Hozier is often recognized for the number of guitars he uses in his live set, which in turn, inspired our name. We celebrate those beautiful instruments by welcoming them to his guitar family and giving them a name.
(Updated with new photos and specs below.)
New Guitar in Berlin
Performing his eighth-last show of this tour in Berlin on 19 February, Hozier brought a new guitar to the stage on Like Real People Do.
The newest member of the family is a custom Danelectro double cutaway ’59 reissue in high-gloss black with a “new” ’56 lipstick pickup. It’s been fitted with a National-style biscuit bridge resonator.
Update: Specs as per Danelectro
- ’59 DC Shorthorn shape hollow body
- Diamond plate cover
- Scale length: 25″
- Number of frets: 21
- Neck finish: clear satin
- ’56 Lipstick® neck pickup
- Piezo pickup mounted in cone
- 1 master volume
- 1 master tone
- 1 blend pot (Lipstick® or Piezo or both in center)
Here’s Like Real People Do in Vienna on 25 February for a longer look.
Introducing Raven
We’ve named the new custom Danelectro ’59 resonator, Raven.
@Ermione42 Many reasons. Yes, the colour. But also the raven in mythology is extraordinarily suited to this guitar and the man.
— Hozier's Guitars (@HoziersGuitars) February 26, 2016
“To have a raven’s knowledge” is an Irish proverb meaning to have a seer’s supernatural powers. Source
Ravens were the favorite bird of the god Lludd, the Celtic god of artists and artisans. He was said to have two ravens to attend to all of his needs (similar to Odin and his ravens). Source
In Greek mythology, ravens are associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy. They are said to be a symbol of good luck, and were the god’s messengers in the mortal world. Source
The Raven peeps forth from the mists of time and the thickets of mythology, as a bird of slaughter, a storm bird, a sun and fire bird, a messenger, an oracular figure and a craftsman or culture hero. Source
Update: According to this source, the name Byrne originated from one that means Raven.
Raven Joins Danny McSizzle
Hozier’s other Danelectro is a custom U2 ’56 resonator we called Danny McSizzle. Danny has been the workhorse guitar on Like Real People Do, In A Week and It Will Come Back. It’s a lot to ask of a guitar to do 3 songs a night for 2 solid years on the road. Raven will provide some relief, even if it comes at the end of the tour.
Update: Danelectro USA posted photos of this glorious guitar.
Danelectro '59 Resonator anyone..? @Hozier @iGuitarMag @TotalGuitar @GuitarJar @Guitarist_Mag @badgirlonguitar pic.twitter.com/oZR3cppsVj
— Danelectro Official (@DanelectroUSA) March 27, 2016
@Hozier sound checking with the Dano '59 Resonator 💙 @iheartguitar @iGuitarMag @badgirlonguitar @GuitarJar pic.twitter.com/aKzWHK7HNp
— Danelectro Official (@DanelectroUSA) March 29, 2016
Related guitar information:
Danelectro.com
Review of the “new” ’56 lipstick pickups
Jimmy Page on a Danelectro ’59 (with Jack White and The Edge from It Might Get Loud, a film we HIGHLY recommend.)
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The Raven is a beautiful guitar and beautifully played by Andrew – they belong together!