"Trouble is, once the sword of amplification is withdrawn, the sheath must be thrown away. I'm sure you know what I mean."

I do know what you mean, but I've found sticking to a tiny 9V-battery-powered amp (like the Danelectro Honeytone) really doesn't qualitatively transform your sound or the way you play. Lots of fellow sessioneers hadn't even realised I was amplified, they could simply hear me play for once.