[Gen Hoshino] – How to Recreate the SAKEROCK Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Gen Hoshino is widely known as an actor and singer-songwriter, but his work as a guitarist has also earned high recognition. From his instrumental band SAKEROCK to his solo career, he has consistently pursued a sound that emphasizes the “texture” of music.

His guitar tone is never flashy, yet always warm and full of depth. On acoustic guitar, he makes use of bronze strings for a soft yet focused tone, while on electric guitar he often favors hollow-body models that highlight space and openness in his music.

Representative songs such as “Kudaranai no Naka ni,” “Yume no Soto e,” “Bakemono,” and the hit “Koi” all showcase his simple yet dimensional guitar tone. In particular, the clean tone of his black Gibson ES-335 in “Koi” attracted attention even from beginners eager to replicate his sound.

Hoshino’s playing style blends fingerpicking and strumming, with a reputation for delivering a “gentle, conversational” tone in acoustic performances. He often uses his thumb nail instead of a pick, producing a direct connection to the strings and a natural resonance.

Effects are rarely used; his sound philosophy emphasizes playing “straight into the amp.” His core setup revolves around the SHINOS LUCK6V, an amp known for preserving the raw character of the instrument. Every gear choice reflects his commitment to maintaining the tactile essence of music.

This article explores Gen Hoshino’s (SAKEROCK) guitar gear, amp setups, effects—or lack thereof—and recording techniques. For those aiming to recreate his analog, warm yet precise tones, the following insights will serve as valuable guidance.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Gen Hoshino

List of Amplifiers and Features [Gen Hoshino (ex: SAKEROCK)・Gen Hoshino]

Gen Hoshino’s choice of amplifiers clearly reflects his philosophy of “letting the natural sound of the instrument shine.” The amp most closely associated with him is the Japanese boutique brand SHINOS “LUCK6V.” This tube amplifier is known for its warm clean tone and natural response with minimal compression, making it an ideal partner for Hoshino’s minimalistic approach.

The SHINOS LUCK6V has been used extensively both in live shows and recording sessions. As Hoshino himself once mentioned, “the instrument’s sound resonates properly,” pointing to the amp’s ability to faithfully reproduce the guitar’s raw character and the player’s nuance. With only Volume and Tone controls, its stripped-down design perfectly embodies his minimalist style.

Particularly during the SAKEROCK era, pairing the LUCK6V with hollow-body guitars like the Gibson ES-125 and ES-335 created a lush midrange and smooth high-end roll-off. This combination produced a warm, three-dimensional tone that became a signature of his band work.

In solo acoustic performances, Hoshino has sometimes plugged his acoustic guitars directly into the SHINOS amp without relying on a dedicated preamp, letting the natural qualities of onboard pickups blend seamlessly with the transparency of the amp’s output.

Other amplifiers directly linked to his setup are rarely confirmed. However, in recording environments, standard studio amps such as the Fender Deluxe Reverb and the Roland JC-120 have likely been used as alternatives. Even so, his deliberate and consistent choice tends to favor the SHINOS LUCK6V.

Because he avoids using pedals, the choice of amplifier becomes even more critical. It is clear that a clean, responsive amp like SHINOS is the foundation of Gen Hoshino’s guitar tone, faithfully carrying the warmth and simplicity of his style. Other studio standards may appear in certain contexts, but the LUCK6V remains his main sonic identity—or so it is assumed.

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
LUCK6V	SHINOS	Find SHINOS LUCK6V on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Used both live and in studio. Praised by Hoshino: “the instrument’s sound resonates properly.” Symbolic of his amp-direct style.
Deluxe Reverb (assumed)	Fender	Find Fender Deluxe Reverb on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Likely used in studio recording. A benchmark amp for clean tones.
JC-120 (assumed)	Roland	Find Roland JC-120 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Assumed to be used in studio settings for line recording and clean textures. A standard in many Japanese studios.

Types of Guitars Used and Features [Gen Hoshino (ex: SAKEROCK)・Gen Hoshino]

Gen Hoshino’s guitar collection represents the fusion of musicality and expressive depth. Both his acoustic and electric choices emphasize resonance and warmth, forming the backbone of his distinctive sound and the atmosphere of his songs.

For acoustic performances, he has long relied on the Gibson J-50 and J-45. The J-45 in particular is a vintage piece, estimated to be built between 1952–1955. Its aged character produces a rich low-mid response and a sunburst finish that embodies his warm, organic musical aesthetic. The J-50 has also been used extensively, often tuned a half-step down to complement his vocal range.

In earlier periods, Hoshino favored the Gibson B-25, which can be spotted in the music video for “Kudaranai no Naka ni.” This guitar was fitted with an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup, making it stage- and studio-ready. Over time, he has also employed a variety of acoustic models including the Cole Clark CCFL3EC-BB, Takamine F312, Guild D-55, and possibly a Guild M-40, each chosen for specific tonal purposes.

On the electric side, the Gibson ES-125 has been a symbolic instrument since his SAKEROCK days, delivering the mellow resonance of a hollow-body guitar. Later, his black Gibson ES-335 gained recognition in the “Koi” music video, where its crisp yet smooth clean tone became iconic. He has also incorporated a natural-finish Fender Telecaster Thinline during the SAKEROCK era, as well as a Daphne Blue Fender Stratocaster used live since around 2018.

Rare choices like the Greco S-55 hollow-body also appeared in his early years, reflecting his willingness to let each guitar’s personality shape his music. Across all his guitars, the common theme remains the same: creating soft, three-dimensional tones that prioritize natural resonance over heavy processing—or so it is assumed.

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Type of Guitar	Notes
J-45	Gibson	Find Gibson J-45 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Acoustic Guitar	Estimated 1952–55 vintage. Main guitar for acoustic performances.
J-50	Gibson	Find Gibson J-50 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Acoustic Guitar	Often played in half-step down tuning. Used as a secondary main acoustic.
B-25	Gibson	Find Gibson B-25 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Acoustic Guitar	Seen in “Kudaranai no Naka ni” MV. Equipped with L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup.
Fat Lady CCFL3EC-BB	Cole Clark	Find Cole Clark CCFL3EC-BB on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Acoustic Guitar	Used around 2010. Confirmed in video “Baka no Uta o Tsukuru.”
ES-125	Gibson	Find Gibson ES-125 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Full Hollow	Main guitar during SAKEROCK era. Featured in “Bakemono” MV.
ES-335	Gibson	Find Gibson ES-335 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Semi-Hollow	Used in black finish in “Koi” MV. Sunburst model also owned.
Telecaster Thinline	Fender	Find Fender Telecaster Thinline on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Semi-Hollow	Appears in “Emerald Music” MV during SAKEROCK era.
Stratocaster (Daphne Blue)	Fender	Find Fender Stratocaster on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Solid Body	Used live since 2018. Rosewood fingerboard version.
S-55	Greco	Find Greco S-55 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Full Hollow	Played during early to mid-2000s. Rare vintage Japanese model.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup [Gen Hoshino (ex: SAKEROCK)・Gen Hoshino]

One of the most distinctive aspects of Gen Hoshino’s guitar sound is his tendency to avoid heavy reliance on effects pedals. His philosophy places the highest value on “the natural sound of the guitar and amp,” and for both live performances and studio work, he often plays straight into his SHINOS LUCK6V without any pedals in between.

This separates him from many guitarists who rely on complex pedalboards. Confirmed uses of pedals in his case are extremely rare. Even for time-based effects like chorus or delay, it is assumed that Hoshino often relies on the amp itself or post-production processing by engineers rather than pedals.

That being said, there are occasional exceptions in studio recordings. In those cases, effects are likely added through digital audio workstations (DAWs) or plug-ins, particularly reverb to create ambience. For fans and cover musicians looking to approximate Hoshino’s tone, certain pedals are commonly recommended: BOSS RV-6 (reverb), BOSS DD-7 (delay), and higher-end boutique pedals like the Strymon BlueSky or Strymon Flint, which offer amp-like depth and warmth.

The Strymon Flint, for instance, combines natural-sounding tremolo and reverb in one unit, offering tones strongly reminiscent of Hoshino’s warm, retro-style textures. While there is no direct evidence of Hoshino himself using this pedal, it is widely considered one of the best tools for achieving a sound similar to his.

Notably, Hoshino’s playing style does not show much evidence of compressor use, leaving room for his subtle dynamics and picking nuances to define his tone. His sound is therefore best understood as simple, unprocessed, and deeply human—a reflection of his personal approach to music-making.

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Type of Effect	Notes
Flint	Strymon	Find Strymon Flint on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Tremolo	Not confirmed in his rig, but excellent for reproducing his warm tremolo + reverb tones.
BlueSky	Strymon	Find Strymon BlueSky on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Reverb	Rich, natural reverb. Highly recommended for recreating his studio-inspired ambience.
RV-6	BOSS	Find BOSS RV-6 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Reverb	Simple operation and practical versatility. Great for beginners seeking a similar sound.
DD-7	BOSS	Find BOSS DD-7 on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Delay	No direct evidence of use, but a classic pedal for adding spaciousness to clean tones.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches [Gen Hoshino (ex: SAKEROCK)・Gen Hoshino]

At the heart of Gen Hoshino’s sound design lies an emphasis on “natural resonance” and “warmth.” His tones often highlight the organic qualities of acoustic guitars and hollow-body electrics while adapting EQ and mixing decisions to fit into modern pop and funk arrangements.

For acoustic guitars such as his Gibson J-45 or J-50, Hoshino frequently tunes half a step down. This complements his singing range and gives his sound a more relaxed, grounded feel. In recording and live PA contexts, engineers are thought to slightly roll off low frequencies while boosting the 250Hz–500Hz range, bringing forward the warmth of his fingerpicking and thumb-driven playing. With guitars equipped with pickups like the L.R. Baggs Anthem, he typically blends more of the microphone signal to preserve the natural “air” of the instrument.

On electric guitar, the backbone of his sound is plugging straight into the SHINOS LUCK6V. Its 6V6 tubes naturally emphasize smooth mids, allowing Hoshino to express subtle dynamic variations through picking strength and tone knob adjustments. Gain is usually kept low, while tone controls lean slightly toward the higher frequencies, ensuring clarity without harshness. This produces a clean, articulate sound that stands out in an ensemble without overpowering it.

During mixing, guitars are carefully placed to avoid clashing with vocals or rhythm instruments. Engineers are assumed to tame frequencies above 3kHz for harshness control, while enhancing the 1kHz area to maintain presence. Reverb and chorus effects are kept minimal, relying instead on room sound and silence between notes to create a sense of space.

Live performances often reveal Hoshino experimenting with pickup positions. For instance, with his Daphne Blue Fender Stratocaster, he frequently uses the bridge + middle pickup combination, rolling the tone knob slightly down to approximate an acoustic-electric hybrid feel. EQ adjustments are usually made directly on the guitar and amp, rarely through external processors or multi-effects units.

In the studio, Hoshino works within Logic Pro X. His approach favors subtlety, avoiding heavy compression or surgical EQ. Instead, the focus remains on groove, touch, and spatial balance. Guitars are mixed to “exist” within the track rather than dominate it, blending naturally with synths, rhythm tracks, and vocals.

Ultimately, Hoshino’s tone is not about complicated settings but about nuance. The authenticity of his playing, the warmth of his guitars, and the transparency of his amps define his sound. Recreating his tone requires focusing less on dials and more on touch, silence, and expression—or so it is assumed.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone [Gen Hoshino (ex: SAKEROCK)・Gen Hoshino]

Recreating Gen Hoshino’s warm, natural guitar tone does not always require expensive vintage gear. Even within a budget range of around $100–$500, beginners and intermediate players can find instruments and equipment that capture the essence of his sound with surprising accuracy.

For acoustic guitar, Hoshino’s main instruments such as the Gibson J-45 and J-50 are iconic but costly, often exceeding $2,000. A practical alternative is the Epiphone J-45 EC Studio. Produced by Gibson’s sub-brand Epiphone, this affordable model offers the round-shouldered warmth and resonance that Hoshino’s style relies on. With a built-in preamp, it’s also stage-ready, making it an excellent choice for singer-songwriters who want to replicate his intimate acoustic performances.

For electric guitar, Hoshino’s use of the Gibson ES-125 and ES-335 delivers smooth hollow-body tones. However, these guitars can be financially out of reach. The Epiphone Dot is a widely available semi-hollow model modeled after the ES-335. Its clean-to-light overdrive tones make it well suited for recreating sounds similar to “Koi” and “Bakemono.” It offers excellent value for money while maintaining a versatile tonal palette.

As for amplifiers, the SHINOS LUCK6V is handmade in Japan and highly priced. Players on a budget can turn to the Fender Champion 20 or the VOX AC4 series. The Champion 20 provides clear, warm cleans at a very affordable price, ideal for practice and small gigs. Meanwhile, the VOX AC4C1-12, though compact, delivers dynamic tube-driven tones that approximate the responsiveness of the SHINOS, making it a good option for players seeking authentic touch sensitivity.

Effects pedals are not central to Hoshino’s sound, but subtle ambience helps capture the depth of his recordings. Affordable reverb pedals such as the BOSS RV-6 or TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb deliver natural-sounding room tones without breaking the bank. For tremolo and vibe-style modulation, the NUX Monterey Vibe is a strong budget-friendly choice, capable of recreating the subtle movement present in Hoshino’s textures.

Ultimately, the key is not to chase exact replicas of his instruments but to choose gear that supports his philosophy: warm, natural, and expressive tones with minimal processing. The following gear list offers practical solutions for approaching his sound at a fraction of the cost.

Category	Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
Acoustic Guitar	J-45 EC Studio	Epiphone	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Affordable version of the Gibson J-45. Warm low-mids, excellent for singer-songwriter styles.
Electric Guitar	Dot	Epiphone	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Cost-effective ES-335 style guitar. Perfect for recreating “Koi”-like clean tones.
Amp	Champion 20	Fender	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Affordable solid-state amp with clear, natural cleans. Great for home use and small gigs.
Amp	AC4C1-12	VOX	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Compact tube amp with dynamic response, reminiscent of boutique builds like SHINOS.
Reverb	Skysurfer Reverb	TC Electronic	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Affordable reverb pedal offering natural ambience, great for acoustic or electric use.
Tremolo / Vibe	Monterey Vibe	NUX	Find on Amazon	SAKEROCK	Gen Hoshino	Budget-friendly modulation pedal, ideal for subtle vintage-style movement in tone.

Summary and Conclusion [SAKEROCK・Gen Hoshino]

The essence of Gen Hoshino’s guitar tone lies in its “human warmth” and “organic resonance.” Rather than chasing technical complexity or dazzling effects, he treats each instrument as a character in the story of his music. For acoustics, he prefers vintage models that emphasize the natural resonance of aged wood, while for electrics, he often chooses hollow and semi-hollow bodies that produce soft, rounded textures. This thoughtful approach defines his unique sound philosophy.

His playing is rarely drenched in effects. Instead, he relies on the pure voice of the guitar connected directly into the amp. This minimalism extends into arrangement and mixing: Hoshino is less interested in layering countless tracks than in creating a sound that moves air and carries emotion with just a single guitar. The result is simple on the surface, yet incredibly expressive and nuanced underneath.

This aesthetic mirrors his multifaceted career as an actor, writer, and musician. Like an actor who carefully modulates voice and expression, Hoshino shifts between whisper-like subtlety and powerful projection with his guitar. His tones are imbued with theatrical dynamics and narrative sensibility, which resonate deeply with listeners.

For those aiming to recreate his sound, the lesson is clear: rather than obsessing over high-end vintage gear, cultivate sensitivity to touch and tone. Even with a modest guitar, small adjustments like switching to bronze strings, experimenting with thumb-picking, or plugging directly into an amp can bring you closer to Hoshino’s warmth and intimacy.

Most importantly, Hoshino’s sound is tied to the “story” of each song. Understanding the emotional context of a piece and shaping your tone to fit its atmosphere is essential. His approach goes beyond equipment or EQ settings; it reflects the human presence behind the performance. In this sense, his guitar sound is not just about music, but about life and expression itself.

Simple yet profound, Gen Hoshino’s guitar style offers a reminder that true musical depth often emerges not from complexity, but from honesty and restraint. By embracing these qualities, any guitarist can find inspiration in his warmth and translate it into their own playing.