Guitar tone · other, rock

Hillsong Worship guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 10 Hillsong Worship songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Fender American Standard Stratocaster into Vox AC30 (likely Custom Classic or Handwired series, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era).

Guitars Hillsong Worship used

Fender American Standard Stratocaster1 song
Fermata SC-24 (PRS-style, likely with humbuckers)1 song
Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era)1 song
Fender Telecaster (likely 1990s-2000s Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in Hillsong live performances of this era)1 song
Fender American Standard Telecaster1 song
Fender Telecaster (likely American Standard or similar, as referenced for live Hillsong United performances of this era)1 song
Fender Telecaster (likely 52 Reissue or similar, as used by Nigel Hendroff in Hillsong live era)1 song
Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or American Standard, mid-90s)1 song

Amps Hillsong Worship used

Vox AC30 (likely Custom Classic or Handwired series, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era)1 song
Line 6 Helix Floor (digital amp modeler, likely using Vox AC30 or Matchless profile)1 song
Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for clean tones in the 2000s-2010s live recordings)1 song
Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for live performances in this era)1 song
Vox AC30 (modern reissue, likely with Top Boost channel)1 song
Unknown clean amp (likely Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or Vox AC30, as commonly used by Hillsong United live in mid-2000s, but not confirmed for this specific recording)1 song
Vox AC30 (commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists live in 2000s-2010s)1 song
Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 (likely, based on era and genre conventions for Hillsong Worship studio recordings)1 song

15 Hillsong Worship tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Free to Dance (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era)	Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for clean tones in the 2000s-2010s live recordings)	3
Free to Dance (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Telecaster (likely 1990s-2000s Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in Hillsong live performances of this era)	Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for live performances in this era)	4
I Surrender · riff	Riff · distorted	Brave & Co. T-1 'The Lion' (Telecaster style)	Suhr Badger 30 (modeled in Fractal/Helix patches)	4
I Surrender (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Taylor 214ce	Direct Input (DI) or PA system (typical for Hillsong acoustic live setup)	4
I'm Not Ashamed (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Telecaster (likely American Standard or similar, as referenced for live Hillsong United performances of this era)	Unknown clean amp (likely Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or Vox AC30, as commonly used by Hillsong United live in mid-2000s, but not confirmed for this specific recording)	5
I'm Not Ashamed (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Telecaster (likely 52 Reissue or similar, as used by Nigel Hendroff in Hillsong live era)	Vox AC30 (commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists live in 2000s-2010s)	5
I'm Not Ashamed (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (exact model unknown, typical for Hillsong Worship live in early 2000s)	Fender Hot Rod DeVille (likely, based on era and live Hillsong Worship setups)	0
O Praise the Name (Anástasis) · riff	Riff · clean	Fender American Standard Stratocaster (likely, based on Hillsong Worship's documented studio use in this era)	Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (likely, based on typical Hillsong Worship studio rigs for this era and genre)	3.5
One Way (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	TMG Scarlett Nigel Hendroff Signature	Quilter Tone Block 200	5
Reaching for You (Live) · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender American Standard Telecaster	Vox AC30 (modern reissue, likely with Top Boost channel)	4
Shout to the Lord · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or American Standard, mid-90s)	Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 (likely, based on era and genre conventions for Hillsong Worship studio recordings)	0
Shout to the Lord · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Telecaster (likely MIJ or MIM, 1990s-2000s era)	Vox AC30 (or Matchless DC30, both used in stereo for Hillsong studio/live in 1990s-2000s)	4
Worthy Is the Lamb (Live) · riff	Riff · clean	Fermata SC-24 (PRS-style, likely with humbuckers)	Line 6 Helix Floor (digital amp modeler, likely using Vox AC30 or Matchless profile)	3.5
Your Love Is Beautiful (Live) · solo	Solo · clean	Fender American Standard Stratocaster	Vox AC30 (likely Custom Classic or Handwired series, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era)	4.5
Your Love Is Beautiful (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely 1990s/early 2000s, maple neck, single coils)	Vox AC30 (or similar British-voiced amp, possibly Matchless C-30 in stereo for live)	4.5

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Hillsong Worship use?

Across 10 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Vox AC30 (likely Custom Classic or Handwired series, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era) (1 song), Line 6 Helix Floor (digital amp modeler, likely using Vox AC30 or Matchless profile) (1 song), Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for clean tones in the 2000s-2010s live recordings) (1 song), Vox AC30 (most commonly used by Hillsong Worship guitarists for live performances in this era) (1 song).

What guitar did Hillsong Worship use?

Most often: Fender American Standard Stratocaster (1 song), Fermata SC-24 (PRS-style, likely with humbuckers) (1 song), Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in this era) (1 song), Fender Telecaster (likely 1990s-2000s Japanese or American Standard, as used by Nigel Hendroff in Hillsong live performances of this era) (1 song).

How do I get Hillsong Worship's tone on my amp?

Open any Hillsong Worship song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.