hil
has been a Fender fan for many a year now. A variety of white
Stratocasters and different finish Telecasters were essential
recording and touring items. Now, with this tour, Phil has taken
a step into the future with the brand new Fender Roland Ready
Strats.
These guitars,
featuring an extra pick-up next to the bridge, are designed to
take advantage of the huge range of sounds, effects and instant
tunings available on the remarkable new range of Roland
Modelling amps. Apart from instantly changing the sound of
the guitar to one of a completely different type, or switching
between different amplifier characteristics and special effects,
the combination of the Roland Ready Strat and the VGA-7
Amp allows Phil to select different guitar tunings immediately
with the amp's unique 'Digital Capo' system. This was heard to
unique effect in Glasgow at the start of 'If There is Something'
when the switch failed to de-activate it and Bryan was left to
decide which of several keys to sing the song in!
This
minor glitch aside, Phil has been exploring the huge range of
possibilities now available through this collaboration between
Fender and Roland. As ever, his playing and unique sound have
proved to be an essential element of the Roxy mix. And, if nothing
else, Phil has also proved that Fender make robust guitars. When
a string broke in Santiago de Compostela he beat the guitar on
the stage in frustration. The guitar survived and Phil's dressing
room now bears the name 'Pete Townsend'.
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