Tone Settings for Cherry Wine by Hozier (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Keep the guitar volume at full for acoustic clarity and natural resonance.
• If using an acoustic-electric setup, keep amp volume low to medium to preserve warmth and intimacy.

2. Tone

• Opt for a balanced tone: not too bright, not too bassy—focus on midrange warmth.
• On acoustic-electric models, slightly roll off high frequencies to reduce harshness.
• Use lighter gauge strings for a softer, fingerstyle-friendly tone.

3. Pickup Selector

• For acoustic-electrics, use the piezo pickup alone or blend with onboard mic for warmth.
• If using a magnetic soundhole pickup, set it for neck-position warmth if available.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Neither preferred in the pure acoustic setting used for “Cherry Wine.”
• If plugged in, a single coil soundhole pickup can give a more authentic, articulate tone than a humbucker.

5. Ideal guitar type which is a Acoustic

• Use a steel-string acoustic guitar, ideally with an OM, 000, or parlor body size to accentuate fingerstyle playing and intimacy.
• A solid spruce top with mahogany or rosewood back and sides helps achieve a warm, articulate tone.
• Hozier uses fingerpicking, so lower action and a comfortable neck profile are also beneficial.

• Martin D-28: Rich acoustic tone suitable for fingerpicking.
• Taylor 814ce: Balanced tone and great articulation for soft vocals.
• LR Baggs Anthem Pickup: Natural amplified acoustic sound.
• Shubb Capo: Reliable capo for smooth fretboard changes.
• D’Addario EJ16 Strings: Warm-sounding phosphor bronze strings.
• Boss TU-3 Tuner Pedal: Accurate tuning, essential for open tunings used in the song.
• TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb: Adds ambient depth to the acoustic tone.
• Fishman Loudbox Mini Amp: Portable amp with clean acoustic sound projection.

• Use a soft, breathy vocal tone to match the intimate atmosphere.
• Apply light vibrato selectively to maintain emotional subtlety.
• Maintain consistent vocal control at low volume levels.
• Emphasize lyrical phrasing with slight dynamic variation.
• Avoid over-articulation; keep consonants smooth and natural.
• Use minimal reverb if amplified to retain intimacy.
• Support soft high notes with steady breath control.
• Blend chest and head voice for tonal warmth and fluidity.
• Listen to original performance for emotional pacing reference.
• Prioritize emotional authenticity over technical showcase.