CATEGORY 5 AMPLIFIERS
Fiona Boyes Custom Signature Tracy Model

I am proud to endorse Texas made Category 5 Amplifiers. Makers of hand made tube amps, Category 5 have custom designed and built a one-off Signature amp for me, to suit my style and guitar set-ups.  Tracy is two seperate amps in one head.  The left channel is modeled after a 60's Fender Brown Face Deluxe, and has lots of break-up and dirt.  The right channel is like a 60's Blackface Super Reverb, with heaps of clean headroom and singing tones.  With the amp's cathode biasing I can swap the 2 x 5881 for 2 x 6L6 tubes if I want to change the break-up dynamics, and the 110v-240v power supply means I can fly the head anywhere in the world and always have the sound I want.  Both channels give me 50W output per side and I usually run it through 2 x 10" Jensen Neos, or add a 2 x 12" Jensen Neo box for bigger stages.

Named Tracy, after Australia’s famous Category 5 cyclone, the amp has become an indispensable part of my sound.

Visit their website www.category5amps.com

CATEGORY 5 AMPLIFIERS
Custom Made Mariah Model

When Don Ritter of Category 5 heard that I needed a combo amp for smaller clubs and stages he came up with this one-off beauty, Mariah.  A single channel 2 x EL84 amp that sits somewhere between an early Vox and a 60's Princeton, it gives me the break-up I need, along with endless clean headroom.  Like all Category 5 amps it has a Variac Voltage control so I can dial in the plate voltage to the preamp and power tubes, altering the output wattage from 5w - 22w without compromising the tonal performance of the amp.  It weighs about 28 lb and it's easy for me to carry when I'm doing local shows on my own.  While she may not be a Category 5 Storm, this little amp has a spirit all of her own, so we decided to call her Mariah.

Mariah
Mariah
They call the wind Mariah

Mariah blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a ’flyin’
Mariah makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dying

Visit their website 
www.category5amps.com

FISHMAN LOUDBOX 100 ACOUSTIC AMPLIFIER

As an acoustic artist I am often at the mercy of poor sound systems, no monitors, or just loud players.  Over the years I've tried different acoustic amps, but the Fishman Loudbox 100 is the perfect solution for me.  Now I can always control my on-stage sound and send it to the front-of-house.  This is such a versatile amp.  All this and I can fly with it as carry-on luggage.   

Check out the Loudbox 100 specs and the whole range of Fishman gear at www.fishman.com

FISHMAN SoloAmp PRO-AMP-SL1 ACOUSTIC COMBO AMP

Portable and Powerful!!
Designed for the singer/songwriter SoloAmp provides me with exceptional sound quality and coverage in a wide variety of acoustic venues. 220W of power drives a line of six custom high-excursion speakers and a soft dome tweeter. This unique combination delivers incredibly full sound, ultra-wide dispersion, and deeper sonic penetration than the common speaker cabinet. The enhanced bass response of the custom designed speakers means there s no need for a subwoofer!

The SoloAmp weighs only 25 lbs complete with a padded bag equipped with wheels and a speaker stand. Set up takes less than a minute and full-digital universal power means SoloAmp is ready to travel with me anywhere in the world.

Check out all the specs on this incredibe PA/Amp combo at
www.fishman.com

ANALYSIS PLUS PRO AUDIO CABLES

A real revelation! Musicians I respect told me a great cable makes all the difference - and now I know it's true.  I rely solely on my guitars and amplifier for my sound, but off the shelf cables were letting me down.  Now Audio Plus Pro Audio Cables gives me 100% fidelity in tone and attack response.

Makers of the world’s best pro-audio cables, Analysis Plus provide the essential link for me between guitar, amp, and audience. Their cables combine incredible sound fidelity with reliability on the road.

See their products at www.analysis-plus.com/pro_main.html

DEAN MARKLEY STRINGS

Reknowned for their quality strings and guitar accessories, Dean Markley provides me and my band with our guitar and bass strings and other accessories.  I use Formula 82/R 2104A ML Acoustic strings, NickelSteel 2505 Med 11 - 52 and NickelSteel 2504 LTHB 10 - 52  Electric strings, and my bass players use Randy Jackson Alchemy 2662 MED, SR2000 Bass 2689 46 -102 ML, SR2000 Bass 2693 46 - 125 ML, and FretMaster Bass 2644 ML strings

Visit the website www.deanmarkley.com

PERFORMANCE IS EVERYTHING!!

This simple phrase captures the essence of Audix for me.  When I enter the recording studio or hit the live stage Audix mics are an essential part of my performance. Audix approached me after a gig I played with Hot Tuna so I went down to their Oregon factory studio and played through a range of their microphones.  Their sound tecs were incredible to work with as we explored different mic profiles.

I now use an Audix OM6 for vocals, an Audix VX5 Condenser for my Resonator (this is the BEST condenser I've used on-stage - no feedback problems even when I'm on top of a monitor), an Audix D6 kick drum mic for my signature plastic crate stomp box, and an Audix i-5 for amp mic.  Make sure you try these mics.  You'll be amazed at their quality.

Visit www.audixusa.com

GUYATONE VT-X 'FLIP' VINTAGE TUBE TREMOLO

Having a true tube (12AX7WA) pedal compact enough to go on the road means I am never caught without the tremolo sound I need.  Where the VT-X truly shines is in its tone. Warm, thick, throbbing tremolo that solid-state circuits just can't match. Variable Speed, Intensity, and Tone controls allow me complete control over the degree of tremolo effect, offering everything from painfully slow, spongy pulses to vibrant, shimmering warbles. www.guyatone.com

ULTIMATE SUPPORT MIC & GUITAR STANDS - BODY GLOVE HYBRID GUITAR CASES

Any touring musician will tell you the importance of reliable, durable, compact stands. Ultimate Support is my choice for guitar and microphone stands. I also use Ultimate Support Body Glove Hybrid Guitar cases. 
www.ultimatesupport.com

StageRig - COMBINATION HAND TROLLEY, AMP RACK, and STAGE GEAR STORAGE

This has to be one of the best pieces of equipment ever invented for the pro-touring musician. Often at Festivals there is little time for stage turn-around and set-up, and you can easily lose gear as it gets scattered or mixed up with other artists' stuff. Now I just wheel my amp on stage, tilt it back, plug in the power lead and my guitars, and I'm set.

I have two StageRigs with my amps permanently set-up. Made from aero-grade aluminum, it has pneumatic tires, a collapsible handle, and the fully adjustable arms clamp my amps securely. It converts from trolley to amp stand in a few seconds and has a 3 angle tilt adjustment for on stage. Under the amp is a weatherproof accessory bag where I can store my cords, mics, spare tubes, pedals etc. The back of the bag has routing points for cables so I never have to disconnect my amp. The only cables I have to run out are the power lead and my guitar leads. It now takes me longer to tune up than it does to set up! When I'm finished it rolls off and straight into the van. To fully appreciate the versatility of this great piece of equipment go to their website and check out the pics.
www.stagerig.com