[Momoko Hayashi] – How to Recreate the Hump Back Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

① Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Momoko Hayashi, the vocalist and guitarist of Hump Back, stands out with her emotional yet edgy guitar playing, perfectly complementing the band’s straight-ahead rock sound that recalls the flavor of 1990s Japanese rock.

Her guitar tone is simple yet powerful, playing a crucial role in amplifying the energy of the songs. She often combines power chords with single-note riffs, achieving clarity without relying too heavily on distortion. This balance is one of her key appeals.

In signature tracks like “Haikei, Shounen yo,” “LILLY,” and “Tsuki Made,” she uses a Stratocaster-type guitar with a thick distortion tone, blending a unique softness with an alternative-inspired hardness. This fusion defines her signature guitar sound.

On stage, she makes extensive use of ORANGE and Marshall amplifiers, with a handmade, analog pedalboard approach that emphasizes individuality. Her tones balance punch and clarity so they never get buried in the dense energy of a live band—reflecting not only her playing skills but also a thoughtful approach to tone shaping and PA balance.

On social media (especially Instagram), her pedalboard and gear setups are frequently shown, offering glimpses into her evolving guitar obsession. In fact, she has even spoken about her guitar journey in an official Fender News article, highlighting her deep passion for sound.

This article will focus on Hayashi’s guitar tone, carefully explaining the guitars, amps, and effects she uses, and offering practical hints for gear selection to help you get closer to her sound.

First, take in the essence of her guitar sound through video footage.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Hump Back

② List of Amplifiers and Features [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

Momoko Hayashi’s amplifier choices are defined by thick, sustaining distortion and a strong midrange focus that allows her sound to cut through without being buried in the band mix. On stage, she mainly relies on ORANGE and Marshall amps, reflecting her precise preferences for tonal character.

Her primary head is the ORANGE Rockerverb 100H MKII, a 100W high-gain amp known for its fat low-mids and sweet highs. This amp provides a powerful yet clear foundation, ensuring her emotional vocals are not overshadowed while the guitar retains strong separation within the full band mix.

She often pairs this head with the ORANGE PPC212 closed-back 2×12 cabinet, a combination praised for its strong projection and excellent live presence. In contrast, the music video for “Haikei, Shounen yo” shows her using a Marshall 1960A cabinet, which delivers a more British-inspired character with a slightly gritty texture.

In earlier years, Hayashi also used the ORANGE TH30W Twin Channel Head and the PPC212OB open-back cabinet, which offered a more airy clean sound. These were mostly seen around 2020 and earlier, during rehearsals and live setups, but are no longer her main stage rigs.

Another possible amp in her arsenal is the Marshall JCM800, a legendary favorite among punk and alternative guitarists. Its sharp yet defined distortion aligns well with her aggressive but articulate rhythm playing style.

Overall, her amplifier choices reflect three key principles: cutting through in live settings, avoiding frequency clashes with female vocals, and emphasizing midrange power for emotional impact. ORANGE’s modern heads, in particular, deliver exactly the tonal balance she aims for. These selections are based on both visual confirmation and reported use, though some remain partly speculative.

Below is a summary of confirmed and reported amps in table form:

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
Rockerverb 100H MKII	ORANGE	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Main live amp head
PPC212	ORANGE	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Main cabinet used live
1960A	Marshall	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Seen in the “Haikei, Shounen yo” MV
TH30W Twin Channel Head	ORANGE	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Previously used in lives and rehearsals
PPC212OB	ORANGE	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Previously used; noted for open, airy sound
JCM800	Marshall	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Possibly used in studio; classic punk/alt tone

③ Types of Guitars Used and Features [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

When it comes to guitars, Momoko Hayashi values three things: stage presence, tonal clarity, and ease of playability. Throughout her career she has shifted between main instruments, but her pursuit has always been the same—achieving a thick, cutting tone that remains powerful in a live setting.

Her current main guitar, seen frequently since 2022, is the Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-355 Bigsby Watermelon Red Ultra Light Aged. This semi-hollow beauty stands out with its striking looks and warm yet firm tone. Even when drenched in distortion, its mids resonate richly, allowing both her chord work and single-note riffs to come through with clarity.

Since her debut, she has owned a Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS Black. The humbucker in the bridge delivers thick, distortion-friendly tones, while the lightweight body and slim neck make it easy to play while singing. It’s a practical, no-nonsense guitar that supports her energetic stage style.

She also uses several Telecaster models, including the American Performer Telecaster Hum and Telecaster Black. These have been spotted on stage, often rotated in depending on the setlist. Notably, one of her custom Stratocaster models has been heavily modified: no tremolo arm, no volume knob, and the pickup selector taped to the bridge position. This stripped-down setup was designed to be durable, simple, and trouble-free in live performance.

In earlier years, a Fender Telecaster Custom was her main axe, now serving as a backup. Additionally, she has been seen on stage a few times with a Gretsch Electromatic, adding a different texture to her tone when needed.

Her guitar selection is not just about tone—it also reflects looks, weight, and the feel of the neck. She carefully assigns each guitar to specific tunings and songs, ensuring consistency in both performance and sound. This meticulous approach highlights her deep consideration for both the band’s balance and the audience’s listening experience.

Below is a list of confirmed guitars used by Momoko Hayashi:

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Type of Guitar	Notes
1959 ES-355 Bigsby Watermelon Red Ultra Light Aged	Gibson Custom Shop	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Semi-hollow	Main guitar since 2022; chosen for stage appeal and rich mids
American Performer Stratocaster HSS Black	Fender	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Stratocaster	Owned since debut; bridge humbucker for thicker tone
American Performer Telecaster Hum	Fender	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Telecaster	Used live; one of several Tele models in rotation
Telecaster Black	Fender	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Telecaster	Seen live; alternated with Stratocaster
Custom Modified Stratocaster (Humbucker front, no tremolo, no volume knob)	Fender	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Stratocaster	Fully customized; selector locked to bridge pickup
Telecaster Custom	Fender	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Telecaster	Former main guitar; now used as backup
Electromatic	Gretsch	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Semi-hollow	Confirmed in occasional stage use

④ Effects and Pedalboard Setup [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

Momoko Hayashi’s pedalboard reflects her straightforward but powerful guitar style. It is built for live performance, relying on compact pedals that enhance tone without unnecessary complexity. Each pedal is chosen carefully to ensure her signature sound—thick and sticky, yet cutting and articulate—remains consistent in any setting.

Her main overdrive is the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver. With its natural midrange lift and touch sensitivity, it creates a tone that blends seamlessly with her vocals. This pedal is one of her most reliable tools for achieving expressive dynamics on stage.

For heavier distortion, she employs the Mooer Hustle Drive, a compact pedal known for its raw and gritty character. Its presence is confirmed in the music video for “Haikei, Shounen yo,” where its aggressive bite supports her energetic riffing style.

She is also a fan of Animals Pedal effects, often using the Diamond Peak Hybrid OD and Vintage Van Drive. These deliver a mix of bluesy warmth and modern mid-focused grit, pairing especially well with her Fender guitars. They allow her to dial in a nuanced gain structure that feels organic and responsive.

For time-based effects, Hayashi uses a Walrus Delay from Animals Pedal, applying it sparingly to add depth without overpowering the dry signal. This helps her three-piece band achieve a wider, more spacious sound without losing directness.

Boost duties are handled by the One Control Purple Humper and the rare TDC TDC-001 Crunch Booster HOT TONE. By switching between these two, she can raise her volume and intensity for solos or heavier sections without altering her core tone too drastically.

For volume control, she alternates between the BOSS FV-500H and the ERNIE BALL Volume Pedal. The ERNIE BALL in particular is visible in the “Haikei, Shounen yo” MV, chosen for its smooth response and precise control.

Tuners are essential for her fast-paced live sets. She uses both the tc electronic Polytune 3 and the BOSS TU-3, switching between them depending on the context. Reliability and accuracy are her top priorities here.

Her entire pedalboard is routed through a One Control Crocodile Tail Loop Wing OC10W, which organizes signal flow and ensures stability during live performances. Power is supplied by the Vital Audio VA-08Mk2, a compact yet dependable unit known for stable voltage delivery.

This collection of pedals shows Hayashi’s philosophy: simplicity, reliability, and tonal precision. Each pedal contributes a specific role, supporting her dynamic playing and allowing the guitar to remain expressive in the band’s high-energy mix.

Below is her pedalboard setup summarized by category:

Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Type of Effect	Notes
BD-2 Blues Driver	BOSS	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Overdrive	Main OD; natural midrange push
Hustle Drive	Mooer	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Distortion	Confirmed in MV; raw, gritty tone
Diamond Peak Hybrid OD	Animals Pedal	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Overdrive	Modern OD with midrange focus
Vintage Van Drive	Animals Pedal	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Overdrive	Bluesy character, warm drive
Walrus Delay	Animals Pedal	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Delay	Used sparingly for depth and space
Purple Humper	One Control	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Booster	Raises mids for solos
TDC-001 Crunch Booster HOT TONE	TDC	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Booster	Rare unit; adds crunch and volume
FV-500H	BOSS	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Volume Pedal	General-use live pedal
Volume Pedal	ERNIE BALL	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Volume Pedal	Seen in MV; smooth and precise
Polytune 3	tc electronic	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Tuner	Compact, high accuracy
TU-3	BOSS	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Tuner	Classic tuner; confirmed in live use
Crocodile Tail Loop Wing OC10W	One Control	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Switching System	Controls full routing and stability
VA-08Mk2	Vital Audio	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Power Supply	Compact model; reliable power delivery

⑤ Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

Momoko Hayashi’s guitar tone isn’t defined only by gear choices—it is shaped just as much by detailed EQ adjustments and mixing decisions made during both live performances and studio recordings. Her sound emphasizes a midrange-focused tone that cuts through the band while blending seamlessly with her emotional vocals.

On her main amp, the ORANGE Rockerverb 100H MKII, she typically boosts the mids slightly, rolls back the lows to avoid muddiness, and adjusts treble depending on the guitar in use. Because the Rockerverb has strong mid presence by default, the treble is often set around 5–6 to avoid harshness, particularly during aggressive strumming. This approach ensures the guitar cuts through without clashing with her voice.

When using overdrives such as the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver or Animals Pedal overdrives, Hayashi tends to keep the gain relatively low, blending it with natural amp distortion. This produces a thicker, more dynamic response while maintaining clarity in chord voicings. The result is a tone that feels alive, responding directly to picking intensity while retaining attack and presence.

Her use of delay (such as the Walrus Delay) is subtle—often set with very short feedback (one to two repeats) and a mix level below 30%. This creates a slapback-like effect that adds space without obscuring the core tone. For a three-piece band like Hump Back, this is crucial: it provides depth and width without sacrificing raw power.

From a mixing perspective, her engineers typically cut slightly around 1–3 kHz to avoid masking her vocal range, while boosting the presence and upper frequencies above 5 kHz. This ensures her guitar has a crisp edge that lingers in the listener’s ear without overpowering the vocal. In recordings, her guitar often carries the role of “structural glue,” binding the rhythm section while highlighting vocal emotion.

On stage, microphone placement plays a big role in her tone. Engineers often aim the mic slightly off the center of the speaker cone (using models like the SM57), reducing harshness and capturing warmth. This choice avoids a brittle high end and results in a rounder, more natural live tone.

Reports also note that during rehearsals, Hayashi gives detailed feedback to sound engineers, such as “I want a little more low-mid punch” or “the highs feel too sharp.” This demonstrates her active role in shaping live tone—not just as a guitarist but as a band leader conscious of overall balance.

Her custom Stratocaster, with the bridge pickup fixed and no volume knob, also affects tonal dynamics. Without the ability to roll back volume, her guitar always hits the amp at full strength, making picking dynamics even more crucial. This design highlights her philosophy: the player’s expression is at the core of tone, with gear simply supporting it.

Ultimately, Hayashi’s tone is the result of two interconnected elements: maximizing the natural characteristics of her gear and maintaining close collaboration with sound engineers. By prioritizing balance and midrange presence, she ensures her guitar always functions as a supportive yet distinct voice in Hump Back’s soundscape. This consistency across live and studio contexts explains why her tone remains instantly recognizable.

Based on available evidence and performance observations, these approaches are considered representative of her sound design, though exact settings may vary by song and venue.

⑥ Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

At first glance, Momoko Hayashi’s setup may look intimidating, since she uses professional-grade Gibson, Fender, and ORANGE gear. However, the essence of her sound—strong midrange, articulate distortion, and balanced dynamics—can actually be approached with far more affordable equipment. By focusing on the right guitar type, amp voicing, and a few key pedals, beginners and intermediate players can get surprisingly close to her tone without breaking the bank.

For guitars, two features define her core sound: a Stratocaster or Telecaster with a bridge humbucker, and a semi-hollow with strong mids. Affordable options like the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH deliver that powerful bridge-humbucker punch in a comfortable Strat-style body. Likewise, the Epiphone ES-339 provides a compact semi-hollow sound that captures much of the warm, mid-heavy resonance of her Gibson ES-355 at a fraction of the cost.

In terms of amps, Hayashi favors British-voiced tones with pronounced mids. The BOSS Katana-50 MkII is a fantastic budget-friendly option. Its “Brown” channel mimics high-gain British stacks with plenty of body, and it can handle both home practice and live settings. Another option, the VOX VT20X, offers versatile modeling, including ORANGE-inspired settings that lean toward the punchy, gritty side Hayashi often seeks.

For pedals, mid-focused overdrives and simple boosters are essential. The JHS 3 Series Overdrive is an excellent budget pedal with strong mids, making it a great alternative to her BD-2 or Animals Pedal units. Another strong choice is the NUX Horseman, which works both as a transparent boost and as a mild overdrive—ideal for emulating her layered gain structures. To approximate her spacious but subtle delay work, the TC Electronic The Prophet Digital Delay is a reliable and inexpensive option. Its clean repeats allow you to set up a slapback-style echo that widens the sound without washing it out.

While these alternatives are not exact replicas of her rig, they provide a cost-effective pathway to the tonal qualities Hayashi emphasizes: clarity, responsiveness, and a balanced mix presence. By combining these tools with thoughtful EQ and dynamic playing, guitarists can experience a sound remarkably close to her live energy and recorded tone.

Here is a list of affordable gear that works well for recreating her sound:

Type	Gear Name	Brand	Amazon Lowest Price URL	Band	Guitarist	Notes
Guitar	Contemporary Stratocaster HH	Squier	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Bridge humbuckers + Strat body = close to her early tones
Guitar	ES-339	Epiphone	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Affordable semi-hollow; warm mids similar to ES-355
Amp	Katana-50 MkII	BOSS	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Strong mids; versatile tones for both practice and live use
Amp	VT20X	VOX	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	British-voiced modeling; can approximate ORANGE tones
Overdrive	3 Series Overdrive	JHS	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Strong mids; similar to BD-2 style grit
Booster	Horseman	NUX	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Versatile boost/OD; alternative to Animals Pedal tones
Delay	The Prophet Digital Delay	TC Electronic	Search on Amazon	Hump Back	Momoko Hayashi	Clear repeats; great for slapback-style space

⑦ Summary and Conclusion [Hump Back – Momoko Hayashi]

Momoko Hayashi’s guitar sound is not about chasing flashy specs or relying on overly complex equipment. At its core, her tone is built around two guiding principles: the role of the guitar in the band and its unity with the vocals. This is why even with restrained distortion settings, her tone always “cuts through,” and with midrange-focused EQ, her sound never gets lost in the mix.

Her rig consists of high-quality instruments—Gibson and Fender guitars, ORANGE amps, and a carefully selected set of compact pedals. Yet each choice is less about prestige and more about function. Every piece of gear is chosen to support the song and the band. This selfless approach, where the guitar serves as the foundation rather than the spotlight, is central to her identity as a guitarist.

The pedalboard and amp settings reflect this philosophy: simple, intuitive, and highly responsive. Rather than layering on excessive effects, she relies on how she plays—her attack, her picking nuance, and her dynamic control. These factors shape her sound as much as any pedal or amp ever could. It’s a valuable lesson for younger guitarists: tone comes from your hands first, then from your gear.

By alternating between semi-hollow, Stratocaster, and Telecaster guitars, Hayashi adapts her tone to each song’s mood, while adjusting amps and pedals accordingly. This attention to detail shows her belief that each note carries responsibility. In doing so, she ensures the guitar never overwhelms but always elevates the music.

Her broader philosophy is about harmony rather than ego. Instead of using her tone to dominate, she shapes it to blend and strengthen the band’s overall sound. This is why Hump Back’s music feels both nostalgic and fiery—her guitar creates the framework on which the songs come alive.

For guitarists seeking to emulate her, the lesson is clear: focus not only on gear but on balance, intent, and expression. Study her use of EQ, her restraint with effects, and her ability to make every chord and riff feel essential. These elements matter as much as the brand names stamped on her equipment.

As shown throughout this article, Hayashi’s sound is not unreachable. With thoughtful gear choices, affordable alternatives, and attention to dynamics, many of her tonal qualities can be recreated. More importantly, her style teaches us that the true essence of tone lies in serving the song and in playing with conviction.

Tracks like “Haikei, Shounen yo” embody this philosophy—direct, emotional, and powerful. To experience her sound is to be reminded that the guitar is not just for self-expression, but also for connection. As Hayashi herself demonstrates, a guitar should always resonate for someone else, not just the player.