What guitar did Johnny Cash use on Hurt?

Johnny Cash used a Martin D-35 acoustic guitar for his recording of 'Hurt'. This dreadnought acoustic was recorded through a Neumann U87 microphone at his home studio, Cash Cabin Studio.

How to get Johnny Cash's acoustic tone on Hurt?

To recreate Cash's tone on 'Hurt', use a quality dreadnought acoustic guitar recorded with a large-diaphragm condenser microphone placed close to capture detail and warmth. Focus on minimal processing to maintain the intimate, natural character of the original recording.

Where was Johnny Cash Hurt recorded?

Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' was recorded at Cash Cabin Studio, his home studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The track was produced by Rick Rubin and engineered by Sylvia Massy.

What microphone was used to record Johnny Cash Hurt?

A Neumann U87 large-diaphragm condenser microphone was used to record the acoustic guitar on Johnny Cash's 'Hurt'. This microphone choice contributed to the detailed, warm, and intimate sound of the recording.

Who produced Johnny Cash's version of Hurt?

Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash's cover of 'Hurt' as part of the American IV: The Man Comes Around album. Sylvia Massy served as the engineer for the recording sessions at Cash Cabin Studio.

rhythm guitar from "hurt" by johnny cash

hurt

johnny cash

rhythm guitar

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Tone Profile

A stark and intimate acoustic guitar sound, capturing the raw emotion of the performance. The tone is clean and direct, with a touch of warmth and natural ambience.

Shop This Rig

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Martin D-35(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

Johnny Cash's acoustic guitar sound on 'Hurt' was recorded by Sylvia Massy and produced by Rick Rubin at Cash Cabin Studio, Cash's home studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The track featured a Martin D-35 acoustic guitar recorded through a Neumann U87 large-diaphragm condenser microphone. The recording approach emphasized an intimate, unprocessed sound that captured the raw emotion and detail of Cash's performance.

Production Credits

Producer: Rick Rubin

Engineer: Sylvia Massy

Recorded at: Cash Cabin Studio

Signal Chain

Instrument: Martin D-35Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a high-quality acoustic guitar with a balanced tone.
Choose a large-diaphragm condenser microphone for capturing a detailed and natural sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures both warmth and clarity.
Focus on a clean recording environment with minimal background noise.
Avoid excessive processing to maintain the intimacy and authenticity of the sound.

Original Gear

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Martin D-35Shop on Reverb(guitar)
Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Martin D-28Shop on Reverb$3,000-$3,500

Alternative to: Martin D-35 acoustic guitar

The D-28 offers the same classic Martin dreadnought voice as the D-35 but with East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing the rich, balanced tone needed for intimate recordings

Yamaha FG830Shop on Reverb$200-$250

Alternative to: Martin D-35 acoustic guitar

Budget-friendly dreadnought with solid spruce top that can deliver warm, balanced acoustic tone suitable for close-miked intimate recordings

Audio-Technica AT4050Shop on Reverb$650-$750

Alternative to: Neumann U87 condenser microphone

Multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser that captures detailed acoustic guitar with warmth and clarity, offering U87-style character at a lower price point

Rode NT1-AShop on Reverb$200-$250