Ed Sheeran
Quick Facts
Signature Pick
DUNLOP TORTEX® STANDARD
Ed Sheeran uses Dunlop Tortex Standard picks in thin gauges (orange 0.60mm). The flexibility helps with his percussive strumming style and allows for expressive dynamics in his acoustic performances.
Why This Pick?
Sheeran's thin 0.60mm Tortex reflects his percussive, rhythmic playing style. When building loops live, he needs a pick that flexes across the strings for strumming — creating the full-bodied rhythmic foundation his one-man performances rely on. The thin gauge also makes it easier to produce the snappy, funky muted strums heard in songs like 'Shape of You.' For a loop-pedal artist who essentially plays rhythm and lead simultaneously, the flexibility of a thin pick is a creative necessity, not a compromise.
About Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran has become one of the most successful singer-songwriters of his generation, known for his one-man-band live performances using loop pedals, acoustic guitar, and beatboxing.
His playing style combines percussive body hits, rhythmic strumming, and melodic fingerpicking—often within the same song. Hits like "Shape of You," "Thinking Out Loud," and "Castle on the Hill" showcase his versatile acoustic approach.
Thin picks like the 0.60mm Tortex give Ed the flexibility needed for aggressive strumming without sacrificing too much articulation for his melodic passages. The forgiving flex also helps when combining percussive techniques with traditional playing.