I play Collings guitars. They are made in Austin, TX and quite frankly, I believe that they are the best guitars being built today. The model that I play is an OM1. I also have an OM1A. The first has a Sitka spruce top and the second has an Adirondack spruce top. They are both very, very fine recording instruments. The OM1 has a lower action for my live performances. For that reason it has a little less volume. http://www.collingsguitars.com
I have a few other guitars that I enjoy playing:
Chris Bozung made a CB-ROM (resonator guitar) that is astounding and a Brazilian rosewood Model J. The Model J has a deep rich tone and volume for days. http://www.cbguitars.com
I also play, on occasion, a Takamine classical, Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, Gibson 335. I play a Deering Golder Era Banjo, a 1924 Gibson A-2 Mandolin and a Collings MT mandolin.
LIVE SETUP
COLLINGS OM1 GUITAR equipped with a FISHMAN ELLIPSE BLEND pickup. The controls are mounted inside the sound hole of the guitar so I can blend the microphone and pickup and control the overall volume very quickly. The best thing is that I didn’t have to have my guitar cut or altered in anyway to have this system installed. The pickup controls do have problem adhering to the guitar so you’ll need a pro to install it with some seriously adhesive glue.
I play through an AER Compact 60 amp that I really love. I take it everywhere I go to help maintain consistency in my sound… plus I’ll always have at least one good monitor with me.