Dave Matthews has a sophisticated stage setup that involves two signal splits into three separate signal paths, an iso-cabbed amp sound, and some high-end EQ and processing. His trademark guitar is a Gibson Chet Atkins SST, configured with a Fishman piezo pickup. The action is set to a medium height to accommodate Dave's percussive playing and up-the-neck chord forms. Matthews currently uses D'Addario Acoustic Bronze .011's.

The piezo comes out of the endpin jack and goes into a belt-pack transmitter, which is broadcast to a Nady 950 wireless system. Out of the receiver, the signal goes into an API 512-B preamp via a 1/4" jack.

From the pre-amp, the signal goes into a Meyer Sound Labs CP-10 5-band duel channel parametric EQ. A Whirlwind Switcher allows for selection between the two guitar setups, and provides emergency options in case one of the paths malfunctions.

The basic guitar signal comes out of the switcher and into an Eventide GTR 4000 guitar multi-effects processor. Here, the signal is split with a Whirlwind Splitter box. One path goes to the P.A. and is what the audience hears. The other path continues on into another CP 10 EQ and power amp and becomes the onstage monitor sound, eventually driving two Meyer Stealth USM-1 monitors.

There is yet another split immediately after the splitter box, at the second CP-10. A signal is tapped off and sent into a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp, which is miked with a Beyerdynamic TGX 480. This configuration is "iso-cabbed", or built into a completely enclosed box. The miked signal is blended into the overall sound at the mixer and is not used for stage monitoring purposes. Matthews blends the slightly overdriven amp with his straight piezo signal to create a crunchier color, which is now a staple part of his sound.

information courtesy of Eric aka "DMBman"