Introduction (Overview of Tone)
Kotaro Fujiichi, the guitarist of The Collectors, born in 1964 in Tokyo, is a veteran musician who joined the band in 1986. They made their major debut with the album “Boku wa Collector” in 1987. Since then, they have released 25 original albums and 5 solo albums, leading the Japanese music scene with a solid guitar play. In recent years, Fujiichi has also appeared as an actor in films and dramas, showcasing his diverse talents.
Fujiichi’s guitar sound is characterized by a unique style that incorporates elements of 60s British beat and mod rock, along with jazz and blues influences. Iconic songs like “Boku wa Collector” and “NICK! NICK! NICK!” feature a perfect blend of rhythmic guitar grooves and melodic solo phrases, supporting the band’s musical identity.
The charm of his sound lies in its simplicity, yet it possesses a depth that resonates with fans and guitarists alike. The gear and settings he uses reflect his musicality, earning him high praise from listeners and fellow musicians.
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List of Amplifiers and Features
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall Lead & Bass 50 Combo (1975) | Marshall | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Mainly used since 2015. Tuned by Keishi Uotani. Settings: BASS 10 / MID 7 / TRE 2 strong / PRES 0 / VOL 1. |
| VOX AC-30 (Reissue) | VOX | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Used for over 20 years. Known for its bright cleans and unique crunch. Experienced breakdowns during tours. |
| Dr. Z Prescription Combo | Dr. Z | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Used as a substitute when the VOX broke down. Praised for its clarity. |
| Roland Jazz Chorus | Roland | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Used during the debut period. |
| Yamaha (Model Unknown) | Yamaha | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Experimented with during the debut period. |
Kotaro Fujiichi utilizes these amplifiers depending on the situation during live performances and recordings. The Marshall Lead & Bass 50 Combo is particularly used for its powerful sound in live settings, while the VOX AC-30 is known for its bright cleans and unique crunch. The Dr. Z Prescription Combo is valued for its clarity and was used as a backup when the VOX failed. The Roland Jazz Chorus was used during his debut, and the Yamaha amp was part of his experimental phase. These amplifier choices reflect his musical style and performance environment.
Types of Guitars Used and Features
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson ES-335 (Custom Historic Collection) | Gibson | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Semi-Acoustic | Main guitar for over 20 years. Features numerous cracks and headstock repairs. Used in over 90% of the latest album. |
| Rickenbacker #330 / #360 | Rickenbacker | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Semi-Acoustic | Owns three. Initially used a blue #360, now uses a black #330. Praised for its low chord resonance. Difficult to handle but beloved. |
| Fender Jazzmaster (Fender Japan, Prototype/Special Color) | Fender | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Jazzmaster | Used during the early days and the second album “Nijiiro Circus Dan.” |
| Gibson Non-Reverse Firebird III Reissue | Gibson | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Firebird | Used in recent tours. Known for its unique midrange and clarity. |
| Greco SS Model (SG Type, U-1000) | Greco | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | SG Type | First guitar he acquired in middle school. Holds significant sentimental value and is foundational to his playing style. |
| Exotic TL Type | Exotic | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Telecaster Type | Used in recent album recordings. Known for its clear and bright tone. |
| Teisco TG-64 | Teisco | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Vintage | Known to have been used in the early albums. Offers a unique vintage tone. |
Kotaro Fujiichi primarily uses the Gibson ES-335, leveraging its warmth and thickness characteristic of semi-acoustic guitars. The Rickenbacker is beautiful for low chords and is frequently used in backing, while the Jazzmaster and Exotic TL Type suit unique phrasing nuances. In recent years, he has diversified his sound by using the Gibson Non-Reverse Firebird III Reissue and Exotic TL Type for recordings and tours. Vintage guitars like the Teisco TG-64 and Greco SS Model are utilized as a foundational part of his playing style and sound, supporting his overall tone.
Effects and Pedalboard Setup
| Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Effect Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORG Pitchblack | KORG | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Tuner | Essential for stable tuning confirmation, used in both live and studio settings. |
| VOX V847 | VOX | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Wah Pedal | Used for over 25 years, adds unique expression and modulation. |
| Xotic EP Booster | Xotic | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Booster | Adds clarity and brightness, commonly used for clean tones and solos. |
| Xotic RC Booster | Xotic | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Booster | Used interchangeably with the BD-2 for tone adjustments and thickness. |
| Z. Vex Super Hard-On | Z. Vex | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Booster | Clean booster that enhances clean tones, used for subtle nuance adjustments. |
| Analogman TS9 Mod. | Analogman | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Overdrive | Used for light distortion, blended for a subtle boost. |
| Analogman BD-2 Super Mod. | Analogman | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Overdrive | Specifically for solos, with TONE set at 9 o’clock for clarity and definition. |
| Maxon OD-880 | Maxon | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Overdrive | Used for subtle solos or recordings, maintaining natural distortion and clarity. |
| Ibanez TS Mini | Ibanez | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Overdrive | Used as a secondary unit, compact and convenient for portability. |
| Maxon CS-9 | Maxon | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Chorus | Influenced by John Squire’s chorus, adds depth and spaciousness. |
| Way Huge Aqua-Puss MKⅡ | Way Huge | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Delay | Lightly used at the end of solos, known for its warmth typical of analog delays. |
| Danelectro Tuna Melt | Danelectro | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Tremolo | Not used but historically owned for special effects in live settings. |
| Line 6 POD | Line 6 | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Guitar Multi-Effects | Used for tremolo and special effects, accommodating diverse sound creation. |
| E.W.S. PNS-1 | E.W.S. | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Power Supply | Used as a stable power source for the entire board, contributing to noise reduction. |
Kotaro Fujiichi’s pedalboard is characterized by a focus on boosters and overdrives, enhancing subtle nuances. He uses the VOX V847 and Xotic EP/RC Boosters to add clarity and thickness to his tone, while the Analogman BD-2 Super Mod and TS9 Mod are employed to express dynamics in solos and songs. Chorus and delay effects are frequently used to create depth and spatiality. During live performances, he likely maintains stable sound with the Line 6 POD and E.W.S. PNS-1 while adding special effects.
Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches
Kotaro Fujiichi’s sound design emphasizes maximizing the interaction between guitar, amp, and effects. For instance, with the Gibson ES-335, he often boosts the bass slightly to leverage the semi-acoustic’s mid-low range while keeping treble subdued. The Marshall Lead & Bass 50 Combo is typically set to BASS 10, MID 7, TRE 2 strong, PRES 0, VOL 1, balancing punch and clarity for live performances.
EQ settings are finely adjusted for each song, often pushing midrange forward while avoiding excessive low-end, ensuring the backing maintains presence without overshadowing solos. When using the VOX AC-30, he primarily focuses on the clean channel, adding natural distortion during solos with booster pedals. The Analogman BD-2 Super Mod and Xotic EP Booster are used together to enhance the shine and dimension of lead parts.
During recording, mixing involves careful panning to prevent guitar tracks from clashing with other instruments, with EQ adjustments tailored to each track. For example, semi-acoustics may have low-mid frequencies slightly cut to refine their range, while the Jazzmaster and Exotic TL Type are highlighted in the mid-high range to maintain overall album balance. Delay and chorus effects are used sparingly, primarily at the end of solos or specific phrases, ensuring the band’s overall sound remains clear while accentuating Fujiichi’s distinctive guitar tone.
In live settings, he adeptly switches amp channels and engages pedals to instantly change tones for different songs. Communication with the PA engineer is crucial, as they confirm the balance of clarity and sound pressure on stage. This interconnected approach among amp, guitar, effects, EQ, and mixing culminates in the warm and prominent guitar sound unique to Kotaro Fujiichi.
Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone
| Type | Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overdrive | BOSS OD-1X | BOSS | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Can serve as an alternative to the Analogman BD-2 or TS9. Features warm distortion and light boost, making it accessible for beginners to replicate similar tones. |
| Booster | BOSS BB-1X | BOSS | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | A convenient alternative to Xotic EP/RC Boosters. Adds clarity and definition to clean tones, enhancing solos and leads. |
| Wah Pedal | BOSS Waza Craft WAH | BOSS | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Achieves a wah sound similar to the VOX V847. Can closely replicate the sound used for over 25 years. |
| Chorus | BOSS CE-2W | BOSS | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Can be used as an alternative to the Maxon CS-9. Provides rich modulation and warmth, helping to approximate Fujiichi’s sound. |
| Delay | BOSS DD-8 | BOSS | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Can substitute for the Way Huge Aqua-Puss MKⅡ. Easily replicates the echoes and thickness in solos, especially in analog mode for warmth. |
| Multi-Effects | ZOOM G3Xn | ZOOM | link | The Collectors | Kotaro Fujiichi | Can serve as a versatile alternative to the Line 6 POD, covering various effects like overdrive, chorus, and delay in one unit. |
In this way, when aiming to recreate Kotaro Fujiichi’s sound affordably, combining versatile products from brands like BOSS and ZOOM allows for easy access to similar tones during live performances or practice. By gathering essential effects such as boosters, overdrives, wah, chorus, and delay, even beginners can approximate his characteristic warm and prominent guitar sound.
Summary and Conclusion
The essence of Kotaro Fujiichi’s guitar sound lies in the balance of warm mid-low frequencies and clear mid-high frequencies, along with the strategic use of boosters and overdrives to draw out tonal nuances. He skillfully employs a variety of guitars, including the Gibson ES-335, Rickenbacker, Jazzmaster, and Exotic TL Type, to express tonal variations tailored to specific songs and phrases. In live settings, he leverages the characteristics of the Marshall Lead & Bass and VOX AC-30, using booster pedals to highlight solos and establish a unique presence within the band sound.
His pedalboard combines Analogman BD-2, TS9, Xotic boosters, chorus, and delay to add subtle nuances and dimensionality. This approach results in a warm yet defined sound that remains clear during both recordings and live performances, with careful consideration given to clarity during mixing and PA setups. Beginners can approach his sound design using BOSS and ZOOM products, making it relatively affordable to get closer to Fujiichi’s tone.
In summary, the key to Kotaro Fujiichi’s sound design is not relying on a single guitar or amp but rather considering the interplay of guitar types, amp characteristics, the strategic use of boosters and overdrives, and the balance of EQ and mixing. Understanding this approach and adjusting it to one’s environment is crucial for recreating the unique guitar sound of The Collectors. When attempting to replicate his sound, leveraging the characteristics of the guitar and amp while creatively using effects and EQ will be essential.
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