In teresting Tim.

i went through the same sort of thing early in my career as a performer. the way I got round it was to get Rob Armstrong to build me a guitar with a huge body - bigger than a J200 - but with very light varnish - it had huge projection.

With more experience, and more confidence I found I could pretty much manage with any guitar bigger than say a concert size (the yamaha cpx range). I still prefer to sing with a PA and if possible with my guitar plugged in.

If you are talking about session playing I recommend Alastair Russel's dvd on celtic guitar. Its very straight - no bullshit, and you need a need a plectrum! I use a thumbpick if I'm going to sing at a session usually - and the technique reminds me somewhat of what Private Investigator Philip Marlowe said about controlling an idiot at gunpoint - keep it simple, and don't change your mind!