Riff Tone

Say You Won't Let Go

James Arthur

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson J-45 Acoustic

AmpDirect Input (DI) or studio preamp (no electric guitar amp used on studio recording)

PickupsLR Baggs Element undersaddle piezo (factory default for J-45, likely used for studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble6

reverb3.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2016. All available sources and isolated tracks indicate the main riff is played on a steel-string acoustic guitar, likely a Gibson J-45 (James Arthur is seen using this model live and in promo, and the tone matches a J-45). No evidence of electric guitar or amp in the riff section. Live performances sometimes use a Boss Katana or similar acoustic amp, but not on the original studio track.

Tone Character(10)

warm and natural acoustic soundclear fingerpicked articulationsoft and intimate dynamic responserounded, mellow highspresent midrangegentle low endno audible compression or overdriveclose-mic'd studio clarityno electric guitar artifactspure acoustic resonance

Difficulty

The riff is beginner to easy level, requiring fingerstyle picking and smooth chord transitions, but no advanced techniques or fast passages.

Sources

r/BossKatana on Reddit: Alright, so this may seem like a stupid ...Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur (Guitar Tutorial Lesson)How to Play Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur on Acoustic Guitar

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