[Naoki] How to Recreate the Love Psychedelico Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

関連記事

[SHOW-YA] Crafting the Signature Sound of Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi – Guitar Gear, Effects, and Amp Settings

2025.06.062025.09.04

[Tomoyasu Hotei] – How to Recreate the BOØWY Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

2025.08.292025.09.04

[Toshihiko Takamizawa] – How to Recreate the THE ALFEE Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

2025.09.04

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Naoki, the guitarist of Love Psychedelico, has carved out a unique sound in the Japanese pop-rock scene, rooted in Western rock and blues influences. His guitar playing spans a wide range, from simple, robust chord work to delicate arpeggios, never overly flashy but consistently generating tones that support the core of the songs.

In iconic tracks like “Lady Madonna 〜憂鬱なるスパイダー〜” and “Your Song,” the clean yet driven sound emanating from the VOX AC30 stands out. The bluesy phrases and the warm tones typical of vintage guitars are significant elements that shape Love Psychedelico’s groove.

Particularly noteworthy is his dedication to vintage gear. By combining classic equipment from the 1950s and 60s, such as Gibson and Martin guitars, along with the VOX AC30, he creates a sound that retains an analog depth even in modern production environments. This style has garnered appreciation not only in Japan but also among international listeners, making Naoki’s sound “Western-influenced yet distinctly Love Psychedelico.”

In studio recordings, he employs renowned equipment like the UREI 1176 and NEVE 1073 to capture KUMI’s vocals and his guitar while maintaining an analog feel. Utilizing vintage microphones such as the Neumann U67 and Western Electric ribbon mics, he pursues a more vivid and organic sound.

In essence, Naoki’s approach to sound design is about “expressing simple and sincere performances through vintage gear while preserving an analog quality in both recording and live settings.” This philosophy significantly contributes to the atmospheric quality enveloping Love Psychedelico’s entire body of work.

Check out the link below to experience his sound design through official music videos.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Love Psychedelico

List of Amplifiers and Features

At the heart of Naoki’s amplifier selection is the VOX AC30, a classic rock icon. He owns two “Limited Hand Wired Edition” models, using them for both live performances and recordings. The shimmering clean tones and the rich midrange when driven are essential components of Love Psychedelico’s sound.

Live footage and interviews often show him playing with a “straight into the amp” setup, minimizing the use of effects. This approach maximizes the amp’s inherent character, allowing him to pursue a simple yet impactful tone when paired with vintage guitars.

In studio settings, he is also reported to use rack-mounted gear like the Marshall JMP-1 (preamp) and Marshall EL34 100/100 (stereo power amp). The JMP-1, a favorite among many professional guitarists in the 90s, provides a distinctly American drive sound, differing from the VOX. Naoki likely employs this for specific recordings and song sound design.

Additionally, during recording sessions, he has been seen using a Sennheiser MD421 mic positioned in front of the VOX AC30. This is a standard technique for capturing the amp’s natural sound, reinforcing his emphasis on “rawness” in sound design.

Naoki’s amplifier philosophy centers around “building the song’s framework with the amp and embellishing it with minimal effects.” His ability to produce a wide range of tones from a simple setup of guitar, amp, mic, and preamp is a significant characteristic of his sound.

In summary, Naoki’s amplifier configuration primarily revolves around the VOX AC30, supplemented by Marshall’s rack systems in studio environments.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

Naoki’s sound design is deeply rooted in his commitment to vintage guitars. His collection primarily consists of iconic instruments from the 1950s and 60s, each symbolizing the sound of Love Psychedelico. Photos from live performances and recordings, along with interviews, reveal how he utilizes each guitar.

First, the Gibson 1962 ES-335, purchased in 2006, is treated as a “family heirloom” and serves as his main guitar for both live performances and recordings. The semi-hollow body structure of the ES-335 provides sweet sustain and strength when driven, supporting Love Psychedelico’s blues-rock aspects.

Next is the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Special (TV Yellow, P-90), acquired in 2002 in Tokyo. Its P-90 pickups offer excellent clarity, making it prominent in solo parts and chord work. The TV Yellow finish is striking, and it frequently appears in live footage.

On the acoustic side, the Martin 1953 O-18 plays a central role in his songwriting. This guitar, a birthday gift from KUMI, is highly symbolic in Naoki’s musical journey. Additionally, the Gibson 1957 Country Western is known for its bright sound and is often used in recordings.

He also owns a Charvel EVH Art Series (Eddie Van Halen model), which, while more of a hobby guitar, reflects Naoki’s musical background. The Electric Sitar, purchased in LA, is a unique instrument that has yet to see frequent use but holds potential for adding spice to his work.

The philosophy behind these guitar selections is to deliver raw sound through vintage equipment, seeking a wide range of tones from acoustic to electric. Naoki’s sound is thus characterized by the individuality of each guitar, maximized when paired with amps like the VOX AC30.

In summary, Naoki’s guitar collection serves as a “palette of sound” tailored to provide the optimal tones for Love Psychedelico’s music, skillfully utilized according to the situation.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

Naoki is known as a player who prefers a “straight into the amp” approach, primarily leveraging the character of the VOX AC30. However, he incorporates a minimal selection of effects to add nuance and depth to his songs. His effects pedals are carefully chosen staples, predominantly featuring analog and organic sounds.

A standout is the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, known for its warm delay and modulation effects. The characteristic ebb and flow of analog delay pairs perfectly with Love Psychedelico’s psychedelic vibe. Next, the Fulltone OCD provides natural overdrive, likely used to slightly push the VOX AC30.

Additionally, the Xotic EP Booster is an essential part of Naoki’s board. This booster replicates the preamp circuit of the Echoplex, not only thickening the original sound but also naturally adding harmonic richness, enhancing his clean tones. The Vemuram Jan Ray is also favored, capable of producing delicate crunch tones reminiscent of Fender Blackface amps, adding color to bluesy cuts and leads.

For situations requiring stronger distortion, he appears to incorporate the Bogner Ecstasy Blue. This pedal covers a range from overdrive to distortion, adding an American high-gain flavor. However, Naoki’s philosophy is to keep his pedalboard minimal, avoiding an array of pedals during live performances.

In essence, his pedalboard is built around a “booster + overdrive + delay” foundation, with simple configurations that add color as needed. This approach respects the character of the guitar and amp while providing just enough effects to deepen the sound. As a result, listeners experience a sound that is “not flashy but undeniably pleasant.”

From this, it can be inferred that Naoki’s effects usage is a meticulously curated setup that complements the amp’s characteristics.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

Naoki’s sound design is characterized by a “straight into the amp” philosophy, yet he skillfully employs subtle EQ adjustments and outboard gear depending on the song and recording environment. Centered around the natural clean tone of the VOX AC30, he aims to finish the sound with minimal processing, ensuring the character of the guitar remains intact.

Regarding amp settings, the VOX AC30 is likely set with a moderate tone cut, slightly boosted treble, and subdued bass. This configuration brings the midrange of vintage guitars like the ES-335 and Les Paul Special to the forefront, ensuring a solid tone that doesn’t get buried in the overall band sound. When using boosters (like the Xotic EP Booster), he primarily employs them for clean boosts, focusing on “adding thickness to the sound” rather than distortion.

On the EQ front, he enhances warmth in the mid-low range by routing through a NEVE 1073 preamp during recordings. This is particularly evident with acoustic guitars and cutting parts, allowing the natural resonance of the Martin O-18 and Gibson Country Western to gain depth. Additionally, he likely uses an API 550A EQ to shape the sound’s contours and highlight harmonics. His EQ adjustments typically involve subtle boosts or cuts of around 1-2dB, avoiding extreme curves.

Compression is often applied to vocals using the UREI 1176, but it can also be lightly applied to guitars. Particularly for clean arpeggios, he likely processes through the 1176 or Manley Vari-Mu, aligning the attack while preserving dynamics. This results in Naoki’s guitar achieving a “smooth yet defined” sound.

During live performances, he minimizes effects, instead controlling the tone through guitar volume and picking nuances. This reflects a playing style heavily influenced by blues and classic rock, resulting in an experience for the audience that feels “naturally mixed.”

For specific songs, in clean-centric tracks like “Your Song,” he plays through the clean channel of the VOX AC30 with a light boost, while in bluesy tracks, he combines the Fulltone OCD and Jan Ray for a light crunch. For more rock-oriented numbers, he may employ the Bogner Ecstasy Blue to add high-gain nuances to the VOX’s direct sound.

In mixing, Naoki’s guitar is often panned left and right, consciously enveloping KUMI’s vocals. In double-tracking, he might use the ES-335 on one side and the Les Paul Special or acoustic on the other, combining instruments with different characters to create thickness and depth. Furthermore, he utilizes high-precision AD/DA converters like the Prism Sound ADA-8XR to capture the analog outboard’s quality directly into the DAW.

Overall, Naoki’s sound design emphasizes “respecting the natural sound of the guitar and amp while subtly correcting with EQ and compression to fit the song’s atmosphere.” His approach relies on analog gear and expressive playing rather than excessive effects or processing, which supports Love Psychedelico’s unique sound.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

Naoki’s gear primarily consists of vintage classics like the Gibson ES-335, VOX AC30, and Neumann U67, which are professional-grade and can be pricey. However, for beginners or hobbyists looking to achieve a similar sound within a budget, here are some relatively affordable alternatives (around $100–500, with a maximum of $1,000) that can help you get closer to Naoki’s tone.

For amplifiers, the VOX AC15C1 is a great alternative to the VOX AC30. While it has half the wattage, it can recreate the shimmering clean tones and natural drive, making it suitable for home use or small gigs. This is an ideal choice for experiencing Naoki’s “straight into the amp” philosophy.

When it comes to guitars, while the Gibson ES-335 is expensive, the Epiphone ES-335 can be purchased for around $500. It offers the sweet sustain and rich midrange typical of semi-hollow bodies, allowing you to capture the essence of Naoki’s 1962 model. For those seeking Les Paul Special sounds, the Epiphone Les Paul Special P-90 is also recommended, providing the clarity and thickness characteristic of P-90 pickups, suitable for both cutting and soloing.

For effects, if you want to recreate Naoki’s pedalboard affordably, the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver is a strong candidate. It delivers natural crunch to overdrive sounds, and when paired with VOX AC30-style amps, it can achieve a character similar to the OCD or Jan Ray. For delay, the BOSS DM-2W Waza Craft can replicate the warm analog delay of the Deluxe Memory Man. For boosting, the TC Electronic Spark Booster serves as an affordable alternative to the Xotic EP Booster, effectively adding thickness to the sound.

For acoustic alternatives, consider the YAMAHA FG series or Epiphone J-45 as substitutes for the Martin O-18 or Gibson Country Western. Both are reasonably priced and provide warm acoustic tones.

Thus, there are “cost-effective alternative gear options” across amplifiers, guitars, and effects that can help you get closer to the essence of Naoki’s sound. While achieving an exact replica may be challenging, understanding the characteristics of the gear and creatively experimenting can lead you to Naoki’s “simple and sincere sound design.”

Summary and Conclusion

Reflecting on Naoki’s sound design, its essence lies in the approach of “polishing simple yet sincere guitar tones with vintage gear and minimal effects.” He does not rely on flashy techniques or excessive effects but rather maximizes the individuality of the guitar, supporting the entire band with the direct sound of the VOX AC30. By combining historical instruments like the ES-335, Les Paul Special, and Martin O-18, he creates an analog and layered sound.

In the studio, he employs classic outboard gear such as the UREI 1176, NEVE 1073, and API EQ, ensuring that the recording process captures the essence of the performance. This modern update of analog recording techniques contributes to why Love Psychedelico is often described as “Western-influenced” even abroad. Furthermore, using historical microphones and speakers adds depth and credibility to the sound.

Overall, Naoki’s sound embodies a depth within simplicity, characterized by “mastering the tools, avoiding unnecessary additions, and emphasizing only what is needed.” While this may seem understated, it requires a high level of ear and experience. Therefore, for guitarists aiming to replicate his sound, understanding the equipment’s characteristics and honing the sense of tone and expression is crucial.

If readers wish to get closer to Naoki’s sound, the first step is to prepare a VOX-style amp and single-cut or semi-hollow guitars, along with a minimal selection of effects like boosters, light overdrives, and analog delays. Additionally, recording one’s playing and experimenting with EQ and compression can bring you a step closer to Naoki’s “organic and vivid sound.”

Love Psychedelico’s sound design strongly reflects not only technical skill and knowledge but also an attitude of “enjoying music” and “valuing one’s roots.” This is why his sound continues to be loved by listeners across generations, resonating with a simple yet profound echo.