Cornford Roadhouse Series User manual

ROADHOUSE SERIES
GUITAR AMPLIFIERS
Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Speci ications
Page 3: Control Operations
Page 4: Rear Panel
Important Sa ety Instructions
Earthing/Grounding Instructions

Introduction
The Cornford Roadhouse Series of guitar amplifiers are stripped down
and simple operate: simple yet very versatile.
The Roadhouse 30 Head and 1x1 Combo offer a combination of
enough power to cut through a mix but with a power amp design that can
be pushed into overdrive, giving touch sensitivity and harmonic richness
without too many decibels!
The Roadhouse 50 Head and x1 Combo offer more of the above but
with a little extra power, for those players that need extra punch; the
Combo also having the extra 1 ” Celestion Vintage 30 to shift more air!
1

Specifications
(Roadhouse 30 Head and Combo)
30-watt, cathode biased, valve guitar amplifier head and 1 x 1 combo.
Output Valves: x EL34
Preamp Valves: 3 x ECC83 (1 AX7)
Cabinet: 19 mm, lock jointed ply covered in black ‘Lizard’
vinyl with black grille cloth and white piping.
Speakers: Celestion ‘Vintage 30’ (combo only)
Transformers: Custom designed and built by one of the UK’s
leading manufacturers.
Accessories: All metal footswitch, to enable remote switching
of the amplifier’s ‘Boost’ function.
Effects Loop: Series effects loop. Send level is a nominal
–6 dBV. Send impedance is 33k ohms. Return
impedance is 145k ohms.

Specifications
(Roadhouse 50 Head and Combo)
50-watt, fixed biased, valve guitar amplifier head and x 1 combo.
Output Valves: x EL34
Preamp Valves: 3 x ECC83 (1 AX7)
Cabinet: 1 9 mm, lock jointed ply covered in black ‘Lizard’
vinyl with black grille cloth and white piping. Metal
bar type side handles.
Speakers: x Celestion ‘Vintage 30’ (combo only)
Transformers: Custom designed and built by one of the UK’s
leading manufacturers.
Accessories: All metal footswitch, to enable remote switching
of the amplifier’s ‘Boost’ function.
Effects Loop: Series effects loop. Send level is a nominal
–6 dBV. Send impedance is 33k ohms. Return
impedance is 145k ohms.

Control Operations
Input: I megohm impedance. Suitable for guitars with most types of
pickup (the amplifier may, in general however, not give good
results with the types of pickup associated with acoustic
instruments)
Gain: This controls the amount of preamp gain and hence level of
preamp distortion in the amplifier.
Toggle
Switch: This switches the boost function on or off. Its status is
indicated by a red LED on the front panel
Boost: This controls the amount of extra signal sent to the preamp
from the first gain stage and the amount of extra distortion in
the preamp. This function is useful for heavier rhythm and
lead guitar playing.
Bass: This controls the low frequency response of the preamp.
Middle: This controls the midrange frequency response of the
preamp.
Treble: This controls the high frequency response of the preamp.
Send: This socket sends a low level signal (-6dBV) from the
preamp suitable for driving effects pedals or rack processors.
Return: The output signal from your effects units is reintroduced back
into the amplifiers signal path after the preamp, via this
socket.
Master: This controls the overall output level of the amplifier and
should be adjusted to suit your playing environment.
Mains/
Standby: This is a 3-position toggle switch. In the ‘Off’ position, no
mains power is sent to the amplifier’s circuitry. In the
‘Standby’ position, the low voltages are switched on and the
valve heaters are allowed to warm up before the high voltage
is applied to them; allow 30 seconds or so in this position to
prolong valve life. In the ‘On’ position, the amplifier is ready
to play.
3

Rear Panel
Mains inlet socket: This accommodates a standard IEC mains lead.
The mains fuse is contained within a drawer in
this socket and should always be replaced with a
fuse of exactly the same type and rating to
reduce the risk of fire or electric shock.
High Tension Fuse
Holder: This accommodates the high voltage fuse for the
amplifier. If it fails, this may indicate that the
output valves have developed a fault. Once
again, as with the mains fuse, it must be replaced
with a fuse of the same type and rating.
Speaker Sockets: There are a total of 5 speaker sockets: one is
connected to the 16 ohm tap, two are connected
to the 8 ohm tap, (this will accommodate two 16-
ohm speakers or one 8-ohm speaker) and two
are connected to the 4-ohm tap, (this will
accommodate two 8-ohm speakers or one 4-ohm
speaker). It should be noted that only one output
tap should be used at any one time. That is to
say a speaker load may only be connected to the
16-ohm socket, or one or both 8-ohm sockets, or
one or both 4-ohm sockets. No other combination
should be connected.
Please Note: To avoid damage to your amplifier, always
connect a speaker to the output before switching
on.
Footswitch Socket: This is used to connect the supplied footswitch to
the amplifier for remote switching of the ‘Boost’
function and overrides the front panel toggle
switch.
4

Important Safety Instructions
WARNING – When using electrical products, basic precautions should
be followed, including the following:
1. Read all the instructions before using the product.
. Do not use this product near water – for example, near a bathtub,
wash bowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool
or the like.
3. This product may cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate
for long periods of time at high volume level or at any level that is
uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the
ears, you should consul an audiologist.
4. The product should be located so that its location or position does
not interfere with its proper ventilation.
5. The product should be located away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, or other products that product heat.
6. The power supply cord of the product should be unplugged from
the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
7. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not
spilled into the enclosure through openings.
8. The product should be serviced by qualified personnel when:
a. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged: or
b. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the
product: or
c. The product has been exposed to rain or moisture: or
d. The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits
a marked change in performance: or
e. The product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
9. Do not attempt to service the product. All servicing should be
referred to qualified personnel.
For continued protection against risk of fire, replace fuses only with
one of the same type and rating, as indicated on the back of the
product.

Earthing/ rounding Instructions
This product must be grounded (earthed). If it should malfunction or
breakdown, grounding provides the path of least resistance for electrical
current, in order to reduce the risk of electric shock. This product is
equipped with a supply cord having an equipment-grounding conductor
and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an appropriate
outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with the local
codes and ordinances.
DANGER
Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in
a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or serviceman if
you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not
modify the plug provided with the product. If it will not fit the outlet, have
a proper outlet fitted.
The wires in this mains lead are coloured with the following code:
EARTH NEUTRAL LIVE
U.S.A. Green White Black
U.K. &
EUROPE Green/Yellow Blue Brown
CE mark for European Harmonised Standards
The CE mark, which is attached to these products means it conforms to
EMC Directive (89/69/EEC), CE Mark Directive (93/68/EEC) and Low
Voltage Directive (7 / 3/EEC).
VALVES AND FUSES
All valves and fuses fitted to a Cornford amplifier are consumable items
and, therefore, are not covered under the manufacturer’s guarantee.