfords out is a dream.I can quite honestly say that I've never had any reliability issues with these amps
Customer Support: 10
See above.In addition I have spoken to numerous guys who all agree that Cornford really look after you.
I would also say that I have bought my last two Cornfords "blind" as I trust them so much-I haven't been dissapointed
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for 17 years.I am repeating what I have seen written so many times on this site.I would have saved myself thousands if this had been available when I started to be able to afford good stuff.
I own a boogie MarkIV an old hybrid Fender and a musicman head(sweet!) in addition to the Cornfords.I won't bore you with my guitar collection-it's better than some but pitiful compared to others.
My final opinion is that this amp is seriously special.I can't see how it can be bettered shy of gold-plating it.This,I am sure would serve you for life.
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