I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me how to get that exact acoustic sound Arijit Singh gets during his live unplugged sets. While his voice is obviously doing most of the heavy lifting, the gear he chooses plays a massive role in creating that warm, intimate vibe.
If you’ve spent hours looping his MTV India Unplugged performances trying to figure out what he’s playing, you aren’t alone. I’ve gone through his live rigs, studio footage, and concert setups to break down exactly what acoustic guitars and mics Arijit uses—and more importantly, how you can actually replicate that tone without taking out a second mortgage.
🎸 The Acoustic Guitars of Arijit Singh
Arijit is a solid multi-instrumentalist, meaning he doesn’t just stick to one brand out of loyalty; he swaps gear based on what the song needs. But when it comes to his signature acoustic ballads, he almost always reaches for Taylor or Martin.
1. Taylor Acoustic Guitars (The MTV Unplugged Era)
If you watch his iconic MTV Unplugged Season 3 sets, you’ll see him heavily favoring Taylor Grand Auditorium models. Taylors are notoriously “bright” and articulate. In a live setting with a full band, a Taylor cuts right through the mix. This means his intricate fingerpicking doesn’t get muddied up by the bass guitar, and it sits perfectly underneath his soft, breathy vocals.
2. The Martin LXM (Little Martin)
For stripped-down songwriting sessions, travel, or quick hotel jams, Arijit often plays a Martin LXM (Little Martin). Don’t let the 3/4 size fool you—it delivers a really punchy mid-range. It’s the ultimate couch-guitar that still sounds professional enough to write a platinum hit on.
3. Electric & Semi-Hollow Models
He doesn’t just play acoustics. During those massive stadium tours where he needs to rip a solo, he’s been spotted playing an Epiphone Dot (a classic semi-hollow body that gives a really warm, vintage tone) and an Ibanez GRG170DX when things get a bit heavier.
🎙️ What Microphone Does Arijit Singh Use?
You can’t talk about Arijit’s sound without talking about mics. Capturing the nuance of his voice—from a near-whisper to a full-belted chorus—is incredibly hard to do without top-tier gear.
- The Studio Standard: In professional recording environments, Arijit tracks his vocals using a Neumann U87. It’s pretty much the holy grail of large-diaphragm condenser mics. It captures every single breath and vocal crack with insane clarity.
- Acoustic Live Streams: If you caught any of his intimate home-studio Facebook Live sessions, you might have noticed him singing into a Manley Reference Cardioid. It’s an ultra-premium boutique mic that makes vocals sound absolutely massive and warm.
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🔥 How to Sound Like Arijit Singh (On a Budget)
Let’s be real for a second: a Neumann U87 mic is going to run you over ₹2,50,000, and a high-end Taylor acoustic isn’t much cheaper. If you are an intermediate player just looking to capture that “Gehra Hua” unplugged vibe for your YouTube covers, you don’t need to empty your bank account.
Here is the budget-friendly gear you actually need to get the job done:
| Gear Needed | Best Budget Alternative | Why It Works | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Guitar | Fender CD-60S (₹18,000) | It has a solid spruce top, which gives you that booming, warm resonance needed for Bollywood ballads. | View on Amazon |
| Beginner Guitar | Kadence Frontier (₹5,500) | Honestly, the best entry-level acoustic in India if you are on a super strict budget. | View on Amazon |
| Studio Mic | Audio-Technica AT2020 | A legendary, affordable condenser mic that perfectly captures breathy, intimate vocals without the Neumann price tag. | View on Amazon |
🎤 Essential Accessories for the Arijit Tone
🎸 Gear Up Like a Pro
- The Capo: Arijit constantly shifts keys to perfectly match his vocal range. The Kyser Quick-Change Capo is pretty much the industry standard for fast, buzz-free key changes.
- The Strings: To get that bright, studio-acoustic clarity, ditch the cheap factory strings and put on a set of Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze. They cost a bit more, but they last 3x longer and sound incredibly crisp.
Ready to Play?
Now that you have the gear sorted, you just need the songs. Head over to our Arijit Singh Guitar Chords Hub to find highly accurate, capo-friendly chords for his biggest hits so you can start playing right away!
Q: What acoustic guitar does Arijit Singh use on MTV Unplugged?
During his MTV Unplugged sessions and live performances, Arijit Singh frequently uses premium acoustic guitars from Taylor, known for their bright, articulate live sound, as well as compact travel guitars like the Martin LXM (Little Martin).
Q: What studio microphone does Arijit Singh use?
In professional recording studios, Arijit Singh primarily uses the Neumann U87, an industry-standard large-diaphragm condenser microphone that perfectly captures the emotive nuances of his voice. For live streams, he has also used the Manley Reference Cardioid.
Q: Does Arijit Singh play electric guitar?
Yes, Arijit Singh is a multi-instrumentalist. He has been seen playing the Epiphone Dot (a semi-hollow body guitar) and the Ibanez GRG170DX during his live stadium concerts.