- 1. Introduction: The Slap Samurai
- 2. Amplifiers Used & Their Characteristics [MIYAVI]
- 3. Guitars Used & Key Features [MIYAVI]
- 4. Effects & Pedalboard Setup [MIYAVI]
- 5. Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Techniques [MIYAVI]
- 6. Affordable Gear to Recreate MIYAVI’s Sound
- 7. Final Thoughts: The Essence of MIYAVI’s Sound
1. Introduction: The Slap Samurai
MIYAVI is a truly unique figure in the Japanese and global guitar scene. Nicknamed the “Samurai Guitarist,” his signature trait is his aggressive fingerstyle technique—particularly his use of slap guitar, which borrows heavily from funk and R&B bass playing. He doesn’t use a pick, opting instead to slap, tap, and pluck the strings to create high-impact grooves and melodies.
His style is both rhythmically intense and melodically expressive, creating a one-man-band presence on stage that captivates audiences worldwide. His signature songs include “WHAT’S MY NAME?”, “STRONG,” and his reimagining of the “Mission: Impossible Theme,” all featuring percussive slap techniques layered with expressive effects.
MIYAVI’s guitars are customized to suit his unique needs—featuring a center pickup, a built-in sustainer, and modded bridges to help with feedback control and sustain during slap sections.
Beyond music, MIYAVI has appeared in Hollywood films like Maleficent and has completed world tours that blend audio and visual art. His career is a benchmark for performance that unites advanced technique, innovation, and global appeal.
This article breaks down the secrets behind MIYAVI’s tone—from his guitars, amps, and effects to EQ strategy and budget-friendly alternatives for players who want to recreate his dynamic sound.
▶ Search MIYAVI Official YouTube Videos
2. Amplifiers Used & Their Characteristics [MIYAVI]
MIYAVI’s amp choices are strategic—chosen to highlight the fast transients of slap guitar and to accommodate the dynamic range of his genre-bending style. His rig often blends Fender-style clean amps with Marshall-style gain to cover both clean attack and thick drive.
Marshall 1959SLP is one of his signature amps, delivering classic Plexi tones with tight mids and upper mids that cut through even his most intense slap passages. It was prominently used on the Fire Bird tour.
Fender Super Sonic Twin is known for its shimmering cleans and wide headroom, often used in combination with fuzz pedals. Its clarity makes it a great pairing for time-based effects, and it plays a key role in shaping MIYAVI’s 3D soundstage.
Marshall JVM210H is a modern high-gain amp that delivers tight punch and fast response. It allows for fine-tuning gain in the preamp section, helping to match distortion levels to individual songs and playing styles.
Fender Hot Rod DeVille is a versatile workhorse—used both in studio and on stage. It’s praised for quick attack and balanced tonal range, making it ideal for MIYAVI’s unpredictable and percussive playing.
These amps share two key traits: ultra-fast response and compatibility with pedals. Even clean-voiced amps like the Fender models are chosen for their ability to project MIYAVI’s forceful fingerstyle without muddying the tone.
| Model | Brand | Amazon Link | Artist | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959SLP | Marshall | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Plexi-style amp used on Fire Bird tour. Tight mids and top-end bite |
| JVM210H | Marshall | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Modern high-gain amp. Great for slap attack and tonal variation |
| Super Sonic Twin | Fender | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Clean-focused amp, often paired with fuzz and ambience |
| Hot Rod DeVille | Fender | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Studio/live-ready amp with fast transient response |
3. Guitars Used & Key Features [MIYAVI]
MIYAVI’s guitar selection is critical to his unique sound. His unorthodox slap and flamenco-inspired techniques require guitars tailored for dynamic, physical playing—most of which are heavily modified or specially built for his style.
The most iconic is the MIYAVI Telecaster, a custom Fender model developed specifically for him. It features a center pickup, onboard Sustainer, and a tremolo system—all geared toward delivering both sharp attack and long, expressive sustain. Every element is optimized for his percussive and melodic needs.
Another key guitar is the Taylor T5-C1, a semi-hollow hybrid with acoustic-like warmth and electric responsiveness. It handles MIYAVI’s slap technique beautifully and has been a longtime staple in his global tours.
The Taylor 616ce is his go-to for full acoustic performances. Its brilliant highs and rich projection are perfect for ambient or mid-tempo songs where nuance and dynamics are essential.
Fender’s MIYAVI × Soloist was created to mark his 15th career anniversary. This guitar combines standout visuals with a high-performance spec aimed at versatility and visual flair on stage.
What unites all his guitars is one core requirement: the ability to translate finger-based articulation—slapping, tapping, dragging, or flicking the strings—into full-bodied sound. MIYAVI’s guitars aren’t just tools—they’re extensions of his playing technique.
| Model | Brand | Amazon Link | Artist | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIYAVI Telecaster | Fender | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Electric Guitar | Custom with center PU + Sustainer. Optimized for slapping |
| T5-C1 | Taylor | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Semi-Acoustic | Hybrid body; great acoustic-electric response for slap styles |
| 616ce | Taylor | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Acoustic Guitar | Shimmering highs and clarity. Used in ambient/mid-tempo songs |
| MIYAVI × Soloist | Fender | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Electric Guitar | 15th anniversary model. Combines design and playability |
Every MIYAVI guitar is built not just to sound great, but to respond to touch, velocity, and technique—allowing every subtle tap or slap to be heard and felt. His rig is a blueprint for guitarists seeking to combine tone with extreme expressiveness.
4. Effects & Pedalboard Setup [MIYAVI]
MIYAVI’s pedalboard is a carefully engineered sonic ecosystem built to support his percussive slap style, live looping, and genre-defying solo performances. His setup prioritizes multi-dimensional control—enabling him to create rhythm, melody, and harmony using just a single guitar.
For distortion, he favors mid-forward overdrives such as the Ibanez TS808HW (handwired Tube Screamer) and BOSS BD-2, which preserve note clarity during aggressive slapping. These allow the percussive attack to cut through while still delivering warm, biting saturation.
He also uses the Xotic BB Preamp, a 2-band EQ overdrive that allows for precise tonal sculpting. In heavier or more experimental performances, he may switch to wild fuzz units like the ZVEX Fuzz Factory or the rare Pete Cornish NG-3, which offer glitchy, destructive textures with massive output.
In terms of spatial effects, Eventide H9, TimeFactor, and ModFactor are at the core of his board. These high-end digital pedals offer flexible delay, reverb, modulation, and pitch-shifting, often controlled via Bluetooth for real-time tweaks during live shows.
MIYAVI frequently expands his tonal palette with pitch and octave effects. The Electro-Harmonix POG2, Digitech Whammy 5, and MI AUDIO Pollyanna help him simulate bass parts and synth-like layers. For live arrangements where he handles all musical layers solo, these are indispensable.
His pedalboard also features complex routing with stereo outputs and loop bypass configurations. This allows him to split signals to multiple amps, layer tones, or isolate effects—essential for simulating a full band with just one guitar.
| Model | Brand | Amazon Link | Artist | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TS808HW | Ibanez | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Overdrive | Handwired classic OD. Mid punch for slap clarity |
| BD-2 | BOSS | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Overdrive | Great for soft drive and responsive articulation |
| BB Preamp | Xotic | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Booster / EQ | 2-band EQ for surgical tone shaping |
| Fuzz Factory | ZVEX | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Fuzz | Glitchy, chaotic fuzz for extreme textures |
| NG-3 | Pete Cornish | — | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Fuzz | Rare and powerful fuzz unit with massive gain |
| H9 | Eventide | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Multi-FX (Time/Pitch) | Bluetooth-controllable multi-effects processor |
| TimeFactor | Eventide | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Delay | Dual delay engine for layered slap-back & rhythms |
| ModFactor | Eventide | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Modulation | Wide range of chorus, flanger, and more |
| POG2 | Electro-Harmonix | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Octaver | Generates thick harmonies via +1/-1 octaves |
| Whammy 5 | Digitech | Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Pitch Shifter | Real-time pitch control, great for harmonic jumps |
Each of these pedals plays a role in turning MIYAVI’s guitar into a full-band machine. He doesn’t just build a tone—he builds an entire sonic experience through intricate pedalboard choreography.
5. Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Techniques [MIYAVI]
MIYAVI’s tone design is a finely tuned architecture, enabling him to cover rhythm, bass, and melody—all simultaneously—with a single guitar. Achieving this requires not just technique, but surgical precision in amp settings, EQ, and spatial effects.
For his slap technique to cut through clearly, MIYAVI’s EQ is tightly focused. The low-mids (around 500Hz) are often gently cut to reduce muddiness, while the presence range (2–4kHz) is boosted to emphasize finger attacks, taps, and slaps. This makes the percussive snap of each note distinctly audible even in dense mixes.
At the same time, he preserves some low-end (around 80–150Hz) to maintain body and emulate basslines—especially when using octave pedals like the POG2 or BOSS OC-3. On stage, these low frequencies are often enhanced via subwoofer output for physical impact during live shows.
For amp settings, MIYAVI’s clean tones (e.g., using Fender Super Sonic Twin) usually have elevated clean gain to retain slap attack clarity without compressing dynamics. For high-gain amps like the Marshall JVM210H, he dials back the mids slightly (below 12 o’clock) to avoid clashing with vocals and other instruments in the band mix.
Live looping also plays a critical role. With Eventide H9 and TimeFactor, he uses tap tempo and MIDI control to synchronize delay times precisely—preventing overlap between loops and lead lines. A good example is the track “WHAT’S MY NAME?”, where synchronized delay helps create space between phrases.
In terms of studio mixing, MIYAVI’s guitar is often treated with a central midrange focus and subtle stereo width. Reverbs and delays are pushed to the sides, while the core tone stays centered to avoid frequency clashes—especially above 3.5kHz where vocals usually dominate.
Interestingly, MIYAVI typically avoids using compression. Instead, he relies on touch dynamics and responsive amp gain to shape volume and attack. This choice preserves the “human element” in his tone, ensuring that every nuance in finger movement translates directly to sound.
For studio sessions, he often blends amp miking with direct-in (DI) signals. This hybrid approach balances warmth and body from the amp with the sharp attack captured through DI—ideal for performances where the guitar also doubles as a bassline driver.
Ultimately, MIYAVI’s sound isn’t just loud or flashy—it’s a carefully layered construction that marries musicality with movement, space, and emotional detail.
6. Affordable Gear to Recreate MIYAVI’s Sound
MIYAVI’s sound is undeniably complex—combining aggressive slap technique with intricate effects and percussive tone shaping. But that doesn’t mean you need a $10,000 rig to get started. If you’re a beginner or intermediate guitarist aiming to emulate his vibe, there are plenty of budget-friendly tools that can help you approximate his tone within the $100–$500 range.
| Category | Model | Brand | Amazon Link | Artist | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar | Revstar Element RSE20 | YAMAHA | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Lightweight with punchy tones. Versatile enough for slapping and aggressive play |
| Amplifier | Mustang LT25 | Fender | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Compact amp with amp/fuzz modeling and built-in effects |
| Delay | Duotime | NUX | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Dual delay engine; budget-friendly alternative to TimeFactor or H9 |
| Octaver | Nano POG | Electro-Harmonix | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Adds +1/-1 octaves for thickening leads and simulating bass lines |
| Overdrive | Sweet Baby Overdrive | Joyo | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Affordable TS-style overdrive for dynamic fingerstyle gain |
| Tremolo | Trelicopter | Mooer | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Vintage-style tremolo; great for ambient sections and layered rhythms |
| Pitch Shifter | Harmonic Square | Donner | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Whammy-style pitch shifting with polyphonic tracking |
| Multi-FX | Zoom G3n | Zoom | Search on Amazon JP | MIYAVI | MIYAVI | Built-in delay, distortion, modulation—ideal for beginners replicating MIYAVI’s setup |
The key to recreating MIYAVI’s tone lies in achieving a balance between fast, responsive attack and spatial depth. With smart combinations of overdrive, delay, and octave effects, even a modest setup can capture the essence of his sound.
Units like the Zoom G3n and NUX Duotime offer outstanding value, letting you build a MIYAVI-style rig without breaking the bank—great for live use as well.
To take it further, pay attention to pickup selection, tone knob adjustments, and your picking dynamics. If your goal is to emulate MIYAVI’s “right-hand-centric” musical style, developing expressive picking and thinking of gear as an extension of your body is the next step.
7. Final Thoughts: The Essence of MIYAVI’s Sound
With his one-of-a-kind playing style, MIYAVI has carved out a space on global stages as a guitar innovator. The core of his tone is not just flashy effects or custom gear—it’s a meticulously built system designed to amplify his physical technique.
His slap guitar style merges low-end bass-like rhythms with melodic guitar lines. This demands gear that is fast, responsive, and dynamic. Everything from his amps and guitars to his pedalboard is chosen to bring out clarity, punch, and expression in each finger hit, slide, or tap.
Two key sonic principles define his rig: immediate response and spatial control. Whether it’s a clean passage or fuzz-heavy attack, MIYAVI’s tone remains articulate and clear. That’s thanks to high-fidelity amp settings, careful EQ, strategic use of delay and octave pedals, and—most importantly—gear that reacts to his touch.
His guitars are also purpose-built. With center pickups, sustainers, and active circuitry, they’re not just modified—they’re engineered to match the nuances of his unorthodox right-hand techniques. This is something that conventional Strat or Tele setups often fail to accommodate.
In recent years, MIYAVI has embraced hybrid digital/analog workflows. Tools like the Eventide H9 give him portability, consistency, and deep tone-shaping options for live tours and studio work alike. His sound philosophy now reflects this hybrid approach—merging digital flexibility with analog feel.
To recreate MIYAVI’s tone, start with your right hand. Practice expressive picking and slap phrasing. Then dial in your amp and pedals to enhance those physical accents. Use delays, pitch effects, and stereo separation to build your sound outward—not just louder, but wider and deeper.
Above all, MIYAVI views gear as an extension of the body. He doesn’t just use effects—he plays them. If you want to move beyond imitation and build your own expressive voice, study how MIYAVI integrates technique and tone as a single, fluid system.
▶ Search MIYAVI Official YouTube Videos
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