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My Choices:

Starting out raw with a fine guitar, preferably a Martin D-18 or Martin HD-28, or an up-scale model variation of these. I like a Trance Amulet M-VT or Ultra Tonic 3.2 system. Name on the headstock be danged, for a standalone guitar with a factory-installed system, there's a well-adjusted Taylor ES2 that just may do ya for. How about the Ibanez models such as the AAD300CE or PA300E with dual and triple-source systems respectively? Then there's the Yamaha FGX5 with its Atmosfeel System. The Ibanez models and Yamaha are lower-cost options that will do what needs to be done in a live performance without costing a lot of bread.

All the preceding examples are analog systems with no IR enhancement. If, however, a player feels IR enhancement could improve these systems without inducing the possibility of extra feedback and muddying-up of the amplified tone, then that would be a bonus.