NEVILLE’S ADVOCATE ...
As you will know if you follow my scribblings in this tome, for the past five years or so I’ve been using digital systems for my main gig – first a Line 6 Helix and lately a Blackstar Amped 2. I do love them and the many benefits they offer, especially when playing theatres and using in-ear monitors, as we do. But for pub gigs and the occasional dep you can’t beat the simplicity of sticking a combo on a chair, a few pedals on the floor, and hanging a guitar on its stand. It looks way more rock ’n’ roll, too.
And on that subject you’ve doubtless heard me tell about how I acquired a Mark II Boogie in 1980. A good friend was mates with the brilliant guitarist Phil Palmer (he’s worked with Knopfler and Clapton among others). Phil had bought three Boogies in the States and was selling one to help fund the others. My mate organised the deal and that amp became my only tone source until I got my Matchless DC30 in 1994.