Many of my stringed instruments have been made for me by luthier Ian Chisholm. I currently own a mid-jumbo guitar (no. 18), a 00 model (no. 35), plus a classical guitar (no. 14), a matched tenor guitar and mandolin, and a solid 5-string 'mandotenor'. Other instruments I play include a Martin XC1T electro-acoustic guitar, a G&L ASAT electric guitar, a 1960 Otwin archtop and a Tanglewood electro-acoustic bass guitar.

Each instrument has it's own particular uses. For general recording purposes, particularly when laying down backing tracks in a multi-recording situation, the Martin - which has HPL (High Pressure Laminate) back and sides - gives a very even sound. No. 18 - the mid-jumbo - has a powerful bass and high projection, and is ideal both for live acoustic sessions and for accompanying other instruments. No. 35 - the 00 model and my most recent acquisition - was commissioned purely for fingerstyle playing. The mandolin is very suitable for traditional folk tunes, and the sweet-toned tenor guitar is also used not only for traditional music but to play jazz from the 1920s and 1930s. The 5-string mandotenor combines the mandolin and tenor characteristics - but on single courses.

The 1987 G&L ASAT is one of the last guitars to be made under the eagle eyes of Leo Fender and is excellent for blues, soul, R&B and rock music. The first half-decent guitar I ever bought, back in 1965, was a second-hand Otwin archtop which - believe it or not - I used to play acoustically, fngerstyle in folk clubs. I always regretted getting rid of it so, when I spotted the identical model on eBay recently, I bid for it and got it. I had it fitted with a nice floating pickguard and a Kent Armstrong 'Slimbucker' floating pickup - great for jazz!