Ed Sheeran is a walking contradiction in the guitar world. He’s a guy who can sell out Wembley Stadium for four nights straight with nothing but a loop pedal and a piece of wood, yet he doesn't play the massive "cannon" guitars you’d expect. No jumbo Gibsons. No booming Martin D-28s.
Honestly, he basically made the "travel guitar" cool again.
Before Ed, if you walked into a guitar shop and asked for a 3/4 size acoustic, people assumed you were buying a Christmas present for a seven-year-old. Now? Every teenager wants a "small" guitar. But there’s a massive shift happening that most casual fans haven't quite caught onto yet. The famous Ed Sheeran signature guitar isn't actually a Martin anymore.
He jumped ship. He started his own brand. And the story of why he did it—and what it means for your wallet—is actually kinda wild.
The Martin Era: Where it All Started
For the first decade of his career, Ed and Martin & Co. were inseparable. If you picture Ed Sheeran in 2014, he’s holding that little LX1E with the big "X" on the front.
Martin released three main signature models with him:
- The LX1E Ed Sheeran (Plus): The first one, featuring the "+" sign.
- The X Signature Edition: Tied to the Multiply album, featuring solid koa inlays.
- The Divide (÷) Signature: Probably the most famous one with the bright blue symbols.
These were "Little Martins." They were made of High-Pressure Laminate (HPL)—which is essentially fancy, pressurized sawdust and resin. Purists hated them. They called them "plastic guitars." But for Ed? They were indestructible. He could sweat on them, bang them around in a van, and they wouldn't crack when he flew from a humid London summer to a dry New York winter.
But then, things changed.
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The Secret Gift from Snow Patrol
The transition away from Martin didn't happen because of a contract dispute. It happened because of a gift.
Gary Lightbody, the lead singer of Snow Patrol, wanted to give Ed a "proper" boutique guitar. He commissioned George Lowden—a legendary luthier from Northern Ireland whose guitars usually cost $5,000 to $15,000—to build a small-bodied professional instrument.
George built the "Wee Lowden."
Ed fell in love. He didn't just play it; he became obsessed with the bridge design and the way the wood resonated differently than his Martins. He eventually sat down with George and basically said, "I want everyone to have a guitar like this, but I don't want them to have to pay $10,000 for it."
Sheeran by Lowden: The New Guard
In 2019, they launched Sheeran by Lowden. This wasn't just a "signature model" under an existing brand; it was an entirely new company. They built a dedicated factory in County Down, Northern Ireland.
The goal was simple: take George Lowden's high-end designs and use aerospace-grade manufacturing to pump them out at a price normal humans could afford. Usually between $600 and $1,200.
The Two Main Shapes
If you’re looking for an Ed Sheeran signature guitar today, you have to choose between two body sizes.
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- The 'W' (Wee Lowden): This is the tiny one. It’s based on that original gift from Gary Lightbody. It’s punchy and fits in an overhead bin on a plane.
- The 'S' Series: Slightly bigger. It has a deeper bass response. If you aren't a tiny person, this one usually feels more "real."
What Most People Get Wrong About These Guitars
Here is the thing. People see "Sheeran" on the headstock and think "beginner guitar."
That’s a mistake.
Unlike the old Martin signatures, which used a lot of HPL and composite materials, the Lowden models use solid wood tops. We're talking Sitka Spruce or Cedar. This matters because solid wood "opens up" over time. The more you play it, the better it sounds. The HPL Martins will sound exactly the same in twenty years as they do today.
Also, the bridge is "pinless." Most acoustics have those little plastic pegs you have to pry out with a pair of pliers when you change strings. Lowdens don't. You just thread the string through the back. It’s faster, and it supposedly helps the vibration transfer better to the soundboard.
The 2026 Landscape: Models You Actually See on Stage
As of right now, Ed isn't just playing the "math" guitars anymore. He’s branched out into specific album editions that look way more mature.
The "Mathematics" Tour Edition
This is the workhorse. It’s basically an 'S' body with a Sitka Spruce top and Indian Rosewood back and sides. It has all the symbols (plus, minus, multiply, divide, equals) inlaid on the fretboard. It’s a bit of a collector's piece, but it’s what he actually uses for the stadium loops.
The Autumn Variations & Subtract Models
These are the "grown-up" guitars. The Autumn Variations model uses Sinker Redwood—wood that has been submerged in rivers for decades—paired with Walnut. It sounds dark, moody, and honestly, way more expensive than it is. No bright blue plastic here. Just subtle acorn inlays.
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Is It Actually Worth the Money?
If you’re a purist who wants a "woody," traditional Martin sound, you might actually hate the Lowden signatures. They are "mid-forward." They "quack" a little when you dig in with a pick. They are designed to cut through a mix when you’re plugging them into a PA system, not necessarily to fill a room with deep bass while you’re sitting on your couch.
But if you’re a songwriter? Or someone who travels? They’re hard to beat.
The Pros:
- The Neck: It’s a "Modified Low Oval." Very thin. Very fast.
- The Electronics: Most come with LR Baggs pickups. In the guitar world, that’s the gold standard for stage use.
- The Bevel: Many models (like the S03 or W03) have a "soundbox bevel." It’s a rounded edge where your arm sits so the guitar doesn't dig into your forearm.
The Cons:
- Action Issues: Some players report they come from the factory with the strings a bit too high. You might need to spend $50 at a local shop to get it "set up."
- Neck Dive: Because the bodies are so small and light, the headstock can sometimes feel heavy, making the guitar tip toward the floor if you aren't holding it.
How to Buy the Right One
Don't just buy the one with the coolest logo.
If you play mostly at home and want a "pretty" sound, look for a Cedar top (like the S01 or W01). Cedar is soft and warm. It sounds broken-in on day one.
If you’re planning on busking or playing in a band, get the Sitka Spruce top (like the S02). Spruce is tough. You can bash it with a thick pick and it won't "compress" or get muddy. It stays bright and loud.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Serial: If you're buying used, look for the "Made in Ireland" stamp. Some very early prototypes were floating around, but the Northern Ireland factory is where the magic is.
- Test the Scale Length: The 'W' models have a 24-inch scale. This means the frets are closer together. If you have big hands, you might feel cramped. Try the 'S' models (24.8-inch scale) first.
- Plug it in: These guitars were born to be amplified. If you only play acoustically, you’re only hearing 60% of what the guitar was designed to do. Get a small acoustic amp or a decent DI box to really hear that LR Baggs system shine.
The Ed Sheeran signature guitar has evolved from a "toy" travel guitar into a legitimate entry-point for boutique Irish lutherie. Whether you're a fan of "Shape of You" or not, the engineering behind these things is legit. Just make sure you know which "size" fits your body before you drop the cash.