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'.

5 Position Blade, 3 Position mini Toggle (Guitar/Both/Synth), 2 mini Push Synth Command Switches (Momentary)

Master Volume, Master Tone system including high output bridge pickup and special "no-load" tone control (Mid & Bridge), Volume