[Kazutoshi Sakurai] – How to Recreate the Mr.Children (Bank Band) Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Kazutoshi Sakurai, as the core member of Mr.Children and Bank Band, has been a driving force in the Japanese music scene.

His guitar playing is not about flashy techniques, but rather about chord work that wraps around the vocals, riffs that mirror emotional dynamics, and solos that strike either gently or sharply, always capturing the listener’s heart.

Representative songs such as “Owarinaki Tabi,” “Shirushi,” “HANABI,” and “NOT FOUND” exemplify how Sakurai’s guitar playing is designed with “songfulness” as the top priority.

His choice of guitars—both electric and acoustic—has been highly diverse, selected depending on the worldview and arrangement of each song.

Even in projects like Bank Band, his sound-making is characterized by its focus on overall harmony, strongly emphasizing ambient texture and ensemble balance.

Amplifiers are often based on Fender-style amps and the Roland JC-120, with clean tones forming the core. Effects are kept to a minimum, allowing the natural texture and performance nuances of the guitar to shine through.

On the acoustic side, multiple vintage Martins and Gibsons have been used, with live sound reinforced by high-quality pickups such as the L.R.Baggs Anthem. The result is a sound that is simple yet deep and dimensional.

In this article, we will break down Sakurai’s guitar gear, amplifier setups, effects, EQ strategies, and even affordable alternatives. The goal is to uncover the true essence of his tone-making approach.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Mr.Children

List of Amplifiers and Features [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

In Kazutoshi Sakurai’s sound design, the choice of amplifier is often more critical than the guitars or effects themselves, with a strong focus on “purity of tone” and “expressiveness of nuance.”

His main amplifiers are the Roland JC-120, known for its crystalline clean tone, and several Fender combo amps. The JC-120 has become a staple for countless pop and rock guitarists due to its stereo chorus and solid clean foundation.

In Sakurai’s performances, this clean tone becomes the bedrock that supports the vocals and creates a transparent sonic space.

Fender amps such as the Twin Reverb and Deluxe Reverb have also been used in both studio and live contexts, delivering natural crunch and clean tones that highlight chord cutting and single-note clarity.

During Bank Band projects, he has also been seen with a Koch combo amp. These are known for their high-transparency clean sounds and warm, smooth overdrive. However, it is unclear whether these were miked or run directly to the board, so their use remains speculative.

To compensate for the JC-120’s weaknesses—such as lack of compression or slightly muddy low-end—boosters or overdrives like the Vemuram Jan Ray are often paired, enhancing clean-to-crunch textures.

The consistent criteria in his amp selection is that “the touch of his playing can be projected as-is.”

Instead of relying on heavy distortion, his amps are chosen for their ability to flexibly adapt drive and spatial depth according to the demands of the song. This approach allows his guitar to always complement rather than overpower the vocals.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
JC-120 Jazz Chorus	Roland	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	A go-to clean amp used in both live and studio setups. Known for its transparent tone and lush chorus.
Twin Reverb (assumed)	Fender	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Frequently used in studio contexts. Provides natural crunch with a warm midrange.
Koch Combo (assumed)	Koch	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children / Bank Band	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Observed on stage during Bank Band shows, though its actual use (miking or DI) is unconfirmed.

Types of Guitars Used and Features [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

Kazutoshi Sakurai’s choice of guitars spans both electric and acoustic, carefully selected depending on the era, arrangement, and song requirements.

Among electrics, Telecaster-style guitars have played the most prominent role. His “No.2 Seymour Duncan Telecaster” was used extensively in the band’s early years, delivering sharp tones in songs like “Owarinaki Tabi” and “Niji no Kanata e.”

Later, guitars such as the G&L ASAT Special, Fender Japan Blue Flower Telecaster, and custom Telecasters from Guitars R Us became mainstays, shaping the core of Mr.Children’s rock sound.

Other electrics include the Gibson Les Paul Jr. DC, Versoul Henry Model, Freedom Red Pepper, and James Tyler Stratocaster, all providing unique tonal characters that support Sakurai’s nuanced expression.

On the acoustic side, the Martin D-28 is iconic. He owns at least three different D-28s, each with unique specs, selected by era and song. The Gibson J-45 is also frequently used, notably in songs like “Shirushi” and “and I love you,” delivering warmth and power.

Additional acoustics such as the Versoul Buxom6 series and the Yamaha LJ66 Custom feature high-end pickup systems, ensuring faithful live reproduction and expressive dynamics in recording sessions.

In recent years, rare models such as the momose Premium MT and Gibson Crimson Byrdland have also appeared in his collection, underscoring his keen sensibility not just as a performer but also as a collector.

Overall, Sakurai’s guitar choices are not only about tonal character, but also about visual impression, emotional resonance, and synergy with the songs—making them integral to his artistry.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Type of Guitar	Notes
Martin D-28	Martin	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Acoustic	His signature acoustic. Equipped with L.R.Baggs Anthem. Owns multiple D-28s, used depending on era and song.
Guitars R Us Blue Flower Telecaster	Guitars R Us	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Electric	Used since 2001 and continues to be a core part of Mr.Children’s rock tone.
Gibson J-45	Gibson	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Acoustic	A vintage J-45 gifted to him. Prominently used in “and I love you” and “Shirushi.” Owns more than one.
momose Custom MT (Karuizawa engraving)	momose	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Electric	Used in 2019 for “everybody goes.” A rare Japanese-made model with cherry blossom engravings.
Versoul Buxom6 Jumbo Gold Label	Versoul	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Acoustic	A premium guitar valued over 1 million yen. Very natural pickup sound. Frequently used in live shows since 2009.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

Kazutoshi Sakurai’s effects setup is minimal yet practical, reflecting his philosophy of guitar as an accompaniment to vocals rather than a competing instrument.

In the studio, he often relies on clean and light crunch tones with clear separation and quick attack. These are usually based on Fender amps or the Roland JC-120, with only essential effects added to enhance nuance rather than to color the sound heavily.

A key pedal in his arsenal is the Vemuram Jan Ray. This overdrive provides low-gain, highly natural boost, elevating his picking dynamics and chord articulation without altering the fundamental tone. It also helps compensate for the JC-120’s lack of compression and harmonic richness, ensuring a solid clean-to-crunch character in both studio and live contexts.

To further refine clarity in clean tones, he is believed to occasionally add light compression or EQ pedals, though no detailed pedalboard photos have surfaced to confirm exact models. This makes some of his pedalboard structure speculative.

For acoustic guitars, Sakurai relies heavily on L.R.Baggs Anthem, a premium pickup system blending condenser microphone and piezo elements. This allows a natural and balanced direct line-out, essential for live and TV performances. With guitars such as the Martin D-28, the signal is often sent straight to the mixing board or PA, with minimal EQ adjustments.

Unlike many guitarists who build large pedalboards, Sakurai prefers subtle “utility” effects. Instead of flashy modulation or heavy ambience, he selects pedals that provide transparent tone-shaping and boosting. The goal is always the same: to give the guitar presence without overshadowing the vocals.

Thus, his pedalboard philosophy is best described as “less is more”—a carefully selected handful of devices that enhance clarity, balance, and emotional delivery while staying invisible to the casual listener.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Effect Type	Notes
Jan Ray	Vemuram	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Overdrive	Provides natural low-gain boost and enhanced mids. Pairs perfectly with JC-120, adding warmth and balance.
Anthem	L.R.Baggs	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Acoustic Effect	Mixes condenser mic and piezo. Commonly installed in Martin and Gibson acoustics for live use.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

Kazutoshi Sakurai’s guitar tone may not be flashy, but it is remarkably refined in terms of spatial awareness, distance from vocals, and alignment with each song’s atmosphere.

His electric guitar settings are usually rooted in clean to lightly overdriven tones, relying on low-gain amps and delicate picking to faithfully convey nuances. When using the Roland JC-120, it is believed that he lowers Treble and Presence slightly, while emphasizing mids to create warmth without harshness.

When the Vemuram Jan Ray is engaged, the settings often lean toward Gain at around 2–3, Volume near 5, with Treble and Bass kept flat and Mids raised slightly. This results in a tone that cuts through a band mix while maintaining the impression of “solid clean” with subtle grit.

For Fender amps like the Twin Reverb, Sakurai likely adjusts Volume and Treble to control brightness, while pulling back Middle and Bass to avoid clashing with other instruments in the mix. This ensures his guitar never competes with vocals, but still carries presence in the ensemble.

Song-specific EQ examples provide insight into his tonal philosophy. For instance, in “Owarinaki Tabi”, the mid-lows are boosted to give chords a sense of expansion. In “NOT FOUND”, the clean tone is left open with minimal compression, lightly enhanced by subtle delay to create a spatial effect.

With acoustic guitars, especially Martin D-28s equipped with L.R.Baggs Anthem, the approach is straightforward: a natural line-out with minimal EQ at the PA or mixing desk. Engineers often cut below 80Hz and carefully shape the midrange to balance piezo brightness with microphone warmth. In songs like “and I love you” and “Shirushi”, the characteristic mid-lows of the Gibson J-45 are left intact, since these tonal qualities directly carry emotional weight.

Recording and live ensemble positioning also play a key role. Double-tracking and stereo widening are often used to let the guitars “fill the space” without being overbearing. This results in Mr.Children’s trademark wide yet unobtrusive sound field.

In Bank Band projects, mixing tends to focus more on ambience and atmosphere, with heavier emphasis on reverb and spatial processing. Here, compression and reverb are often handled at the PA side rather than through pedals.

Finally, it must be noted that Sakurai’s playing technique itself—light attack, gentle muting, and an acute sense of picking dynamics—functions as part of his tone shaping. His sound is not just the sum of gear and settings but also the integration of performance, ensemble balance, and mixing. This holistic approach defines the core of his sound in both Mr.Children and Bank Band, or so it can be assumed.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

At first glance, Kazutoshi Sakurai’s guitar sound may seem dependent on rare vintage instruments and high-end boutique gear. However, the true essence of his tone lies in three elements: quick clean attack, a warm and pronounced midrange, and faithful response to playing dynamics.

For this reason, it is very possible for beginners and intermediate players to approximate his tone using more accessible gear within a modest budget.

For amplifiers, the Roland JC-40 is a strong recommendation. As the smaller sibling of the JC-120, it features stereo chorus, transparent cleans, and dual channels while remaining priced under ¥100,000. It offers more than enough output for practice spaces, small live venues, or home use, while retaining the “clean transparency” essential to Sakurai’s tone.

As for overdrive, the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver is a highly effective choice. While the Vemuram Jan Ray is considered a premium low-gain overdrive, the BD-2 provides a similar ability to push the clean signal forward while keeping the guitar’s natural dynamics intact. With Gain set low and Tone slightly boosted, it delivers articulate crunch reminiscent of Sakurai’s recordings.

When it comes to guitars, the Fender Japan Traditional 60s Telecaster is a faithful alternative. Although it lacks the rare Blue Flower design, its crisp yet warm Telecaster tone captures the spirit of songs like “Owarinaki Tabi” and “Ashiatō ~Be Strong.” The Telecaster remains central to Sakurai’s rock sound, making this model one of the most effective substitutes.

For acoustic work, the Yamaha LL6 ARE is a standout. Priced well under ¥100,000, it features A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) treatment on the top, offering mature resonance out of the box. With a built-in pickup system, it performs reliably in live settings, providing a tone quality comparable to the L.R.Baggs-equipped Martins and Gibsons Sakurai favors.

To complete the setup, basic tuners and EQ pedals from BOSS or KORG will suffice. Since Sakurai’s rig avoids complex modulation or ambience, simplicity works in your favor. The goal is to preserve touch sensitivity, clarity, and balance with vocals—qualities even affordable gear can achieve when chosen thoughtfully.

The table below outlines practical alternatives with strong value and their reasons for being recommended.

Type	Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
Amp	JC-40	Roland	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Scaled-down JC-120. Offers transparent clean and stereo chorus, perfect for Sakurai-style tones.
Overdrive	BD-2 Blues Driver	BOSS	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	A budget-friendly low-gain overdrive. Retains nuance and works as a Jan Ray substitute.
Electric Guitar	Traditional 60s Telecaster	Fender Japan	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Faithful Telecaster sound. Delivers the sharp-yet-warm tone central to Sakurai’s rock work.
Acoustic Guitar	LL6 ARE	Yamaha	Search on Amazon	Mr.Children	Kazutoshi Sakurai	Affordable acoustic with A.R.E. treatment and built-in pickup. Delivers warm resonance live and in studio.

Summary and Conclusion [Mr.Children – Kazutoshi Sakurai]

Kazutoshi Sakurai’s guitar sound is less about flashiness and more about serving the song with refined subtlety. Within Mr.Children and Bank Band, his role as a guitarist is to elevate the vocals, functioning as an accompanist while occasionally delivering emotional lines that stir the listener deeply. This delicate balance defines his artistry.

His gear choices reflect this philosophy: Telecaster-style guitars as the electric foundation, acoustics such as Martin and Gibson for warmth and intimacy, and amps like Fender and Roland for clean transparency. What all of these tools share is an ability to faithfully reproduce playing nuance. Rather than relying on heavy distortion or elaborate effects, Sakurai builds his sound with dynamics and touch.

His approach to EQ and mixing is equally subtle, ensuring the guitar blends with the band without overshadowing the vocals. Small adjustments in midrange emphasis, acoustic pickup balance, and spatial positioning in mixes give his sound the emotional weight it needs without excess coloration. This sense of restraint reveals not only technical skill but also musical maturity.

For example, in live and studio settings, the Anthem-equipped Martin D-28 allows his acoustic parts to remain authentic and present without sacrificing natural resonance. Similarly, his electric settings always strive for clarity and warmth, maintaining emotional connection through simplicity.

Ultimately, Sakurai’s sound is not “a tone that demands attention” but “a tone that supports and resonates with the song.” His essence lies in the gentleness of sound, resonance with the vocals, and the ability to translate emotional distance into sonic space.

For players seeking to replicate his style, the key is not only in acquiring similar gear but in asking the same guiding question: “How can this guitar part serve the song?” From there, subtle tweaks in EQ, touch, and instrument choice can bring you closer to his unique sound world.

This is the most reliable way to approximate Kazutoshi Sakurai’s guitar sound—a journey not of copying gear, but of learning to listen, adjust, and express with sensitivity. That is the true first step to embodying his tone.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Bank Band