Rare chance to own a piece of kiwiana that belonged to the much loved legend - Billy T James - this is his electric guitar amplifier with road case.

The Rockit 112 "pro/champ studio series 70" is a solid state NZ made amp, and it has just been serviced by Alan of Anvil amps, who spotted the test date penciled inside 13/8/81.

The amp is well built, very tidy, good working condition, and all original apart from one upgrade that one can naturally assume Billy spec'd, and that was to hit the circuit with an upgraded UK FANE Guitar 150W Rock speaker.

The drive / sustain controls are actuated by a footpedal, but if you're not into extra leads hanging out the front, Alan knocked up a removable jack keyring (pictured) that will do the same thing when pushed in.

It comes with a copy of auction invoice for provenance. Also comes with a well chewed HB pencil that was rolling around inside the bottom of the amp. Maybe it was used for note taking and chord changes, who knows, but it belongs with the amp.

The inside scoop:

If you missed the 2019 inaugural NZ Music Month Auction, you weren't alone. I was only aware of it because my sister mentioned it.

I went to the viewing and as a fan, was wanting to keep Billy's guitar and his amp together. There were only five of Billys items on offer. After I won the amp (Lot 116) , which went for over 4 times the estimate, and then I was the highest bedder on his guitar, but the auction stalled and did not meet reserve..... it tuned out I was $200 off it. It is common for an auction house to negotiate a sale with the highest bidder after an auction, which I tried to do, but in an unusual fashion, the guitar was withdrawn altogether.

At time of writing , the guitar has come up for auction on trademe, and with Covid woes, I can not afford to reunite the two, so Billys amp is now also up for someone else to enjoy.