[Hiroaki Masukawa] – How to Recreate the BUMP OF CHICKEN Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

BUMP OF CHICKEN is a Japanese rock band that has carved out a unique position in the music scene. Their songs, with heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies, have attracted a devoted global fan base.

Lead guitarist Hiroaki Masukawa, often called “Masukawa-san,” plays an essential role in shaping BUMP’s sound. His guitar work combines emotional expression with a deceptively simple style, creating a tone that fans admire and aspiring guitarists often seek to replicate.

Masukawa’s playing emphasizes clarity, dynamics, and melodic phrasing. Songs like “Tentai Kansoku” and “Ray” showcase his ability to balance shimmering clean tones with gritty crunch, delivering both atmosphere and punch.

In this article, we’ll break down his gear choices, tone-shaping approaches, and affordable alternatives that allow beginners to get close to his sound.

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List of Amplifiers and Features

Masukawa has relied on a variety of amplifiers both on stage and in the studio. His most recognized choices include Marshall heads for their iconic British crunch, Fender combos for sparkling cleans, and Roland’s Jazz Chorus for wide stereo clarity. By mixing these tonal foundations, he achieves a palette ranging from atmospheric cleans to roaring overdrive.

The Marshall JCM800 provides the backbone for many live shows, with its vintage midrange bite perfectly suited for Japanese rock guitar. Fender Twin Reverb amps are often brought in for sparkling arpeggios and transparent chords, highlighting Masukawa’s delicate picking style. Vox AC30 amps lend a warm, chimey British tone when more midrange richness is desired. For songs requiring lush clean spread, the Roland JC-120 appears in his rig. He has also experimented with Orange Rockerverb heads to access a heavier, more saturated tone. These combinations suggest a deliberate blending of textures depending on the song and venue.

Gear	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
JCM800	Marshall	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Classic amp head often used live. Known for vintage crunch and the foundation of many rock tones.
Twin Reverb	Fender	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Produces shimmering clean tones perfect for arpeggios and chord work.
AC30	Vox	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	British-style amp with rich midrange; selected when warmth and harmonic depth are needed.
JC-120 Jazz Chorus	Roland	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Stereo clean amp famous for lush chorus; used for transparent live tones.
Rockerverb 50	Orange	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Provides warm, saturated distortion with classic Orange character.

Masukawa’s amplifier usage varies depending on the time period and tour setup. It can be assumed that his choices are tailored to the specific tonal needs of each performance.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

Hiroaki Masukawa has played a variety of guitars throughout his career with BUMP OF CHICKEN. His selection reflects both sonic needs and stage aesthetics. The Fender Stratocaster, with its bright, cutting single-coil pickups, is frequently used for clean passages and lead lines. The Gibson Les Paul Standard, on the other hand, brings a thick, sustaining voice ideal for riffs and solos that require depth and authority.

Masukawa has also been spotted with a Gretsch White Falcon, a visually striking guitar that delivers a jangly yet rich sound. This choice adds unique character to BUMP’s arrangements, standing out both visually and sonically. For acoustic-driven tracks or unplugged sessions, the Taylor 814ce offers shimmering resonance and balanced projection, perfectly complementing the band’s more introspective songs. Additionally, the Yamaha SG2000 appears in his arsenal, known for its sturdy build and versatility, proving that Japanese craftsmanship plays a role in his tonal palette.

Across different tours and studio sessions, Masukawa alternates between these instruments depending on the song’s needs—sometimes layering the crisp chime of a Strat with the weight of a Les Paul, or reaching for the White Falcon when atmosphere and stage presence matter most. Each guitar represents a different tonal identity, showing how carefully he tailors his gear to the musical moment.

Gear	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Type	Notes
Stratocaster	Fender	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Electric Guitar	Frequently used live and in recordings; clear single-coil tone ideal for arpeggios and lead work.
Les Paul Standard	Gibson	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Electric Guitar	Provides a thicker, more powerful tone with long sustain, often chosen for heavier parts.
White Falcon	Gretsch	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Electric Guitar	Known for its striking appearance and jangly tone; adds diversity to the band’s sound.
814ce	Taylor	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Acoustic Guitar	Delivers rich acoustic resonance, used in ballads and unplugged performances.
SG2000	Yamaha	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Electric Guitar	Japanese-made guitar valued for durability and tonal versatility; provides flexibility in live settings.

From classic Fender brightness to the muscular voice of Gibson and the elegance of Gretsch, Masukawa’s guitar collection underlines his flexible approach. It can be assumed that his choice of guitar always reflects the particular atmosphere required by each song.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

Hiroaki Masukawa’s pedalboard is relatively simple compared to some modern guitarists, yet it is highly effective. His choices reflect practicality: compact stompboxes from BOSS, complemented by versatile multi-effects units such as Line 6. This setup allows him to cover the wide tonal palette required for BUMP OF CHICKEN’s songs, from crystalline cleans to atmospheric delays.

Among his essential pedals, the BOSS DS-1 Distortion provides straightforward but powerful crunch, helping Masukawa add bite to riffs and choruses. The BOSS DD-3 Digital Delay is another cornerstone, giving him the ability to add space and depth to clean arpeggios and lead lines. For modulation, the BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus is used to thicken clean tones, while the MXR Phase 90 introduces classic swirling textures when needed.

Beyond these, Masukawa relies on the BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner to ensure precision during live sets—an often-overlooked but vital component of any professional board. His use of multi-effects units suggests he values flexibility and quick tonal switching, especially in live performances where setlists cover diverse moods. Overall, his board illustrates how a balance of trusted classics and adaptable tools can form the backbone of a professional rock guitarist’s rig.

Gear	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Effect Type	Notes
DS-1 Distortion	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Distortion	Classic orange stompbox, delivering gritty crunch tones Masukawa employs for edge and energy.
DD-3 Digital Delay	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Delay	Provides precise repeats and ambience, often used in arpeggios and intros for depth.
CH-1 Super Chorus	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Chorus	Enhances clean tones with shimmering width, a signature aspect of his layered sound.
TU-3 Chromatic Tuner	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Tuner	Reliable tuner pedal used live to ensure stable pitch across multiple guitars.
Phase 90	MXR	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Phaser	Delivers sweeping modulation for psychedelic or spacey textures, adding unique flair.

While photographs and interviews confirm the regular use of BOSS pedals, other units may vary between tours and sessions. It can be assumed that Masukawa adapts his board depending on the balance between reliable core pedals and the need for atmospheric effects.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

Hiroaki Masukawa’s approach to tone shaping is not about extremes or flashy gimmicks—it is about balance, nuance, and complementing the song. As the lead guitarist of BUMP OF CHICKEN, he understands that his role is to support the emotional weight of Motoo Fujiwara’s vocals while adding melodic depth and atmosphere. This philosophy is reflected in his choice of amp channels, EQ adjustments, and the way his guitar parts are mixed in the studio and on stage.

Masukawa often relies on Fender-based clean tones as the foundation of his sound. His amp settings typically emphasize clarity: clean channel engaged, gain kept low, and volume adjusted to match the dynamics of the band. This allows the subtlety of his picking and the brightness of single-coil pickups to shine through. When more drive is required, especially for choruses or climactic sections, he switches to Marshall-style crunch or employs the DS-1 Distortion to push the amp into a controlled overdrive. This layered strategy ensures that his tone remains expressive without overwhelming the mix.

EQ plays a particularly important role in Masukawa’s tone design. Engineers and fans alike have noted that his midrange is slightly boosted, allowing the guitar to cut through the dense arrangement of drums, bass, and vocals. The high frequencies are present but not exaggerated—just enough to add sparkle without creating harshness. Meanwhile, the low end is carefully controlled so that the guitar never muddies up the bass frequencies. In songs like “Tentai Kansoku,” the clarity of his arpeggios relies on this careful EQ balance, where each note remains audible within the full band mix.

Time-based effects such as delay and reverb are also central to his sound. Masukawa uses delay to add depth and dimension to clean passages, particularly in intros and interludes. A short delay with subtle feedback thickens single-note lines, while longer, atmospheric settings create a sense of space that enhances the emotional impact of BUMP’s music. Reverb, often applied moderately, helps the guitar sit naturally in the mix without sounding overly dry. The combination of delay and reverb transforms even simple chord progressions into immersive textures.

From a mixing perspective, Masukawa’s guitar is never pushed aggressively forward. Instead, it occupies a supportive role—slightly panned in stereo to widen the soundstage, yet carefully balanced so it blends with vocals and rhythm instruments. For example, in “Ray,” the guitar delay lines weave around Fujiwara’s vocal melodies, creating a conversation between voice and instrument. Engineers often ensure that Masukawa’s guitar does not compete with the lead vocal but instead enhances the emotional flow of the song.

Another key aspect of his sound is dynamics. Masukawa makes deliberate use of volume control, sometimes rolling back the guitar’s volume knob to achieve cleaner tones without switching channels. This subtle dynamic control allows him to shift textures within a song seamlessly, responding to the band’s collective energy. Such choices reflect not only technical skill but also sensitivity to musical context.

It is worth noting that his tone settings may vary across tours and studio sessions. In smaller live venues, he may rely more on amp gain for immediacy, while in large stadium shows his sound is often cleaner and more spacious to avoid muddiness in reverberant spaces. Studio recordings allow even finer adjustments, with engineers sculpting EQ and adding post-production effects to refine the final product. Regardless of the setting, the essence of Masukawa’s tone remains: clarity, emotional resonance, and balance within the band.

In short, Masukawa’s sound is less about chasing extreme distortion or dazzling effects and more about finding the sweet spot where emotion and clarity meet. His EQ emphasizes the midrange, his effects are chosen for depth rather than spectacle, and his mixing philosophy ensures the guitar remains an integral part of BUMP OF CHICKEN’s sonic identity. It can be assumed that his approach will continue to evolve, but the guiding principle remains the same: the guitar serves the song.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

For guitarists just starting out, it is possible to approximate Hiroaki Masukawa’s sound without investing in high-end boutique gear. His tone, while professional, is built on accessible foundations: clean amp platforms, classic distortion pedals, and a few modulation and delay effects. This makes it easier for beginners to find budget-friendly alternatives that deliver similar qualities.

One of the most affordable pathways is through Fender-style Stratocaster models, particularly the Fender Player Series Stratocaster or even Squier models. These guitars capture the bright single-coil tone Masukawa often uses for arpeggios and lead passages. Pairing such an instrument with a Les Paul–style guitar from Epiphone allows players to access both the crispness of single coils and the thickness of humbuckers without breaking the bank. Yamaha’s SG series, including reissues or used SG2000 models, are also relatively affordable and bring the versatility of Japanese craftsmanship at a modest price point.

On the amplifier side, the Roland JC-22 (a smaller sibling of the JC-120) provides the same crystalline clean tone with built-in chorus, making it a perfect entry-level substitute. Solid-state amps like the Boss Katana series also provide excellent clean channels, multiple amp voices, and built-in effects, enabling beginners to experiment with both Masukawa’s sparkling cleans and mild overdrives.

As for effects, BOSS compact pedals remain an unbeatable choice for balancing affordability and professional quality. The DS-1 Distortion is inexpensive yet delivers the gritty crunch Masukawa is known for. The DD-8 Digital Delay or the older DD-3 provides spacious repeats, while the CH-1 Super Chorus adds shimmer to clean tones. Importantly, these pedals are still part of many pro pedalboards worldwide, proving that price does not necessarily limit musical potential.

Multi-effects processors such as the Line 6 POD Go or the Zoom G5n are excellent beginner-friendly solutions. They allow guitarists to simulate Marshall, Fender, and Roland-style amps, as well as include a wide array of modulation and delay options. For players who want Masukawa’s tonal palette without purchasing multiple pedals, these units offer a cost-effective all-in-one solution.

Please note that while these alternatives provide close tonal approximations, the exact feel of Masukawa’s sound also comes from his phrasing, picking dynamics, and the way his guitar interacts with the band mix. Still, affordable gear can take you remarkably close to the essence of his tone and inspire your own playing.

Type	Gear	Brand	Amazon Link	Artist	Guitarist	Notes
Guitar	Player Stratocaster	Fender	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Single-coil clarity similar to Masukawa’s main Strat, affordable for beginners.
Guitar	Les Paul Standard	Epiphone	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Affordable Les Paul-style guitar with humbuckers for thick, powerful tones.
Amplifier	JC-22 Jazz Chorus	Roland	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Compact version of the JC-120, offering clean tones and built-in chorus.
Amplifier	Katana 50 MkII	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Affordable modeling amp with multiple voices and effects, versatile for practice and live use.
Effect	DS-1 Distortion	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Classic distortion pedal that provides similar crunch tones to Masukawa’s setup.
Effect	DD-8 Digital Delay	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Affordable digital delay offering atmospheric repeats, great for “Tentai Kansoku” style intros.
Effect	CH-1 Super Chorus	BOSS	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	Adds shimmer and width to cleans, recreating Masukawa’s signature modulation layer.
Multi-Effect	POD Go	Line 6	Amazon	BUMP OF CHICKEN	Hiroaki Masukawa	All-in-one solution for amp simulation and effects, ideal for players on a budget.

These options demonstrate that recreating Masukawa’s tone does not require expensive gear. By combining a clean platform amp, a few affordable pedals, and attention to playing dynamics, beginners can capture the spirit of his sound at a fraction of the cost.

Summary and Conclusion

Hiroaki Masukawa’s sound is not just about the gear he uses but about the philosophy behind his playing. As the guitarist of BUMP OF CHICKEN, he balances restraint with emotion, crafting tones that are simultaneously simple, spacious, and deeply moving. His choice of guitars, amps, and pedals reflects a desire to serve the song rather than overshadow it, and this is precisely why his tone resonates so strongly with fans.

The core of Masukawa’s approach lies in clarity and dynamics. Whether it’s the crisp sparkle of a Stratocaster arpeggio or the thick sustain of a Les Paul riff, his playing always leaves space for Fujiwara’s vocals and the rhythm section to breathe. His EQ settings and amp choices are carefully tailored to ensure that his guitar is present but never overwhelming. This kind of musical maturity is what separates a guitarist who simply plays notes from one who creates atmosphere and emotion.

For guitarists seeking to emulate Masukawa’s sound, the key is not only in equipment but also in mindset. Affordable alternatives like BOSS pedals, Roland solid-state amps, and entry-level Fenders or Epiphones can get you remarkably close to his tonal palette. However, the essence of his sound comes from the delicate way he layers delay and chorus, the precision of his dynamics, and his sensitivity to the overall band mix. In short, it’s about listening as much as playing.

Masukawa’s guitar work teaches us that great tone does not require complexity. Instead, it comes from knowing when to step forward and when to hold back, how to balance clean and driven sounds, and how to shape frequencies so that every note adds to the emotional weight of the song. This lesson is invaluable for beginners and professionals alike: focus on the song, and let your gear serve that purpose.

BUMP OF CHICKEN’s music would not be the same without Masukawa’s understated yet essential guitar voice. By studying his setup and approach, guitarists can learn not only how to replicate his tones but also how to think musically. And perhaps that is the real secret behind his sound—it’s not just about recreating his rig but about embodying the spirit of serving the song with honesty and creativity.

If you are inspired by his tone, start with the essentials: a clean amp, a distortion pedal, delay, and chorus. From there, refine your playing, experiment with dynamics, and most importantly, play with heart. That is the true pathway to capturing the essence of Hiroaki Masukawa’s guitar sound.