Guest, if you want "cut" I'd seriously suggest one of the about £1100 Seagulls. I hate both diddly and humpty so I want a guitar the resonance of which will enhance my mediocre and rasping (and sometimes nasal) voice.

Picks are for hitting things with. I find I tend to dig (flatpick) at the bottom strings. My guitar fettler says it's a bit odd that I get more bass out of most guitars than most people.

My mandolin is a Saga Kentucky flatiron. Do not buy from Saga, they welshed on the guarantee when the top cracked. But it is shatteringly bright and biting.