Glen Hansard

In this article on Glen's Takamine, "To paraphrase an old joke, when you look in the dictionary under 'hardest working guitar in show business' you see a picture of Glen Hansard's well-worn Takamine, 'The Horse.'

Purchased in a Dublin music shop in 1990, the Horse has had quite a ride over the past 20 years. It first served as Glen's street companion as he busked for a living on Grafton Street. That year also saw the formation of The Frames (named for all the bicycle frames around Glen's house), one of the most influential bands on the thriving Dublin music scene at the time.

As The Horse worked harder and harder, its working class cred began to show, as a hole started to develop in the cedar top where Glen's fingernails and pick fell naturally on the thin finish. By that time Glen had developed a bond with the guitar, so rather than put it out to pasture, he just kept playing it. Today, it's one of the most recognizable and iconic instruments in guitardom."

Glen is seen using a G&L ASAT Special in a gig with The Frames at Whelan, Dublin

Glen runs his acoustic direct into this for various delay effects in his live performances.

In the YouTube video titled "Glen Hansard ~ Cool Discs In Store (Drive All Night)" by Cool Discs, Glen Hansard is seen using Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.60mm Guitar Picks during his performance.

The discusssion begins at 17:15 of the source video.

"I bought this (D28) in Cincinnati, Ohio in a pawnshop. And you know, when you buy something in a pawnshop you immediately become aware of the fact that someone had to pawn it. And so there's a sadness along with the excitement of having a new guitar... or an old guitar. This guitar's from 1961."

This guitar was kept at home for years until Glen retired his Takamine NP-15.

Glen Hansard uses a Fender Jaguar in Lake Placid Blue during his "This Wild Willing" tour, as seen in his Instagram post featuring a performance in Seattle.

Glen Hansard's Fender Classic Series '72 Telecaster Thinline was once stolen and later returned to him after he accidentally left it behind while waiting for a cab, as shown in the search results.

Looks to be a late '50s (based on the gold top hat knobs) ES-125T that Glen is using here.

In a live performance at Breminale 2012, Glen Hansard can be seen playing a Guild Starfire IV, identifiable by its distinctive semi-hollowbody design.

can see the acoustic quick release system on the neck of the takamine np15

In this photo, Hansard is visible singing into the Shure SM58 vocal microphone.

In a live performance at Incubate 2011, Glen Hansard uses a 1950s Fender Twin amplifier, as seen in the YouTube video of his cover of Jeff Buckley's "So Real."

Glen Hansard is noted on the Furch Guitars website as a user of the Shubb Capo, highlighting its role in his guitar setup.

Glen Hansard uses two Green Russians, one for acoustic guitar, second one for electric guitar

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

During a live performance in Brno, Czechia in 2021, Glen Hansard was seen using the Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper.

During a live performance in Brno, Czechia in 2021, Glen Hansard was seen using the Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork pedal.

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

seen live in Brno, Czechia (2021)

During a live performance in Brno, Czechia, in 2021, Glen Hansard was seen using the Strymon BigSky reverb pedal. This is supported by a user-uploaded photo from the event.

In a user-uploaded photo from a band session, Glen Hansard is shown using the Reuss WE-01 Muzzbomb fuzz pedal. Notably, he shares a friendship with fellow musician Warren Ellis, adding an interesting layer to their musical collaborations.

In confirmed instances, Glen Hansard has been seen utilizing a Martin 000-28 acoustic guitar. This identification is supported by visual evidence up close as I performed on stage with him twice in a couple years from performances where Hansard has played an older Martin 000 series guitar, presumed to be the 000-28 model, based on its appearance and characteristics. This observation is further substantiated by an image capturing Hansard with the instrument in question, providing concrete proof of his use of this specific model.

In the YouTube video titled "the swell season - gigantic (live)," Glen Hansard is seen using the Fender Precision American Vintage II 1960 during a live performance of "Gigantic" by the Pixies, featuring the Whitefish Bay 8th Grade Choir in Milwaukee at the Riverside Theater. The video, uploaded by Minze Hart, is part of the bonus DVD from The Swell Season's album "Strict Joy."

I saw Glen play in Portland Maine in August 2024. I am very familiar with Jazzmasters. I’m thinking it was an early 60’s judging by the wear. It was a sunburst Jazzmaster with off white pickup covers

Just saw Glen play in Massachusetts as part of the Swell Season. The only electric he used all night was the Gretsch Country Gentleman. This is a vintage one as it has the mute knobs on either side of the vibrato

Also from the Swell Season show in Massachusetts. I walked up and had a look. Fender Deluxe on the name plate. So this is a fender deluxe tweed reissue.

Early 60’s Epiphone Casino. His has the white pickguard and the Epiphone vibrato with the walnut inlay suggesting it’s pretty vintage