Active Band Man Chats - Let’s Do a Monotone Edition

So, what is it this time?

Because…

Hm?

Because I’m a prince…

That’s right. You’re a prince…?

Because—!

Kizuhiko-san? Are you okay?

No… mo no…?

“Mono”?

That’s right, because—!!

Uh… no way!? That’s the theme this time?

That’s it!

As expected… please spare me this pattern again (lol)

Let’s decide the theme as monotone!

Monotone? (lol)

For the autumn-winter season, go with chic monotone!

Hmm… well, I guess it fits better than spring-summer?

Make it look mature!

Alright, alright, so you’re going to look for gear with that theme, right?

Yes! I’m off!

Have a good one~

I’m back!

As always, that was fast! Did you find anything?

Found it! Starting with the guitar!

PLAYTECH LP400 Black – Les Paul type

Oh, Playtech, a strong ally for us users! The classic black Les Paul type. It really looks cool…

And the price on this!

As expected. This is very much appreciated.

The fact that it has silver instead of gold parts really emphasizes the monotone feel!

Indeed. Personally, when I think of a black body with chrome parts, I think of John Sykes. The one they call the “Black Beauty.”

I see! By the way, with gold parts, there’s this one!

BLITZ BY ARIAPROII / BLP-CST Black

The gold parts also look really cool. The previous PLAYTECH was bolt-on, but this one is a set-neck, right?

Yeah. Les Pauls usually give the image of a set-neck… I wonder how different it feels with a bolt-on.

Right. I’d like to compare how the sound character differs. By the way, ARIA PROⅡ has always had a reputation for solid construction, and this “BLITZ BY ARIAPROⅡ” series? It’s reasonably priced and really nice. I’m starting to want a Les Paul.

Exactly. Next is Fender! Clapton’s “Blackie” is famous.

Right. When it comes to black Strats, there’s Clapton’s “Blackie.” There are other color models, but this is the one, I guess.

FENDER / Eric Clapton Stratocaster Pewter – Eric Clapton Model

The legendary Blackie wasn’t available, so I went with the current Clapton model!

That’s a really nice color. It’s kind of like a black, but… not exactly a plain black…?

Right. It’s called Pewter! It’s a kind of gray, so it’s monotone! Safe!

Safe indeed (laughs)

Next up, here’s another legend!

FENDER / Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster Olympic White

Jimi Hendrix?

This one is pure white!

I see… Hendrix also has the image of sunburst or black guitars, but here we go with white. It’s a contrast to Clapton, right? And, it fits the monochrome theme.

Exactly!

That’s it, huh (laughs). Well, white might be the most iconic image for Hendrix anyway. And, the reversed headstock is nice too.

Next up…

FENDER / Ken Stratocaster Experiment #1

Oh, this is L'Arc〜en〜Ciel's KEN signature model. When I think of the KEN model, I imagine red…

That’s a pretty old image (laughs)

Seems like it (wry smile). The white body with a maple neck and white pickups gives off a brightness similar to the Hendrix model.

If you look closely, it’s a matching headstock!

They even changed the paint where the elbow hits, which is so detailed. The gold hardware is also a point. Maybe the concept is “Japanese pottery repaired with gold”—it’s really meticulous.

Right!!

Right! But that means we can’t really call it monotone anymore (laughs)

Yikes! B-But there’s also the bass!

PLAYTECH / PB045 White Short-Scale Bass

Oh, Playtech. A P-Bass type with a short scale—what a variety!

Right!

This is just my personal opinion… but I find Jazz Bass easier to play than P-Bass, so for beginners I usually recommend a Jazz Bass type. But this one seems fine even as a P-Bass. I’m not sure about the grip, but with a short scale, it should be quite playable.

I see.

Also, there are sounds you can only get from a short-scale bass. It’s nice for when you just want to try a short-scale. The choices are really limited for short-scale instruments, aren’t they?

SCHECTER / Schecter Sixx Bass SBK

Oh, now this is truly monochrome. Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx signature! Satin Black—so it’s probably matte, right?

I thought horry would like it.

I do. Whether I’d actually use it is another story (laughs). This one has EMG pickups, and the kill switch is interesting too. I haven’t seen many basses with a kill switch.

One more!

FENDER / Steve Harris Precision Bass Maple Olympic White

Steve Harris… the bassist from Iron Maiden, right?

There’s a small logo, but the white body, silver pickguard and hardware, and black pickups create a clever monochrome gradient!

I-Is that so…? Is that what they call a mirror pickguard? I would love one.

It’s nice, isn’t it? Mirror pickguards. You can play with the reflections from the stage lights.

Fun to play with (laughs). But personally, I associate Steve Harris’s bass more with a blue color… this must be an older model, I guess.

That might be right. Next, we’re completely changing genres—check this out!

YAMAHA / BBNEIIWH Nathan East Model White

It’s pure white! A Nathan East model.

Even the tuning pegs are white—so refreshing!

Indeed. It’s rare for even the pegs to be painted. Nathan East is usually associated with a 6-string, but this one is 5-string. Well, I guess that makes it easier to handle… maybe?

FENDER / Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass Black

It’s all black! A Duff model. Perfect for the artist’s image!

It does leave a sharp impression! The Precision Bass shape with block inlays is quite unique!

Speaking of Duff, it’s a PJ pickup setup. And, if I may add, removing the pickguard on the “White Pearl” version might make it feel even more Duff-like…

You’re very particular (laughs). Next up!

FENDER / Troy Sanders Precision Bass Rosewood FB Silverburst

Another signature model?

Troy Sanders! Silverburst—it’s super stylish!
“The pole pieces are covered and the black pickups give it a hard, stealthy look.”

Stealth… meaning it doesn’t stand out?

Maybe!

This Silverburst color seems pretty flashy… or maybe not flashy, but more understated?

Speaking of which, horry’s Steinberger was all black, right?

That’s right. Speaking of all black, it really is completely black. Basically, Steinberger only has black, white, and red models… and the black model sold the most, so most of the used ones you see are black. Occasionally a white one pops up, but you almost never see red. I really want a red one…

Yes, yes, this one!

Actually, I have another all-black Steinberger.

Wow! Are the sounds different at all?

Hard to say. I got both as used instruments, so I don’t know the exact year of manufacture or specs… but I don’t think they’re all that different. Both have graphite necks, wooden bodies, and EMG pickups. The difference might be more noticeable if it were a graphite XL body, but XLs are more expensive than XP or XQ…

Ah, since we’re at it, check out my all-white Steinberger guitar too!

You used to play this one a lot. It’s got a convenient built-in capo.

Yup!

I’m sure if you look, you could find plenty more.

Actually, the first model that came to mind for this project was the Hotei model.

Ah, I see.

Black body with those white, “Amidakuji”-style lines. I really liked that one.

I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone describe it as “Amidakuji” (laughs). Even as a bassist, I can admire that paint job too. I don’t think I’d actually want that painted bass… oh wait, maybe I do. It seems fun (laughs).

This is a demo guitar from Hotei’s 40th-anniversary event.

Oh. So about three years ago? You went to that event, right?

Whew~ surprisingly, there were quite a lot of monochrome.

Hory, what’s your favorite effects pedal?

Most pedals are already blackish, so I’ll skip that!

Skip that? (laughs)

I could name plenty, like the RAT or Metal Zone.

Hmm… pedals do tend to be more colorful than guitars, I think, but that’s probably just for a playful touch since they’re mostly on the floor and not very noticeable. Of course, there are also lots of monochrome pedals.

Monochrome also has an excellent stealth effect!

Not sure if they’re aiming for stealth, but yeah, they basically don’t stand out on the floor (laughs).

So, that’s it for today! For those reading this, why not be chic and go monochrome this autumn and winter? Yes, everything is…

For love!