"I've been struggling hard not to jump in ...
as it's a forgone conclusion what my opinion would be anyway
regarding the ingrained old folkie prejudice towards electric guitars & amps.."

Just to avoid any accusation that I'm any kind of purist, I'm currently awaiting delivery of my brand spanking new handmade Banjocaster. I'm looking forward to the full on distorted sound it can deliver.

It won't see the light of day at Bedale ACOUSTIC music festival (BAMfest) that I am helping to pull together next year though......