How to Recreate hide’s Guitar Sound – X JAPAN / Spread Beaver Gear & Settings Guide

① Introduction: The Unique Sound of hide

hide, the iconic guitarist of X JAPAN and later the driving force behind hide with Spread Beaver, was a true pioneer—not only visually, but sonically as well. His guitar tones are instantly recognizable for their aggressive drive, unconventional phrasing, and immersive spatial effects that leave a lasting impression on listeners.

What made hide’s playing truly captivating wasn’t just his technical ability, but his deep sense of musical expression. Whether unleashing sharp-edged riffs, slicing solos, or choosing surreal effect-laden tones, his guitar work always stood out—even in a band as grand and intense as X JAPAN.

For instance, the solo in “Rusty Nail” showcases his masterful use of the VOX Wah pedal, creating pitch-shifting effects with a dramatic flair. In his solo track “ROCKET DIVE,” he leaned into a more electronic and digital aesthetic, combining modern amp modelers and multi-effects to sculpt a futuristic sonic identity.

Moreover, hide’s guitar visuals were inseparable from his sound. From his infamous “Yellow Heart” to his psychedelic custom-painted Mockingbirds, the fusion of visual and sonic design made him a lasting influence on generations of guitarists worldwide.

This article breaks down hide’s sound creation through seven structured sections, covering everything from his amps and guitars to EQ tips and affordable alternatives.

▶ Watch X JAPAN’s Official Music Videos on YouTube

② Amplifiers Used by hide – Key Models and Their Characteristics

hide’s guitar tone was deeply shaped by a wide array of amplifiers that evolved over time to suit his changing musical needs. Whether in studio or on stage, he carefully selected his amp setup to distinguish between clean and distorted tones—often using different systems for each role.

During the early X JAPAN “BLUE BLOOD” era, hide’s go-to distortion amp was the Marshall JMP. Known for its gritty, British-style overdrive, this amp was a perfect match for hide’s raw, riff-driven style. When paired with the Roland JC-120, he achieved a broad tonal range that covered both high-gain distortion and sparkling cleans.

The JC-120 itself became a staple in his clean tone arsenal. A transistor amp famous for its pristine and chime-like clarity, it was especially well-suited for spatial effects like chorus and delay—essential components of hide’s clean tone palette. The JC-120 also remained a frequent presence in his solo projects.

As his sound evolved, especially during the DAHLIA tour era, hide sought more modern and high-powered tones. He introduced amps like the VHT Classic and the ENGL SAVAGE 120, both capable of delivering high-definition distortion with tight low-end and aggressive midrange—perfect for the heavier tones in his solo work and later X JAPAN material.

For clean tones with added depth and weight, hide also employed the HIWATT Custom 100. This amp delivered a thick, punchy clean tone that worked beautifully with his ambient effects, helping him create lush clean sections with a distinct voice.

In terms of rack gear, hide utilized preamps like the SansAmp PSA-1 (by Tech21), which helped streamline sound switching and tone shaping during live shows. Cabinets were primarily HIWATT builds, known for their focused low-end and clear projection—traits that added punch and presence to his sound.

What’s most notable is how hide maintained a consistent identity while embracing new gear. His amp choices weren’t random; each model brought something unique to the table, all serving the singular purpose of expressing his evolving sound vision.

Model	Manufacturer	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
JMP	Marshall	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Main distortion amp during the “BLUE BLOOD” era
JC-120	Roland	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Clean amp known for wide stereo modulation effects
Classic	VHT	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Mid-to-late era distortion amp with high clarity
SAVAGE 120	ENGL	Link	X JAPAN	hide	High-gain powerhouse for solo and later-era tones
Custom Hiwatt 100	HIWATT	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Thick, punchy clean amp with unmatched headroom
SansAmp PSA-1	Tech21	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Used in rack setups for DI tone shaping and preset switching
JCM900	Marshall	Link	X JAPAN	hide	High-gain amp for live performance clarity
SLO-100	Soldano	Link	X JAPAN	hide	Studio go-to amp for refined, articulate distortion

③ Guitars Used by hide – Signature Models and Their Tonal Traits

hide’s guitar choices were as bold and iconic as his music. Known for breaking away from convention, he didn’t simply use off-the-shelf instruments—he collaborated closely with builders to create custom shapes, finishes, and features that reflected his unique personality and sonic needs.

🎸 The “Yellow Heart” Fernandes MG-480X

Perhaps the most instantly recognizable guitar in hide’s collection is the bright yellow Fernandes MG-480X with heart-shaped decals. This guitar became his signature model throughout the mid-to-late X JAPAN years and into his solo work.

Designed in collaboration with Fernandes, the MG-480X is based on the Mockingbird body shape and features powerful Sustainer and hum-canceling pickups, giving hide control over long sustains and harmonic feedback. It allowed him to push creative boundaries—especially in solos and ambient passages.

🎨 Custom Mockingbirds and Psychedelic Finishes

hide also used several custom-painted Fernandes Mockingbird-style guitars. These weren’t just visual statements; each guitar had different pickup configurations, woods, and control layouts tailored for different songs and tonal purposes.

Some featured reverse headstocks, active circuits, and unique kill-switches for aggressive rhythmic effects. The custom finishes, often inspired by psychedelic art or his own drawings, contributed to hide’s otherworldly stage presence.

🔧 Other Notable Models

• Fernandes MG-360S: A lower-priced model that shared core specs with the MG-480X, used in rehearsals or backup roles.
• Fernandes MG-X: Limited models with custom circuits and modified neck profiles.
• Gibson Les Paul: Occasionally used for thick rhythm parts in the studio. Provided a classic, sustaining tone different from his Mockingbird guitars.

🧪 The Sustainer System

One of the most defining aspects of hide’s sound was his use of the Fernandes Sustainer system. This device generates continuous string vibration, allowing for infinite sustain, harmonic overtones, and feedback control—even at low volumes.

This opened up new expressive possibilities, especially in songs like “DICE” and “POSE,” where hide manipulated feedback and sustain as compositional elements rather than mere effects.

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Band	Guitarist	Notes
MG-480X Yellow Heart	Fernandes	Amazon Search	X JAPAN	hide	Main live/recording guitar. Equipped with Sustainer and custom wiring.
Mockingbird Custom (Psychedelic)	Fernandes	Amazon Search	X JAPAN	hide	Custom-painted models with varied pickup setups and kill-switches.
MG-360S	Fernandes	Amazon Search	X JAPAN	hide	Budget version used as backup. Still features Sustainer.
MG-X	Fernandes	Amazon Search	X JAPAN	hide	Limited models with advanced circuits and experimental hardware.
Les Paul Standard	Gibson	Amazon Search	X JAPAN	hide	Studio use for thick rhythm and layered lead tones.

④ Effects and Pedals – The Sonic Theater of hide

hide’s expressive guitar tone wouldn’t be complete without his carefully curated effects chain. His pedalboard wasn’t overly crowded, but each unit was chosen to fulfill a specific musical role—whether to enhance emotion, emphasize texture, or add theatrical drama to his solos.

🔁 Modulation & Spatial Effects

For clean sections and intros, hide frequently used modulation effects like chorus and flanger. His go-to clean amp, the Roland JC-120, already had built-in chorus, but he would often add external units for more control and depth.

Delays were essential for creating atmosphere. The BOSS DD-3 and DD-5 digital delays were mainstays in his live setup, often set to dotted eighths or quarter note feedback for rhythmic enhancement. He sometimes used dual-delay setups to craft layered textures in songs like “ROCKET DIVE” and “TELL ME.”

⚡ Distortion & Drive

Though much of his distortion came from amp gain stages (like Marshall JMP or ENGL SAVAGE 120), hide occasionally stacked overdrives to refine the attack. He was known to use pedals like the MXR Distortion+ and BOSS OD-1 for tone coloration—particularly for solos that needed a bit more bite.

🌈 Wah & Filter

One of hide’s most signature tools was the VOX Wah. He used it not only for traditional wah sweeps, but as a creative pitch filter, sometimes rocking the pedal rhythmically to imitate synth-like modulations. In tracks like “Rusty Nail,” this expressive use gave his solos a dramatic, almost vocal-like tone.

🎛️ Pitch & Harmonic Tools

To achieve radical pitch effects and harmony layers, hide made use of the Digitech Whammy. The pedal allowed him to add octave jumps, dive-bombs, and harmonized leads, which contributed to the futuristic flavor of his solo projects. He especially favored the 2-octave-up mode in tracks like “POSE” and “DAMAGE.”

🛠️ Signal Chain Philosophy

hide preferred a balanced signal path—distortion and wah pedals up front, modulation and delay effects in the effects loop or post-preamp position. This structure helped retain clarity while layering effects. He also paid close attention to EQ placement, using graphic EQs like the GE-7 to carve out frequencies and maintain balance across stage volumes.

Effect Type	Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Notes
Delay	DD-3	BOSS	Search	Classic digital delay with short feedback. Often used in solos.
Delay	DD-5	BOSS	Search	Tap tempo feature ideal for time-synced delay layering.
Overdrive	OD-1	BOSS	Search	Vintage overdrive to boost lead parts.
Distortion	Distortion+	MXR	Search	Mid-rich distortion for thick, warm solos.
Wah	V847	VOX	Search	Signature wah pedal used for rhythmic and pitch-sweep effects.
Pitch Shifter	Whammy	Digitech	Search	Used for extreme pitch shifting and harmony parts.
EQ	GE-7	BOSS	Search	Graphic EQ for live tone sculpting and stage balance.

⑤ EQ, Mixing, and Tone Crafting Tips – hide’s Sonic Sculpting

hide’s sound design wasn’t just about gear—it was about how he used it. His tonal choices were always tightly integrated into the arrangement and emotional context of a song. Whether through surgical EQ curves or dramatic filter sweeps, hide knew exactly how to position his guitar in the mix.

🎛️ EQ Approach

hide paid close attention to how his guitar tone fit within the full band spectrum. He often performed midrange cuts around 800Hz–1.2kHz to avoid clashing with vocals and synths, while boosting presence frequencies in the 3–5kHz range to make solos cut through the mix without adding harshness.

Low-end frequencies below 120Hz were carefully trimmed to maintain clarity, especially in live environments where boominess could muddy the sound. When recording, he sometimes allowed more bass to thicken clean parts—especially when layering arpeggiated phrases.

🎚️ Studio vs. Live Adjustments

In studio recordings, hide crafted specific EQ settings on a per-track basis. For ballads like “Tears,” his clean tone featured scooped mids and high-end sparkle using delay/reverb chains. On more aggressive tracks like “Scars,” he opted for tight bass, sharp mid peaks, and rolled-off highs to create tension and grit.

Live, hide took a more pragmatic approach—often boosting upper mids (2kHz–4kHz) for projection and using a GE-7 graphic EQ to tailor tones to each venue.

🔊 Stereo Image & Modulation

One of hide’s more advanced techniques was manipulating stereo space using dual delays and modulation effects. For example, panning left/right delay repeats or chorus phases gave his clean passages a swirling, ambient feel. This was especially prominent in his solo works like “D.O.D.”

🎵 Expression Through Dynamics

Rather than maxing out gain or compression, hide favored dynamic range. He allowed certain notes to fade naturally, using the Sustainer system only when needed. He would sometimes mute the guitar momentarily in the mix to create breathing space, enhancing drama or phrasing impact.

⑥ Affordable Alternatives to Recreate hide’s Tone

While hide’s original gear can be rare, custom-made, or expensive, you can still achieve a surprisingly close approximation of his tone using more accessible alternatives. Here’s a curated list of budget-friendly gear options that maintain the spirit of hide’s sound without breaking the bank.

🎸 Budget Guitars with Sustainer-Style Features

The iconic “Yellow Heart” guitar with Fernandes Sustainer may be hard to come by, but several models can offer similar functionality:

Fernandes APG Series – Some models include Sustainer Lite systems and share similar pickup configurations.

Burny MG-145S or MG-85S – These are entry-level versions of hide’s signature guitar with cost-effective hardware and the iconic look.

ESP LTD KH-202 (Kirk Hammett Model) – Features active pickups and a fast neck profile that suit hide-style leads.

🔊 Amp & Pedalboard Replacements
Type Affordable Option Notes
Amp (Clean) BOSS Katana 50 MkII Excellent clean platform with onboard modulation and delay effects.
Amp (Drive) Marshall MG30FX British-style overdrive, ideal for early X JAPAN distortion tones.
Delay NUX Time Core Deluxe / BOSS DD-3 Emulates hide’s rhythmic delay textures affordably.
Wah VOX V845 Budget version of the V847, with similar sweep response.
Distortion MXR Distortion III / JOYO Hot Plexi Warm distortion tones perfect for solos and thick riffs.
Pitch FX DigiTech Whammy Ricochet Offers Whammy-style pitch shifts in a compact form.

🎛️ EQ & FX Tips for Budget Users

If you’re using a modeler or multi-effects processor (e.g., Zoom G3n, Line 6 POD Go), you can approximate hide’s core tone by doing the following:

Choose a Marshall-style amp model with mids slightly scooped.

Add stereo digital delay set to 450ms with subtle feedback.

Engage chorus or phaser with slow rate for clean passages.

Boost upper mids (3–4kHz) and trim lows below 100Hz in your global EQ.

💡 Bonus Tips
Use bright picks and low string action to mimic hide’s fast, expressive picking.

Experiment with kill-switch techniques using pickup selector toggles or momentary mute pedals.

Apply subtle reverb with short decay for a live “arena” feel.

⑦ Final Thoughts: The Legacy of hide’s Guitar Sound

hide’s guitar sound transcended technical mastery and gear selection—it was an extension of his uncompromising individuality and creative soul. Whether using cutting-edge effects or visually shocking guitars, every decision he made was rooted in the idea of musical storytelling.

What made hide’s tone unique wasn’t just his equipment, but how he used each element to shape emotion, structure, and identity within a song. From feedback-laden solos to sparkling clean intros, his guitar was always more than an instrument—it was a voice.

Even his gear choices, such as the Fernandes Sustainer or the expressive use of the Whammy pedal, weren’t just “cool tricks”—they were compositional tools, integrated thoughtfully into the music itself. He used these tools to challenge sonic norms and explore emotional textures others avoided.

Equally important was his willingness to experiment. hide wasn’t afraid to blend analog and digital, cheap and expensive, tradition and rebellion. He embodied a mindset that modern guitarists can learn from: gear is a servant of imagination, not its master.

If you’re aiming to recreate hide’s tone, remember this: it’s not about copying gear. It’s about understanding the intention behind each note and effect. Study the contrast between verses and choruses, the phrasing of solos, the subtle use of silence and space. Only then can you begin to echo the true essence of hide’s artistry.

Above all, hide’s sound was about freedom—the freedom to be loud, strange, emotional, technical, and vulnerable. His legacy lives on not just in his iconic tones, but in the way he empowered others to find their own voice through the guitar.