Active Band Man Chats - Going All-In with Most Expensive Items Sold at Sound House

Alright, what’s the theme today?

You know, I love going high!

Huh? What are you talking about suddenly?

Like, standing on a high stage!

Um... yeah, some stages are high, some aren’t, though.

Or like the Tokyo Skytree!

Uh... you know what they say about fools and smoke love high places...

(ignoring that) But I’m scared of free-falls at amusement parks!

Right... so?

There’s some seriously high-end gear out there, right?

Of course... that’s what we call ‘high-end’. Not sure I could actually afford it, though.

Exactly! So, I want to imagine what it’d be like to go all out and assemble gear using only the most expensive items from Sound House’s lineup!

Just listing them up? Well, imagining doesn’t cost a thing. Sound House has everything from super affordable to high-end products, after all.

Alright then, let’s embark on this fabulous tour!

Have fun!

Oh no, you’re coming too!

Oh, figured as much!?

First up: the guitar! Since I’ll be using high-end effects, I’ll go with an electric guitar.

Makes sense.

Allow me to share the steps for finding the most high-end item.

Yes, sir!

First, pick ‘Electric Guitars’.

Okay.

Then tap ‘All Items’.

Got it.

Since we just need the most expensive one, I’ll set the filter to show the ‘Top 10’.

Ah, so it’ll display the ten priciest ones.

Exactly! And here’s the electric guitar I found:

ESP / jeune fille X Ferrum -Cross Ray illusion-

Over a million yen right off the bat?

It’s Mana’s signature model! Truly fabulous!

With a cross in the center of the body that houses full-color LEDs, it says it creates a fantastical ‘illusion color’. Incredible... But it’s labeled as ‘Special Order’. Seems like it’s made-to-order. Wonder if anyone’s actually ordered it?

Who knows? Doesn’t look like there are any reviews yet... Next, let’s look at the amp! Here it is!

Magnatone / Twilighter

Magnatone... never heard of this brand... but the specs alone sound impressive. This one is also ‘Special Order’, and again, no reviews.

Oh, I bet the built-in effects are just dreamy.

Probably, but... like with the guitar, I’d be dying to hear it. It’d be awesome if Sound House would post a demo video!

Definitely. I could be in that demo video!

Wait... that’s... too generous a suggestion. But yeah, this seems to be a combo type. There are all kinds of affordable combos out now, but also a lot of pricey ones too.

True. With the focus on sound quality and the current trend towards compact setups, combos are definitely a solid option.

Makes sense. With the right soundproof room, it’d fit perfectly in there. I’m sure lots of people have soundproof setups at home for recording now.

Alright, let’s move on to the effects! Here!

Fractal Audio Systems / Axe-Fx III Mark II Turbo

Ooh, a multi-effects processor?

I do love individual compacts, so I thought about picking each effect one by one, but that would be a word-count marathon.

Stop it! You’re too honest!

This time, we’re going multi!

Fractal Audio, huh?

Yep! I’ve seen Takeshi Honda using Fractal gear before, and it’s basically divine-level stuff!

And with ‘Turbo’ in the model name, you know it’s serious... It must have an insane range of sounds. Over 1,000 presets?!

It’s almighty! Fractal... sounds cool, doesn’t it?

It really does. Multi-effects have gotten way up there in price, but there are lots of affordable ones too. And editing presets from a computer is totally standard now, plus most include audio interface functions.

Right? At this point, it’s practically all you need.

Yeah... of course, there’s still a matter of preference between analog and digital sound, but if you’re fine with digital, multi-effects are way more convenient than before.

Personally, I like lining up individual compacts, but let’s move on! Next up: picks.

V-Picks / V-Insanity

Wait, a pick for 5,000 yen?!

Yes!

Insanity indeed... “It grips to your fingers like it’s alive,” it says. Personally, I think that sounds more like it would get in the way.

So you prefer a bit of slip?

Yeah... though if it’s as slippery as you, that’s a problem too.

Did you say whose skin is so smooth that it’s slippery?

I didn’t say so!

Anyway, picks are usually considered consumables.

True. They’re the type of small item you can experiment with, but this one... not so much.

Definitely not something you’d want to wear out! Next up...

ESP / DEK-DEGD01-730 Python Red

A strap! Another pricey one. I could buy a guitar for this much!

It’s fine, it’s fine.

How so?

It’s python leather!

Um, and?

It brings you money luck!

It’s not a wallet! But yeah, it does seem to use genuine python leather. And apparently, it’s a rare reticulated python. This is an artist model, made exactly like the one used by the artist, so fans must be thrilled.

Exactly! Next up...

Kaminari Guitars / K-JR7LS (7m LS)

The cable. Essential, but another guitar’s worth...

At this price, I could buy three PLAYTECH guitars!

PLAYTECH / TL250 Maple Black

And since you’re using an effects processor, you’d need two of these cables...

Oh, two!? You could buy six PLAYTECH guitars then!

There are lots of people particular about cables, after all... alright, next.

K&M / 17640

What’s this?

A fabulous guitar stand!

Again, this costs as much as a guitar... But it looks cool! It’s stylish!

Whew, I think I’ll spare you any more.

Thank you... Let’s see here... Total is 2,369,880 yen.

Wha—!? Fainting!! Still, even if you just had one of these, your playing might feel that much more fabulous.

Yeah... We listed expensive models as a joke this time, but sound is really a matter of preference. Just because something’s pricey doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.

That’s true... but you’re so serious!

Hey, it’s serious business. Gotta balance things out when there’s two of us here.

Exactly. Balance is key! Even if you get a set of the most expensive items, compatibility and quality depend on how they all work together.

Well said! High-end or budget, just find the equipment that gets you the sound you want. Back in the day, there was that “cheap means bad quality” stigma, but now, even affordable models are well-made. It’s a good era for gear... and don’t forget to practice too!

Yes! And save up so you can buy the gear you want! Because after all, it’s all for?

Love!