Die (musician)
Die (born December 20, 1974) is a Japanese musician and guitarist. He is best known as one of the guitarists of the extreme metal band Dir En Grey since its inception in 1997. He was previously a member of the bands Ka・za・ri and La:Sadie's in the mid-1990s. In 2015, Die began the side project Decays, for which he is the vocalist and guitarist.
Die | |
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Die at Maquinaria Festival, 2009 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Die |
Born | December 20, 1974 |
Origin | Mie, Japan |
Genres |
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Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, record producer |
Associated acts | Dir en grey, Decays, La:Sadie's, Ka・za・ri |
Die is the second most credited composer within Dir en grey (after fellow guitarist Kaoru), at least up to Vulgar, when individual credits for the music were dropped. His songs tend to be more upbeat, such as "304 Goushitsu, Hakushi no Sakura", "Wake" and "Mr.Newsman". Die became interested in rock music after hearing Buck-Tick's album Aku no Hana in junior high school.[1] He developed his love of guitar from D'erlanger's debut album La Vie En Rose and called their guitarist Cipher his "guitar hero."[2][3]
Equipment
Die is endorsed by ESP Guitars in Japan who provides him with most of his guitars, picks, and straps. He has two lines of signature-series guitar from the ESP Custom Shop guitars called the DDT and D-DR models. Both models are based on the classic Telecaster body, the original DDT model being a copy of it and the newer D-DR model appearing to be a combination of a telecaster and an ESP F-body. In live performances he mainly uses amplification and red covered cabinets by Mesa/Boogie (Road King amplifier and Rectifier 4x12 cabinets).
Both of Die's signature guitars have replica models available in Japan through the ESP and Edwards product lines. ESP offers replicas of the D-DR 300 and DDT #00004. Edwards offers replicas of the same models as ESP and a miniature DDT.
Guitars
Brand | Model | Notes |
---|---|---|
ESP | DDT #00001 | Die's first signature and primary guitar before the D-DR series was made smartly.[4] |
ESP | DDT #00002 | The only see-through black version of the DDT series.[4] |
ESP | DDT #00003 | The only see-through dark green version of the DDT series, also the artist's first guitar to have the "Dir En Grey" inlay at the 12th fret.[4] |
ESP | DDT #00004 | Just the same guitar as DDT# 00001 but also with band logo inlay on 12 fret 1 |
ESP | DDT #00005 | Just the same guitar as DDT #00003, but red color as DDT #00001 & DDT # 00004 1 |
ESP | D-DR Prototypes | Prototype models of the D-DR series and Die's first baritone guitars, with a 27-inch neck instead of the 25.5 inch of the DDT series.[4] |
ESP | D-DR 300 | Die's second signature series from ESP from which he has multiple models. The D-DR 300 has the same neck length as the prototype, but a 5mm thicker body.[4] |
ESP | D-DR-II-7st | Die currently has 3, each with a different finish; see-thru red on quilted maple, Die red mesh, and Die black mesh. |
ESP | MC Custom | Has a metallic grey finish. |
ESP | Eclipse-II | A see-thru red, quilted maple top Eclipse-II used in the GLASS SKIN PV. |
ESP | SLP-680 SNAKE | Has a brown and black snakeskin wrap finish on it. Die's only guitar to contain three sets of pickups. Can be seen in live performances of "Karasu". |
ESP | VP-SL7 7-String | Red 7-String Viper; same tunings used on D-DR 7-Strings |
ESP | Die TE Custom | Has 2 different models. |
ESP | Die LP Custom | none |
ESP | MA-300 SA | Acoustic used for Gauze. |
Fender | Esquire | Used for recording |
Morris | MT5000 | Die's most regularly used acoustic guitar. |
Pickups and other accessories
- Mesa/Boogie 6x Red Leather 4x12 Standard Rectifier Cabinet[5]
- Mesa/Boogie Red Leather Road King Head[5]
- Mesa/Boogie TriAxis Preamp
- Mesa/Boogie Red Leather Dual Rectifier Solo Head
- 2x VHT Power Amps
- Roland JC-120 Combo Amp
- Boss FV-300L Volume Pedal
- Dunlop Crybaby 95Q Wah
- Digital Music Corp. Ground Control Pro Foot Controller
- Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 Preamp
- MoogerFooger MF-102 Ring Modulator Pedal
- EHX POG
- EHX Small Clone Chorus
- MXR Phase 100
- EMG SA pickups at both bridge and neck on DDT #00001 and #00004
- Seymour Duncan SSL-4 at neck and ESP SS-RI-120R at bridge on DDT #00002, #00003, #00005, and the D-DR Prototypes.
- Seymour Duncan SH-1N at neck and SH-6B at bridge on D-DR 300
- ESP custom-printed picks
- ESP Dir En Grey series guitar strap
In the DVD that was included with the limited version of their new single, featuring Recordings of all three tracks, Die is seen using an Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff.
In their recent interview with GiGS No. 315, Die and Kaoru used the WARZY DRIVE by Shark Effect for the Dropped A tuning. Die also upgraded his POG to a POG2, The Eventide TIME FACTOR was added, and his Electro Harmonix Small Clone was Modified.
References
- "BUCK-TICK「惡の華 -Completeworks-」Special Site" (in Japanese). JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
- "無人島 ~俺の10枚~ 【DIR EN GREY編】". HMV (in Japanese). 2011-07-29. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
- "D'ERLANGER × DIR EN GREY 激ロック インタビュー". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
- "ESP DDT & D-DR series information". espguitars.co.jp.
- "Mesa/Boogie Artist Gallery: Die". mesaboogie.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.