Ed Sheeran’s musical journey began at a young age, and like many budding musicians, his first guitar was a pivotal moment. His initial instrument was a nylon-string guitar. Nylon-string guitars, also known as classical guitars, have a distinct sound. They produce a softer, mellower tone compared to steel-string guitars. This gentle sound was perhaps the first step in shaping Ed’s musical sensibilities. The nylon strings are also easier on the fingers, which is a great advantage for beginners. It allowed Ed to spend hours practicing, developing his fingerpicking skills and getting a feel for the instrument. As he started to gain more experience and perform in public, Ed moved on to other guitars. During his early days of busking on the streets of the UK, he used a Dean Performer E acoustic guitar. This was an affordable acoustic electric guitar, which was a practical choice for his street performances. The ability to plug it into an amplifier was crucial as it helped project his sound to a wider audience. The Dean Performer E provided Ed with a reliable platform to showcase his talent, playing covers and original songs to passers-by. However, as his career aspirations grew, so did his need for a more versatile and higher- quality instrument.
The Little Martins
The Martin Backpacker: One of the first Martin guitars that Ed Sheeran used was the Martin Backpacker. This guitar is known for its extremely compact size, making it highly portable. It was an ideal choice for Ed, who was constantly on the move, traveling from one gig to another. The Backpacker’s small body size doesn’t produce a booming sound like larger guitars, but it has a unique, intimate tone that was well – suited for his early solo performances. Its simplicity and portability allowed Ed to carry his music with him wherever he went, whether it was on a long bus journey or a spontaneous street performance in a new town.
The Martin LX Series: Ed Sheeran soon graduated to the Martin LX series, specifically the LXme and later the Lx1e. The Martin Lx1e became his go-to instrument for a long time. This guitar is part of Martin’s Little Martin line, which features smaller-bodied guitars. The Lx1e has a solid spruce top and high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides. HPL is a composite material made by pressing paper and resin together at high pressures. This makes the guitar more durable, which was important for Ed, considering his busy touring schedule. The Lx1e also comes equipped with Fishman electronics, allowing it to be easily amplified for live performances. As Ed Sheeran’s popularity grew, Martin released a series of signature models based on the Lx1e, named after his albums. The “plus,” “multiply,” and “divide” editions had the corresponding mathematical symbols on the headstock and burned into the wood underneath the pickguard. These signature models not only added a personal touch to his guitars but also became highly sought-after by his fans.
Other Martin Guitars
The Martin Eric Clapton Model: One of Ed Sheeran’s most prized possessions was a Martin Eric Clapton model. This guitar was a gift from Eric Clapton himself, and Clapton even signed it for Ed. The Martin Eric Clapton model is known for its rich, warm tone, which is characteristic of Martin guitars. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a unique neck profile. Unfortunately, the studio where Ed kept this guitar caught fire, and the guitar was badly scorched. However, it was salvaged and restored by the skilled craftsmen at Monty’s Guitars, allowing Ed to keep this special instrument.
Custom Martin 00-28 vs Models: Around 2014, Martin made a few custom 00 – 28 vs models for Ed Sheeran. These guitars were based on Martin’s classic 00-28 model but with custom inlays and finishes. For example, some of these custom guitars featured the “divide” symbol to promote his album of the same name. The wood used for the back and sides of these guitars was carefully selected, with some having a darker color, possibly mahogany or African mahogany. These custom guitars not only looked unique but also provided Ed with a different tonal palette to explore in his music.
The Lowden Guitars
The Sheeran by Lowden Collaboration
In 2014, Ed Sheeran was gifted a custom-built acoustic guitar by his friend Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. This guitar was made by Lowden, a renowned guitar-making company based in Northern Ireland. This gift marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Ed Sheeran and Lowden.
The WL Series: The Sheeran by Lowden guitars are based on two main body sizes: the WL (Wee Lowden) and the S-35. The WL series, which includes models like the Sheeran by Lowden W02, is a smaller-bodied guitar. It has a more intimate sound, yet it still projects well due to Lowden’s innovative design. These guitars are often used by Ed Sheeran in his more stripped- down performances. The WL series guitars feature solid tops and high-quality tonewoods for the back and sides. The neck is designed to be comfortable to play, allowing Ed to execute his complex fingerpicking patterns with ease.
The S-35 Series: The S-35 series, such as the Lowden S-35 Custom Divide Edition, has a larger body size compared to the WL series. This results in a fuller, more powerful sound. The S-35 Custom Divide Edition was a significant part of Ed’s guitar collection during his Divide stadium tour. It features a beautiful cedar or redwood top, which contributes to its warm and rich tone. The guitar also has unique “divide” album – art – inspired designs, making it not only a great-sounding instrument but also a visually stunning one.
Classical Guitar in Ed Sheeran’s Repertoire
Córdoba GK Studio Negra
In some of his songwriting sessions, Ed Sheeran has been seen with a Córdoba GK Studio Negra. This is a classical guitar, which, as mentioned earlier, has nylon strings. The Córdoba GK Studio Negra has a rich, warm sound that is well-suited for more delicate and introspective music. The use of a classical guitar in his songwriting process allows Ed to explore different chord voicings and melodies. The nylon strings produce a softer attack compared to steel strings, which can bring out a different emotional quality in his compositions. It shows his versatility as a musician, being able to draw inspiration from different types of guitars to create his music.
The Significance of Guitar Selection in Ed Sheeran’s Music
Ed Sheeran’s choice of guitars is not just about the sound but also about how the instrument feels in his hands and how it fits into his creative process. Each guitar he uses has a specific role to play in his music. The smaller-bodied guitars like the Martin Lx1e and the Sheeran by Lowden WL series are great for his more intimate, acoustic-driven performances. They allow him to connect with the audience on a personal level, with the sound being clear and focused.
On the other hand, the larger-bodied guitars such as the Lowden S-35 series and some of his custom Martin guitars are used for bigger, more powerful performances, especially in stadiums. These guitars can project the sound over a large area, filling the venue with rich, full-bodied tones. His electric guitars, like the PRS Silver Sky and Gibson Les Paul, add a different edge to his music, allowing him to incorporate elements of rock and pop – rock into his otherwise predominantly acoustic-based sound.
The classical guitar, the Córdoba GK Studio Negra, provides a unique tonal quality that he can utilize in his songwriting, opening up new creative possibilities. Overall, Ed Sheeran’s diverse collection of guitars showcases his versatility as a musician and his ability to adapt to different musical situations, whether it’s a small club gig or a sold – out stadium concert.
Conclusion
Ed Sheeran’s journey with guitars has been as diverse and interesting as his music. From his humble beginnings with a nylon-string guitar and a Dean Performer E, he has evolved to using a wide range of guitars from renowned brands like Martin and Lowden, as well as some electric guitar models. Each guitar has played a significant role in shaping his sound, whether it’s the warm, intimate tones of his Martin Lx1e-based signature models, the powerful sound of the Lowden S-35 Custom Divide Edition, or the bright, electric sounds of his PRS Silver Sky. His choice of guitars not only reflects his musical growth but also his commitment to exploring different sounds and pushing the boundaries of his music. As he continues to create and perform, it will be exciting to see what new guitars he adds to his collection and how they will further enhance his already incredible musical output.
