The WEIRD SECRET To Akira Takasaki's GUITAR TONE
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- Опубликовано: 10 апр 2022
- The Japanese metal master himself, Akira Takasaki, of the band Loudness, is one of my favorite guitarists! Let's look at the combination of amps, pickups... and TECHNIQUE, that makes up his awesome shred guitar tone.
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Rubric: -5 points for Danzig references. -5 points for not reading the description. -5 points for not watching far enough into the video to answer your own question. -5 points for misquoting me in your comment. 20 points possible. Everyone starts with an A! 
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Back in 1986 when I was rehearsing with my band at Sound City Studios in California, I had occasion to walk into the rehearsal room next to ours which is where Loudness was rehearsing the Hurricane Eyes album before it was released. I'll tell you, Akira had four huge cabinets filled with rack mount effects from DigiTech.
Nice! What a cool memory.
Akira is a freaking MONSTER!! His playing on Lightning Strikes is transcendent. "Complication" is crazy. His solos on "Soldier of Fortune" and "Like Hell' are MAGNIFICENT!
I feel Akira is seriously underrated. For my money, he is one of the most technical and disciplined guitar heroes of the 80s, I kind of hear some Gary Moore and 70s Rush flavor in his playing. Very capable, but also plays very tastefully and for the benefit of the song.
I feel that the word underrated is used to often by people that are in there own world.
I’d FAR rather listen to Akira Takasaki than Rush anytime. With very few exceptions, Rush is lyrically awkward, discursive, and nearly autistic. It lacks the primal power that proper rock ‘n’ roll derives from sex and raw physicality. It always feels that while my favourite groups are playing at some kind of psychedelic orgy at the end of time, Rush are underground carefully making music in some sort of sterile laboratory setting.
@@theirishhammer9451 Fair enough, I did use it and I enjoy living in my own little bubble. But ironically, by pointing that out, YOU DID USE the word as well😄😉👍🏻
You are right he is the Asian Malmsteen
He is Asian Eddie Van Halen
love Akira...one of my favorite solos from him is from the song We Could Be Together.
It's great to see you cover Akira Takasaki. Japan has a huge amount of excellent guitarists that are not known in the States. Thanks for this teaching!
I saw Loudness and Akira Takasaki open for Motley Crue around 1985. He absolutely killed on stage. I've been a fan ever since
Saw the same concert in indiana...
@@bigcole9832 lucky dawgs, but I did own the cassette Thunder in the East
I saw that tour as well. I knew Loudness beforehand, and went to the show for them.
Was my first concern in Philadelphia, the whole band was great.
My first ever show was Loudness/Motley Crue at the forum in LA.
Crue was an abomination. Loudness was great.
One of my favourite guitar solos ever is Akira's solo from Let It Go.
So good.
A lot of Loudness fans kind of shit on that song for being "American radio friendly" but screw that, it's a fantastic song with a great solo. If not for that song I never would have even known about Loudness. It's so catchy and well done that I had to check out everything else they'd done.
Loudness is awesome! Really love the Akira tone and work! Very cool solos!
wow you got his style down,it interesting that just that one technique really makes a difference,would love to see more videos on different players technique’s maybe with some tab in the video if that’s possible for you,i grew up in the 80’s (i’m 51) and always heard loudness on the radio “crazy nights” is one of my favorite songs keep up the good work 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🎸🎸🎶
Akira used 50w & 100w Marshall amps, and besides the Metaltronix he used ADA MP1 preamps. He used a UREI Paramteric EQ & a Exciter to get his tone on Thunder in the East. He was in Japan what we had as Eddie Van Halen. If you like Akira you'll like Wolf Hoffmann from Accept. Best Solos to learn.... The Law of the Devil Land, Heavy Chains... MZA!!!
Hell yeah, Wolf Hoffman is a beast!
Thanks Max, this is why I follow your channel. I've been an Akira fan since the 80s and even now, several of my peers haven't heard him. I have 2 Random Stars from his influence. I have had a habit of collecting guitars over all my years of playing and have some that are here simply because a player inspired me. I also appreciate you showing many affordable guitars as many of mine would fall into that category, under $1000. Again, thanks for the nod to Akira and keep the great videos coming!
Akira is a beast but extremely underrated outside Japan! Same as other great guitarists such as Syu, Hide (X Japan), Sugizo and Hizaki (Versailles)
Hizaki is great!
Hide is my guitar hero
Hide was a monster!
Syu is god!🤘
Syu is awesome but I like Akira and Hizaki too.
Loudness is one of my all-time bands! Akira Takasaki is one of my favorite 80's guitarist! Van Halen #1 Takasaki #2....
I'm so glad you talked about him, it's how I found your channel cause no one seems to do videos on Akira Takasaki in English. Totally subbed awesome content across the board even the cars and planes channel.
I got into pinch harmonic picking from VH's 'Outta Love Again' and ZZ Top's 'La Grange' in the midst of the various 80s metal guitarists including Takasaki... what a time I had learning such techniques at the time!
Extremely good video! I have wondered about Akira's tone for years and you helped me understand! Thanks Max!
His tone on 'shadows of war' is one of my favorites. I'd luv to have that tone in an amp sim.
Oh yeah, in my opinion as well some of "Loudness" greatest albums are:
"Thunder In The East"
"Lightning Strikes"
"Soldier Of Fortune"
"On The Prowl"
Man none of you guys no anything about Akira and loudness. You need to listen to Devils Soldier,or Law of The Devils Land albums. That’s genuine heavy Akira and loudness. Not that commercial bullshit of Thunder in the East and Lightning Strikes. Also Akira uses ESP guitars, and Marshall amps. I know as I was roadie with my friends band that played with Loudness at L’amores in Brooklyn back in the 80’s. Please get your facts straight before you make any more videos. 🤘
@@dominickpascarella3737 you're talking about in the '80s and yet the guy on the video shows him in later years with a completely different brand of amplifiers why don't you get your facts straight
@@MarkSpohn77 ok yes I understand maybe and probably he has changed his gear since then. His tone is still killer I was just referring to back then and that in my opinion the songs were much more heavier and less commercial. Times have changed. I guess I’m just not happy with how a lot of bands “commercialized “ over the years. I still prefer early recordings from many bands as opposed to their newer stuff. I find earlier recordings of quite a few bands and their techniques and such were a lot better and in my opinion more talented. Just listen to;for example Loudness Devils Soldier or Law of the Devils Land, and compare Akira’s playing,riffs and aggression to their newer stuff. That’s all I’m trying to say really. I did speak to soon about his present gear. I just know what he used to always play. Times change and I’m always open to constructive criticism and learning things I don’t know.
Glad you brought him up. Always liked his playing style and tone. Thanks!
Thanks for reminding me of Loudness. I got one of their albums back in the 80's, can't remember the title of the album, but I do remember thinking that the band was really tight and the guitars were crazy. Now I'm going to go on a listening binge. Keep up the good work!
I'm impressed. I've always loved Akira's tone and playing, and often wondered how he got his tone. I would have never guessed it was primarily holding the pick in pinch harmonic mode, and using downstrokes. How on earth did you figure this out?
Watching his picking closely in live footage of Akira.
Holding that pick in that manner and playing an entire concert like that... his grip on that pick has got to be excruciatingly tight and I imagine his grip in general is very strong. Not mention the callus on his thumb must be rock hard. That is unless he crazy glues the pick to his thumb. 😆
Seriously though... he is a killer player. I bought the first album when it first arrived in the local music store back in the 80s. I was a teenage metal head. Now I'm a middle aged metal head who plays metal and rock for real. Many a nights I'd listen to rock and roll crazy nights with my bros, and we air guitared our *sses off. Now I can learn to play the song the right way. Thanks for the heads up on technique. I'll put it to good use.
You really need to start using the Metaltronix amp in your videos. I was hoping you would based on the title, and hell you even mentioned he used it. Then teased the audience by playing through some Hotone.
Thanks for making this video! I grew up in the 80's and Akira has always been my favorite guitarist. I absolutely love his lead tones on the first 4 Loudness albums and have been chasing it all my life.
🤟"Akira"🤟..He's Very Unique. Great Frickin Tone. You're Right, His Picking..And His Pedals/Amplifier. I Love "Loudness"🤟.
Excellent!
One of my favorite guitar players.
Also John Christ used allot of pinched harmonics.
For me this technic adds a ton of character and expression, when you hear Akira you just know instantly it's him. Great video 👏
I went to japan and carried my killer guitar back through customs. Wasn’t packing that up ✌🏻grateful I have it and love the setup and position of the pickup switch
You are one of the best Guitar Channel You Tubers out there period. You are the King of your domain. Agufish is great but you are the best.
Wow, thanks! That's a very nice comment.
Loudness were supposed to be on tour in Europe right now but alas, pretty much everything got postponed. Great to see you do these kind of video's. Hope to see more of these player spotlight type things. Awesome!
Thanks! I'll consider doing more of these.
Loudness is one of my favourite, you really nailed the tone perfectly. I am not a guitar player but indeed this technique gives better precision to the notes... Cheers ! Indeed, Killer instruments are not really available. I saw only one in a second-hand site in France...
You should def do more videos like this one. This one was super fun to watch. The real secrets to getting good sound :)
The Guitar Tone on Lightening strikes is the bomb .I love the big over driven tones ,,Black star oblivion ..1000 faces , shadows of war ,,And thanks for clarifying the pick up's ..I heard Akira used a mesa boogie mark 2c ,IN the 80's . cheers , loved that pinch harmonics ..cheers from Australia .. do some more Akira ...And maybe some 80's ..Gary Moore !!!!
I’ve adapted that technique in the early 80’s because of Mr. Lynch. However, I’ve loved Loudness ever since they came to States and man what a killer live show they put on..
I love how Akira uses pinch harmonics on individual note and chords. It's so badass. Besides Akira, I saw another player, I think from Shark Island, using really cool pinch harmonics back in '87 or so at The Country Club in Reseda, CA in the middle of a triple bill with Jaded Lady opening and Keel headlining. I remember the guitarist was using a Laney AOR Pro Tube Lead full stack and a Charvel. Amazing tone.
I love teaching my kids this! It’s how I play. I love that sharpness of tone. I tell them it’s like your switching amps but not. Thank u for this video !
DUDE, love all of your videos. But this one was absolutely KILLER!
I am a HUGE "Akira Takasaki/Loudness" fan, and I am so glad you did
this video! I mean, for me some times it is difficult to get certain tones
or sounds that I want? It is very informative to see extremely good
content like this! I appreciate the work you put in making this video,
and I plan on trying some stuff you spoke of here. Even one of my friends,
"who watched this video" was really inspired and we talked for over an hour,
about what appealed to the both of us in this video. In my opinion Max,
I REALLY think you should do MORE of these kinds of videos if you can?
Your other videos are VERY cool, so please don't get me wrong. I just think
that this kind of video certainly would appeal to a lot of people who watch
your videos? Anyway Max, stay safe & rock on brutha.....
Thank you for this! Akita blew my mind when I first heard Loudness. I really appreciate this video about his playing style.
Sounds pretty good Max! Love this new video and your secrets! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Great video ! I use a heavy Dunlop Nylon pick and have just the tiniest tip sticking out from my finger and thumb so I can play fast. W a Heavy pick its super easy to get harmonics, in fact its actually a little harder to not get them.
Max great job demoing this technique,esp the chord harmonics, very cool.
Thanks Manny!
EPIC as always Max! Keep rockin'!!!
Thanks!
Great video, great band and a great guitarist. I was amazed by the sound of Loudness in the 90's when I found one their albums (On the prowl) from my local library.
I appreciate a little variety in your videos
Fantastic playing and love that guitar tone! Nailed it, brother!
I really love this channel, Max.
Thank you!
Akira rules! Been listening to Loudness since Thunder in the East album came out.
i saw loudness in 87 i was immediately a fan
I first heard Akira on a large bobbin cassette left by my metalhead aunt when she moved to another country. I was 11 at that moment, and I was blown away. I just could not believe that such music, with such great guitar tone and solos, was even possible. And that guitar tone, so acidic...One of the strongest impressions in my life.
I'm late to this video.
I'd always assumed that Akira-san's sound was some kind of envelope filter, so this is really interesting. It never occurred to me he might be doing pinch harmonics on powerchords. As well as being a downstroke monster, his heavy handed tapping is pretty unusual in that he really hammers those taps down.
I also does this a lot.
I've taken it a step further when I sometimes play harmonic tremolo picking and move my hand back and fourth creating a "wah pedal" effect.
Man you brought me a lot of good memories from back in time.Rock&Roll Crazy Night's 🎸👍
Great vid honoring a MONSTER guitar player from the 80s... there is a concert here on YT back in the days... in Philly... Great watch...
So glad you covered these guys. Loudness or 'Roudnwss " as the singer pronounced it. Saw them back in the hay day with Mama's Boys, @ the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver. 1000 or so seats. Amazing beyond believe.
You bring back a flash back ! Akira was an amazing talented guitarist . He had a sound like no other, Still have the albums !!
His tone has always been a favorite of mine, thunder in the east has amazing guitar parts
Leaning to play Akira is like learning to play SRV. No one can do what they do…. You do an excellent job, mate… 🇦🇺
Some of his playing reminds of Rhoads. The double live album from Japan before they hit the US is amazing.
Great video! Saw Loudness in the ‘80’s. Was happy to see someone flip some props and insight to/into Akira! What do you think of Hotone vs Joyo amps? Thanks, Max!
Loudness fan here since the early 2000s, love all its eras, 80s, early 90s Vescera’s, 90s Mazaki Yamada’s experimental & of course their Reunion… Last album “Sunburst” has some cool shred songs on it, check it out
His tone on soldier of fortune is one of my favorite of all time.
3:55 "That modern Akira Sakataki tone" It makes up for them saying "How are you doing Ohama!" when I saw them play live at the Omaha Civic Auditorium back in the 80s 🤣
See? I moved to Omaha too late lol.
Nice one!! I've loved Loudness for decades! Earthshaker were great too!!
Yes! I have done that picking technique for years playing Akira's music!
I saw them on their first US tour back in the day and every one after that in the 80's. Akira was probably one of my biggest influences for guitar. Ed was the god , but, Akira was my mentor. One of the most underrated players ever. His work on Disillusion and Law of Devil's Land for me was monumental.
I've always used this technique to some extent. I stumbled on how to do pinch harmonics VERY early on in my playing, simply because I always preferred to 'choke up' on the pick. It's interesting that you mentioned it sounding like a wah. It never occurred to me, but an old school buddy of mine--who played in literally a hundred bands for 30+yrs--noted more than once that my rhythm playing sometimes sounded like I was using a wah.
Bro I've been subscribed for a long time and you were absolutely hardcore when it comes to trying to nail somebody tone
I have been a fan for many year's and I enjoyed seeing you acknowledge Akira on your show. Hurricane eye's was another great album from Loudness. They definitely stand out as a favorite Japanese band. There was another great Japanese band from that era called Anthem. They were a bit more of a thrash/ speed metal band than Loudness but worth checking out. Tightrope was an excellent album. Thanks again, Max!
I only heard a few songs from Loudness but they are defenitly overlooked.
I love Akira, I’m glad to learn his tonal secret though I imagine it’s tough to get consistent.
Bought Thunder in the East when it first popped into the record store. Still have the album. Such a great recording. We saw that tour in San Diego along with Warrior! If you haven't heard Warrior's "Fighting for the Earth" album, you are severely missing out. It's total Jackson/Marshall shred tone. I love that album too.
Soldier of Fortune is a great album too... great Mike Vescera!
You certainly nailed it...I always wondered how he got his sound.
Wock "N" Woll Cwazy Nites! They were fucking awesome back in the day!
One of my favorite bands for sure love Loudness i could listen to them all day every day 🤘🏻
drummer here. Thunder In The East, Disillusion, and Live Loud Alive live album. killer riffs galore!
Great video Max! Most of my pinch harmonics are still accidental, lol. What did you use for output from the Hotone? Was it straight into a DI and your PC?
Great show,love Loudness !
There are many great Japanese bands such Loudness but the most i listen to them is their instrumentals like the band CONCERTO MOON the song is FOREST RAIN, KELLY SIMONZ BLIND FAITH the songs are CRY FOR YOU, the WRATH OF GAIA,
Thanx Max.
I used this technique a lot and did not know that I am using it...
George Lynch sometimes does that also.
I am indluenced by both of them. Now I know why...
Try using a pick whose bottom is cut like the bottom of a "♥️". Will help enhance the technique much better. Learned his trick few decades ago. Been playing in that style for a very very long time.
I've always been a fan of Akira, but back in those pre-internet days of the 1980s, when I first saw Loudness open for Crue, it was hard to find out more about him. There were very few interviews I could find. All I knew was he had some of the same influences I did and he played ESP explorer bolt-ons with a Duncan Custom, 59, Ernie Ball Slinkys, and an old school Floyd Rose and modded Marshalls. Otherwise, I did not hear anything else about Akira till the internet came to be.
Hell yeah Akira. Better to this day than all the peers he was compared to. I started playing guitar around the time Thunder came out. I played that album constantly. The sound he had on that is top tier for me, still never gets old. Crazy Nights was one of the first riffs i ever played when i got my first guitar. And that picking style basically became part of my playing from day one. I would do it too much honestly, every riff was like shiink!!! shiink!! and i literally had to kind of force myself to not do it so much and have some nuance, lol. But it's still there to this day if i'm not thinking about i'll be doing it all the time. \m/\m/
Max you are a killer player. Thank you for this video
i remember we freaked out when first heard that album .good stuff man
which speaker do you use the celestion or wgs i had a good hotroded marshall style amp the bluguitar amp1 iridium
Cool video. What EPI pickups do you have in your guitar?
So interesting, I always thought he used a cocked wah or some pedal that replicated that sound.
Never knew this was all in his hands.
Btw great band, great album. Thunder in the east. 🤟😎
Damn Max, I love that Kramer guitfiddle!!
I’ve always liked that hot modded Marshall tone myself. I got the Friedman small box pedal (50w plexi tone) and I stack it on top of a full tone ocd . Could almost get that brown sound from Van Halen 1 with it along with a couple of effects on it . Sweet tone regardless 🤘
Oh yeah great..may i know what pick thick do u use for lots pinch harmonic tone
It's always cool 2 catch another's technic! So nothing wrong with that. Going further in 1's playability is always fun!!!
You talk about Loudness, Akira and Takanaka, i suscribe, like and share with my friends.
well done Gmax !
Akira Is a beast lucky enough too see loudness live
Outstanding video on too much to talk about in a comment, brother. Well done. Well done.
I love Loudness, and I ave never noticed this secret. Thanks for sharing Max.
@04:14..... "Akira SAKA-TAKI"..??
LOLZ... Luv your videos, Max !!
Thank you for this, though. Ever since Crazy Nights, this guy had my attention.
(Devil Soldier & Birthday Eve are great pre-fame albums, too).
I love that sound!
Thanks for the video and talking about Akira. Not very widely known in the western world these days. He's also one of my fav guitarists. Loudness was the last concert I went to before covid hit. He's still a beast.
That's not true if you are a real metal head everyone knows who he is
Just watched Loudness x Nemophila livestream from Osaka last Saturday. Yep still a beast
Well definitely have to check out loudness now! 😎