[Yojiro Noda] Recreating the Guitar Sound of RADWIMPS – Complete Gear & Tone Guide

Introduction: The Heart of RADWIMPS’ Sound

Yojiro Noda is more than just the frontman of RADWIMPS—he’s the voice, the mind, and often the emotional anchor behind the band’s sonic identity. As a guitarist, vocalist, composer, lyricist, and arranger, his guitar tone plays a vital role in shaping the mood and message of every song. His playing ranges from fragile, ethereal arpeggios to explosive distortion-driven riffs, offering a wide dynamic spectrum that reflects the emotional depth of RADWIMPS’ music.

In “Order Made”, for instance, his ambient guitar drenched in reverb creates a dreamlike atmosphere. On “Kaishin no Ichigeki”, you’ll hear a British-style overdrive roar through. And in “Zenzenzense”, the tight, punchy tone of his Telecaster drives the track’s kinetic energy. These tonal shifts aren’t just about guitar choice—they’re the result of carefully selected pedals and amps working in harmony.

Noda cites Noel Gallagher of Oasis as a major influence, often favoring the Gibson ES-335. But rather than mere imitation, he blends that Brit-rock aesthetic with a uniquely Japanese emotional and literary flair, creating a sound that is unmistakably his own.

On stage, he doesn’t just play guitar—he controls the entire sonic landscape. From vocal processing to backing track synchronization, his setups are engineered to express the complete vision of each performance. It’s no stretch to say that his tone-building process is strategic, architectural, and deeply artistic—even from a sound engineer’s perspective.

This article dives deep into Yojiro Noda’s gear setup—guitars, pedals, and amps—with practical insights into recreating his tone. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate player, you’ll also find EQ guidance and affordable gear alternatives to help you channel the spirit of RADWIMPS in your own rig.

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Amplifiers Used by Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS)

Noda’s amplifier choices reflect his wide sonic range—from crystal-clear cleans to crunchy drives and even soaring high-gain tones. His amp selection is meticulously tailored per song, both in studio sessions and live performances. Below are some of the key amps confirmed in his rig, along with their tonal characteristics:

Marshall JCM2000 DSL-100 is one of his most frequently used amps. Known for its two-channel layout (clean and drive), it offers the punchy mids and full-bodied gain needed for RADWIMPS’ dynamic songwriting. Whether in the studio or on stage, this amp is a consistent go-to for lead riffs and gritty solos.

Matchless DC-30 is another standout in his lineup. A boutique favorite also used by BUMP OF CHICKEN’s Fujiwara Motoo, the DC-30 is prized for its ability to articulate subtle picking dynamics. Its chimey cleans and thickened crunch make it ideal for the emotionally expressive arpeggios and rhythm work Noda is known for.

The iconic Roland JC-120 also appears frequently. Known for its pristine clean tone and built-in stereo chorus, it’s used both as a studio staple and on songs like “Yushinron” to evoke a transparent, introspective atmosphere.

Vintage British-style amps like the Hiwatt CUSTOM 100 and CUSTOM 50 have also been part of his rig. When paired with Hiwatt cabinets like the SE4123, these amps deliver solid, punchy cleans and muscular overdrive tones that suit his more rock-oriented tracks.

Lastly, VOX AC30 amps are believed to be part of his setup as well—likely a nod to his Oasis influence. These amps are renowned for their bright, harmonically rich tones and pair beautifully with Telecaster-style guitars.

It’s clear that Noda approaches amp choice not in isolation but as part of an integrated tone strategy. He carefully pairs heads, cabinets, microphones, and pedals to create a unique sound signature for each song and setting.

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
JCM2000 DSL-100	Marshall	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Frequently used live and in the studio; signature British punchy tone
DC-30	Matchless	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Expressive cleans and crunch; ideal for picking and dynamics
JC-120	Roland	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Industry-standard clean amp with stereo chorus; perfect for ambiance
CUSTOM 100	Hiwatt	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Great for British-style clean-to-crunch tones; used with SE4123 cab
AC30 (speculated)	VOX	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Suspected usage; matches his Oasis-inspired tone and Telecasters

Guitars Used by Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS)

Noda’s choice of guitars is central to his versatility. While he frequently uses hollow and semi-hollow models to craft atmospheric and clean tones, he also integrates solid-body guitars like Telecasters to cut through dense band arrangements. His collection is diverse—carefully selected for each sonic purpose, reflecting both his artistic sensibility and technical needs.

One of his most iconic instruments is the Gibson ES-335, which he uses in both studio recordings and live performances. Whether strummed clean or pushed with overdrive, this guitar provides the perfect balance between warmth and clarity. It’s heavily featured in songs like “Yushinron” and “Dreamer’s High.”

For songs that require brighter attack and tight percussive rhythm, Noda often reaches for Fender Telecasters. These are prominently heard on “Zenzenzense” and “Kaishin no Ichigeki”. The bridge pickup delivers that signature snappy tone that stands out in dense mixes, while the neck pickup offers a smoother, bluesy contrast.

Additionally, he’s been spotted with Gibson SG and Les Paul Studio models, particularly for tracks that lean more toward alternative or hard rock. These solid-body guitars help him access tighter low-end response and mid-heavy drive tones when needed.

Noda also occasionally uses Gibson ES-330 models, which offer a more open and resonant voice than the 335, making them perfect for intimate ballads or live settings where subtle dynamics matter.

While his primary preference leans toward Gibson semi-hollow bodies, he’s not afraid to adapt his setup based on the emotional or sonic narrative of each song—a hallmark of his creative approach.

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
ES-335	Gibson	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Signature semi-hollow model; used for both rhythm and expressive leads
Telecaster	Fender	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Used on energetic tracks; ideal for crisp, cutting tones
Les Paul Studio	Gibson	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Solid body with powerful low-mids; good for rock-centric songs
SG Standard	Gibson	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Lightweight alternative to Les Paul; good for high-gain usage
ES-330	Gibson	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Fully hollow with warm resonance; suited for ballads and quieter passages

Effects and Pedals in Yojiro Noda’s Rig

Yojiro Noda’s guitar tones rely not only on amp selection and guitar choice, but also on a thoughtfully curated pedalboard that enables a wide emotional and atmospheric palette. From ambient layers to tight, articulate drives, his effects are chosen to enhance narrative and texture—never to overwhelm.

Among his staple tools is the Electro-Harmonix HOLY GRAIL reverb. This pedal offers lush, hall-style ambiance that appears prominently in tracks like “Order Made” and “Yushinron”. It’s often placed at the end of his signal chain for maximum depth and trail retention.

The BOSS DD series, particularly the DD-3 and DD-7, provide the digital delay backbone of his sound. Used both for rhythmic tempo-matching and for short slapback echoes, these delay pedals give a subtle sense of space without muddiness.

For overdrive and boost, Noda frequently incorporates pedals like the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver and Fulltone OCD. These work especially well with his Telecasters and semi-hollow Gibsons, adding midrange warmth and touch sensitivity without coloring the fundamental tone.

The JHS Morning Glory and similar transparent overdrives have also appeared in his rig, offering a soft gain stage that pairs perfectly with amp breakup tones. These choices reveal his preference for clarity and response over sheer distortion.

For modulation effects, such as chorus and phaser, Noda has occasionally used the BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus or the MXR Phase 90. These are used tastefully to add motion to otherwise clean or ambient parts, especially in layered studio tracks.

He also uses a volume pedal (e.g., Ernie Ball VP Jr) to control dynamics in real-time, enabling him to swell into ambient intros or fade cleanly at the end of solo passages. Combined with reverb and delay, this allows cinematic transitions in live shows.

Importantly, Noda often runs his effects in stereo, particularly delays and reverbs, to create immersive, three-dimensional guitar soundscapes that define RADWIMPS’ live experience.

Effect	Brand	Amazon Link	Used By	Guitarist	Purpose
HOLY GRAIL	Electro-Harmonix	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Ambient reverb for deep, emotional spaces
DD-7	BOSS	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Digital delay with tempo tap and stereo output
BD-2 Blues Driver	BOSS	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Warm, bluesy overdrive suited to semi-hollows
OCD	Fulltone	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Dynamic, amp-like drive with touch response
VP Jr	Ernie Ball	Search on Amazon	RADWIMPS	Yojiro Noda	Volume swells and dynamic control live

EQ and Sound Design Tips Inspired by Yojiro Noda

One of the defining aspects of Yojiro Noda’s guitar tone is his use of EQ—both in real-time with pedals and post-processing in studio mixes. His EQ settings aren’t fixed, but rather fluid and reactive to each song’s emotional weight, arrangement density, and vocal space. Below are practical tips inspired by his approach to tone shaping:

🎚️ Low-End (Bass Frequencies: ~80Hz–250Hz)

Noda typically keeps the bass clean and slightly rolled off—especially on Telecasters and semi-hollows—to avoid clashing with kick drums and bass guitars. This ensures clarity in the band mix, especially during complex arrangements.

Tip:

Set your amp’s bass control at around 10–11 o’clock. Use a high-pass filter around 80–100Hz in studio mixes to keep things tight and focused.

🎸 Midrange (250Hz–2.5kHz)

This is the heart of Noda’s tone. He emphasizes mids—especially upper mids—to ensure presence in the mix without competing with vocals. This helps his melodic lines and rhythmic parts cut through clearly, even in ballads.

Tip:

Boost around 800Hz–1.2kHz slightly to bring out guitar articulation. Avoid scooping mids unless layering with multiple guitar tracks.

🎵 High-End (2.5kHz–8kHz)

Noda balances brightness with restraint. His tones are rarely “ice-picky” or overly bright. Instead, they maintain clarity without harshness, especially on arpeggios and clean passages.

Tip:

Roll off highs gently above 6kHz if using bright amps like JC-120 or AC30. Add subtle presence (~3–4kHz) for definition without sharpness.

🎧 Stereo Imaging & Panning

In studio recordings, Noda often layers multiple guitars with varied pan positions—e.g., one wide left, one slightly right, and a centered ambient track. This adds width while retaining cohesion. Delays and reverbs are often run in stereo to enhance dimensionality.

Tip:

If recording, double-track guitars and pan them apart. Use stereo delays or reverbs with subtle modulation to avoid phase issues and add spatial depth.

🔁 Delay & Reverb Settings

He frequently uses rhythmic delays set to dotted eighths (e.g., on “Oshakashama”) and ambient reverbs with long decay for ballads like “Order Made.” These choices add mood and rhythmic interplay to his playing style.

Tip:

Try a dotted 1/8 delay at around 450ms with low feedback. Use a reverb with a 3–5 second decay for ambient intros, preferably placed after the delay in the signal chain.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Recreate His Sound

Yojiro Noda’s rig includes high-end gear such as boutique amps, vintage Gibsons, and studio-level processing tools. But don’t worry—even on a budget, you can recreate the essence of his sound using smart substitutions. Here are some wallet-friendly alternatives that preserve the character and vibe of his iconic tones.

🎸 Affordable Guitars

You don’t need a Gibson ES-335 to get that semi-hollow warmth. Guitars like the Epiphone Dot or Ibanez Artcore AS73 provide a similar tonal foundation at a fraction of the cost.

Epiphone Dot
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Warm semi-hollow tone, great sustain, solid build.

Ibanez Artcore AS73
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Bright and expressive, with good dynamic range for clean and crunch tones.

For Telecaster tones, try the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster series. They offer crisp, jangly highs and classic aesthetics.

🔊 Affordable Amps
Boss Katana 50 MkII
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Versatile amp with onboard effects and modeling—ideal for recreating JC-120 and Marshall tones.

VOX VT20X or AC10C1
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Delivers the sparkling cleans and harmonically rich drive sounds reminiscent of AC30 at lower volumes and price.

Fender Champion 40
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Great for clean tones with built-in FX and decent drive; works well for ambient textures.

🎛️ Affordable Effects Pedals
Joyo Atmosphere (Reverb)
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Rich ambient reverb with multiple modes—suitable for dreamlike textures like “Order Made.”

Donner Yellow Fall (Delay)
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Simple analog-style delay—great for dotted eighth rhythms and ambient leads.

Boss SD-1 (Overdrive)
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Classic overdrive with midrange warmth—effective with semi-hollow guitars.

NUX Mod Core Deluxe (Modulation)
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Offers chorus, flanger, and phaser in one—perfect for subtle modulation layers.

🧠 Final Tip:

It’s not about owning identical gear—what matters is how you use your gear. Noda’s tone is rooted in balance, emotion, and narrative. Try recording clean takes with subtle delay/reverb layering, and experiment with EQ tweaks that favor presence without harshness. Even budget rigs can sound cinematic with the right intention and mixing.