[Yosui Inoue] How to Recreate the Yosui Inoue Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

関連記事

[Abe Futoshi] – How to Recreate the THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

2025.09.04

[KOHKI] How to Recreate the BRAHMAN Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

2025.09.142025.09.14

[TOMO-ZO] How to Recreate the Gacharic Spin Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

2025.09.142025.09.14

Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Yosui Inoue is a prominent singer-songwriter in the Japanese pop-folk scene, active since the 1970s. His guitar playing is a crucial element that shapes the world of his songs. Primarily based on acoustic guitar sounds, he also incorporates electric guitars to create unique nuances and dynamics.

In his iconic tracks such as “Yume no Naka e,” “Koori no Sekai,” and “Shounen Jidai,” the delicacy of his strumming and the intricacy of his arpeggios stand out, giving the guitar tones a soft yet substantial impression. When using electric guitars, he takes advantage of Fender-style clean tones and the warmth characteristic of semi-acoustic guitars, adding color to his compositions.

In live performances, he employs a variety of guitars, including folk guitars, 12-string guitars, semi-acoustic guitars, and electro-acoustic guitars, selecting the optimal sound for each song. His choice of pickups and amplifiers is also noteworthy, as he consistently reproduces the studio recording sound almost faithfully. His playing style leans towards being a supportive guitar that complements the vocals, focusing on creating a sound that enhances the space of the song without being overly prominent.

His guitar tones reflect the touch of his strumming and the nuances of his fingers, making the choice of guitar and string type crucial. For acoustic guitars, he particularly favors brands like Martin, YAMAHA, and K. Yairi, while electric guitars are predominantly Fender and Gibson semi-acoustics. This selection of gear contributes to Inoue’s unique sound characterized by “soft warmth and transparency” that enhances his lyrics.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Yosui Inoue

List of Amplifiers and Features

Choosing the right amplifier is crucial for Yosui Inoue’s guitar sound in both live and studio settings. For acoustic guitars, he primarily uses amplifiers that faithfully reproduce clean tones, favoring Fender and Roland amps for their ability to produce soft yet substantial sounds. Notably, the Fender Twin Reverb was confirmed to be used during rehearsals around 1974-75, providing clear and bright tones suitable for folk songs with its 100W output and reverb and treble characteristics.

In his 1982 and 1984 tours, he used the Roland JC-60, which features a single 30cm speaker and is ideal for small-scale live performances and studio recordings. The stereo feel and transparent clean tone of the JC-60 enhance his expressive capabilities in a solo performance style. From around 1991, he began using the Roland JC-120 (120W, two 30cm speakers) in live settings, ensuring sound consistency and depth even in larger venues. The clear and balanced sound of the JC-120 effectively conveys the delicate expressions of folk-pop songs.

The choice of amplifiers reflects his intention to utilize the unique characteristics of different guitars for each song. For instance, when wanting to express the rich overtones of a 12-string guitar or semi-acoustic, the stereo characteristics of the JC-120 come into play, while for strumming-heavy songs, the warm sound of the Twin Reverb fits perfectly. This combination of amplifiers indicates a focus on the atmosphere of the songs and harmony with the vocals.

Both live and studio applications have proven these amplifiers to be capable of delivering a high level of sound quality on their own. From this configuration, it can be inferred that Yosui Inoue primarily relies on clear and warm clean tones while achieving a wide range of expressive capabilities through careful amplifier selection tailored to each song.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

Yosui Inoue’s choice of guitars is highly diverse, influenced by the image of the songs and the nuances he wishes to express. For acoustic guitars, he utilizes models such as the C.F. Martin D-28, Gibson J-45, Taylor LKSM, and YAMAHA APX-50, among others. The C.F. Martin D-28 has been used since around 1978 and is characterized by its spruce top and rosewood sides and back, delivering rich overtones and a deep sound. This warmth is particularly effective in folk song arpeggios and strumming.

He also frequently employs classic electro-acoustic models like the Gibson J-160E and Gibson Chet Atkins CE, which showcase unique soft tones with their tobacco sunburst and natural finishes. The J-160E has been used in live performances and on the TV show “HEY!HEY!HEY! MUSIC CHAMP,” where it maintains sound stability with its P-90 pickups and Fishman Rare Earth.

For electric guitars, he has been seen using Fender Stratocasters (1st to 3rd generations), Fender Telecasters (1st to 3rd generations), Fender Jaguars, Fender Mustangs, Gibson ES-335, and B.C. Rich Mockingbird, particularly favoring the clean tones of Fender guitars from the 70s and 80s. The Stratocaster, available in Olympic White and tobacco sunburst, provides bright and clear tones suitable for solos and cutting. The Telecaster has been confirmed in posters for “Koori no Sekai” and during NHK Blue Note live performances, where its simple single-coil sharpness adds presence even in folk song accompaniments.

He also utilizes 12-string guitars, including the Taylor LKSM, Furera W-20, and Ovation 1615 Pacemaker, which produce rich overtones and depth in his compositions. The Taylor LKSM has been used since around 1994, while the Furera W-20 dates back to his debut, and the Ovation 1615 was confirmed in live performances from 1986.

Moreover, semi-acoustic guitars like the Rickenbacker 330 and 360/12 have been used during tours around 1982 and in the 1993 song “Make-up Shadow,” contributing a unique jangly tone to his music. This diverse selection of guitars is a significant factor in providing Yosui Inoue’s sound with its multilayered expressions.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

Yosui Inoue’s guitar sound primarily focuses on clean tones, but he uses a minimal number of effects to draw out the subtle nuances of both acoustic and electric guitars. For acoustic guitars, he installs FISHMAN Rare Earth Mic Blend Active Soundhole Pickups and SUNRISE magnetic pickups, ensuring sound stability and presence in live performances and recordings. These pickups have been retrofitted to multiple guitars, confirming their use considering sound quality and compatibility with amplifiers.

As for tuners, he has used the Roland (BOSS) TU-12 chromatic tuner on stages in 1988 and 1991. Since 2005, he has switched to the KORG AW-1, and from around 2011, he has been using its successor, the KORG AW-2, allowing for immediate tuning on stage. This minimizes performance errors during live shows and maintains performance stability.

Accessories include Jim Dunlop NO.431 Tortex Triangle Picks (0.73mm thick green) and SHUBB C1 Capos, which have been in use since around 1972-73, facilitating key changes and touch nuance adjustments. He uses ERNIE BALL Polypro Straps (Navy/4040, Orange) to ensure playing comfort during long performances. Additionally, he incorporates a Hohner Marine Band Harmonica and harmonica holder (HH290/HH800) into his performances, adding unique color to his songs.

Yosui Inoue’s pedalboard setup is quite simple, primarily combining acoustic guitar pickups and tuners. He avoids excessive spatial effects or distortion, prioritizing the natural sound of the guitar. This approach is a significant reason why his sound possesses transparency and complements the vocals.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

The essence of Yosui Inoue’s guitar sound lies in its natural and clear tone. During live performances and recordings, he prioritizes preserving the original sound of the guitar, skillfully adjusting EQ, amplifier settings, and mixing on the PA system. Particularly for acoustic guitars, he utilizes FISHMAN Rare Earth and SUNRISE pickups, which capture a balanced range from low to high frequencies, allowing for minimal EQ correction on the PA. By slightly cutting the low frequencies and boosting the highs, he ensures sound separation within the songs while harmonizing with the vocals.

For electric guitars, he primarily uses the clean channel of amplifiers to leverage the clear characteristics of Stratocasters and Telecasters. With the Fender Twin Reverb and Roland JC-120, he keeps reverb and treble settings somewhat subdued to maintain mid-range thickness. This approach emphasizes the attack of notes during strumming and arpeggios, achieving a natural compression and warm tone by slightly raising the amplifier’s volume.

His distinctive approach to song selection is also notable. In folk-style songs, he prominently features bright and soft sounds from the Martin D-28 or Gibson J-45, while incorporating light cutting from electric guitars in the backing to add thickness and rhythm to the overall composition. In ballads or quieter songs, he adjusts the blending ratio of the pickups to capture subtle nuances of touch, enriching the expression of his performances.

On the PA and mixing side, he finely adjusts the mid and high frequencies to avoid overlapping with multiple guitars and vocals. By keeping effects as simple as possible, he avoids unnecessary phase interference and muddiness from reverb, delivering the guitar’s inherent sound to the listener. Additionally, he employs thoughtful microphone placement and line selection on stage, utilizing a hybrid method of direct boxes and amplifier miking for a broader sound quality in live recordings.

Through these efforts, Yosui Inoue’s guitar sound embodies “transparency that complements the vocals” and “delicacy that directly expresses the player’s touch.” The adjustments of amplifiers and EQ, the selection and blending of pickups, and the mixing techniques on the PA are all crucial elements that contribute to his unique sound.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

For beginners or those on a budget looking to replicate Yosui Inoue’s sound, the key is to focus on clean tones and the natural resonance of acoustic guitars. In electric guitar setups, it’s advisable to avoid excessive distortion or spatial effects, aiming for settings that leverage the characteristics of single-coil pickups in Stratocasters and Telecasters.

For highly replicable gear at relatively affordable prices, I recommend guitars like the YAMAHA APX series or the Fender Squier Stratocaster. The APX series features a thin body and System 13 pickup, making it easy to achieve stable volume and clear clean tones in live settings. The Squier Stratocaster closely resembles the single-coil characteristics of the original Strat, allowing for bright and clear sounds when set on clean amplifier settings.

For amplifiers, compact clean amps like the Roland JC-22 or Fender Mustang LT25 are practical choices. The Roland JC-22 replicates the sound of the JC-120 in a smaller format, offering a good balance of treble and mid-range, making it easier to express touch nuances. The Mustang LT25, with its preset functions, simplifies the reproduction of clean tones and is lightweight and portable, making it suitable for live performances.

While effects are not essential, beginner-friendly options include the BOSS TU-3 tuner or acoustic preamps (like the Fishman Loudbox Mini or Behringer Acoustic Control). The TU-3 allows for quick and accurate tuning, enhancing performance stability on stage. Acoustic preamps amplify the signal from the pickups and facilitate EQ adjustments and light compression, making it easier to achieve Inoue’s natural and rich sound.

Additionally, straps and picks can influence sound production. Using Jim Dunlop Tortex picks or ERNIE BALL Polypro straps helps maintain touch nuances and enhances playability. Specifically, picks around 0.73mm thick in a triangular shape are recommended for arpeggios and intricate chord strumming.

By combining these pieces of gear, it is conceivable to recreate Yosui Inoue’s transparent clean tones and guitar sounds that complement his vocals in a relatively accessible manner. Even beginners can enjoy a sound close to the original while keeping the setup simple for live or home performances.

Summary and Conclusion

The allure of Yosui Inoue’s guitar sound lies in its natural and transparent tone. He effectively utilizes the softness of acoustic guitars while avoiding excessive distortion in electric guitars, faithfully reproducing the touch of strumming and arpeggios. Many of the gear used in live and studio recordings are chosen for their simplicity and high quality, optimizing pickups, amplifiers, tuners, and accessories to enhance the player’s nuances.

In terms of EQ and mixing, he maintains clarity in the mid and high frequencies while suppressing excessive low-end boom, ensuring harmony with the vocals and sound separation. Additionally, adjustments in pickup blending, amplifier channel switching, and reverb settings demonstrate various engineering techniques. This comprehensive sound design allows Yosui Inoue’s guitar to embody both “elegance that complements the vocals” and “delicacy that faithfully conveys the player’s touch.”

For those aiming to replicate his sound, combining relatively affordable guitars from Fender and YAMAHA with compact clean amplifiers, tuners, and simple preamps can capture the essence of Inoue’s sound. The key is to focus on touch, playing style, and spatial processing rather than relying solely on gear performance. Respecting the inherent sound of the guitar while making minimal corrections to define the sound’s contours is essential to his sound design philosophy.

In summary, Yosui Inoue’s sound design merges “the utilization of natural acoustic tones” with “the expression of clear nuances in electric guitar.” While accurately replicating the gear used is one approach, the most important aspect is prioritizing the player’s touch and sound perception. By keeping this in mind, even beginners can approach the transparent guitar sound characteristic of Inoue.