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

Introduction – Spotlight on Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi

Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi is the iconic guitarist of SHOW-YA, one of Japan’s legendary all-female hard rock bands. Known for her razor-sharp tone and commanding stage presence, she has captivated audiences with virtuosic techniques such as fast picking, tapping, and even dramatic guitar spins.

Her playing style combines heaviness and clarity, leveraging techniques like open-string riffs and tight bridge-muted runs, especially prominent during live performances. The sound of SHOW-YA is rooted in 1980s hard rock/heavy metal, but is enriched with modern modulation and spatial effects that add dimension and depth.

At the core of her setup is the signature model Aria ProII PE-DC☆sun-go☆, supported by a professional-grade pedalboard and carefully designed amp configurations that emphasize spatial processing via send/return routing. Her tone is both precise and expressive, balancing punch with atmosphere.

This article breaks down her sound in detail—from essential gear and amp choices to beginner-friendly alternatives that can approximate her tone. If you’re aiming to achieve a powerful, stage-worthy hard rock sound with a feminine edge, this guide is for you.

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Amplifiers Used by Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi (SHOW-YA)

Sun-go☆’s amp choices prioritize stage volume, tonal clarity, and compatibility with spatial effects. She typically runs effects through an amp’s send/return loop to ensure rich, layered textures with minimal tonal compromise.

Her mainstay amps are assumed to be Marshall-style heads, such as the JCM2000 or DSL100H, based on live footage and photos. These amps provide a fat core distortion with midrange punch—perfect for SHOW-YA’s heavy yet articulate style.

She has also been seen using a Roland JC-120 as a secondary amp. This clean powerhouse is ideal for delay-based ambient settings, especially in tandem with units like the Yamaha D1500. Its pristine tone provides a reliable foundation for spatial processing without muddying the original signal.

Her amp EQ settings often focus on midrange clarity while preserving low-end tightness and treble balance—ensuring spatial effects remain clear and present in the mix. Switching systems like the Providence PEC-2 are integrated to allow seamless transitions between channels and effect states during live sets.

Her core amp tone can be summarized as: “powerfully distorted yet modulation-friendly.” The goal is a saturated sound that still retains its shape when layered with chorus or flanger effects, and sufficient headroom to avoid breakup from effect stacking.

Gear	Brand	Amazon Link	Band	Guitarist	Notes
JCM2000	Marshall	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Confirmed from live photos. Classic high-gain amp with strong mids.
JC-120	Roland	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Used for spatial effects. Known for ultra-clean tone and stereo clarity.
DSL100H	Marshall	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Not officially confirmed but inferred from recent tonal characteristics.

Main Guitars Used by Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi (SHOW-YA): Signature Model & Features

The centerpiece of sun-go☆’s rig is her own signature model: the Aria ProII PE-DC☆sun-go☆ SHOW-YA. This custom guitar represents her identity as a guitarist, frequently featured in live performances and music videos.

The PE-DC☆sun-go☆ features a maple top and mahogany back, offering a rich midrange and long sustain—ideal for soaring leads and melodic phrasing. The neck joint is heel-less, giving her seamless access to all 24 frets. This is crucial for her fast, technical playing style, which often includes tapping and extended-range soloing.

Equipped with Seymour Duncan humbuckers, the guitar delivers a powerful, articulate tone. Even under heavy distortion, the note definition remains clear—an essential characteristic when layering with modulation and delay effects.

She often uses multiple versions of this guitar in different colors, notably black and white. Each unit features hand-painted “Fairy” artwork on the body, showcasing a unique personal touch. The model also comes with a D-tuner and tremolo arm, making it ready for drop-D tuning and expressive vibrato or dive-bomb techniques.

This signature model exemplifies her pursuit of tone, playability, and aesthetics—all tailored for high-impact performance and versatility on stage.

In earlier years, she was occasionally seen playing ESP custom models and Ibanez RG series guitars, which are known for their playability and sleek design. However, her current live and studio use is centered almost exclusively around her Aria ProII model.
Guitar Gear List

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Band	Guitarist	Type	Notes
PE-DC☆sun-go☆	Aria ProII	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Signature Model	Equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, D-tuner, and tremolo. Main guitar for both live and studio use.
RG Series (Unknown Model)	Ibanez	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Solid Body	Used in earlier periods. Known for fast necks and high-fret access.
ESP Custom Model	ESP	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Custom Model	Temporarily used in the past. Specific details not publicly available.

Effects Pedals & Board Configuration of Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi (SHOW-YA)

sun-go☆’s pedalboard is a reflection of her technical precision and sonic versatility. Every unit on her board plays a purposeful role—carefully chosen for its functionality, reliability, and musical expression. Her setup balances analog warmth with digital flexibility, allowing her to match any song’s needs live or in the studio.

Boosters & Drive Control

One of her key tools is the EX-PRO 32VOLT, a high-headroom clean booster powered at 32 volts. This ultra-low-noise unit features treble, bass, and gain controls, making it ideal for lifting solos or subtly enhancing clarity without introducing harshness.

Modulation & Multi-Effects

She uses the compact yet powerful ZOOM MS-50G multi-stomp, which includes over 100 effect types and preset memory. This gives her maximum flexibility when adapting to different setlists or song structures.

Analog depth comes from the rare MAXON BC-01 analog chorus, which features dual analog paths to create a thick, lush modulation texture. This is especially effective for widening heavy riffs and solos without sacrificing clarity.

For additional modulation, she incorporates the iconic BOSS BF-2 flanger—a pedal famous for its aggressive swirls and smooth, jet-like sweeps. Meanwhile, the Eventide MOD FACTOR brings pro-level modulation with presets for flanger, chorus, phaser, and more—ideal for shaping complex tones on the fly.

Delay & Spatial Effects

Her delay setup is dual-path: the pedalboard features the t.c. electronic ND-1 NOVA DELAY, offering six delay modes (including dynamic and modulated delays), all with tempo sync capabilities.

She also runs a YAMAHA D1500 rackmount digital delay via the amp’s send/return loop. Known for its stereo spread and MIDI support, it gives her lead lines spatial width and polished presence in a full-band context.

Noise Reduction & Switching

To keep things quiet and tight, she uses the iSP Technologies DECIMATOR G STRING II, a widely trusted noise suppressor that supports both guitar input and loop configurations for complete control over signal integrity.

The heart of her board is the Providence PEC-2, a programmable switcher with five series loops, three independent loops, MIDI control, and mute options. It enables seamless transitions between complex effects chains during live performances.

Effects Gear List

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Band	Guitarist	Type	Notes
32VOLT	EX-PRO	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Booster	32V headroom, ultra-clean signal. Ideal for solos and clean enhancement.
MS-50G	ZOOM	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Multi-effects	100+ effect types. Small footprint with deep control and preset memory.
BC-01	MAXON	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Chorus	Dual analog path. Rich, layered modulation.
ND-1 NOVA DELAY	t.c. electronic	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Delay	6 modes including tap tempo and modulated delays. MIDI compatible.
BF-2	BOSS	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Flanger	Classic aggressive flanger tones. Wide dynamic range.
MOD FACTOR	Eventide	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Modulation	Professional-grade presets. MIDI control. Ideal for studio/live.
PEC-2	Providence	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Switcher	Advanced routing. 5+3 loop architecture. MIDI and mute options.
DECIMATOR G STRING II	iSP Technologies	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Noise Suppressor	Flexible signal routing. Maintains tone clarity in complex rigs.
D1500	YAMAHA	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Rack Delay	Stereo-capable delay with MIDI control. Used in send/return for spaciousness.

Crafting the Signature Tone: EQ, Gain Settings & Mixing Techniques

sun-go☆’s guitar tone is defined by three pillars: thickness, clarity, and presence. Within the context of hard rock and metal, her approach focuses on midrange dominance and tightly controlled gain that retains picking nuance even under saturation.
Amp EQ & Gain Settings

She typically relies on the crunch to high-gain channels of her amp, avoiding excessive gain to keep dynamics intact. Instead, she shapes her sound using EQ to emphasize character and definition. A recommended starting point for a similar tone:

• Gain: 5.5–6.5 – just enough for sustain without mushiness
• Bass: 4–5 – keeps the low end tight and controlled
• Middle: 6–7 – the core of her punchy, vocal-like tone
• Treble: 5–6 – adds presence without making it harsh

This mid-forward setting ensures the guitar retains definition even when layered with modulation like chorus or flanger. Her tone remains assertive in the mix while avoiding muddiness or overlap with other instruments.

Spatial Effects Strategy

The YAMAHA D1500 rack delay is routed through the amp’s send/return loop, offering stereo width and polished tail response. This is especially vital in SHOW-YA’s dense arrangements, which often include keys and dual vocals. The spatial delay carves out a lead guitar space that cuts through with precision.

The NOVA DELAY handles time-synced effects like digital delay lines and ping-pong repeats. With BPM-based settings, it brings cohesion between her guitar parts and the band’s rhythmic structure.

Modulation & Preset Switching

With tools like the ZOOM MS-50G and Eventide MOD FACTOR, sun-go☆ can quickly swap between pitch shifting, slow tremolo, phaser, or other effects depending on the track. These are managed via the Providence PEC-2, which enables seamless scene changes during live sets—allowing precise transitions between rhythm, lead, and effect-heavy tones.

The EX-PRO 32VOLT also plays a key role in shaping the EQ during performance. Even without boosting gain heavily, it can subtly enhance midrange push and adjust treble/bass content to match the venue’s acoustics.

Mixing Considerations

Her rig is likely fine-tuned not just for stage sound but also for how the guitar sits in a band mix. This includes minimizing low-end boom on leads, avoiding stereo spread that muddies clarity, and using precise delay repeats that stay out of the way of the vocal range.

To combat masking and tone degradation from overlapping effects, the DECIMATOR G STRING II noise suppressor ensures clarity even during high-gain or complex multi-effect passages.

Altogether, sun-go☆’s tone is not just about distortion—it’s a masterclass in controlled power and articulation. Every aspect is dialed in for musical impact, making her sound feel commanding, expressive, and highly refined.

Affordable Alternatives for Recreating sun-go☆’s Guitar Tone

While Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi’s professional-grade setup may be out of reach for many players, there are several affordable pedals and multi-effects units—typically in the ¥10,000–¥50,000 range (roughly $70–$350 USD)—that can get surprisingly close to her sharp and full-bodied hard rock tone. Below are some hand-picked alternatives ideal for beginners to intermediate players aiming for that SHOW-YA-inspired sound.

Distortion Pedals

For a strong hard rock foundation, the BOSS DS-1X and MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion are excellent choices. The DS-1X offers modern gain with enhanced midrange clarity, perfect for cutting leads and tight riffs. Its voicing is ideal for players who want to maintain picking articulation, much like sun-go☆.

The MXR M75 provides a thick tone with a wide gain range—from classic crunch to heavy saturation—making it a versatile tool for dialing in both rhythm and lead tones.

Modulation Effects

The NUX Mod Core Deluxe II is an all-in-one pedal that includes chorus, flanger, phaser, and tremolo. It’s a compact, affordable solution for players who need multiple modulation options in a single pedal. Its tight stereo image and defined modulation make it stage-ready without being overpowering.

Delay Options

For delay, the Donner Yellow Fall Delay and TC Electronic The Prophet are solid budget options. Both offer warm, analog-style delay tones that complement a mid-heavy guitar tone. The Prophet, in particular, blends well in a send/return loop or in front of an amp, making it a flexible choice.

Multi-Effects Units

If you’re looking for a single unit to cover all your effects, the ZOOM G3n and NUX MG-300 are highly recommended. These units offer customizable chains, amp modeling, and smooth patch switching—similar to what sun-go☆ achieves with her MS-50G and MOD FACTOR setup.

Switcher Alternatives

While the Providence PEC-2 is a high-end switching system, you can approximate its functionality using budget loop switchers like the Rowin LEF-317 Loop Box. It allows simple bypass switching, helpful for managing signal routing in a live environment.

Recommended Budget Gear List

Category	Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Band	Guitarist	Notes
Distortion	DS-1X	BOSS	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Modern distortion with focused mids. Ideal for crisp leads and articulate riffing.
Distortion	M75 Super Badass	MXR	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Wide gain range. Full-bodied tone perfect for hard rock rhythms.
Modulation	Mod Core Deluxe II	NUX	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Multi-modulation in one unit. Stereo-capable and performance-friendly.
Delay	The Prophet	TC Electronic	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Clear, warm delay. Ideal for rhythm fills and ambient leads.
Multi-FX	G3n	ZOOM	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Flexible multi-effects. Great for recreating sun-go☆-style rig control.
Switcher	LEF-317 Loop Box	Rowin	Link	SHOW-YA	sun-go☆	Affordable switcher for managing multiple pedals live. Simplifies routing.

Conclusion: Capturing the Spirit of sun-go☆’s Signature Sound

Miki “sun-go☆” Igarashi’s guitar tone is much more than just high-gain rock distortion. It’s a carefully constructed, expressive voice that combines power, precision, and personality. Whether she’s performing a blazing solo, pounding out chunky riffs, or creating wide atmospheric textures, her sound always commands attention in the mix.

At the core of this sound is her custom Aria ProII PE-DC☆sun-go☆ guitar—built for comfort, speed, and tonal flexibility. Layered atop that is her masterful use of effects: chorus, flanger, delay, and more, all controlled via a programmable switching system to suit dynamic live performances. Her rig also includes advanced elements like MIDI-compatible rack delays and highly refined noise suppression, elevating her tone to a professional standard.

But it’s not just the gear—her performance style plays an equally important role. From acrobatic stage moves like guitar spins to intricate tapping passages and crunchy palm-muted riffs, sun-go☆ brings a theatrical and technical flair to every note she plays. Her phrasing and timing are tightly integrated with the band, yet always distinct and unmistakably her own.

For players seeking to emulate her tone, the takeaway is clear: it’s not about copying every piece of gear, but about prioritizing three key attributes—midrange presence, sonic clarity, and spatial depth. Boosting at the right moment, layering tasteful modulation, and timing your delay are just as important as distortion settings.

If your goal is to stand out on stage with a bold hard rock tone that still offers nuance and control, sun-go☆’s sound provides an inspiring blueprint. Use this guide as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to shape your own version of her “signature” tone.

Lastly, be sure to follow her on social media for real-time insights into her evolving rig and gear preferences. Check out her Instagram account here: <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/igarashi_miki_official/” target=”_