[Yutaro Arakane] How to Recreate the Village Man’s Store Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

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Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Yutaro Arakane, the guitarist of Village Man’s Store, is renowned for his powerful yet nuanced playing style. He captivates listeners by embedding a strong sense of melody within the roaring sound, serving as a backbone for the band’s overall sonic landscape.

His guitar style merges the rawness of rock and roll with modern sound crafting. During solos, he unleashes piercing distortion while maintaining a comprehensive approach to sound design across the entire song, consistently delivering a compelling performance during live shows.

In his iconic tracks, the solos cut through the noise, leaving a lasting impression while simultaneously establishing a solid foundation with riffs and backing. Notably, he opts for the Roland JC-120 as his solo amplifier, combining it with distinctive distortion pedals like the MXR DISTORTION+ and “C6H8O6 / Vitamin C” to create an unparalleled presence during live performances.

Moreover, he places great emphasis on the differences in sound produced by strings, praising the HEXAGONAL EXPLOSION LINE -ELECTRIC GUITAR- (H50XL) as “the ideal string that balances thickness in the midrange, extension in the highs, and solidity in the lows.” This attention to detail shapes his unique sound profile.

Behind this sound crafting lies Yutaro Arakane’s strong passion for rock music and his pursuit of delivering an overwhelming live experience to his audience. His sound, which embodies both rawness and delicacy, is undoubtedly the core of Village Man’s Store and will continue to attract attention.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Village Man’s Store

List of Amplifiers and Features

One of the essential amplifiers in Yutaro Arakane’s sound crafting is the well-known Roland JC-120. It offers a transparent clean tone and a robust core to highlight solos, making it his choice for live performances. The combination with the MXR DISTORTION+ and “C6H8O6 / Vitamin C” is particularly famous, adding intense distortion to the JC-120’s clean characteristics, resulting in a powerful modern guitar sound.

In studio settings or large live performances, he also utilizes the Marshall JMP-1 (preamp) in conjunction with the Marshall EL34 100/100 (stereo power amp). The JMP-1 has been integrated into many guitarists’ rack systems since the 1990s, known for its flexibility and high versatility in sound crafting. On the other hand, the EL34 100/100 boasts a massive output of 100W + 100W, serving as a crucial component for Arakane’s thunderous sound.

When prioritizing ease of handling during live shows, he tends to rely on the Roland JC-120, while opting for the Marshall system when he wants to maximize sound impact. This strategic switching allows him to recreate the diverse tones necessary for Village Man’s Store’s music, driving the overall sound of the band.

The choice of amplifiers reflects a balance between “raw rock feel” and “clear attack,” with the sparkling clean of the JC-120 perfectly complementing Arakane’s distortion pedals. As a result, a dynamic sound unique to the band is created.

In summary, the amplifiers used are as follows, combining practicality for live use with a strong sonic presence, and it is assumed that he continues to use them.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

A crucial element supporting Yutaro Arakane’s guitar sound is his choice of guitars and strings. Notably, he highly values the HEXAGONAL EXPLOSION LINE -ELECTRIC GUITAR- (H50XL), stating that it offers “perfect thickness in the midrange, extension in the highs, and solidity in the lows.” This string transcends mere consumables, becoming an indispensable tool in Arakane’s sound crafting.

Regarding the actual guitar body, while there is limited official information, it can be inferred from stage appearances and photos that he uses a Stratocaster-type model or a custom variant. Considering his rock and roll foundation, it is likely he chooses guitars that balance crispness and powerful attack.

Additionally, to express a loud and modern sound during live performances, he likely has strong preferences regarding string and pickup settings. As evident from his string evaluations, Arakane prioritizes “the change in sound,” selecting guitars that convey picking nuances directly to the audience.

Furthermore, on stage, he skillfully combines distortion effects to switch between clean and aggressive lead tones. Thus, it can be assumed that his selection criteria for guitars emphasize “versatility” and “durability.”

Overall, Yutaro Arakane’s guitars are centered around those that are “live-friendly,” “maintain sound pressure,” and “can express delicate nuances through strings,” with the HEXAGONAL EXPLOSION LINE strings at their core.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

The selection of effects plays a crucial role in Yutaro Arakane’s guitar sound. Particularly, distortion-based effects are a significant element supporting the aggressive yet balanced sound of Village Man’s Store.

A key pedal known to be used is the MXR DISTORTION+. This pedal has been a staple for many guitarists since the 1970s, and Arakane uses it for solos during live performances. By combining it with the clean tone of the Roland JC-120, he achieves a sharp distortion with excellent clarity.

Another notable pedal is the “C6H8O6 / Vitamin C,” which is said to have been introduced upon the recommendation of J’z Studio engineer Nobuki Matsui. This pedal boasts higher volume and gain boosting capabilities than typical distortion pedals, creating a unique sound that “screams.” He has publicly shared a setting example of “Fuzz 2 PM / Treble 2 PM / Bass 11 AM / Volume 1 PM,” indicating that this is one of the cores of his sound.

When constructing a rack system, he combines the Marshall JMP-1 (preamp) and Marshall EL34 100/100 (power amp) for studio and large live sound crafting. Notably, this setup serves not only as distortion enhancement but also broadens the tonal palette.

While detailed official documentation of his pedalboard is not available, it is assumed that he aims for a simple structure centered around distortion effects, adjusting as needed for each song. This approach likely allows for intuitive operation during live performances.

In summary, Yutaro Arakane’s pedalboard emphasizes “intense distortion,” “clarity,” and “live responsiveness,” supporting a sound powerful enough to elevate the entire band.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

Yutaro Arakane’s sound crafting is characterized not just by the arrangement of equipment but also by the balance of EQ and mixing techniques that achieve both “rawness” and “clarity.” Particularly in live settings, he distinctly separates rhythm guitar, which serves as the foundation for the entire song, from lead guitar that pierces through the audience’s ears, and this difference is evident in his settings.

In his typical distortion settings, he combines the clean tone of the Roland JC-120 with the MXR DISTORTION+ to create a sharp distortion with a peak in the mid-high range. During this process, he avoids excessive adjustments to the amp’s EQ, slightly raising the treble while keeping the bass subdued, achieving a sound that cuts through without getting lost in the overall band mix. Given that the JC-120 has less low-end presence, it is assumed that Arakane compensates for this with the dynamics of his picking.

When using the C6H8O6 / Vitamin C, he mentions a setting example of “Fuzz 2 PM / Treble 2 PM / Bass 11 AM / Volume 1 PM,” which is likely aimed at emphasizing the high frequencies while retaining the core of the guitar, creating a presence that can pierce through the walls of a live venue. Additionally, by using it alongside clean tones, he generates a unique “screaming” sound that delivers an impact not achievable with standard distortion.

In studio recordings, he likely leverages the flexible preamp settings of the Marshall JMP-1 to alter the character of distortion for each song. Since the JMP-1 allows for preset saving, he can switch between sounds, such as emphasizing lows for riffs and bringing mids forward for solos, thus enabling a wide range of sound crafting with the same equipment.

In terms of EQ processing, it is crucial from a live PA perspective to maintain the midrange frequencies without cutting them out. Arakane’s guitar serves as the “skeleton” of the band, so rather than artificially boosting the low end, he emphasizes the presence of the midrange while being mindful of the bass, resulting in a sound that is both powerful and easy for the audience to listen to. It is assumed that settings around 500Hz to 1kHz are commonly utilized.

During live performances, in addition to the amp’s EQ, he likely makes fine adjustments on the effects side to tailor the sound to the environment. For example, in smaller venues, he might cut the lows for a cleaner sound, while in larger stages, he might add lows to fill the space.

Ultimately, Yutaro Arakane’s sound crafting is built on the principle of “maintaining the core even with strong distortion” and “not over-processing the EQ, allowing the nuances of strings and picking to shine.” This approach reflects not just equipment selection but also his performance style and live sensibility, making his guitar sound truly unique.

Overall, his EQ and mixing techniques are characterized by being “simple yet effective,” achieving a sound that cuts through without excessive processing. This is likely a result of years of live experience and a pursuit of sound that resonates directly with the audience.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

To fully replicate Yutaro Arakane’s sound, one would typically need high-end equipment like the Roland JC-120 or Marshall rack systems. However, there are numerous options available that allow beginners and intermediate players to achieve a similar nuance at a relatively low cost. Here, we introduce models primarily in the $100–500 range that are accessible and highly replicable.

For amplifiers, the BOSS “KATANA series” is a strong candidate. The KATANA-50 MkII, for instance, is well-regarded for its clean channel transparency, and by utilizing its built-in effects, it can simulate the Roland JC-120’s response. It’s user-friendly for both live venues and home practice, with a price point around $500.

As for distortion pedals, alternatives to the MXR DISTORTION+ include the BOSS DS-1X and the Electro-Harmonix “Soul Food.” The DS-1X offers excellent clarity in the mid-high range, making it suitable for solos without getting buried in the mix, closely aligning with Arakane’s style. The Soul Food can handle a wide range from clean boost to distortion, making it ideal for expressing the “screaming” nuance akin to C6H8O6/Vitamin C.

Additionally, multi-effects units like the “ZOOM G3n” or “LINE6 POD Go” can serve a preamp role. These devices allow for switching between multiple tones, making them perfect for practicing lead and backing distinctions across different songs.

Regarding strings, while the HEXAGONAL EXPLOSION LINE is ideal, alternatives like “Elixir Nanoweb” or “D’Addario NYXL” can also suffice. They offer a balance of thickness in the midrange, extension in the highs, and durability, ensuring stable performance during live shows.

In summary, beginners can effectively recreate Yutaro Arakane’s essence by combining the BOSS KATANA with the BOSS DS-1X. If budget allows, adding a multi-effects unit can help in learning to switch between clean and distorted tones and adjusting EQ settings, bringing them closer to actual sound crafting.

Summary and Conclusion

Yutaro Arakane’s guitar sound embodies a unique balance of “rawness” and “precision.” By selecting amplifiers like the Roland JC-120 and Marshall systems, combined with distinctive distortion pedals such as the MXR DISTORTION+ and C6H8O6 / Vitamin C, he achieves a guitar tone that stands out even amidst heavy sound.

Notably, his dedication to strings is remarkable. He highly regards the HEXAGONAL EXPLOSION LINE (H50XL), stating that it encompasses “thickness in the midrange, extension in the highs, and stability in the lows.” This commitment to detail illustrates his pursuit of sound perfection, positioning strings at the center of his sound crafting philosophy.

Moreover, his sound crafting techniques extend beyond mere equipment combinations, reflecting in his EQ balance and mixing processes. By suppressing lows and emphasizing mid-high frequencies during live performances, he creates a guitar sound that directly reaches the audience without getting lost in the overall band mix. In studio recordings, he utilizes the presets of the Marshall JMP-1 to distinguish lead and rhythm tones for each song, showcasing his adaptability.

For beginners looking to approach Arakane’s sound, equipment like the BOSS KATANA and BOSS DS-1X can effectively replicate his essence. The key lies in understanding the essence of his sound crafting, which emphasizes “maintaining the core even with strong distortion” and mastering the use of simple equipment. Focusing on the dynamics of play and the nuances of strings will be the first step toward achieving Yutaro Arakane’s sound.

In conclusion, the core of Yutaro Arakane’s sound crafting lies in balancing “the explosive power of rock” with “attention to detail.” His guitar forms the backbone of Village Man’s Store’s sound and is one of the reasons fans are so passionate. For readers aiming to recreate that sound, it is essential to go beyond mere equipment imitation and embrace the mindset of “how to deliver my sound powerfully to the audience.” This is where the essence of Village Man’s Store’s sound resides.