Ed Sheeran launches new guitar with Co Down's Lowden Guitars

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 7th Dec 2021
Last updated 7th Dec 2021

Ed Sheeran has just launched a new guitar collaboration to mark his new coming of age album “=."

The Bad Habits star has continued his relationship with Northern Ireland-based guitar maker George Lowden to create a new signature guitar worthy of music royalty.

Sheeran’s collaboration with Lowden started after Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody commissioned a Lowden guitar for Sheeran from the Co Down firm.

Since his first "wee Lowden", Sheeran has since amassed a personal collection of Lowden guitars, and even revealed he has one in every room in his house.

Influences from the album can be found in the design of the guitar, including a custom maple inlay at the seventh fret, a butterfly inlay motif, a truss rod cover and neck heel cap, and a custom-designed edition internal label.

The guitar also boasts a figured walnut back and sides, paired with a sitka spruce top.

Only 3,000 of the Equals Edition guitar will be available to buy through Lowden's global dealer network.

Sheeran hopes this latest piece in the collection will encourage more young people to take up the guitar.

"There are fewer guitar bands and fewer artists using guitars now, and not as many kids picking up guitars," he said.

"That is something I would like to change by getting these great quality guitars, made in Ireland, into kids' hands and encouraging them to learn and progress.

"To be able to work in tandem with a guitar company like Lowden to create a whole different concept has been a really cool experience."

If you're interested in buying one of the special edition guitars visit sheeranguitars.com

Check out some of Ed Sheeran's biggest and best collaborations:

‘If I Could’ with Wiley

Released in 2011, this R&B grime tune cruised its way into the UK Charts. English rapper Wiley is no stranger to a chart hit, known for big tunes such as 'Wearing My Rolex' and 'Heatwave'.

‘Everything Has Changed’ and 'End Game' with Taylor Swift

Hitting the UK Top 10, 'Everything Has Changed' was certainly a collab to remember back in 2013. Teaming up with mega-star Taylor Swift again in 2017 with 'End Game', these two showed us they really know how to make a banger!

‘Lay It All on Me’ and ‘Bloodstream’ with Rudimental

Ed has joined forces with Rudimental several times, providing us with big hits including 'Lay It All On Me' and 'Bloodstream'. Both songs made it to the UK Top 20, with 'Bloodstream' hitting the impressive Number 2 spot.

‘Perfect Duet’ with Beyoncé

In 2017, Beyoncé and Ed went straight to the top of the charts with this gorgeous duet. The song was an acoustic version of Ed's smash-hit 'Perfect'.

‘Perfect Symphony’ and ‘This Is the Only Time’ with Andrea Bocelli

The re-imaginations of Ed's 'Perfect' didn't stop there! Teaming up with Italian singer-songwriter Andrea Bocelli, the pair released the 'Perfect Symphony', featuring stunning Italian vocals from both Andrea and Ed.

‘River’ with Eminem

In 2017, Ed joined forces with music giant Eminem with 'River'. The song was, undeniably, a HUGE hit, gliding its way to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts.

‘I Don't Care’ with Justin Bieber

And who can forget this iconic collaboration between Ed and Justin Bieber? 2019 saw the pair team up to bring us the playful 'I Don't Care', which cruised to Number 1 in several countries, including the UK.

‘Best Part of Me’ with Yebba

Pairing up with American singer YEBBA, we were all gifted with the gorgeous song 'Best Part Of Me' in 2019. Abbey Smith, better known as YEBBA, has teamed up with other huge names in the past such as Mark Ronson, Sam Smith and Rudimental.

‘Antisocial’ with Travis Scott

This lively bop was the product of an incredible collaboration between Ed and Travis Scott. Travis, known for hits like 'SICKO MODE' and 'BUTTERFLY EFFECT', has worked with other huge names such as Quavo, The Weeknd, Kanye West and The 1975.

‘South of the Border’ with Camila Cabello and Cardi B

Later in 2019 the singer joined forces with Camila Cabello and Cardi B to bring us 'South of the Border'. The spicy collab was incredibly popular with fans, hitting Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.

'Take Me Back to London' and 'Own It' with Stormzy

'Take Me Back to London' saw the pair reach Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, following the release of its remix. Fans went wild for the collaboration between the two, buzzing over Stormzy's vibrant energy mixing with Ed's melodic talents. They teamed up once again for Stormzy's track 'Own It'.

'Merry Christmas' with Elton John

In 2021, Ed and Elton teamed up to create a Christmas track called 'Merry Christmas'. They also released a music video which includes scenes from different famous festive films.


The pair went on to work with social media influencer LadBaby to create a charity Christmas single called 'Sausage Rolls For Everyone'.

'The Joker and The Queen' with Taylor Swift

Ed Sheeran revealed in February 2022 that he was going to release a version of this song 'The Joker and The Queen' with Taylor Swift. The music video was released later that week.
The video sees Ava Ames and Jack Lewis reprise their roles nearly a decade after they first appeared in Taylor Swift's song 'Everything Has Changed' with Ed Sheeran.

'Bam Bam' with Camila Cabello

Camila teamed up with Ed again in 2022 on 'Bam Bam'. The catchy tune reached Number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.

'2Step' with Lil Baby

Lil Baby featured on a new version of Ed's album track '2Step'. The song's music video was recorded in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine before the war started.
Ed announced throughout May he would be sharing some 'incredible remixes' of the song, starting with one by the Ukrainian band Antytila.

'My G' with Aitch

Ed teamed up with Aitch on 'My G', which was released in August 2022. The song is dedicated to Aitch's younger sister, Gracie, with Aitch describing Ed as his sister's favourite artist.

Read more:

8 modern Christmas songs battling for the #1 spot this year

Gavin James announces Derry & Belfast dates for 2022 tour

Boojum have released their very own scented candle

How to listen to Cool FM:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Cool FM app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.