【MAMI】How to Recreate the SCANDAL Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings 【Effects & Amps】

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

MAMI, the lead guitarist of SCANDAL, has captivated countless fans with her distinctive sound and playing style. Her guitar work is characterized by a pop sensibility combined with edgy, cutting tones that significantly contribute to the band’s musical identity. This article will delve into MAMI’s gear setup and tone-crafting techniques, providing detailed insights into how to recreate her signature sound.

MAMI’s guitar tone stands out for its clarity and versatility, seamlessly transitioning from crystalline clean passages to powerful driven sections. Her approach to sound design emphasizes musicality over technicality, creating memorable guitar parts that serve the song while maintaining her unique sonic fingerprint. The combination of her Fender signature guitars, carefully selected amplifiers, and strategic use of effects creates a cohesive sound palette that has become synonymous with SCANDAL’s modern rock approach.

What makes MAMI’s sound particularly noteworthy is her ability to maintain tonal consistency across different musical contexts, from intimate acoustic arrangements to full-band rock anthems. Her gear choices reflect a deep understanding of how each component contributes to the overall sonic picture, making her setup an excellent case study for guitarists seeking to develop their own distinctive voice.

List of Amplifiers and Features【SCANDAL・MAMI】

MAMI’s amplifier choices reflect her commitment to achieving both live performance reliability and studio recording versatility. Her preference for Fender amplifiers stems from their natural compatibility with her playing style and the tonal characteristics that define SCANDAL’s sound. The clean-to-overdrive transition that Fender amps provide aligns perfectly with her dynamic playing approach, allowing for expressive volume-based tone shaping.

The Fender Mustang GT series has become a cornerstone of her live setup, particularly notable for the official preset collaborations available through the Fender TONE app. These presets, developed in partnership with both MAMI and HARUNA, offer fans direct access to the tones used in SCANDAL’s recordings and live performances. The digital modeling capabilities of the Mustang GT allow for consistent tone reproduction across different venues and performance contexts.

Her use of the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe demonstrates her appreciation for traditional tube amp warmth and responsiveness. This amplifier’s ability to deliver pristine cleans while maintaining musical overdrive characteristics when pushed makes it ideal for the dynamic range required in SCANDAL’s repertoire. The Hot Rod Deluxe’s mid-power rating provides sufficient headroom for clean passages while allowing natural compression when driven.

The Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 represents MAMI’s exploration of higher-gain territories, particularly during SCANDAL’s earlier, more rock-oriented phases. This amplifier’s versatility in handling both clean and heavily distorted tones provided the sonic foundation for some of the band’s heavier material, though it appears less frequently in her current setup as SCANDAL’s sound has evolved toward a more pop-rock direction.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Best Price URL	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
Fender Mustang GT	Fender	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Features official presets from MAMI and HARUNA via Fender TONE app, used in live performances and recordings.
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe	Fender	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Confirmed for live use, capable of wide sound range from clean to crunch tones.
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100	Marshall	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Used in past live performances, specializes in high-gain sounds.

Types of Guitars Used and Features【SCANDAL・MAMI】

MAMI’s guitar collection showcases her long-standing relationship with Fender, particularly evident through her signature model collaborations. Her guitar selection process prioritizes not only sonic characteristics but also aesthetic appeal and playability, reflecting her understanding that visual presentation is equally important for live performance engagement. The evolution of her signature models demonstrates her growing influence in guitar design and her commitment to providing accessible instruments for aspiring players.

The Fender MAMI Stratocaster Omochi, released in 2022, represents the culmination of her experience and preferences refined over years of professional performance. This model incorporates modern features such as humbucker pickups and a compound radius neck (Modern C to D profile), addressing the technical demands of contemporary playing while maintaining the classic Stratocaster aesthetic. The “Omochi” designation reflects MAMI’s personal touch in the design process, creating an instrument that truly represents her artistic vision.

Her original Fender MAMI Stratocaster established the foundation for her signature series, featuring the traditional three single-coil pickup configuration that delivers authentic Stratocaster tones. This model’s success demonstrated the market appeal of her aesthetic sensibilities and tonal preferences, paving the way for subsequent signature releases. The classic pickup arrangement provides the versatility needed for SCANDAL’s diverse musical arrangements.

The Squier Jazzmaster MAMI MODEL represents an innovative approach to signature instruments, combining the offset body style of a Jazzmaster with a three single-coil pickup configuration typically associated with Stratocasters. This unique specification creates a distinctive tonal palette that bridges the gap between the bright, articulate Stratocaster sound and the warmer, more complex characteristics of offset guitars. The Pearl White finish with meteor-inspired graphics reflects MAMI’s attention to visual details that complement her stage presence.

Her use of Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cutaway and Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon Double Cutaway guitars demonstrates her willingness to explore different tonal territories beyond her Fender endorsement. These instruments provide access to different pickup types and construction methods, expanding her sonic palette for specific songs or recording situations. The consistent preference for white finishes across different brands suggests a deliberate aesthetic choice that has become part of her visual identity.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Best Price URL	Artist	Guitarist	Guitar Type	Notes
Fender MAMI Stratocaster Omochi	Fender	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Stratocaster	2022 signature model featuring humbucker pickups and Modern C to D compound neck radius.
Fender MAMI Stratocaster	Fender	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Stratocaster	Original signature model with three single-coil pickups for classic Stratocaster sound reproduction.
Squier Jazzmaster MAMI MODEL	Squier	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Jazzmaster	Jazzmaster body with three single-coil pickups, Pearl White finish with meteor-inspired graphics.
Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cutaway	Gibson	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Les Paul	White double cutaway model, confirmed use in past live performances.
Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon Double Cutaway	Gretsch	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Hollow Body	White double cutaway model, confirmed use for specific songs.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup【SCANDAL・MAMI】

MAMI’s pedalboard construction reflects a methodical approach to tone shaping, with each effect serving a specific purpose in her overall sound architecture. Her effects selection prioritizes musical utility over technical complexity, focusing on pedals that enhance rather than dominate her natural guitar tone. The board’s organization follows conventional signal flow principles while incorporating modern conveniences like multi-effects processing for complex switching scenarios.

The Boss TU-3 chromatic tuner serves as the foundation of her signal chain, providing reliable tuning reference while acting as a true bypass switching point. This pedal’s placement at the beginning of the chain ensures tuning accuracy regardless of which effects are engaged, a critical consideration for live performance reliability. The TU-3’s robust construction and clear display make it ideal for stage use under various lighting conditions.

Her choice of the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver for overdrive duties demonstrates an understanding of how this pedal complements Fender-style amplifiers and single-coil pickups. The BD-2’s asymmetrical clipping character provides musical saturation that enhances rather than masks the natural voice of her guitars. The pedal’s ability to function as both a standalone overdrive and a boost for amplifier overdrive makes it versatile for different song sections and dynamics.

The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail reverb pedal adds spatial dimension to MAMI’s clean tones, particularly evident in SCANDAL’s more atmospheric passages. This pedal’s analog-voiced digital processing creates lush, musical reverb tails that complement her melodic playing style. The Holy Grail’s simplicity—offering just three reverb types—makes it ideal for live use where quick, reliable switching is essential.

MAMI’s use of the MXR Phase 90 provides classic phaser modulation that adds movement and interest to rhythm parts and solos. This pedal’s single-knob operation and legendary sound quality make it a reliable choice for adding vintage-flavored modulation. The Phase 90’s interaction with her Jazzmaster guitars creates particularly musical results, enhancing the instrument’s natural harmonic complexity.

The Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler represents the modern, versatile component of her setup, providing access to delay, modulation, and other effects that would otherwise require multiple individual pedals. This unit’s preset capability allows for complex effect combinations and precise timing synchronization that would be difficult to achieve manually during performance. The M9’s integration into her setup demonstrates how digital effects can complement analog pedals rather than replace them entirely.

Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Best Price URL	Artist	Guitarist	Effect Type	Notes
Boss TU-3	Boss	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	チューナー	Standard chromatic tuner serving as the starting point of the pedalboard, visible in live photos.
Boss BD-2	Boss	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	オーバードライブ	Used for crunch tones and as a booster, excellent compatibility with Stratocaster-type guitars.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail	Electro-Harmonix	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	リバーブ	Creates deep spatial effects, primarily used during clean sections.
MXR Phase 90	MXR	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	フェイザー	Used to add phaser modulation, works particularly well with Jazzmaster guitars.
Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler	Line 6	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	ギター用マルチエフェクター	Multifunctional and compact multi-effects unit with confirmed live use, handles delays and modulation.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches【SCANDAL・MAMI】

MAMI’s approach to tone crafting extends far beyond individual gear selection, encompassing a holistic understanding of how her guitar sound fits within SCANDAL’s ensemble arrangement. Her tone philosophy prioritizes “how it sounds in the complete mix” over isolated guitar perfection, demonstrating professional-level awareness of ensemble dynamics. This perspective becomes particularly evident when considering her role alongside HARUNA, where clear sonic separation between backing and lead parts creates the space for both guitarists to contribute meaningfully to each song’s arrangement.

The foundation of MAMI’s amplifier settings typically centers around Fender amp clean channels, with careful EQ adjustment to maximize clarity while maintaining warmth. Her bass settings generally fall in the 5-6 range, providing sufficient low-end support without overwhelming the mix or conflicting with the bass guitar’s frequency range. This measured approach to low frequencies reflects an understanding of how guitars function within a full band context, where excessive bass can muddy the overall sound.

Midrange frequency management represents perhaps the most critical aspect of MAMI’s EQ approach, with settings typically maintained in the 4-5 range—slightly below neutral. This subtle midrange reduction helps prevent frequency masking issues with vocals while allowing her guitar parts to maintain presence and definition. The slight midrange scoop creates space for HARUNA’s guitar parts and maintains the pop sensibility that characterizes SCANDAL’s sound, avoiding the aggressive midrange presence associated with heavier rock styles.

Treble settings consistently favor clarity and articulation, typically set in the 7-8 range to ensure her guitar parts cut through the mix effectively. This higher treble setting compensates for the slight midrange reduction while providing the sparkle and definition necessary for her melodic playing style. The brightness also enhances the natural character of her single-coil pickups, creating the chiming quality that has become synonymous with her signature sound.

Her use of the Boss BD-2 for drive tones demonstrates sophisticated gain staging, where light overdrive application maintains dynamic responsiveness to guitar volume controls. This technique allows for seamless transitions between clean and crunch tones using only the guitar’s volume knob, providing the expressive range necessary for SCANDAL’s dynamic songs. The BD-2’s settings are typically moderate, avoiding heavy saturation in favor of musical compression and harmonic enhancement.

The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail reverb configuration typically utilizes the Hall mode for its spatial characteristics, with relatively deep reverb settings that enhance the atmosphere of arpeggiated passages and solo sections. This ambient approach to reverb application creates the sense of space and dimension that elevates SCANDAL’s more introspective musical moments. The reverb serves not just as an effect but as a compositional element that contributes to the band’s overall sonic landscape.

Modulation effects, particularly the MXR Phase 90, are employed strategically as accent elements rather than constant coloration. This selective application creates memorable sonic moments that distinguish specific song sections while maintaining the integrity of her core tone. The phaser’s interaction with her Jazzmaster guitars produces particularly musical results, exploiting the instrument’s natural harmonic complexity to create engaging textural variations.

The integration of the Line 6 M9 introduced preset-based switching capabilities that allow for complex effect combinations synchronized to song structures. This modern approach enables precise delay timing synchronization and modulation on/off switching that would be impractical with individual pedals. The M9’s role demonstrates how digital effects can enhance rather than replace analog components, providing functionality that serves the music rather than showcasing technology for its own sake.

From a mixing and production perspective, MAMI’s guitar tones are typically processed with minimal additional EQ, suggesting that her amp and pedal settings are well-optimized for recording. When studio processing is applied, it usually involves subtle high-frequency enhancement to maintain clarity in dense arrangements and gentle compression to control dynamics without sacrificing the natural playing dynamics that characterize her performance style.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone【SCANDAL・MAMI】

Recreating MAMI’s distinctive sound doesn’t require the exact same high-end gear she uses professionally. With careful selection of affordable alternatives that capture the essential characteristics of her tone, guitarists on any budget can achieve remarkably similar results. The key lies in understanding the fundamental principles behind her sound: clean-to-overdrive versatility, strategic use of spatial effects, and maintaining clarity within ensemble arrangements.

The Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive serves as an excellent alternative to the BD-2, offering similar gain characteristics with a slightly different midrange voicing. While the SD-1 provides more midrange presence than the BD-2, this difference can actually work to advantage when using it with budget amplifiers that might lack the natural midrange warmth of higher-end Fender amps. The SD-1’s affordability and reliability make it an ideal starting point for players seeking MAMI’s crunch tone characteristics.

The SD-1’s circuit design shares fundamental characteristics with the BD-2, including asymmetrical clipping that provides musical saturation rather than harsh distortion. The pedal responds well to guitar volume controls, maintaining the dynamic playing approach that defines MAMI’s style. For players using Stratocaster-type guitars, the SD-1’s slightly more aggressive character can help compensate for the typically lower output of single-coil pickups.

The Zoom G3n multi-effects processor represents exceptional value for recreating the diverse effects palette that MAMI employs. This unit’s modeling capabilities cover modulation, delay, reverb, and overdrive effects that would otherwise require multiple individual pedals costing significantly more. The G3n’s preset functionality mirrors the switching convenience of the Line 6 M9 while providing access to effects types that extend beyond MAMI’s current setup.

What makes the G3n particularly suitable for MAMI’s sound is its amp modeling section, which includes Fender-style clean and crunch models that approximate the tonal foundation of her professional setup. Combined with the built-in effects processing, players can create complete signal chains that capture both the core tone and the spatial processing that characterizes her sound. The unit’s expression pedal compatibility also allows for real-time effect control that enhances live performance capabilities.

The Boss RV-6 reverb pedal provides an affordable path to the spatial effects that are crucial to MAMI’s clean tones. While not identical to the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail, the RV-6’s digital processing offers multiple reverb types including hall and plate algorithms that can recreate similar ambient characteristics. The RV-6’s additional features, such as the shimmer mode and extended decay times, actually provide more versatility than the Holy Grail for experimental applications.

The RV-6’s advantage lies in its modern digital processing, which provides consistent reverb character across different playing dynamics and frequency ranges. This reliability becomes particularly important for live performance situations where environmental acoustics can vary significantly. The pedal’s stereo outputs also provide options for more complex routing scenarios as players develop their setups over time.

For players seeking to approximate MAMI’s guitar choices without the signature model price points, instruments like the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster series offer similar pickup configurations and construction approaches at significantly lower costs. These guitars maintain the single-coil pickup character and Stratocaster ergonomics that are fundamental to her playing style, while providing platforms for future upgrades as playing skills and budgets develop.

Budget amplifier options such as the Fender Champion series or Boss Katana provide modeling capabilities that can approximate the clean-to-overdrive character of higher-end tube amplifiers. These amplifiers’ digital processing includes Fender-style voicing that captures the essential tonal characteristics of MAMI’s professional setup, while offering convenience features like built-in effects and recording outputs that enhance home practice and recording capabilities.

The success of any budget recreation approach depends on understanding that MAMI’s sound emerges from the interaction between all components in her signal chain, not from any single piece of gear. By focusing on the relationships between guitar, amplifier, and effects rather than exact model replication, players can achieve authentic-sounding results that capture the musical essence of her approach while remaining within practical budget constraints.

Type	Gear Name	Manufacturer	Amazon Best Price URL	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
Overdrive	SD-1 Super OverDrive	BOSS	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Slightly more midrange-focused than BD-2 but affordable and easy to operate. Perfect for crunch-type tones.
Multi-Effects	G3n	Zoom	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Covers modulation, delay, reverb, and overdrive all in one unit. Can achieve settings very close to MAMI’s sound.
Reverb	RV-6	BOSS	Search on Amazon	SCANDAL	MAMI	Perfect alternative to Holy Grail with multiple versatile modes and excellent cost performance.

Summary and Conclusion【SCANDAL・MAMI】

MAMI’s approach to guitar tone represents a masterclass in musical equipment selection and application, where every component serves the greater purpose of ensemble musicality rather than individual technical showcase. Her sound philosophy demonstrates that true guitar artistry lies not in the complexity of one’s gear but in the thoughtful integration of each element to serve the song’s emotional and sonic requirements. This perspective makes her setup an invaluable study for guitarists seeking to develop their own musical voice while maintaining commercial appeal.

The essence of MAMI’s tone lies in its fundamental simplicity masked by sophisticated application. Her gear choices prioritize reliability, versatility, and musical utility over technical complexity or boutique exclusivity. This approach reflects a professional understanding that great guitar tone emerges from the player’s musical choices rather than from equipment specifications alone. Her ability to maintain tonal consistency across SCANDAL’s diverse catalog demonstrates how a well-conceived setup can adapt to different musical contexts while maintaining a distinctive sonic identity.

Perhaps most significantly, MAMI’s sound demonstrates the importance of ensemble thinking in guitar tone development. Her EQ choices, effect applications, and playing dynamics all reflect careful consideration of how her guitar parts interact with HARUNA’s guitar, the rhythm section, and vocal arrangements. This holistic approach creates space for every element of SCANDAL’s sound to contribute meaningfully to the final musical result, avoiding the frequency masking and sonic competition that often plague less experienced players.

The clean tone beauty and the sophisticated balance between clean and overdriven sounds represent core elements of her musical appeal. Her use of spatial effects, particularly reverb and modulation, adds dimension and interest without overwhelming the natural guitar voice. This restraint in effect application demonstrates mature musical judgment that prioritizes emotional impact over technical impressiveness, creating guitar parts that enhance rather than dominate SCANDAL’s arrangements.

For players seeking to incorporate elements of MAMI’s approach into their own playing, the key lessons extend beyond specific equipment recommendations. Her methodology emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s role within musical arrangements, developing sensitivity to ensemble dynamics, and making equipment choices that serve musical goals rather than technical specifications. These principles remain relevant regardless of genre or playing style, making her approach valuable for guitarists across different musical contexts.

The accessibility of MAMI’s core sound through affordable equipment alternatives demonstrates that her approach prioritizes musical understanding over financial investment. While her professional setup provides certain conveniences and refinements, the essential characteristics of her tone remain achievable through budget-conscious gear selection combined with thoughtful application of fundamental tone-shaping principles.

By studying and implementing the concepts outlined in this analysis, players can develop not only sounds reminiscent of MAMI’s work but also the broader musical thinking that makes those sounds effective within ensemble contexts. This deeper understanding represents the true value of her approach: not just recreating specific tones, but developing the musical judgment that makes any guitar tone serve the greater musical purpose with clarity, taste, and emotional impact.