A GUITAR AMPLIFIER, CONCERT-AMP, AA763

Acquired circa 1978, this amp was used by David Knopfler in early Dire Straits rehearsals. Mark Knopfler has since kept this amp for studio use, often trying it for sound with different guitars, set-ups and songs. Dire Straits keyboardist Guy Fletcher photographed Knopfler and guitar tech Glenn Saggers trying out a line-up of guitars and amplifiers, including this 1960s Fender Concert-Amp, at British Grove Studios in 2011. As noted by Guy Fletcher in his 2011 studio diaries, 'when preparing for an overdub, Mark will often give [guitar tech] Mr. Saggers a long list of instruments to bring into the room and tune, ready for action… Amplifiers and speaker cabinets also are subjected to this rigorous process. All in all, it's the only sure-fire way to be absolutely sure you're getting the best sound possible.’ This amp was used to record bass guitar for the song 'Precious Voice From Heaven' at British Grove Studios in 2017. A previously unreleased outtake from the Down The Road Wherever recording sessions, 'Precious Voice From Heaven' was released as a bonus track on the box set The Studio Albums 2009-2018 in 2022.