Friedman BE-100 with Akira Takasaki (Loudness)

[@timothyweesner6286]

SERIOUSLY OVERLOOKED GUITARIST / MUSICIAN!!! Dude is awesome!! He belongs up there with Eddie, Randy, Eric, George etc!! Still listen to his old and current music! If he reads this, thank you so much for all that you did, and still do!!

[@bosco_bosco]

I'm guessing he's a massive legend in Japan

[@unclefester7847]

He is one of the world's best guitar players....one of my favorites for sure!

[@AndyK.23]

Akira is one of my all time favorites from the 80's! His tone on those Loudness albums was epic! The BE really captures that here!!

[@erusmil]

Amen. The solo work on the lightning strikes album (hell, all the guitar work) is insane. He was right up there with Lynch in the 80's for me.

[@xrmarty2005]

I agree on the tone. One of my favorite tones from the 80s

[@seanmiller7889]

I completely missed the Akira fan clun in the 80s. Started learning guitar at the age of 48 and heard Loudness fir the first time. What a treat to have decades of amazing music to listen to. Akira has quickly become one of my favorite guitarist.

[@caratcranker5874]

I have all their albums on vinyl.

[@lngodwetrust7117]

The tone is in his fingers

[@beefcake0354]

the most criminally overlooked riff creator in the history of heavy metal.

[@syfman6]

Very true! 💚🎸

[@MikeCable-hl4gx]

Man is a legend! When he first hit the music scene he was already being talked about. I remember buying the early records to learn his riffs and solos. Should be in the top 10 best metal guitarists of all time for sure. Such a unique band as well.

[@epasternak4206]

Agreed, but not so much anymore 😊 now he has a signature blue wha wha From Dunlop

[@michaelmcglenn3837]

I'm 50 and I still listen to Crazy Nights and Get Away nearly every week if not daily!! That Growling, Throaty, Marshall on 12 tone and Akira's chops and Phrasing STILL do it for me! THE reference tone for 80's \m/etal! Love it!!

[@joeyvenden]

Me too dude. I saw Loudness open for Stryper in '87 and he was killer

[@caratcranker5874]

Akira was/is VERY razor dynamic. More so than most others of the 80's.

[@scottdunn2178]

Ironically, Akira used a custom built rack pre-amp for distortion, then ran it through his refrigerator sized rack into a couple of early '70's Super Lead 100w as a clean platform. I agree, his tone is one of my favorites.

[@xephachi]

0:05 Crazy Nights 0:35 Let It Go 1:34 Exploder Heaven Ward/Guitar Solo 3:03 Ashes in the Sky/Shadows of War 4:19 Soldier of Fortune 4:42 Loudness

[@metalngames509]

Killer fucking riffs!!!!

[@chrisstookey9871]

Akira is easily one of the greatest guitarists of all time! His riffs are totally unforgettable and he is the best at palm muting. Total LEGEND!

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Hes good but the greatest of all time lol! Their is no greatest because it never ends. Alex Skolnick Is great too but to call him the greatest is funny.

[@shadowsymphony1]

Man he always had a tremendous unique sound so metal and crunchy I really miss the days when you could recognize people by their unique instrument sound

[@lygeorge3301]

日本のメタルバンドの至宝、 ラウドネス 英語のコメント多くて嬉しい

[@ScotDvorak]

Akira!!!Man, this totally nails his tone... He's one of those few players, along with EVH and Bettencourt, that has that attack that actually produces "vowels" (A-E-I-O-U). Love that!!BE-100 definitely allows those nuances to shine.Dream amp!!

[@MikeMcAdam623]

Scot Dvorak "Vowels" . Well put :)

[@sullimd]

Vowels - prob the best description I've heard that "that" sound. Yeah very well put.

[@scottdunn2178]

"Bampf"

[@wingee]

Goddamn I wish Nuno Bettencourt played a Friedman

[@nazacoustic4508]

Akira Takasaki is one of the most influential guitar player in this planet. His solos, riffing, tone, etc...u name it! This guy does it all...He’s simply the best 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@TimmyTantrum]

He's played through Marshalls, Mesas, Peaveys, and I guess Friedmans now, and every single time it sounds exactly like Akira Takasaki.

[@VideoMask93]

Tone is in the hands! Though the guitars usually being maple with Floyds certainly contributes.

[@stevej.1428]

Big key in his tone here is the metal picks for that edgy, pinchy, harmonicy (yes I recognize that as a word) chords.

[@Annatar0]

My thoughts as well.. he uses very hard picks and medium strings (Ernie Ball Hybrid IIRC) and he's probably hitting the strings pretty hard as well. That's the source of he's tone.

[@francis8062]

That's true!

[@joerusso7851]

@@VideoMask93 The bodies are ash.

[@RobSchauland]

Always loved his rhythm playing and tone. Very pleasing to the ear.

[@マシュードーラン]

Loudness is one of my favorite bands of all time! So many great tracks!

[@WyattScott]

Akira, the man, the myth, the legend. You can't fade this guy.

[@isjakwisnubekti889]

Halo Akira Loudnees I like your play Gitar very.special in heavy metal sound ...

[@billyfoster3223]

Cool guy!😎😀 Great playing!😎😀

[@Alanoffer]

He was badass .. I watched a couple of live videos of shows they did in the eighties and he was amazing .. still is

[@DamaramuHQ]

If all goes to plan, I've got tickets to see Loudness again in Houston, November of this year! Last time I saw them was in 2011 and they fucking rocked the house! Small joint and I was right next to the stage, about 5 feet from the band! Glad I had ear plugs with me!

[@toma.4808]

This guy could play a banjo plugged into a pignose and it would be mind blowing.akira is a guitar god. Even with time and age he just keeps going never slowing down.

[@scottdunn2178]

Refreshing to hear him play completely dry without his usual 7 million space rack. Proof that your tone is primarily in your fingers. One of my favorites.

[@Theskybluelake]

Best Guitarist on Earth.

[@karivirtanen1696]

Great sound! Since the 80's Akira has been one of my favorite guitar players - and still is! One of all time best heavy metal guitarists IMHO.

[@Sabbathbl]

1発で高崎晃と分かるサウンド いい音

[@73BGTA]

Akira - you are cooler than ever. God bless you man!

[@nickcarrato6099]

I love this guy, in the 80s he had the best tone!!!!!!

[@SlinkyT82]

Wow, fantastic tone! Love that amp.

[@pava2237]

This video shows that Akira is not just a great lead guitar player but his rhythm playing is fantastic!!!

[@lonewolf1053]

One of the greatest metal players.. excellent player

[@CarlosMoreno-rb6rs]

What a great guitar tone! Hail Loudness!!!!

[@paulburrows7908]

I own every Loudness album they have released, Akira rules!

[@johnwbusbee]

Had no idea this was out, Akira is up there, one of the greats!

[@gregr2784]

Akira❤from Poland 🇵🇱

[@jamesnoble2753]

Excellent sounds and playing Akira .

[@Frater_I.O.]

I have been a HUGE fan of Akira Takasaki since @the mid 1980's.

[@popskully]

Akira is one of my top 5 players--Gets a wicked tone with the BE..Rock On

[@EspeciallyCrunchy]

Literally sounds like Akira's tones from the early and mid 80s, like dead-on perfect.

[@scottperrin9655]

"Let It Go" (2nd riff he played incase you didn't know) what a great tune

[@ws6206]

Discovered this guy as a result of Jeff Loomis when he said that he was a great example of a phenomenal guitarist with small hands.

[@centaurus5676]

What a treat that was but would have preffered 2 hours.....Love the guitar and tone and everything he plays.

[@jettramel]

Saw them on their first Tour in Houston Tx. at Card's, Akira was very nice guy.

[@DetVen]

Me too, saw Loudness play Harpo's in Detroit June 1985, was home on leave from the Army and had to catch a flight back to California the next day. What a treat to see them with my buddies...the place was packed and Loudness kicked ass!

[@seandowning5918]

San Diego, Fox theater 1985...... awesome player

[@Michael-bl4no]

Akira, George Lynch, and Jake E Lee should form their own G3! Akira is an underrated beast! Very unorthodox.

[@lending99]

Bought the BE100 Deluxe around a year and a half ago and it's absolutely incredible. From clean to blues, and classic rock to balls out, it does it all without any fuss. Best head I've ever played hands down.

[@shadyhill1ify]

I am 54 and still listen to thunder in the east, those leads on heavy chains are awesome!!!

[@thinweasel1]

What incredible voicing this amp is capable of

[@AudiophileTubes]

'LET IT GO'!!!! #1 metal guitarist of ALL TIME! Ungodly player! Check out 'Thunder In The East' and 'Lightning Strikes' for the best metal guitar EVER!

[@qwertybase]

Awesome sounds, finally the 80:s tone i've been searching 🤘

[@nickh1933]

Wow he has the mids and treble maxed. Sounds killer, I will have to try that.

[@scotdvorak8861]

The tones and absolute conviction to every note played on Thunder in the East still stand for me, as some of the best heavy rock tracks ever!! Whatever they did to record his sound, they nailed it! His pick attack is also such a contributing factor. Not many players can coax those vowel sounds into such a commanding chug. And his soloing skills?? Second to none!!

[@jamiew.lacroix7055]

Akira is a wonderous, great guitarist

[@hunagatayama]

これはガチで音が良い

[@briankoncyk3379]

Akira is still awesome indeed! Thanks for posting.

[@キシリトールガム-g7m]

ジェイク・E・リーもライブで使ってたけど凄い良い音してたフリードマン

[@NEWYEARKID]

sounding incredible as always!!

[@elvis_chen]

This man is legendary.

[@seecarpio]

Great Akira Takasaki !!

[@andrewbroughton65]

Akira is the Man !..Amp sounds great !

[@mhoff7722]

Wow he really plays with the treble and mids on 10?? Awesome unique tone 🤘🤘🤘

[@epasternak4206]

A huge inspiration! Thanks Akira hope you guys will come to the US again.

[@Meme86ful]

Great musician! Great sound

[@-metal]

相変わらずハーモニクス気味のリフが心地いい〜

[@mskz01210121]

音がすごいよねぇ。ピッキングもめちゃくちゃ強いんだろうけど。 ピロピロ系のテクは今の若手のほうが上手いけど、日本においてその礎を造り上げたのは、高崎さんやもんな。

[@billyfoster3223]

He still nails it!😁👍

[@thewurm9177]

Nice O.G. tone and great playing by one of the 80's very best \,,/, ,\,,/

[@23skidoo46]

shit, he'd sound unreal through a 15 watt combo. Love his tone

[@francis8062]

Akira is a guitar hero! Greets from Italy.

[@goneflying140]

Everything he says is true about the BE100. I am amazed every time I plug into mine...

[@eiki0japan]

高崎晃大先生の　おっしゃる通り...　大先生が　17歳の時　弾いた...当たり！の1987/50W　マーシャルの音　の　感触がある　アンプですね！　このアンプは...　当方も　鳴らしてみて　思いました！！（笑顔）

[@HooksBill]

I agree.

[@tomitomi8192]

抜け良いですね。高崎さんのkillerと合ってますね。脳天の真ん中貫くサウンドです。ザクザク、ズンズン感。

[@Titan4576]

So great and underrated!

[@SLPmod]

このタッカンのフリードマンサウンド生で聞いたけど、とてつもなく抜けてた！ギターソロハッキリしてたし聞きやすかったね 5月のジェラシーツアーでメサブギー使ってくれたら嬉しいんだけど…あのサウンドはメサなんですよね笑笑 どのアンプ使ってもタッカンのサウンドだしね！楽しみです〜

[@れんれん-r1i]

マジ追求。 まじ極み。 マジ日本人の誇り。 世界最高峰の世界一のguitaristここに有り。

[@markrobinson8410]

Tusk of jaguar is one of my favorite albums

[@iainholmes2735]

Looks like an ash guitar body. I remember the ads in Kerrang in '86 for Lightning Strikes. Was great cover art.

[@fernandes5986]

Best Friedman video so far. Domo arigato

[@tigermane8251]

Loudness killer, bass player is amazing 👍

[@ryansvloggingit5492]

the dude rocks the guitar like no other

[@JRP3music]

Very cool! I would love one of those guitars as a 7 string!

[@azumbi]

which thing i need to buy now? the pickup?the friedman?the killer guitar?or mr.akira hats?

[@RoccoPezzin]

awesome!!

[@れんれん-n4g]

日本が誇る最高峰の天才

[@matthewbrist2382]

Incredible player...never got his due.

[@jasonh2254]

Master at work👏👏👏

[@epessoarocha]

Man!! Akira is the best!

[@piro2k]

God dammit, I was waiting for him to play Dream Fantasy, fuck!

[@jamesreed3040]

Got acqainted with this amp at a GC.I love this amp.

[@voronOsphere]

Wish video was longer!!!!

[@gipsyavenger9829]

That guitar is awesome ! Wish he played "Racing the Wind" off of the self titled 92 release with Masaki on vocals.

[@お気に入り-e9r]

高崎サウンドだぁ～⤴️やっぱこれだよね。

[@TavaresProject]

I just love that sound!!!!!!!

[@stevej.1428]

What I like about this is it proves I been playing Ashes In The Sky intro correctly all along, while all the on-line tab versions were as wrong as I thought they were. Would have been nice to see him go over Solider of Fortune tap part as well.

[@supernatural9r406]

This is a Real Guitarist.

[@JedNadin]

Supernatural 9R he played so many licks I heard Yngwie and Gilbert play years later. He was way more of a pioneer than he gets credit for.

[@supernatural9r406]

@@JedNadin Very True...

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Killer tone! Heavy Bottom chunk!

[@robinsonishable]

Loudness toured with Motley Crue back in the day

[@bluematrix5001]

This guy always have these weird gtrs, but all similar shape.....great tone

[@dokkenmokken6278]

Lol... just found out who Loudness are... gotta dig in cuz jeez... they are amazing!

[@RollTideRising]

Forgot how great this guy is

[@purplecow5150]

akira is the man \m/

[@RNicolasRuvalcaba]

Dunlop should come out with an Akira Takasaki signature model wah pedal called "The Konichi-Wah" 😆

[@ZacMetal99]

What a master axe man! /,,/

[@GuitarWithDofka]

I used one of these on the road with Leather Leone. Fantastic amp, tight, articulate, great response.

[@dingerelohim3446]

soldiers of fortune! akira always had monster tone and can still shake us all night long. those be are nice amps brother and since you like them so well you could consider sending me one of those old metaltronix that you may still have in the basement. lol