ESP JAPAN IS SO WEIRD…

[@agufish]

Thanks to ZenMarket for sponsoring today's infodump on Hatsune Miku and her Japan-exclusive guitars 🤘Sign up on ZenMarket with my link and receive 1,000 ZenPoints using my code AGUFISH: zenmarket.jp/en/signup.aspx?affid=AGUFISH&.com&

[@forstuffwow7145]

Just bought the grassroot g stream miku because of this sponsor. Thanks man 😂

[@micahfibranz]

Such a cool video, the pedal looks really fun!

[@ChrisTopherBunnell]

What is even more weird, is MAGAts buying "patriotic" Trump guitars for $11,000 that are made by a cheap builder in Asia. Kawai Teisco was founded by Atswo Kaneko and Doryu Matsuda. The company also produced guitars for Ibanez in the 1960s. Kawai Teisco has created its own brands such as Kawai, Teisco, Del Rey and Teisco Del Rey but has also produced guitars for many other brands, including Trump guitars. I figured He would go Gibson since it is so damn "American", but ya know, that would be "quality" and "quality" doesn't leave room for grifting.

[@RubyRoks]

For people who still don't get the Miku thing, imagine if Archetype Abasi was an anime girl

[@donicsm7684]

Oh shit!! 💦💦💦

[@sdi87hhk]

I hate that this is so spot on lol

[@Raijinx13]

This is the most perfect comparison ever ! 😂

[@loganhall7776]

😂😂😂

[@crystalskyesvt]

NGL, owning the FFXIV Fender, that thing kicks butt.

[@agufish]

Duuuude that thing is SO cool!

[@my_song3130]

If possible, you should do a video about ESP x BanG Dream! Signatures! They're not just anime characters too since the bands are actually real consisting of the voice actors. Roselia and Ave Mujica should be heavy enough to your usual, preferred taste and also Sayo's signature M-II is hella beautiful with SD Nazgûl on the bridge, that's legit badass.

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Please AguFish, if you see this and have interest, I have most of the BanG Dream guitars so I'll gladly you know what's the deal and can help get the research wrapped quickly. There is unquestionably enough content for a whole video dedicated to the BanG Dream ESP signature models. The voice actors all play their characters' instruments for real and play stadium sizes gigs in Japan. Edit: I posted most of my BanG Dream guitars in #smash-or-pass-submissions

[@crazy4blood]

I freaking love Miku and the whole vocaloid culture, it's a big part of why I got into music. I would buy that g-stream in a heartbeat if I could but I recently got my first "decent" guitar which actually comes from Zenmarket thanks to this channel! It's a Pacifica 612 in matte silk blue and it came in perfect shape, faster than they originally said which was a nice surprise. Definitely would recommend!

[@stenooo2439]

Pacificas are really nice for how low cost they are. They’re comparable to really high end squiers and mexi fenders. I need another one lol

[@DannyXNightmarez]

Should say that some of the artists you scrolled through at the end there are MASSIVE over in Japan (Mana, the guitarist for Malice Mizer, Sugizo- guitarist for Luna Sea and X Japan) etc. Still think it would be a cool idea to go in on a whole series just on the ESP company's Japan artist roster (and of course start listening to more J-rock/visual kei/j-metal)

[@eclipse9797]

Fr!

[@ryanruler1122]

As a fan of Bang Dream, my love for the ESP M-II Sayo FR is something my wallet can't reciprocate. I'm normally a traditionalist when it comes to guitars, but that guitar, for some reason, speaks to me.

[@PhoenixFlight94]

I imported both Sayo's M-II and Lisa's BTL as Roselia is my favorite BanG Dream band. I play bass professionally and there have been 3 times so far when a soundguy has asked me "what's that bass? It's the best sounding one I've worked with" and variations thereof. I love playing it and you can feel the custom shop's craftsmanship. I can depend on it knowing it won't let me down on a gig. As for the Sayo M-II with the Floyd, simply put it's the best instrument I've ever played and I've tried the stupidly expensive stuff that costs 2-5x as much as Chicago Music Exchange. I even briefly had an ESP Exhibition Limited bass before flipping for profit to give you an idea. I literally feel unworthy even holding the Sayo M-II as being primarily a bass player, I can't do it justice. It's such a dream to play and when my local guitar store's tech worked on it he said it's on the short list of the best stuff he's ever done a setup on. America shouldn't sleep on ESP's Japan-exclusive stuff. People need to get them now before Trump's tariffs make them unaffordable for most people, so there's real urgency.

[@ryanruler1122]

I don't live in the US, and we get some Japanese stuff in the shops here, mostly Fender MIJ, but I remember a long time ago, the Rockshop(NZ Music Shop) had Edwards LPs. I was in high school at the time and had absolutely no money. Otherwise, I would have got one. I really hope to get an M-II Sayo FR one day, but it will take me a long time to save.

[@drone_blues_]

Bang Dream > Miku

[@brynius]

It's a great day when Agufish posts!

[@_gosoka]

On the topic of Miku, and this being a metal related channel, if anyone's not familiar, please listen to some Utsu-P.

[@lem3343]

Utsu-P the goat!!!! fr during my metallica phase i discovered him and fell in love, my favourite album is between GALAPAGOS and PTSD

[@ramonbraker490]

YYEESS UTSU-P The KING of Hatsune Miku metal. Also check out Yuyoyuppe the KING for Megurine Luka metal🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@camilo.huertas302]

I really like to see how brands like ESP or Schecter make real guitars of characters and live bands of some anime or game franchises. The look really good, even the pink bass from Bang Dream

[@PhoenixFlight94]

In one of the ESP shop tours on YT you can see them making Kasumi Random Stars. As for the Rimi Viper Bass, I imported the grassroots version as I like Poppin' Party, but not enough to get the custom shop level one. Unfortunately it's pretty much equivilant to a Squier and at least mine has horrible neck dive, a common issue on SG style basses. I do have a custom shop Kasumi Random Star and Tae Snapper though and those are amazing and worth every penny if you can get them used.

[@rickychau7687]

The Japanese guitar scene is fascinating. There are so many Japanese brands that are unknown in the West. I keep a spreadsheet and have 119 current day Japanese brands listed. Agufish should do a video on Jersey Girl Guitars from Hokkaido.

[@markdeloria20]

Those are some sweet looking guitars.

[@alankelly1001]

The image on Miku's sleeve is an upside down version of the control panel from a Yamaha DX100 synthesizer. The "geometric patterns" are the visual representations of FM-synthesis algorithms. The image even still has the text labels for the connections around the back of the synth. The Vocaloid software the runs Miku is another product of Yamaha.

[@panthro9831]

You haven't seen anything till you've seen the Takamizawa guitars at the ESP custom shop in Ochanomizu

[@clk69]

this is my favorite video you've ever done, your content just keeps getting better dude, fucking love to see you get mroe and more recognition for how in depth your content is and how good of a commentator and presenter you actually are 🫶🫶

[@hardstones17]

I personally love the anime collab guitars they do, unique and fun! I have an ESP Roselia Sayo M-II, easily one of the best guitars I own that I bought to mark my first time in Japan this year. Saw it on the wall in Ochanomizu and just had to have it. I was debating ordering one of the Miku stream GT's as I really like the specs but that wait sure is something!

[@PhoenixFlight94]

The Roselia ESPs are on a different level. Did you get the floyd or did you go for the hardtail?

[@chrisgeruxubug5884]

I don't usually comment on your videos, but here is a good occasion to: please do more japanese gear reviews!! Most of japan exclusive guitars are so weird, funny and exceptionnal quality, yet so unspoken about. Also, the japanese musical scene is incredible, but few persons actually talk about it. When talking to other musicians, I really feel there's a sort of "western pride", like western music was world's best and only music and japanese bands couldn't be taken seriously, because they're, basically, not caucasian. If you see the few japanese exclusive gear reviews there are on KZbin, most of them aren't serious and very few researches have been dedicated to the topic before recording. Your videos are great, and even if I'm not that big of a metal fan, we really feel your excitement and happiness when discovering new guitars, you ooze honesty and lightheartedness, that's what I really love about you. Thank you! (I'd love to see you try to chug hard on a Ken experiment #1 strat or review the monster hunter tele!)

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

This video just confirms it. Japan is keeping all the cool shit for themselves!! I love the creative approach they're clearly open to taking.

[@deweyoogwey]

After a week back from Japan, I have explored various guitar stores at Ochanomizu. The one that caught my eyes was the Grassroots G Snapper DX. That thing looks killer. But I ended up buying the ESP M-II Sayo used for $400 at Hardoff

[@WillCMAG]

Welcome to the world of ESP Japan. In 2005 I found about ESP's Japanese market because of Dir En Grey. I found out about Karou's guitars prior to him using the Viper body style and those Ganesa guitars are wild ones. I recently restored a Edwards version of one of Karou's guitars earlier this year. It's the best guitar I've ever played. I'd love to get a Miku guitar if my budget allowed for it.

[@alankelly1001]

Trogly's Guitar Show had one of the 15th anniversary models on a couple of weeks back. Did a full review of the build and everything.

[@InabaMusic]

17:17 I actually have that one. It's one of the best quality build guitars in my collection. The craftmanship is top notch.

[@Kyamehron777]

You need to make another video and go over all the crazy collabs and shapes there’s so many signature models and random shapes which all deserve some light

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

This is why we love you argue Fish… Your enthusiasm, fantastic editing, fanboy details… Fun, fun, fun

[@andrewbecker3700]

I just bought one of them '59/Custom hybrid SD pickups for the neck position in my Yamaha Revstar. Paired it with a Distortion in the bridge. I wanted something with good clarity and moderate output that could be coilsplit. It's similar to the TB-14 in my Cutlass HSS. They're the only 2 passive humbucking pickups I've ever bought aftermarket. Peace!

[@MatthewBaron]

Great. Now I know what to get my daughter for her 10th birthday.

[@DoTheThingTheater]

Just bought a Bang Dream ESP signature guitar through Zen market! It's been an awesome platform to use. Sad I couldn't use your promo code tho :(

[@CrossGuardMania]

ESP Japan are the kings of weird, badass looking guitars

[@pauldejoseph2006]

nice to see something other than a Les Paul!

[@ryeen94]

As soon as I saw the Hello Kitty guitar was back I ran down to my local shop and snagged the one they had. Got the fuzz pedal too! Even stock it's a sick punk/metal machine.

[@drfabriciomnogueira]

Hello Kitty guitar is the more metal guitar ever 😎

[@13Recon19D]

Duracon is popular for shift knobs because it doesn’t get hot or cold (like metal) and has a nice smooth feel. And it has the “race car” look unlike the old leather wrapped knobs your grandpa uses.

[@quokolotus]

as someone who does vocal synth stuff it's pretty cool to see other people find out about vocaloid.

[@Forest_Fifer]

The Andertons Miku pedal video is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen, anywhere, not only just on youtube.

[@Phatzo1000]

I have an LTD that came with a 59/custom in the bridge. It's a great pickup that does everything well.

[@Wumphenour123]

Absolutely in love with the color and body shape. Would love to get one if possible

[@riassslave558]

total JELLY YOU GOT ONE OF THOSE!

[@Orion_91]

NOM NOM NOM

[@tylerk1013]

Fender Japan kicks ass. I want a MIJ Modern Japanese Jazzmaster w/ the two humbuckers and the adjustomatic bridge.

[@frankiechan9651]

I just really like the shape of the Miku guitars and the colour schemes and inlays are on point. I may have to explore the option of the Grass Roots version. Or - since the Nergal NS-6 is finally bringing that shape to the West - I wonder if he'd be upset that it get painted in pastels and neon colours (LOL)

[@MarmaladeMaki]

Dude i love ESP Japan Artist models. They are just so wild. The dud (Sugizo) with the triple P90 on a Les Paul Body has a triple Neck Yellow Cloud copy made by ESP (which you can buy for 40k on reverb). A lot of their models are pure show pieces. Takamiya (the Alfees) legendary angel guitars tend to be difficult to play and way too heavy but they look dope as fuck. I lways loved that their guitars are more than: another Eclipse.

[@Masterfighterx]

15:56 that Anime Tele is for sale at a shop here in Denmark with an asking price of a wopping $8500.. Should've bought one or a few when I saw it on Thomann for roughly $17-2000 new lol

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Evangelion fans are nearly as crazy as the Miku fans

[@peterhicks6328]

Yo fish! hello kitty is back. New squier kitty and kitty pedal.

[@Punkrocket8]

I like this I didn't know her guitar was real I knew about the pedal but not the guitar seeing this makes me want to do another fan art of her and I just bought a guitar too 🤘💥💥🤘

[@aigomezguitar1362]

Miku is cool n all but WHEN IS MY GIRL LUKA MEGURINE GONNA GET HER OWN SIG TOO! 💖🖤

[@Masterfighterx]

Edwards is more like LTD 1000 Series, maybe a little bit above, def below ESP standard and above Grass Roots and 4-500 series LTD.

[@I-HAVE-A-BOMB]

Edwards rolls out of the same Tokyo Factory Esp standards do. Have played em all. Edwards eclipse 2 same Thang, honestly better imo because blackouts instead of fishmanns or emg

[@Masterfighterx]

@@I-HAVE-A-BOMB They maybe have some finishing touchups, but they are built in their chinese factory, excluding newer models that I'm not aware of that apparently are made entirely in their Japan factory. Yes they have a Made in Japan sticker, but Japan isn't required to have it all made in Japan in order to get that sticker. And honestly, anything over Blackouts..

[@I-HAVE-A-BOMB]

@Masterfighterx Who is giving you this info? Protip no country is required to 100% make a product, some certainly have higher % but its not much and may have agreements with certain countries as to how much can be completed there. Eclipse, Alexi horizon ect Edwards all come out of Tokyo. You can look up factory tours man it's 2024. Grass roots is somewhat(mostly in China and QCd in Japan and is labeled as such) maybe this is what you're thinking of or you got hosed 5k for a E= 2 and are giga coping

[@Masterfighterx]

@@I-HAVE-A-BOMB It's been known for quite a while, even Hunter mentions it in the video, just do a little google and you'll see.

[@Masterfighterx]

@@I-HAVE-A-BOMB I can't remember if you see any Edwards on the racks in the factory tours, but you do see E-IIs on racks, not in production tho, only the custom shop guitars are seen being built, I recall they also say that an area only briefly shown is the Standard/E-II line production area, no Edwards, and it nothing was being made in that section of the factory during filming, no workers even.

[@Masterfighterx]

13:09 that Eclipse to the left is just a drop dead gorgeous dream guitar! But with a price of $22.999 it'll remain a dream, and it's since been sold and will probably fetch a premium over that..

[@burn740]

I love Japanese instruments, but ESP brands especially. And my Japanese Fender P bass is amazing.

[@fenson100]

I wish that i could buy some basses that were made in Japan. I have an 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II made in Japan & it's still my favorite one.

[@ActuarialAnalytics]

There is also a Enya x Miku "carbon fibre" guitar. Miku sure is popular!

[@dylanhardina]

Going back to 1985 and telling George Lynch he will one day share a roster with a character named Hatsune Miku 😂 though as someone has friends in the old Youtaite singing community, I learned quickly just how massive Miku is 😂 I’m glad they chose the stream though as it’s a fairly cool (to me) shape that I hope catches on one day outside Japan, and but more unique than putting Miku on a strat shape with a graphic (which wouldn’t be bad but less subtle and less unique).

[@forstuffwow7145]

Goddamnit i want that grassroot g stream man

[@Jacob-mw3ge]

only $500 bro, imma get one too

[@Kyle-fy9kt]

Shame the opener wasn't? "Who is Hatsune Miku? Well I have it on good authority that kono sekai de ichiban ohime-sama."

[@MatoyaLim]

ESP Japan is crazy weird in 2 opposite ends of the spectrum. This is just 1 end of it. Please do them justice by also highlighting the other end of the spectrum where they do their insane exhibition limited models, spot models, etc.

[@sdi87hhk]

IIRC one of Nergal from Behemoth's signature guitars is a stream

[@WheretheDragonsRoam]

I collect japan artist signature guitars lol, when I can be looser with money I have about 12 atm, a few in this video. The miyavi tele is alright but very bright. I need to get the pickups in suu's relax potted, it's a bit squealing. Asuka tele is a banger but my favorite of all time after these years is still haruna's white/gold tele. It's always what I grab for gigs

[@WheretheDragonsRoam]

Rewax* not relax

[@DullTwilight]

to me i think miku is also a great thing for this miku is a vocal pack for a software for music creation its not even something that the parent company controls very much if at all to me putting a high end guitar for vocaloid enthusiasts is kinda normal because alot of people who work with that software and are fans, professionals, and music lovers. honestly i love what esp is doing there also agu i do have miku song recommendations try listening to anything by utsu-p he makes alot of styles of metal and metal adjacent music maybe start with something like "not photogenic"

[@Intheflesh79]

Sweet butter 🧈

[@zaynebonshire4860]

I think Nergal from Behemoth also has a signature esp stream guitar but with a reverse headstock

[@doggosensei341]

not weird but damn unique and cool. I love esp japan

[@haohongzhu8141]

Ive seen the miku guitar in a store last time i was in japan

[@paulfromjupiter]

Whats the trick to being able to see the image on the case? Am I supposed to place my nose on it and slowly back away? Cross my eyes? I can never seem to be able to see these things. 😢

[@agufish]

Bro I have a GlassesUSA discount for you 😂

[@l5e2n9]

What's wrong with EMGs? I have a 9 000 USD ESP Technical House Japan Guitars with EMGs in it

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Nowadays metal players are striving for a universal generic tone. Circle of jerk featuring the Fluence/TS9/5150/V30/SM57 stereotype meme.

[@Dirsmuutio]

Edwards is below E-II's / older Standard Series ESP's

[@BlueRoseShilloh]

There is no reason Miku’s signatures should go as hard as they do

[@agufish]

Nor the Fender Japan HK Strat, but Japan has other ideas lol

[@BlueRoseShilloh]

@ It’s good to see guitar companies having the ability to have fun in stark contrast to the same old conservative western ideas

[@Run-Riot]

Signature guitars for fictional characters in the west isn't that weird. Slash and Buckethead have signature guitars and nobody here bats an eye about those.

[@madvier_8336]

Miku mentioned!

[@JustinThunderLiger]

k i wont lie, i need the entire NJPW pick line. BC4L.

[@jamesonpace726]

I could call names, but I'm going with, "interesting" instead....

[@HunnysPlaylists]

Listen to Hitorie, the band of the guy who created miku.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

UMMMMMM...is William Gibson getting a royalty on this? Because he SHOULD having predicted this DECADES ago.....WTF? and I mean the 'WTF?' in a positive way.

[@JDPower-mk3xe]

To be fair, Gibson had signature guitars for Dethklok characters

[@drone_blues_]

You should do a video on Bnag Dream ESP

[@aeolus426]

ESP Japan is the best... Well until recently. I Love my Edwards E-EN-ARC, but they don't make anything like it anymore. Unique body shape you can't get anywhere else and 4 pickup configuration (SC/HB + SC/HB) but now ESP has reduced to selling the same thing as everyone else. Hatsune Miku is the only one they're taking a chance on since there's no artist to pay.

[@PujanDewan-id2ys]

MIJ>>>>>MIA any day

[@DjDoggDad]

I would like to point out that the shows as of this year aren't holograms anymore, there was a lot of disappointed fans from getting hoodwinked this tour using a giant TV screen to display miku, for shame. I have the acoustic miku guitar, I would say the quality is above toy, it is a china made guitar, the fret work was good for beginner guitar, but the thin body acoustic sound is not for everyones enjoyment.

[@fenson100]

ESP... Make a bass version already!!!!

[@hardhadcore]

Gotoh locking tunners but wilkinson bridge

[@yeetmeme6027]

I need it i need it i need it i need it!

[@818Kira]

I’ve been on Japanese guitar imports for like a decade Hunter exposing the secrets 🙄

[@edwinstovall3334]

I don't want to bust on anybody, but I think I'm just too American to dig the idea of buying someone else's guitar. No, I'm not talking about used guitars -- I'm talking signature models and the like. I want to put my own stamp on the guitars that I own. I want them to be MINE. The last sig model I actually wanted wasn't quite known to me for many years as a sig model -- I speak of the Gibson Les Paul, the signature guitar of (You guessed it!) Les Paul ... which now has sig models within an already sig model line. Nothing before or since -- although further thought makes me wonder if I would hate an Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent. Ah, well ... But to those into this sort of thing, I have no disrespect, nor mean any. You do you and I'll do me.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

also japan does weird stuff because they get to print money for free, since if they ever defaulted on their debt to the central bank it would take the central bank out as well.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

not to mention nearly all nerd stuff in japan is yakuza money laundering.

[@monkeyrater]

OMG! you just made a 18 minute video on a anime guitar. Is the guitar scene that dead to you?

[@PhoenixFlight94]

There's more to the guitar universe than sunburst strats and black beauty les pauls. It's fun to see companies do fun stuff instead of the same boring rehashes forever.

[@andreaspedersen3952]

Meanwhile Paul Reed Smith went to Japan to unweil one of their first Japanese signatures. Kanami Tono of Band-Maids own custom 24 based signature.

[@WestonBakunas]

First

[@RonniieSlays]

Tell me you're not cultured without telling me you're not cultured... Japan is actually not weird, in fact as someone who is indigenous and been to Japan, they're light years ahead on technology

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Not been so please correct me, but my understanding is there's a weird juxstapostion between the future and the past. Can get your meal made by robots but many shops are still cash-only for example.

[@dmgd509]

Nonsense 😂

[@patrickkeenan6331]

Yeah, Zen Market is a great idea, but get ready to pay at least twice that price the guitar is worth once tRump puts his tariffs in place....

[@tj10777]

It will most likely be about 10% more

[@PhoenixFlight94]

Which is still significant especially when ZenMarket and other forwarding services need to get their cut on top of shipping costs.