Active Band Man Chats ~ Signature Models ~

Well, today's theme is "Signature models"!

So-called artist models in Japanese.

That’s right! They are designed according to the musician’s playing style.

Models exclusively for that person.

For me, the Tomoyasu Hotei model comes to mind first.

Oh, really?

Yup! And the 80s and 90s Fernandez catalogs!

Ah! In the old days… in the catalog…

Bang! Cool!

It was listed in the catalog.

The Buck-Tick model or the LA-PPISCH model.

In the old days, I used to collect catalogs from each manufacturer.

I did, too! I went around the various musical instrument store.

Certainly I had a longing for one, for a signature model.

How about a bass signature model? Tojo-san? Fernandez, Burny?

Well, right. If it was domestically produced at that time, there was also a low-priced version, right?

Yup! The ones with the same specifications were called "Don's Ba". The cheaper versions were half the price of the "Don's Ba"...

They’re called entry-level models now, eh?

What about the modern signature model situation?

There are a lot from ESP, yeah?

That's right! Image of V-types and punk-types. Before that, Mr. Takamizawa!

In a sense, the musician’s signature model has the ultimate specs, don't they? By the way, even signature models have different tendencies.

What do you mean?

The traditional models that had been around for a long time were packed with the attention of the musician. For example, a Jazz Bass, but it had a grip that the musician likes. They incorporated pickups according to the musician's requests.

You can get closer to the sound of the era you like. I see.

On the other hand, some designed the body from scratch.

Well, yeah!? The musician's unique feel comes out very clearly.

Not only the shape but also the finish...

Yup! Nunobukuro, Hide-san, Kyoichi Sugimoto, Takuya of Judy & Mary... Everyone is unique!

HIDEモデル

The finish is, in a sense, the quickest way to create a signature model. You can do it right away. You can make your own model right away. In the 80s, there were many items like that.

George Lynch or Van Halen. By the way, recently, I got interested in the MIYAVI signature model, which is very unique. Recently, they released it from the original Fender! Imported!

They come sailing in… You can’t go wrong (laughs)

Japanese guitarist signature models from Gibson and Gretsch! You couldn’t even imagine that a long time ago.

In the past, there were only domestic brands, and there were no overseas brands with Japanese signature models. Fender is also from Japan, not USA.

Oh yeah, I can remember the "Terry" in the Fender Japan catalog...

Terry? Ito?

Are you kidding (laughs) The Takeshi Terauchi signature model. Also, the Sharp 5 model or Shigeru Narumo model?

An example that is closer to the Bizarre. As expected.

Recently, there are also effector signature models.

Oh, yes, there are. Speaking of that, there are also shields like the Nunobukuro or Yngwie models.

I use that (laughs). Oh, I recently bought a Jimi Hendrix's signature model curly cord at Sound House.

Furthermore, signature picks have also been around for a long time.

Ah, that’s right. It's the easiest signature item to imitate.

Oh yeah.

But even if you get one, you will notice it someday. Even if the pick is the same, you will not get the same sound...

That’s right.

Necks also have special signature models. There are secret amp settings, effector settings, and there are various elements, and how to play is the biggest element! That's the first tone you can get.

I agree. Even if all the equipment is "Don's Ba", that person's sound is not produced...

But I want to get closer! I want to assume that I've come closer with things!

You’re fooling yourself (laughs) I'm going back a bit, but is the signature model you longed for in the past the Nunobukuro model?

Yup! But instead of the Hotei model with that lines, I bought another Hotei model called the Burny Killer Whale... That was also a good guitar...

The signature bass I longed for... I wonder what it was. I remember that my generation had many in ESP signature models. It was also the so-called Japanese metal generation. Maybe the Yamashita signature, you know, from Loudness? I wanted that, but I didn't think I would be able to touch it.

It’s common that the one you want is out of reach.

Earlier, this is not a signature, but I really wanted a headless YAMAHA like the one used by Watanabe from C-C-B. Also, the Killer Bass used by TAIJI from X JAPAN.

Ah, those aren’t signature models, but they are strange guitars that characterize the musician. That’s good, too.

Oh yeah. Oh, and it's a bit off topic, but lately there are anime character signature models...

Yeah, there seems to be!

Did it start with "K-ON!" Or "BanG Dream!"?

BanG Dream Guitar List

Oh yeah. After that… the Onda model for bass?

Onda was based on a BC model. BC Rich… that was also from Fernandez.

Well, the ultimate is Gene Simmons!

That may be true (lol). When it comes to really using it... It may be a little too much... I want one. Perhaps if I use it in a copy band, I wonder.

(Laughs)... Are there any others... Girls’ band signature models for Scandal and Silent Siren.

Scandal guitar / bass

Those, too. Oh, yeah,

It's cute.

But hey… it may be a bit hard for an old man to use (laughs)

Not an old man! A Prince! (Lol)

Well, excuse me (laughs) By the way, the Sound House's homepage has signature model categories for both guitar and bass, so it's interesting to take a look there. They have models for various artists are listed.

■Guitar signature models
■Base signature models

Yeah. Well, today we’ll end it here! Next time, let's talk about "What if there was a Kizuhiko signature model?" Yes, and everything?

Is for love!