Katie Herzig has been praised in publications from Billboard to Paste to USA Today. She is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter. If you are a singer-songwriter, you really don't have much of a choice -- you must be Nashville-based. It may even be in the U.S. Constitution. But do not let this scare you. Herzig is not part of any pack. Her music is offbeat, whimsical and, for lack of a better word, different. And some of her music is in a Fritos commercial. I like Fritos, as I am sure you do. Did you know you can use a Frito to start a fire in the wilderness? I saw that on Survivorman.

Herzig's new CD Apple Tree, is out now. Nashville musician / producer Cason Cooley , David Welsh of The Fray and The Fray producer, Aaron Johnson, all assist Herzig on the disc.

Herzig talked with Gearwire about her Taylor acoustic, a 510ce, which she uses as her main road guitar.

"It just sounds really good when plugged in. And live, it's nice to be able to control my volume and such from my guitar. I also have used it long enough to where I'm not overly concerned about every dent and scratch, et cetera." she says.

A number of artists have told Gearwire that they prefer the Taylor's new Neve electronics to the older Fishman version. Hertzig begs to differ.

"I actually have had a different experience. I recently was given a new Taylor 814 CE Sunburst," says Hertzig. "I really love how it feels and plays, but I still prefer the sound of my 510 plugged in -- so i'm not quite sure what to do!"

Herzig says the best things about the 510 are its durability and how reliable it has been over many years and in many scenarios.

"I've always used an LR Baggs DI with it, so that's been a good combo for me." she says.

When she is recording, she uses a different guitar -- a STOLEN guitar -- a Gibson J-50.

"My J50 has been on loan from my dad for several years. I stole it really! But nothing beats the sound and feel of that," she says. "I've considered putting in a pick up to travel with it, but I've resisted because the Taylor has just done me so well on road,"

Herzig admits there are liable to be loads of great guitars she hasn't played. But why mess with sonic success?

"So far, I've kind of grown quite accustomed to these. My J-50 has a deep, resonant and even sound, while the action remains low and it feels like butter to play. When I move back to the Taylor, I have to start using more muscles and calluses again!" says Herzig.

Herzig has been touring across the USA (with a cellist and multi-instrumentalist) performing as an opener and a headliner.

"With 'Apple Tree' -- my latest record -- being quite fresh, touring is the best option for me. But when I'm home in between, I'm finding days and weeks to record new songs," says Herzig. "Several have been for film and TV stuff, but I'm also releasing a new song a month on www.briterevolution.com . So I really stay quite busy!"