Introduction (Overview of Tone)
The guitarist of SIX LOUNGE, Yamaguchi Yuumori, is known for his robust and straightforward rock sound. His playing style merges the roots of blues and punk with the energy of modern rock. Iconic songs like “STARSHIP” and “Meriru” showcase a tone that embodies both rawness and melancholy.
At the core of his sound is a simple approach that emphasizes direct connection to the amplifier. Rather than relying heavily on distortion pedals, he utilizes the natural overdrive of the amp to achieve a thick and cutting guitar sound. Live photos and stage setups suggest that his effects usage is minimal, primarily consisting of a tuner, booster, and perhaps a delay.
His tone reflects a tradition reminiscent of 70s hard rock while fitting seamlessly into the contemporary rock scene with clarity. This straightforward yet powerful style supports the overall energy of the band, captivating listeners.
In essence, Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound is built upon the simple triad of “guitar,” “amp,” and “the player’s touch,” rather than an overabundance of effects. This simplicity is a key weapon that underpins the energetic live performances of SIX LOUNGE.
▶ Search official YouTube videos of SIX LOUNGE
List of Amplifiers and Features
When discussing Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound, the presence of amplifiers is indispensable. Observations from live performances and stage photos indicate that he primarily uses a stack configuration, maximizing the amp’s natural distortion for a simple yet powerful sound.
A notable amplifier in his setup is the Marshall JCM2000 DSL. This model is renowned as a classic high-gain amp, characterized by its thick distortion and punchy mid-low frequencies. It is a crucial element that directly contributes to the robust rock sound of SIX LOUNGE, driving the entire band on stage. The dynamic drive of this amp is evident in songs like “Meriru” and “STARSHIP,” providing the tracks with an energetic boost.
Recently, he has also been seen using the Marshall SV20H (Studio Vintage). This model replicates the classic Plexi sound at lower wattages, with a switchable output of 20W/5W. It features the crisp tones typical of traditional British rock, functioning as an amp that directly reflects Yamaguchi’s guitar touch.
Additionally, his stack configuration includes an orange cabinet. While the brand remains unconfirmed, it is highly likely that it consists of two 12-inch speakers, creating a powerful presence when paired with the Marshall head. This visual and sonic impact is significant for enhancing the live experience.
In terms of amplifier arrangement, there have been instances where the SV20H is placed on top, the JCM2000 DSL in the middle, and the orange cabinet at the bottom. This setup allows for switching between amps and complementing the tonal character as needed.
In summary, Yamaguchi Yuumori utilizes the “thickness of the JCM2000 DSL” and the “clarity of the SV20H,” while the visually striking orange cabinet pushes the sound forward. This combination establishes a straightforward guitar presence that symbolizes the rock sound of SIX LOUNGE.
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marshall JCM2000 DSL | Marshall | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Classic high-gain amp. Known for thickness and punch. Main live amp. |
Marshall SV20H (Studio Vintage) | Marshall | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Plexi-style circuit. Clear 20W/5W amp. Recently confirmed use. |
Orange Cabinet (assumed 12″x2) | Unknown | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Identified from photos. Combined with Marshall head. Brand unconfirmed. |
Types of Guitars Used and Features
The primary weapon supporting Yamaguchi Yuumori’s guitar play is the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top. This model, equipped with mini-humbuckers, offers a sharper and clearer tone compared to standard Les Pauls. It has been used as his main guitar in recent live performances, making it the most suitable choice for the straightforward rock sound of SIX LOUNGE.
The gold top color provides a striking visual presence, supporting the band’s energy visually. It maintains clarity even with aggressive picking, ensuring sufficient sound pressure within the trio. The thick midrange typical of Les Pauls, combined with the lightness of the mini-humbuckers, creates a unique character.
The choice of this guitar likely stems from a desire to balance “the tradition of rock ‘n’ roll” with “modern clarity.” It possesses a tight high end that standard Les Paul Standards or Customs cannot achieve while retaining the weightiness of a Les Paul, aligning perfectly with his sound creation.
While the Les Paul Deluxe is overwhelmingly the primary choice, there is a possibility that he may switch to other Les Paul types or Strat-style backup guitars depending on the situation. However, due to a lack of concrete information from interviews or primary sources, this remains unconfirmed.
SIX LOUNGE’s approach to guitar selection reflects their ethos of “stripping away the unnecessary and going for a straightforward attack.” Thus, Yamaguchi Yuumori’s Gold Top Les Paul symbolizes not only the sound but also the band’s identity. In conclusion, his guitar embodies “a robust midrange,” “the aesthetics of rock ‘n’ roll,” and “a simple yet persuasive presence.”
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top | Gibson | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Electric Guitar (Les Paul Type) | Equipped with mini-humbuckers. Confirmed as main use in recent live performances. |
Effects and Pedalboard Setup
Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound is primarily centered around a straightforward approach, closely connected to the amp. Therefore, his pedalboard is extremely minimal, and live footage or stage photos do not reveal an array of flashy pedals. The primary focus is on the amp’s distortion, supplemented by a tuner, booster, and spatial effects.
Specifically, a tuner is essential for maintaining stable performance during live shows, typically placed at the front of the board. Next, an overdrive or booster is likely used. While the Marshall DSL and SV20H amps provide sufficient power with their inherent distortion, a pedal is needed to add a bit of gain for solos or prominent riffs.
Additionally, for rock ballads or songs that emphasize ambiance, the use of delay is plausible. A shorter delay can add depth to the sound, enhancing the trio’s overall thickness. While reverb may sometimes be added, the built-in reverb of the amp or the natural reverberation of the venue often suffices, making external pedals non-essential.
Overall, his pedalboard aims for “maximum effect with minimal means.” The core of his sound lies in the combination of amp distortion and the mini-humbuckers of the Les Paul Deluxe, with effects serving a supportive role. This clarity is what establishes the robust and straightforward rock sound characteristic of SIX LOUNGE.
However, as of now, specific models remain unconfirmed, so the following is a presumed setup based on equipment commonly used by rock guitarists with similar styles.
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Effect Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Tuner | Essential for live performance. Estimated as a standard stage tuner. |
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Overdrive | Used to boost amp distortion. |
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Delay | Spatial effect to add depth. Estimated to enhance thickness in a trio setup. |
Considering the above, Yamaguchi Yuumori’s pedalboard is structured to leverage the sound close to the amp while placing minimal pedals for corrections and enhancements when necessary, resulting in a very rational setup.
Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches
Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound creation fundamentally aims to “maximize the natural distortion of the amp.” Both the Marshall DSL and SV20H belong to the classical British rock lineage, allowing for a wide range from vintage to modern tones based on EQ and gain settings. His goal is a straightforward, robust rock tone, enhanced by the clarity of the mini-humbuckers in the Les Paul Deluxe, forming the band’s overall sound.
Gain and Channel Settings
For the JCM2000 DSL, a crunch channel can be used as a base, increasing the gain for a hard-driven sound. This method preserves the attack characteristic of punk and blues rock while achieving sufficient distortion. The SV20H, known for its Plexi-style sound, can be used with lower gain to “fully drive” the amp, responding sensitively to touch and bringing the guitar’s expression to the forefront.
EQ Balance
A typical rock sound setting might involve adjusting Bass to 5-6, Middle to 6-7, and Treble around 5. By emphasizing the midrange, the guitar can stand out in the band sound, effectively utilizing the character of the Les Paul. Conversely, excessive treble can lead to an ear-piercing sound, so keeping it slightly lower is advisable for balance.
Song-Specific Adjustments
For fast-paced tracks like “Meriru,” the amp gain is set high to achieve a sharp tone that aligns with the picking. In contrast, songs like “STARSHIP” that require a thicker mid-low range benefit from a stronger bass setting. During solo parts, lightly engaging the booster can create a prominent tone, resulting in a simple yet impactful guitar solo.
Mixing Techniques
Given that the band consists of three members, the guitar must fulfill both rhythm and lead roles. Therefore, double tracking during recording is effective, panning the guitars left and right. One side can feature the thick distortion of the Marshall DSL, while the other captures the clarity of the SV20H, maintaining the live energy while creating a three-dimensional sound.
Use of Spatial Effects
Generally, a dry sound serves as the foundation, but for lead parts or emotional songs, adding a short delay is a common treatment. Reverb is often left to the studio or live venue’s natural reverberation, resulting in a low frequency of external pedal usage.
Summary
Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound creation is built on “simplicity yet precision.” By maximizing the amp’s inherent distortion and emphasizing the midrange through EQ, he ensures a strong presence within the band. Adjusting gain and low-end according to the nuances of each song, while occasionally adding delay or a booster, contributes to the three-dimensionality of the sound. These cumulative settings create the unique straightforward rock sound of SIX LOUNGE.
Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone
While achieving Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound ideally requires a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top and Marshall tube amps, both can be expensive and heavy, making them challenging for beginners or home recording setups. Therefore, here are some relatively affordable gear options to approximate the straightforward rock sound of SIX LOUNGE.
Guitar Alternatives
For a Les Paul type, Epiphone models are the most realistic option. Specifically, the “Epiphone Les Paul Standard” or “Epiphone Les Paul Tribute” offer a thickness in the midrange that approaches that of the original Gibson at a lower price. While mini-humbucker models are scarce, standard humbuckers can still achieve a similar tone with the right amp settings.
Amplifiers / Amp Simulators
The Marshall DSL and SV20H are costly and designed for high volume, making them impractical for home use. Alternatives include the “Marshall DSL20CR” or the “Marshall Code” series. The DSL20CR, being a tube amp, is relatively affordable and can reproduce the midrange-heavy distortion characteristic of the DSL series. For home recording, the “BOSS Katana series” is also recommended, as it includes Marshall-style distortion and offers a good balance of price and sound quality.
Effects
If you want to keep the pedalboard minimal, BOSS’s standard compact pedals are useful. The TU-3 tuner, SD-1 booster/overdrive, and DD-3T or DD-7 for spatial effects can fulfill similar roles to those used in live performances. For a more simplified setup, a multi-effects unit like the “Zoom G1X Four” can cover multiple functions in one device.
Setting Tips
Even with affordable gear, emphasizing the midrange in EQ and avoiding excessive gain is crucial. To maintain the “straightforward feel,” minimizing unnecessary spatial effects while using only essential overdrive and delay can effectively convey the energetic sound of SIX LOUNGE.
Below is a list of gear that is beginner to intermediate-friendly.
Type | Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guitar | Epiphone Les Paul Standard | Epiphone | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Standard Les Paul type. Known for its thick midrange. |
Amplifier | Marshall DSL20CR | Marshall | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Compact model of the original DSL series. Suitable for home recording and studio use. |
Amplifier | BOSS Katana-50 MkII | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Modeling amp. Offers a variety of sounds, including Marshall tones. |
Effect | BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Used to boost amp distortion. A simple classic. |
Effect | BOSS DD-3T Digital Delay | BOSS | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Adds depth with short delay. |
Multi-Effects | Zoom G1X Four | Zoom | Search on Amazon | SIX LOUNGE | Yamaguchi Yuumori | Multi-functional at a low price. Recommended for beginners. |
By acquiring this gear, you can recreate a straightforward rock sound reminiscent of “Gold Top + Marshall” while keeping costs down. The key is to focus on simplicity and touch strength, which are the main hints for replicating Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound.
Summary and Conclusion
Reflecting on Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound creation, its essence can be summarized as “simple yet robust.” His main guitar, the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top, balances the unique clarity of mini-humbuckers with the inherent weightiness of a Les Paul, adding depth and sharpness to the band’s sound.
He employs classic models like the Marshall JCM2000 DSL and SV20H, leveraging the natural distortion of the amp to highlight his style. His effects setup remains minimal, consisting of a tuner, booster, and delay, allowing the potential of the amp and guitar to shine through. This approach aims to avoid unnecessary processing, directly conveying the nuances of picking and the energy of live performances.
Moreover, within the constraints of a three-member band, his guitar fulfills both rhythm and lead roles. This necessitates an EQ that emphasizes the midrange, ensuring a strong presence in the ensemble. Notably, adjusting the low-end and gain for each song allows for flexibility, accommodating everything from energetic rock numbers to emotional ballads.
For readers wishing to replicate this sound, it is crucial to adopt a mindset of “playing straightforwardly” rather than simply acquiring expensive gear. Equipment is merely a means; strong attack, the energy of strumming chords, and a clean sound devoid of unnecessary effects form the core of Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound. By integrating an Epiphone Les Paul, BOSS standard pedals, and reasonably priced Marshall-style amps, you can effectively capture the essence of his tone.
Ultimately, emulating the sound of SIX LOUNGE is akin to embodying the spirit of “stripping down music to its essence and delivering it with vigor and passion.” Rather than relying on technique or complex gear setups, returning to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll and pouring your heart into a simple sound is what defines Yamaguchi Yuumori’s sound creation and is the primary reason SIX LOUNGE’s live performances captivate audiences.
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