![]() Matching Wilko's "all on 6 o'clock" settings with the output set to 40 watts you get a big, bellowing, valve soaked driven spank. You notice this harmonic richness and dynamic response the moment you start playing the Wilko. This is due to the capacitance created by having components so tightly fitted together. Most modern mass produced amps tend to be built with cheaper printed circuit boards, this is ideal for reducing costs and making amps more affordable for the common man, but unfortunately, has hugely detrimental effects on high-frequency response and harmonic richness. Hand built, point to point wired with lovely attention to detail. So what separates this amp from your standard fair? It's simple, craftsmanship. ![]() The whole amp is wrapped in signature Wilko Red and Black Tolex (To match his telecaster and curly red cable), with a silver grill and Wilko badge on the top front panel. Further along, you'll find the output switch offering 10 or 40 watts and the ubiquitous Standby and Power switches. With ease, you can dial in the tone of 59 Fender Bassman or the shimmering sparkle of a Fender Twin. Next door on the panel you'll find Volume, Bass and Tone dials, the latter of which work across the whole frequency spectrum. In the back of the Cornell, you'll find a Tone Tubby 12 Inch USA Red Back, with tonal controls coming from two high impedance inputs, the Hi input offering 6db extra. The 3 x 12AX7 preamp valves and 2 x 6L6 Output valves share this common ancestor. It's a simple combo, and its origins can be found in the Fender 57 Twin. The Romany 10 was my weapon of choice, and its lineage can be traced back to the Custom 40/80 upon which this amp is based. It wasn't until I recorded my last record that I was introduced to these Goliaths of groove. Denis Cornell is a different story this little-known boutique amp manufacturer seems to avoid the limelight actively. Every area has their heroes, and to bands growing up in Essex, Wilko's influence is un questionable. I grew in Essex not but a short hop from Southend, home of Dr Feelgood and Cornell Amplifiers. I'm going to state for the record right now that I'm a fan of both Dr Feelgood and Denis Cornell, I've relished the opportunity to explore this rig and research both of these local heroes. To accompany this month's interview with Wilko Johnson, Dan Le Gresley takes a look at Wilko’s very own signature Cornell amp and has the pleasure of exploring the tonal possibilities of this "one off" amplifier.
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