The Most Unexpected Signature Guitars of 2024

[@KittyKarenpoo]

Kanami would never be thought of as among the world's finest guitar soloists, but when she does solo it's always super tasteful for the piece, Not enough is said for really creative and innovative guitarists who so completely compliment a band. Kanami is the absolutely perfect band lead guitarist. Her instincts are irrefutable, constantly finding the right place to play the right thing in the right voice, making their work seamless. At the same time, she plays with other excellent musicians in a give and take way that is utterly selfless, bringing the best out of the talent surrounding her. Her best feature is her humility and diplomatic nature in amongst her bandmates. She seriously deserves a guitar, far above many of the soloists who are all about themselves and not the music.

[@Dragon-Believer]

Guitar solos are boring. Usually. I like Band-Maid but playing instruments is very overrated. Most popular bands are good rather than great.

[@bodnarn]

I feel like she takes us on a story or journey with her playing. Nothing feels like flash or acrobatics for the sake of showing off. She’s just so solid as a MUSICIAN and a composer. My favorite.

[@shawngray5814]

I mean, this almost sounds like what is said about lesser soloists than Kanami is, the girl CAN rip, and she is comfortable with any technique you can name. The fretting precision has the slightest amount of slop to it, but IMO it's in an endearing Slash-esque sort of way that IMO adds to the whole rather than detracting from it. now sure, she isn't nor should she be considered amongst the absolute elite shredders, but I don't like listening to many of them, even if I can appreciate the dedication to the craft. YMMV

[@lurkmerchant]

Great guitarists always have their unmistakable sound and style. She's one of them.

[@drogonr9318]

Well said. I'd only add that her best feature to me is that she creates most of that music for the band she's playing in. All those songs by the band are first fleshed out by Kanami, usually on piano. I'd say she's not among the world's crazy guitar shredders (but pretty dang close) - but she's a master of the guitar, and a musical genius of a songwriter. Kanami makes music that feeds the soul, makes you warm, that you replay when you want a hug or can't fall asleep. Guitar shred music makes me go wow, but it doesn't fill my soul with longing.

[@goodsong6732]

Mr. PRS gave Kanami that PRS himself in Japan. BTW the first signature PRS guitar ever in Japan, man or woman. The composing and feeling and melodie in her playing makes that she has her own sound that not many players have.

[@Rabbi_Rabbs]

It might be bigger than that. On the PRS website, each of the artists shown with signature guitars are American males. So, if that's accurate, then Kanami is both the American company's first foreign signature artist, and PRS' first female signature artist. Wow!

[@uffdad8211]

The number of the Kanami Signature PRS Guitars was limited to 200 and they were almost all sold within one day of their release. Band-Maid has a large and fanatically dedicated international fan base who quickly snapped up the Signature Guitar of their musical goddess, so the best of luck in finding one for sale.

[@kicorse]

Nice video. I'm sure that some will be cynical about Kanami Tono being the first Japanese guitarist to get a signature PRS - and if I didn't already know her music I might have been myself - but for anyone who listens with an open mind she's an extraordinary talent. She is a technical guitarist, albeit not the most pristine, but really it's her compositional skills that have won her a lot of acclaim. Beyond her own riffs and solos, she's the lead writer of the vast majority of Band-Maid songs. As someone else wrote, the instrumental From Now On is a good introduction for people who like to focus on guitars.

[@Davey-Boyd]

There isn't a guitarist on the planet more deserving of a signature guitar than Kanami! Her limited edition totally sold out in 24 hours too! Band-Maid are the finest hard rock band on the planet in my opinion.

[@falconsooner]

Band Maid's From Now On MV is a great Kanami showcase. It is an instrumental

[@Kissthetoad321]

Unexpected except for all Kanami and Band-Maid fans. PRS was not mistaken in offering a signature model to one of the best composer and guitarist in Japan who is full of praise for a guitar she adopted 8 years ago and of which she owns several models. It is only deserved for a talented artist so humble, modest and generous who had the symbol of her rock group engraved on the truss rod cover and signed her name simply on the back of her guitar. What more can I say?

[@frankmg7862]

Here for the Kanami comments and may Band-Maid rock on forever!

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

Kanami Tono is more than just a musician. She is the bands composer ... without her BAND MAID would still be at the mercy of their label(s) playing music executives insisted be written for them. They do not fit within a single genre or style. Lots of people write songs ... Kanami always writes music - always tasteful and always leaves you wanting more. I can't think of a better brand representative.

[@ministryofguitar]

Wonderful to learn so much more about Kanami Tono and Band Maid

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

@@ministryofguitar Kanami's inspirations are Carlos Santana and Eddie Van Halen. Her solos are always short and appropriate for the song. She is also the sensi of the band's founder Miku Kobato, who could not play guitar at all when the band started. Miku is now a very accomplished rhythm guitarist who now has her own signature guitar from Zemaitis.

[@Hogie-iv8bd]

Kanami! Band-Maid is absolutely my favorite band! i had to buy one of her signature guitars and i'm a drummer. they are selling fast and hard to find now.

[@Ma-Sa-666]

Band maid has some great songs. And Japaneses bands are very well received on Occident when you discover them. I have hear some times on the internet this old saying: "Rock is not dead, it moved to Japan"

[@kyles5513]

Rock is more Australia these days, and hard rock/metal is more Japan, I've noticed.

[@powbobs]

@@kyles5513 Nope

[@bodnarn]

⁠@@kyles5513I absolutely love Band-Maid and the Japanese music scene. I know nothing about Australia rock… any suggestions?

[@kyles5513]

@@bodnarn sure, check out KGLW, The Murlocs, or King Stingray. The first one has 26 albums exploring almost every genre, including thrash metal, psychedelic rock, and improvised techno.

[@kyles5513]

@@bodnarn kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXnMi2BmlKeVhMksi=yATG29sbrbNib0kt This is a good place to start

[@Hagfish-WS]

DUDE, Mincho/Kanami of Band-Maid was meant to have a PRS signature--it was this overdue!

[@me262a1]

Band Maid is great. Miku, the rhythm guitarist, has a signature Zemaitis and MISA, the bass player, has her signature Black Cloud bass. Both are outstanding guitars.

[@ministryofguitar]

I really need to listen to them properly

[@me262a1]

@@ministryofguitar "From Now On" is a masterpiece! IMHO

[@craigfenson]

​@@ministryofguitaryes, please do.

[@simondodd918]

@@ministryofguitarHere you go; two “tasting menus.” Band-Maid: Accessible is intended as a crash course for people who prefer their more radio-friendly side; Band-Maid: Challenging is intended as exposure therapy for those who want to dive into their heavier and more intricate side. They are admittedly opinionated in their selections, and lean heavily toward live videos to underscore: The maids can *play*. kzbin.info/aero/PL-zbNsFkSyhbCaEOdFRL2kicsKwcRmw9n kzbin.info/aero/PL-zbNsFkSyhY5ZN8dI04oyqzNqFugWsO8

[@vincenzo-maidiac-5457]

Nowadays a good guitarist is confused with a shredder. I think that there is one thing in particular that makes a guitarist unique in his genre, that is having his own sound. I can recognize Kanami from a simple bend. Not only is the girl an excellent guitarist, she is also an impeccable composer who knows how to give emotions in each of her compositions. Kanami not only deserves this signature guitar, she deserves a place among the best guitarists ever.

[@bodnarn]

@@vincenzo-maidiac-5457 in my guitar journey, I’ve gone from Clapton, heavily heavily into Page, EVH, SRV, even had a Malmsteen phase… I have found NO guitarist more outright enjoyable to listen to and watch than Kanami. Roy Clark would be a distant second… I can’t deny Roy was one super talented entertainer. Kanami’s composition skills also set her apart.

[@JuanSan66]

I came here through Kanami Tono. You have a very interesting channel.

[@ministryofguitar]

Thank you

[@andreaspedersen3952]

Though Band-Maid is a good studio-band, I would claim they really stand out live! I recommend checking out their live recordings of "Hate?", "Domination" or "Puzzle". All found on their KZbin page. Personal favourite? Must be "Blooming", It's probably among their finest songs. Composition, arrangement... So good it's hard to reproduce live IMO! Heck... Even "Music Is Win" checked out their video and was deeply impressed... ...and Tono as only woman (besides Stevie Ts sister😁) to get on next top 100 list! I'm curious if Tyler would get one of the signatures?

[@nnuuaaggeess]

It's amusing to see that many of the comments are from Kanami's admirers. Of course, I am one of them as well.

[@dannelson6980]

Is it typical for a signature guitar to sell out in a day? It seems that Kanami's has sold out in both the US and Japan.

[@ministryofguitar]

It’s not typical but I’m glad to hear that

[@haggaisimon7748]

There are musicians who can play guitar, but I don’t know many who can play songs. Kanami is one of them. Her guitar is very organic in songs which she wrote. Her solos are short and sweet, always. I suggest Anemone, Unfair game, and many more.

[@dzl8596]

Japan is guitar Heaven. I lived there for five years and bought 39 guitars!🎸. And I didn’t even scratch the surface. The Fender flagship store in Tokyo is amazing.

[@ministryofguitar]

True. As also is the Gibson Custom Flagship store

[@lurkmerchant]

There are many technical players who sound samey, but you can tell when Kanami plays. Her style is unmistakable, regardless of what style of music. Her solos evoke images and trigger emotions. I've listened to many guitarists but no one really sounds like her, which is a sign of a great guitarist. Kanami also play more thrashy, shreddy style, but not so often. She has the mind of a composer and she never overplays. Imo she's too unselfish.

[@guudbyenme3399]

Based the thumbnail... you BETTER be praising Kanami finally getting a sig. No PRS artist was more deserving of getting one this year. Okay, now I'll watch the video. Don't disappoint me.

[@orpsam]

Kanami deserved it a long time ago and it's time that she got one and it's worth every penny. She is a phenomenal guitar player

[@bandmaidfanATL]

💚

[@mikometal4882]

Il était temps que Kanami de band-maid ait sa guitare signature et même PRS doit être surpris des ventes de cette guitare. Je connais même un américain qui a acheté une des 6 guitare PRS de Kanami disponible au Canada parce qu'il ne pouvait plus en obtenir aux États-Unis. Les fans sont fanatique mais surtout ils ont lez moyens de l'acheter et la plupart sont déjà eux-mêmes des guitaristes.

[@Greg-om2hb]

Your video came to my feed because of KANAMI. I understand the entire 200 unit run has been sold. Every fan of Rock will enjoy the music of BAND-MAID. I've seen some beautiful vintage guitars in Tokyo. A guitar is meant to have a head at the end if its neck.

[@jimicunningable]

Thank goodness innovators don't listen to the likes of you.

[@Rabbi_Rabbs]

I discovered your car channel last week, and commented one of your Jaguar videos. You replied to my comment. Had I known that you had shared a video about Kanami, I would've mentioned in my comment that I'm wearing a Band-Maid t-shirt in my profile photo. Small world!

[@ministryofguitar]

What a wonderful thing the internet enables sometimes. Lovely to hear from you

[@zer0tzer0]

A bit late. They are gone! In fact Sweetwater only had 18 and sold 19. Maybe someone will back out from a sale or they can find one from another vendor to fulfill the sale, but doubtful.

[@henry6782]

Long live KANAMI & BAND-MAID🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@HG-kr5dc]

CC is turned off.

[@AnthonyTyson-ym5gs]

Aloha fromTha HillBillie Highway

[@Rabbi_Rabbs]

Speaking of Kanami and Jaguar cars, there's a connection between them. Check out Band-Maid's official video for its song called "Warning!". The film features a Jag and a Cadillac (I think). You're the minister of cars, so correct me if I'm wrong. There's even an iconic scene in which Kanami shreds amidst a fire cloud while standing on the hood of one of those cars. Not sure which model, might be the Jag. You'll know for sure.

[@robmcd]

Please do a video on the PRS 305

[@hayabusasuzuki7749]

kanami is riff machine.

[@ichinov]

🤘🤘🤘

[@DanielBobke]

Characterizing these guys as "old men" is slightly offensive. I know you were joking, but us "old guys" have lots to offer! Metallica is still filling giant stadiums with 80,000 people per concert as "old men" and Jordan Rudess has more talent in his pinky as a musician than most you can name. He only started playing the guitar 3 years ago and check out his video for the Strandberg guitar - he plays like he has been doing it for 20 years!

[@ministryofguitar]

haha it was entirely in jest (I'm guessing the tip of the hat to Top Gear isn't as obvious as it seemed in my head)

[@orlock20]

When you say "unexpected," I'm thinking Donald Trump's signature guitar and that's a real thing.

[@joshs.6608]

Yeah, the video should have mention that... Considering that even the artist which he said is unexpected is actually not too surprising at all anyway... especially compared to a signature guitar of someone who probably doesn't even play guitar in the first place and has not written a single song.

[@AlanW]

I am completely unsurprised that the company that's selling pickups for $1000 based on nostalgia has decided to leverage the same idea in their latest acquision.

[@tymanngruter1808]

👍👏👍

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

Its lame that the band maid guitar is so limited. Its basically more for collectors than players. Not a fan of the PRS look, but I like that one

[@joshs.6608]

Don't forget that Trump even recently have unleash brand of electric guitar under his name even, despite having no history of being in the music business of any kind, and has not written a single song even.

[@drogonr9318]

Grift is grift.

[@EdwardBarnes-z4w]

I'm curious what qualifies Ministry of Guitar's to be judgemental on any Guitarist or musical equipment , it's all in a person's personal taste ! Hahaha

[@andrewhnorris1]

What about the new Trump guitars 🤣 for 10,000 dollars? You literally get a signed guitar.

[@uffdad8211]

Like his watch, it would be a Chinese knockoff.

[@erniezetroc]

1st ten are signed by Jeffrey Epstein

[@MofiGoldCd]

​@uffdad8211 No. It would be a Private Stock, made in Maryland. Gold Hardware of course. Not a Rachel Madcow salary reduction failure guitar.

[@uffdad8211]

@@MofiGoldCd Lol. Do people forget the long history of fraud and deceit this guy has already? Trump University ripped people off with worthless promises, just like his cheaply made Chinese watch even if it has gold plate and some tiny diamonds on it to make it look fancy. Watch experts have exposed this overpriced piece of trash and their actual detailed reports on it can easily be found on the internet.