Introduction (Overview of Tone)
The guitarist Yurin from Cider Girl has garnered attention for his sound, which intertwines transparent arpeggios with powerful riffs. His playing style is characterized by supporting the emotional resonance and dynamism of the songs, taking on a melodic role that goes beyond mere backing.
Iconic tracks like “Evergreen” and “Palette” showcase how the guitar enhances the overall feel of Cider Girl’s refreshing music. Particularly, the use of a crunchy tone combined with a light overdrive creates a perfect balance of pop and rock elements, shaping a unique sonic world that is distinctly Yurin’s.
His gear choices are simple yet meticulously curated, featuring distinctive guitars like the Grosh Retro Classic T and Momose MTL, paired with the Shinos × Lee Custom Amplifier Rocket Head and a Bogner cabinet to achieve a clear and spacious sound. Additionally, he opts for high-quality effects from brands like VEMURAM and Y.O.S., establishing a unique drive based on crunch tones.
In essence, Yurin’s sound can be described as “a guitar tone that is simple in structure yet meticulously focused on resolution and texture.” This dedication is likely what makes Cider Girl’s music feel more dimensional and vivid.
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List of Amplifiers and Features
The core of Yurin’s sound creation lies in the combination of amplifiers and cabinets. He primarily uses the highly regarded handmade amp, the Shinos × Lee Custom Amplifier Rocket Head. The Rocket Head features the thickness and responsiveness typical of tube amplifiers while being versatile enough to handle a wide range from clean to crunch. This allows Yurin to comfortably support his frequently used crunch-based drive sounds.
Complementing the Rocket Head is the Bogner 2×12 cabinet (vertical orientation). Bogner cabinets are known for their wide range, ensuring that the guitar sound does not get buried within the overall band mix. The 2×12 size particularly excels in balancing sound cohesion and manageability, providing stable sound from small venues to festival stages.
Yurin aims for a sound that maintains clarity even in densely arranged songs, making amplifier selection crucial. The Rocket Head fits perfectly with Cider Girl’s refreshing band sound, serving as a significant element supporting his performance. Live footage and photos confirm that he is often seen on stage with this setup, highlighting its emblematic role in Yurin’s sound.
It is assumed that he may also use another tube amp for studio recordings or small rehearsals, but it is clear that the Rocket Head and Bogner cabinet are his main setup. This combination is chosen with consideration for its compatibility with clean, crunch, and distortion effects, contributing to its reliability in live settings.
In summary, Yurin’s amplifier selection prioritizes “a simple yet reliable expression of his sound,” bringing stability and presence throughout the band’s overall sound. It is expected that this setup will continue to play a central role in his future works and tours.
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Head | Shinos × Lee Custom Amplifier | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Main amp used for both live and recording. |
Bogner 2×12 Cabinet | Bogner | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Used in combination with Rocket Head, set up vertically on stage. |
Types of Guitars Used and Features
When discussing Yurin’s sound creation, his unique guitar selection is indispensable. His main guitar is the Grosh Retro Classic T. Based on a Telecaster, it boasts exceptional playability and sound variety, thanks to builder Don Grosh’s craftsmanship. Yurin’s version features a Seymour Duncan single-sized humbucker in the rear pickup, allowing for a combination of the Telecaster’s sharpness and the fullness of a humbucker. This versatility enables a wide range of tones, from Cider Girl’s refreshing and sharp sound to thick, powerful riffs.
Another noteworthy guitar used in recent works and live performances is the Momose MTL (all rosewood version). Momose is a handmade brand from Matsumoto City, Nagano, known for its meticulous craftsmanship and high-quality wood selection. The all-rosewood version offers a unique heaviness and sustain, providing depth and stability when used for backing. In Yurin’s playing style, it functions as “another guitar that adds thickness,” contrasting with the lightness of the Grosh.
Yurin’s choice of guitars reflects his sound philosophy. He selects instruments that “definitely respond to the sound he seeks,” rather than merely following brands or trends. The Grosh shines with overwhelming presence in live settings, while the Momose adds color to studio recordings and backing. This combination creates a simple yet rich guitar ensemble.
While he may use other guitars at different times, it is confirmed through live footage and photos that the Grosh Retro Classic T and Momose MTL are currently his main two guitars. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of these two instruments is crucial for recreating Yurin’s guitar sound.
In summary, Yurin’s guitar selection directly relates to achieving “vibrant cutting and thick backing,” making it an essential element in Cider Girl’s refreshing repertoire. It is expected that these two guitars will continue to be central to his sound in future tours and new releases.
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Retro Classic T | Grosh | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Telecaster type | Main guitar with rear PU replaced with Seymour Duncan. |
MTL (All Rosewood Version) | Momose | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Telecaster type | Used for backing in recent works and live performances. |
Effects and Pedalboard Setup
The individuality of Yurin’s guitar sound is defined by a carefully selected group of effects that are simple yet effective. His pedalboard is centered around distortion pedals from VEMURAM, with a “always ON” approach to crafting a sound based on crunch. This strategy adds depth and presence to Cider Girl’s refreshing pop-rock sound.
First and foremost is the “VEMURAM Jan Ray.” It features a bright, less compressed crunch sound reminiscent of Fender amps, serving as the “foundation” of Yurin’s sound. By keeping it always ON, it adds thickness and clarity to the tone without compromising the guitar’s inherent character.
Next is the “Y.O.S. Smoggy Overdrive.” With a more modern distortion, it emphasizes a rock edge when combined with the Jan Ray. This pedal is also frequently kept ON, resulting in a “crunch + modern OD” dual structure that characterizes Yurin’s core sound.
Additionally, the “VEMURAM Myriad Fuzz” is introduced for fuzz sounds. This is used in parts of songs that require intensity and thickness, playing a role in adding dynamics to the simple structure.
The selection of these effects is driven by a clear intention to “not complicate the sound too much but to enhance the foundational crunch.” Yurin’s sound creation leans towards refining the drive sound itself rather than flashy spatial effects or diverse modulation, and this stoicism shapes his uniqueness.
While it is possible that spatial effects (reverb and delay) are used additionally in live or recording settings, it is evident that the primary setup consists of the “VEMURAM + Y.O.S.” drive pedal group. Through this gear, he achieves a robust tone that stands out without being buried in the band sound.
Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Effect Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan Ray | VEMURAM | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Overdrive | Always ON. The base of the crunch sound. |
Smoggy Overdrive | Y.O.S. | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Overdrive | Modern distortion. Often ON, used in combination with Jan Ray. |
Myriad Fuzz | VEMURAM | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Fuzz | Used in intense parts. Adds thickness and impact. |
Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches
Yurin’s sound creation, while seemingly simple, features a meticulous attention to detail in its settings. Notably, the “always ON” effect configuration and the balance adjustments between the amp and EQ are critical. By centering on the VEMURAM Jan Ray and Y.O.S. Smoggy Overdrive, he has set up a system that allows for a natural transition between clean-like crunch and modern distortion.
The basic EQ settings for the amp are likely directed towards “lower treble and presence, slightly emphasizing mids, and keeping bass tight.” Since Cider Girl’s songs require the transparency of vocals to shine, if the guitar is too dominant, it can disrupt the overall balance. Therefore, the guitar sound needs fine-tuning to be “present but not piercing,” creating depth without occupying the low-end frequencies.
For specific settings, the Treble is slightly below noon, Middle is a bit above noon, Bass is around noon, and Presence is kept low to mitigate harshness when layering spatial effects or fuzz. This approach ensures that the crunch sound does not feel thin, maintaining a solid core while blending well with the band.
Regarding distortion balance, a light drive is always added with the Jan Ray, and the Smoggy Overdrive is combined to naturally increase sound pressure according to the song’s progression. Additionally, for certain tracks, the Myriad Fuzz is added to create a “burst of energy.” Such combinations are designed not just for simple ON/OFF switching but to complement the tone across the entire pedalboard.
In mixing, Yurin’s guitar is often positioned “slightly off-center,” enhancing the vocals while fitting into the gaps created by the drums and bass. EQ processing emphasizes the mid-high range (around 2kHz to 4kHz) and cuts low frequencies below 70Hz to keep the band ensemble clean. As a result, the guitar plays a crucial role in emphasizing the overall “refreshing feel” of the song.
Furthermore, in live settings, it has been observed that the clean/crunch channels of the Rocket Head are switched according to the song, while effects are used to add drive, creating a simple yet effective structure. This allows for a sound that closely resembles studio quality without losing stability during live performances.
In summary, Yurin’s setup is characterized by “creating a foundation with always ON overdrive and blending it with EQ for cohesion,” representing a highly practical and efficient approach to sound creation. It is through this streamlined structure that Cider Girl’s unique refreshing and dimensional sound is achieved.
Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone
The high-end gear used by Yurin, such as Grosh, Momose, and VEMURAM, may be out of reach for beginners or those looking to start covering his sound. Therefore, here are some alternative gear options that can help achieve a sound similar to Yurin’s at a more reasonable price (around $100–500). While complete replication may be challenging, understanding the direction of sound creation can lead to achieving a close tone.
For guitars, if you’re aiming for a sound similar to the Grosh Retro Classic T, consider Fender Japan or Squier Telecasters. The Squier Classic Vibe series, in particular, offers excellent cost performance and is ideal for modifications. By replacing the rear pickup with a single-sized humbucker, you can approach Yurin’s sound with a balance of thickness and sharpness.
Regarding amplifiers, since the Shinos Rocket Head is quite expensive and has limited availability, a more practical alternative would be a Fender-style amp that excels in clean to crunch tones. The Fender Blues Junior and Boss Katana series are lightweight and user-friendly, making it easier for beginners to create Yurin’s “present but not piercing” crunch sound.
For effects, a strong candidate to replace the VEMURAM Jan Ray is the “BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver.” It is affordable and capable of handling everything from crunch to overdrive, providing presence that stands out in a band mix. Additionally, alternatives for the Smoggy Overdrive include the “Maxon OD-808” or “BOSS OD-3.” Using these as always ON can recreate the dual-layer quality similar to Jan Ray + Smoggy.
For fuzz, while the VEMURAM Myriad Fuzz is a high-end piece, the BOSS FZ-5 or Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Nano can be acquired at a relatively low cost. These options can provide a thick sound, making them suitable substitutes for accentuating dynamic parts in songs.
In summary, combining “Telecaster-type guitar + Fender-style amp or modeling amp + BOSS overdrive pedals” can significantly bring you closer to Yurin’s sound. Especially for beginners, mimicking his philosophy of “creating crunch with always ON and blending with amp EQ” can help you experience Cider Girl’s refreshing sound.
Type | Gear | Brand | AmazonURL | Band | Guitarist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guitar | Classic Vibe Telecaster | Squier | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Ideal as a Grosh alternative. Pickup replacement can get you closer. |
Amp | Blues Junior | Fender | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Best alternative to Rocket Head. Easy to use for small gigs. |
Amp | Katana 50 MkII | BOSS | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Can recreate diverse sounds with modeling. Excellent for practice. |
Overdrive | BD-2 Blues Driver | BOSS | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Jan Ray alternative. Use always ON for Yurin-style crunch. |
Overdrive | OD-3 OverDrive | BOSS | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Smoggy Overdrive alternative. Suitable for pairing with Jan Ray. |
Fuzz | Big Muff Nano | Electro-Harmonix | Amazon | Cider Girl | Yurin | Myriad Fuzz alternative. Recreates a thick sound. |
Summary and Conclusion
The essence of Yurin’s sound creation lies in “a simple structure with meticulous attention to detail.” His guitars, the Grosh Retro Classic T and Momose MTL, serve as the foundation, while the Shinos Rocket Head and Bogner cabinet deliver a clear and focused tone. The effects revolve around the VEMURAM Jan Ray, Y.O.S. Smoggy Overdrive, and VEMURAM Myriad Fuzz, employing an always ON strategy to create crunch.
This setup may appear simple at first glance, but it is a deliberate approach that clearly considers “which frequencies to emphasize and which to cut,” optimizing the sound for the band ensemble. Notably, the constant presence of overdrive adds thickness and warmth, making it an essential element in replicating Yurin’s sound.
Moreover, given the nature of Cider Girl as a band, it is crucial to maintain the transparency of vocals and the refreshing feel of the songs. Therefore, the guitar must not overpower but should maintain a delicate balance, ensuring it does not get buried in the mix. Yurin excels in this balance, constantly considering the “role of the guitar within the song,” including adjustments in EQ and mixing.
For readers attempting to recreate Yurin’s sound, focusing on “creating an always ON crunch” and “carefully adjusting the midrange with EQ” will be the most effective path. Even if acquiring all high-end gear is challenging, using BOSS overdrives and Fender-style amps can allow you to experience the nuances of his sound.
Ultimately, the reason Yurin’s sound creation resonates with many fans lies in its “sincerity rather than flashiness.” The thoughtful selection of gear and his stoic sound philosophy support Cider Girl’s vibrant songs. Those aiming to cover his sound should not only mimic the gear but also understand “why he chooses this gear” and “how he integrates it into the band,” getting closer to the authentic Yurin sound.
Yurin’s sound is “deep precisely because it is simple.” Understanding this approach and reflecting it in your own sound creation is the most important point in pursuing his sound.
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