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Little Things Riff Guitar Tone Settings — One Direction
One Direction · 2010s+ · other
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Taylor 214ce
Pickups
Taylor Expression System (piezo undersaddle pickup, active electronics)
Amp
Unknown (likely direct to PA or clean acoustic amp; no evidence of electric amp used on studio recording)
Pickup Position
Piezo pickup (Taylor Expression System, only option on this guitar)
Studio recording, 2012. All evidence points to acoustic guitar (Taylor 214ce) for the main riff. No evidence of electric guitar or amp used for the riff section. Niall Horan is seen using this guitar live for 'Little Things' as well.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence5
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Tone Character
- warm and natural acoustic resonance
- clear and intimate
- soft, rounded highs
- detailed string articulation
- gentle dynamic response
- unprocessed acoustic timbre
- no audible distortion
- no compression artifacts
- no time-based or modulation effects
- studio-quality acoustic clarity
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No evidence of electric guitar or amp used on the studio recording for the riff section; all sources and live footage confirm acoustic guitar (Taylor 214ce).
- Amp settings are estimated for a direct acoustic DI or clean PA channel; actual studio chain may have included EQ and compression at the mixing desk.
- No pedals or effects are audibly present or cited for the riff section.
- If electric guitar is heard in other sections, it is not present in the main riff/intro.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The riff in 'Little Things' features a very clean, intimate acoustic-like electric tone with minimal breakup, typical of pop ballads from this era. The EQ is balanced but slightly mid-forward for warmth and vocal support, with subtle reverb for space, matching One Direction's production style and the genre's conventions.