Introduction (Overview of Tone)
KAZYA, the guitarist of the band 175R, is known for his straightforward yet emotional guitar playing style, particularly shining in melodic punk and pop-rock genres. His unique sound is especially prominent in iconic songs like “Sora ni Utaeba” and “Anata ni Okuru Uta,” where he skillfully transitions between clean arpeggios and distorted riffs, embodying the songs’ sense of speed and youthful energy.
The allure of KAZYA’s sound lies in its thick distortion and clarity, allowing his guitar to stand out in the mix of the band. Whether during live performances or in music videos, his tone is instantly recognizable, showcasing a distinct personality.
▶ Search official YouTube videos of 175R
List of Amplifiers and Features
KAZYA is known to use a variety of amplifiers that cater to both live and studio settings, including the Marshall JCM2000 DSL100, Fender USA Tone Master, and KOCH Powertone II.
The Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 is renowned for its articulate distortion and punchy midrange, making it a staple for punk-rock riffs that demand presence. This amplifier is capable of withstanding the sound pressure during live performances, ensuring that KAZYA’s tone remains powerful and clear.
On the other hand, the Fender USA Tone Master excels in the clean to crunch range, offering a transparent sound that KAZYA frequently utilizes for arpeggios and clean tones. Its tube-like warmth and responsiveness allow for nuanced expression, making it a favorite for conveying subtle details in his playing.
The KOCH Powertone II is often employed in studio recordings and smaller live settings, appreciated for its user-friendly British tone. It provides a natural distortion that enhances the original sound of the guitar, making it suitable for KAZYA’s sound design.
By combining these amplifiers, KAZYA effectively switches between clean and distorted tones for different songs, ensuring he maintains an optimal presence within the band’s overall mix.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JCM2000 DSL100 | Marshall | Search | 175R | KAZYA | A staple amp for live performances with a focus on distortion |
| Tone Master | Fender USA | Search | 175R | KAZYA | An amp specialized for clean tones, suitable for studio/live use |
| Powertone II | KOCH | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Ideal for studio and small gigs, offering a user-friendly British tone |
Types of Guitars Used and Features
KAZYA primarily uses the GIBSON Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, Journeyman SG crafts LTD KZY01, and FGN NCTL-10M/ASH/OWB.
The GIBSON Les Paul Custom Black Beauty is known for its thick, powerful sound, making it perfect for lead playing and power chords. Its clarity shines particularly in rock and punk songs, allowing KAZYA to cut through the mix effectively.
The Journeyman SG crafts LTD KZY01 is KAZYA’s signature model, designed with a focus on playability and lightweight construction for live performances. It offers excellent note clarity and a pronounced midrange, making it ideal for fast-paced riffs.
FGN NCTL-10M/ASH/OWB is a guitar KAZYA began using after a magazine feature, noted for its comfortable feel and stable pitch. With an ash body finished in off-white blonde, a one-piece maple neck in a soft V shape, and a maple fingerboard, this guitar is equipped with 52T-HOT-F/HOT-R pickups, providing great cost performance.
By utilizing these guitars, KAZYA can adapt his sound to fit the mood of each song and the context of live performances.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Paul Custom Black Beauty | GIBSON | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Electric Guitar | Thick, powerful sound ideal for leads and power chords |
| SG crafts LTD KZY01 | Journeyman | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Electric Guitar | Signature model with excellent playability and clarity |
| NCTL-10M/ASH/OWB | FGN | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Electric Guitar | Comfortable feel with stable pitch and good cost performance |
Effects and Pedalboard Setup
KAZYA’s pedalboard is designed to accommodate a wide range of sounds from clean to distorted. He uses the BOSS TU-2 to ensure stable tuning, while the BOSS CE-2 chorus adds thickness and depth to his clean tones.
For distortion, he employs a variety of pedals including the KLON CENTAUR, BOSS OD-1, FULLTONE FULLDRIVE2, and CARL MARTIN HOT DRIVE’N BOOST MK2, allowing him to adjust the drive characteristics based on the dynamics of each song. The KLON CENTAUR is particularly valued for its natural and transparent boost, enhancing the amp’s characteristics while increasing overall sound pressure.
In terms of spatial effects, KAZYA utilizes the LINE6 STOMP BOX DL4 for delay and looping, which is essential for repeating phrases and building sound layers during live performances. Overall, KAZYA’s pedalboard is designed to ensure that his melodies stand out in the band’s mix.
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Effect Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TU-2 | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Tuner | Used for stable tuning |
| CE-2 | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Chorus | Adds thickness and depth to clean tones |
| STOMP BOX DL4 | LINE6 | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Delay/Looper | Essential for repeating phrases and layering sounds live |
| HOT DRIVE’N BOOST MK2 | CARL MARTIN | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Overdrive/Booster | Adjusts distortion for leads and rhythms |
| KLON CENTAUR | KLON | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Overdrive/Booster | Natural boost that enhances amp transparency |
| OD-1 | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Overdrive | Key for early distortion sounds, effective for riffs and leads |
| FULLDRIVE2 | FULLTONE | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Overdrive | Offers a wide range of distortion and boost options |
Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches
KAZYA’s sound design is characterized by the ability to adjust from clean to distorted tones through a combination of amplifiers and effects. In both live and recording settings, he carefully adjusts EQ settings based on the dynamics of each song, ensuring that his guitar does not get buried in the overall mix.
For clean tones, he combines the flat EQ of the Fender USA Tone Master with the BOSS CE-2 chorus, resulting in a clear articulation of arpeggios that expresses transparency and lightness in the song. By slightly reducing the midrange and adding edge to the high frequencies, he avoids interference with the vocals.
In distorted settings, the Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 and KOCH Powertone II are paired with the KLON CENTAUR and FULLTONE FULLDRIVE2 as boosters, allowing for dynamic changes in lead and rhythm sections. Specifically, during lead parts, he uses the booster to bring the sound forward, while emphasizing the midrange in riffs while controlling low-end muddiness.
In terms of mixing, KAZYA considers the perspective of the PA and sound engineer, using compressors and multiband EQ to refine the guitar’s frequency range. During live performances, he skillfully switches channels on the amp and utilizes a volume pedal to transition smoothly from clean tones in the intro to distorted sounds in the chorus. Additionally, the LINE6 DL4 is employed to add delay and looping effects, enhancing the song’s thickness and spatial expansion while maintaining a natural presence in the mix during recordings.
Through meticulous EQ settings, effective combinations of effects, and thoughtful amp configurations, KAZYA successfully recreates the unique sense of speed and melodic guitar sound characteristic of 175R. These techniques are the result of trial and error in live and recording settings, with adjustments made according to the tempo, structure, and instrumentation of each song.
Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone
For beginners looking to recreate KAZYA’s sound affordably, utilizing BOSS pedals or commercially available multi-effects units is a viable option. The key is to select gear that can replicate the quality of distortion as well as spatial effects like chorus and delay.
For distortion, using the BOSS OD-1 or BOSS SD-1 can achieve a natural boost and overdrive similar to the KLON CENTAUR and FULLTONE FULLDRIVE2. The SD-1, in particular, is budget-friendly yet offers a thick midrange, allowing for sound creation that doesn’t get lost in the band mix. By adjusting the gain according to lead and riff requirements, players can mimic KAZYA’s approach to distortion.
For spatial effects, the BOSS CE-2W and BOSS DD-8 can somewhat replicate the effects of the CE-2 and DL4. The CE-2W allows for adjustments in chorus depth and modulation, adding thickness and dimension to clean tones. The DD-8 combines delay and looping capabilities, catering to diverse sound creation needs during practice or live settings.
In terms of amplifiers, budget-friendly modeling combo amps like the Fender Champion series or Marshall MG series can be used as alternatives to the Fender USA Tone Master. While they may not match the sound pressure or nuanced details of KAZYA’s preferred amps, they are sufficient for practice and home recording, enabling players to get closer to KAZYA’s sound.
With these combinations, it is possible to recreate KAZYA’s sound design within a budget of approximately $100 to $500, allowing beginners to enjoy a guitar sound that stands out in a band context.
| Type | Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overdrive | SD-1 | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Budget-friendly with thick midrange, suitable for beginners |
| Chorus | CE-2W | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Adds thickness and dimension to clean tones |
| Delay/Looper | DD-8 | BOSS | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Affordable alternative for delay and looping |
| Amplifier | Champion Series | Fender | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Easy to achieve clean tone transparency and basic distortion |
| Amplifier | MG Series | Marshall | Search | 175R | KAZYA | Affordable option for achieving distortion at home |
Summary and Conclusion
The essence of KAZYA’s sound design lies in its simplicity, yet it is optimized for each song. By skillfully combining amplifiers, guitars, and effects, he tailors his sound to highlight the melodies and overall mix of 175R’s music.
His selection of guitars, including the thick-sounding Les Paul Custom, the playability of the signature SG, and the stable pitch of the FGN, allows him to choose tones that match the expression of each song. Utilizing the characteristics of amplifiers from Marshall, Fender, and KOCH, he adjusts sound pressure and clarity for both live and studio settings. His use of effects such as distortion, overdrive, chorus, and delay adds depth and accents to his phrases.
By employing accessible alternative gear, even beginners can experiment with KAZYA’s sound without breaking the bank. The key is not just to gather equipment but to understand the characteristics of each piece and to adjust EQ and effects based on the song. With this perspective, players can reflect the charm of 175R’s guitar sound in their performances.
Ultimately, the core of KAZYA’s sound design is about “choosing the right gear optimized for the song and band” and “making meticulous adjustments.” By keeping this in mind, anyone can aim for the melodic and clear guitar sound characteristic of 175R.
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