I come from a guitar and bass background, and a bit of drums. I'm not a great player, more of an appreciator of fine instruments. Aesthetically, I look for really nice pieces of wood, with not much done to them. I don't care for opaque finishes, though there are some exceptions.
I'm also into instruments that fight back a bit. The heavier the instrument is, the better. You won't find me shredding on a slim or thin neck, I like my necks to say 'Louisville Slugger' on them. Stevie Ray, Angus, Slash, you get the picture...
In acoustics, following tradition goes a long way with me, but innovations (not gimmicks) are welcome.
All tube, low wattage, as few knobs as possible. Just turn it all the way up, and go.
After I figured out that I won't be making a living off of playing guitar, I found myself a passion in live sound. For me, a perfect blend of art and science.