Takahiro Matsumoto

Takahiro Matsumoto, 2012

Takahiro "Tak" Matsumoto ( Japanese 松本 孝 弘 , Matsumoto Takahiro , born March 27, 1961 in Toyonaka , Osaka ) is a Japanese guitarist, songwriter and composer.

Tak Matsumoto became known through the Japanese rock band B'z , for whom he writes many songs. He is also a successful solo artist.

background

Matsumoto's genre was initially heavily influenced by jazz . His own style, which gradually developed, is known in Japan as Kansai Blues and combines elements from classical , metal , rock and ska .

In the mid-80s he released his first album Thousend Wave . It was also an attempt to take advantage of the solo instrumental trend that is emerging in Japan. The record features homage to Chick Corea and Dave Brubeck with a Metal version of Spain and a double version of Take Five . For this he worked with the future band leader of Globe , Tetsuya Komuro . However, the album did not sell as well as he had hoped.

After his first album was unsuccessful, he decided to start his own band. With his experience in the music industry and his studio label, he was looking for a singer for his new band. After hearing a tape from the then unknown singer Kōshi Inaba , a singer was found. Their first recording together was an interpretation of Let it Be by the Beatles . Tak and Kōshi founded the band B'z and made their debut in September 1988. B'z is still one of the most successful bands in Japan.

Tak was on friendly terms with many well-known bands and musicians such as Barry Sparks , Billy Sheehan , Eddie Van Halen , Eric Martin , Jack Blades , Joe Perry , Par Torpeley , Shane Galaas , Stevan Tyler and Steve Vai . Together with Steve Vai they made recordings for the song Asia Sky from 1999. The song The Ultra Zone was recorded with Billy Sheehan and released on B'z's album Brotherhood . It is also known that Shane Galaas contributed something to the GREEN Live-Gym Tour 2002.

In 2004, Tak founded the Tak Matsumto Group with Eric Martin, Jack Blades and Chris Frazier.

In the past he played as a guitarist with many well-known Japanese guitarists. He has also done small projects with western bands, for example with Aerosmith , Deep Purple , Eddie Van Halen , Eric Clapton , and Led Zeppelin . He worked a lot with the band Tokyo Ska Paradise , which is particularly evident in the early years of B'z .

In 1999 Tak Matsumoto was accepted into the Gibson Signature Artist Club (the Gibson Guitar Corporation) as one of the first Asian guitarists .

Music equipment

Early career

1. 'Tak' Matsumoto Yamaha MGM Signature Model (1986–1989)
2. 'Tak' Matsumoto Yamaha MGM-II Signature Model (1989–1991)
3. 'Tak' Matsumoto Yamaha MGM-III Signature Model (1991-1995)
4. Music Man EVH Signature Model (1994-1998)
5. VHT 100 watt rack-mounted heads (1985–1991)
6. Marshall JCM 800 100 watt heads (1992–1997)
7. Marshall 4x12's with Celestion loudspeakers (Rebadged "Matsumoto") (1992–1997)
8. Peavey 5150 Guitar Amp (1996-2000)
9. VHT Custom 100 Watt "Rei" Amplifier (1999–2000)

Equipment (2000 to today)

1. 'Tak' Matsumoto Gibson Les Paul Signature Model (4 types)
2. Bogner Ecstacy 100 Watt Amplifiers
3. Bogner "Rei" 4x12 cabinets (with special voiced custom speakers)
4. Crybaby wah-wah pedal
5. Digitech Whammy Pedal
6. Taurus distortion pedal
7. Dunlop 1.00 Guitar Picks

Classic collection

Tak also has some rare guitars in his small collection which would be as follows:

1. 1870 Martin C-7 acoustic guitar
2. 1937 Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar
3. 1952 Fender Telecaster (Butterscotch Blonde)
4. 1954 Fender Stratocaster (Tobacco Sunburst)
5. 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (with 'Soapbar' pickups)
6. 1959 Gibson Les Paul Flametop (with PAF pickups)
7. 1962 Fender Stratocaster (Fiesta Red)
8. 1962 Gibson SG

Discography

Solo work

Singles

1. '88 -Love Story / Love Ya (1988)
2. # 1090 Thousand Dreams / LIFE (1989)
3. Ihou-jin (Tak Matsumoto & ZARD) (2003)
4. Imitation gold (Tak Matsumoto and Mai Kuraki) (2003)

Albums

1. Thousand Wave (1988)
2. Wanna Go Home (1992)
3. Rock'n Roll Standard Club (1995)
4. Thousand Wave Plus (1996)
5. Knockin '"T" Around (1999)
6. Dragon From The West (2001)
7. Hana (2001)
8. The Hit Parade (2003)
9. House Of Strings (2004)
10. Theater of Strings (2005)

TMG

Singles

1. OH JAPAN ~ Our Time is Now ~ (2004)

Albums

1. TMG I (2004)

DVD / VHS

1. Dodge The Bullet (2004)

Web links

• B'z website (in Japanese, it also shows its guitar collection.)