Active Band Man Chats - The Prince-Like Guitars

From the day we first met!

?

Love can blossom!

...Huh? What’s this all of a sudden? Oh, it’s the greeting from The Captains’ live show, right?

Yep! I thought it’d be a good chance to let the readers get to know us better!

Uh... At this point?

We’re always featured as standout writers, after all!

Okay...

Let me introduce my beloved band members!

Go ahead...

First up, our slim and sharp bassist with glasses!

Umm... I’m not quite that slim anymore, though...

A headless guitar fanatic!

Well... I can’t deny that.

A skilled bassist and a competent staffer rolled into one!

I guess so...

It’s Hoooooorry!

Thanks for the intro. I’m Horry. Pleased to meet you all. I play bass for the ghostly rock ‘n’ roll band Nacional and the underground folk band Lime Light.

Welcome!

Thanks...

And I’m the leader of The Captains, the Prince of Roses born from a rose, Kizuhiko! Let me hear your cheers!

(Cheering robotically)

Thank you!

Kizuhiko, you’re involved in a lot of other projects besides The Captains, right?

Right! I’m part of a music unit called Mitsudomoe Chindōchū with Kensuke Yamagishi (Uranino) and Takashi Katayama (Katayama Breakers & The Rock ‘n’ Roll Party). I also have another unit, Sengoku Complex, with Tomoaking (The HIGH), plus my solo activities.

And...

I’m also in the eternal student band, The Show Words!

By the way, I’m a member of The Show Words, too.

A three-piece band with our leader, Akira!

We’ve been at it for, what, about five years now?

By the way, Horry also played on the recording of one of my solo songs! Truly skilled!

I’m honored.

Alright, let’s move on to today’s main topic!

Wow, what a long preamble... You’re gonna get scolded again.

(Ignoring that) I’m a prince, right?

Well... sure. You always say that, so I guess that’s true.

But lately, I’ve been showing more of my real self, haven’t I?

True. You seem more relaxed during live streams.

So I thought it’s time to fully embrace my princely nature!

‘Fully embrace princely nature’, you say...

And so!

And so what?

I thought wielding a prince-like guitar would elevate my image!

‘Elevate’, huh? You just said it outright.

Let’s go find one!

Alright, I’ll tag along.

To Sound House!

What exactly makes a guitar ‘prince-like’?

A prince always rides a white horse. So... white!

That’s pretty simplistic...

Got any elegant white guitars?

‘White guitar’ reminds me of TV Jockey. Is it just me? Anyway, Sound House has plenty to choose from.

First up: this one!
Gretsch / G6136TG Players Edition Falcon White

Ah, the Gretsch White Falcon! Definitely princely. It’s more like a white hawk than a white horse, though. Doesn’t that make it seem more like a lord’s guitar? Like something for falconry?

Exactly! And then, on the way back, you’d eat grilled mackerel in Meguro... Oh wait, that’s a rakugo joke. The gold hardware adds a touch of nobility, too.

Does this mean we’ve already found the ultimate choice?

Not so fast! There’s more!
Dean Guitars / Colt Bigsby w/Piezo Vintage White

This has a similar vibe. Didn’t expect Dean to have a model like this.

A white semi-hollow with gold hardware and F-holes—that’s princely for sure.

Can’t argue with that.

Next up! This one looks similar but...
Schecter / Robin Zander CORSAIR WHT

Schecter? Wait, Robin Zander from Cheap Trick? That’s a deep cut.

Robin Zander definitely has a princely vibe, right?

Yeah, kind of like a character from a classic manga for girls. Always had that prince aura, like you. More white than red, though.

Exactly! Of course, I’m not just a character—I’m a real prince.

(Ignoring that) Speaking of manga for girls, how about this?
Jackson / Pro Rhoads RR3 Ivory w/BLK PNS

Ah, Randy Rhoads!

When paired with Ozzy Osbourne, he exuded princely coolness. What a combo!

And the name has ‘rose’ in it, so I’m sold!

You do know it’s a different ‘rose’, right?

(Feigning ignorance) Shh! Moving on!

Of course!

I’ve never actually played a Jackson V before... Oh, it’s got a Floyd Rose, too?

But it’s not that kind of ‘rose’.

(Ignoring that) Hmm, how about something like this!
Fender / Jimmy Page Mirror Tele RW WBL

Jimmy Page? This isn’t exactly white... reminds me of Slade’s Dave Hill. Does anyone get that reference?

I thought the mirrors on the body would be perfect for a prince to check his appearance!

Not very practical, but okay. Appearance is important for a prince, after all.

How about this next one?
Fender / Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster Maple Silver Sparkle

Paisley, huh?

Love it!

It’s less of a prince vibe and more like something out of the Psychedelic Flower Movement, isn’t it? You’ve always been into paisley-patterned guitars. I’m not really a fan, though...

(Hesitantly) W-Well then... how about this!
Zemaitis / Metal Front MFG22 BK

When it comes to elegance, you can’t leave out Zemaitis!

Their engraving work is absolutely stunning.

Is it a white horse or a silver one? But this has elegance too, doesn’t it... here!
Fender / H.E.R. Stratocaster

Oh, it’s a bit of a unique signature model.

Right... okay, if the Strat is safe,

Safe?

The ultimate choice has to be this!
Fender / Eric Clapton Stratocaster Olympic White

Oh, a Clapton model! But you really seem to love signature models, don’t you, Kizuhiko?

Maybe! Among them, this one stands out with its Olympic White body and maple neck, it’s so white!

The shape is the traditional Stratocaster, classic and the sound is definitely solid, so I think it’s a good choice!

Alright, we’ve decided!

Yes, Your Highness!

But wait—

What now!?

Just one more!

Fine... Let’s hear it.

This one, designed by yours truly!

Oh, here we go! This is amazing, but... what was the whole white guitar search for?

Ultimately, only a Prince of Roses like Kizuhiko deserves this guitar! Ta-da! Let the world be painted in rose colors!

Enough!

Because everything is?

For love!