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Other basses he used in the MMXX tour that I didn’t cover in my original post.

[Middle] ESP BARDIC GOOD VIBES. Used in ‘Time Slip’.

[Right] LAKLAND 55-69 with bridge mutes. Pretty sure ‘Hitomi no Jyuunin’, as he used the same bass in the 25th Anniversary lives.

And now the (almost) full tour line up:

From left to right:

David Thomas McNaught V5

Probably backup/alternative to the ESP Eiffel Tower guitar.

GMW Randy Rhoads Polka Dot V

Same as above.

ZON Legacy Elite 519 custom pink maple top

Card at the museum says it was used in: ‘Pretty Girl’, ‘Vivid Colors’, ‘LOVE FLIES’ and ‘ALL YEAR AROUND FALLING IN LOVE’.

ZON Legacy Elite 519 walnut top

Card didn’t single out any song, so I suppose it was the backup/alternative to the pink ZON. Couldn't find anything in Twitter although it’s shown being used in the official YouTube videos.

ESP ALBION

Per Twitter: ‘Seventh Heaven’, ‘Driver’s High’, ‘STAY AWAY’ and ‘READY STEADY GO’.

ESP Prototype

It should be obvious by now that it was used in ‘X X X’, but card confirms it :P

ESP BASS V

‘DRINK IT DOWN‘ and ‘Shout at the Devil’.

ESP GLAMBELLY v2

Card didn’t single out any song. Couldn’t find anything in Twitter.

ESP GLAMBELLY v2 GOOD VIBES

Card doesn’t say either. Twitter user says ‘Honey’, ‘Round and Round’ and ‘Lies and Truth’

ESP BARDIC GOOD VIBES

‘Time Slip’.

LAKLAND 55-69 w/bridge mutes

As I said above, pretty sure ‘Hitomi no Jyuunin’.

Not pictured here but were used in the tour:

ESP NAVY. He used it in ‘Garasu Dama’, ‘Kaze ni Kienaide’ and ‘I’m So Happy’.

ESP flying V with the Eiffel tower design. ‘Revelation’.

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Pretty much what I expected. Hope he keeps using it after the MMXX tour.

Name is ESP NAVY and he used it in ‘Garasu Dama’, ‘Kaze Ni Kienaide’ and ‘I’m So Happy’.

Slotted pegbox headstock. Bolt-on maple neck. Five string, 24 frets and probably 864mm scale (same as GLAMBELLY v2 and ALBION, and probably ESP BASS V too). LED inlays, they are turned on from the backplate.

Same signature electronics since the release of the Lakland 55-69: J-like neck pickup ‘tetsuya J5-69’, splittable MM-like bridge pickup ‘tetsuya MM5-69’ and the 3-band “tetsuya LC-1’ preamp (the controls are in the backplate).

Probably semi-hollow bass and not full hollowed. I guess the body is made of swamp ash too, as it has been the case of all his ESP signature basses since the BARDIC. Body is alder. Same bridge as BARBIC/GLAMBELLY/etc.

Body seems to be loosely based on the Ampeg AEB-1 bass, as the shape is quite similar but the holes are only on the top instead of going through the whole body. Headstock might be inspired on NS Design upright basses.

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Well, there it is, the ESP BASS V.

Curiously, this new one is 24 frets, while the original BASS IV was a 21 frets bass. I can’t see the pickups, but it doesn’t look like it has a three single coil like the original either (maybe it’s a two J pickups live the S7D version or even another J+MM p.u. configuration? Damn blurry photos!)

[20/02/2020] Update based on this video.

It’s an J+MM pickup configuration. That makes it another GLAMBELLY v2-like bass (5 strings, probably 34 scale, 24 frets, Tetsuya custom J & MM pickups) but with rosewood fingerboard (I don’t think this one has an alder body like the original). Two knobs, so either passive or active and the controls are in a backplate (probably the former) 04/03/2020 update: nope, now I’m guessing that it’s the later, as his other new signature bass, the ESP NAVY, has the preamp controls in the backplate. Also, the body is made of alder.

First switch is LED on/off and the rest control the pickups in order from neck to bridge.

The card says it was used in ‘Drink It Down’ and Shout at the Devil’.

Update 26/03

Backplate EQ controls confirmed, same as the ESP NAVY. Given the pickups I guess the preamp is the Tetsuya’s signature LC-1.

Neck joint is the six bolt design of the GLAMBELLY and not five bolt one from the ALBION.

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NEW BASS!!

Let’s analyze it as much as that blurry photo allows!

It’s a five string bass. Bolt-on.

New body and headstock shape, not a GLAMBELLY with a pickguard as I guessed. Well, kinda, it looks like a GLAMBELLY with a shorter bottom horn, but let’s say its a new shape.

Bridge seems to be the same of BARDIC/GLAMBELLY (Gotoh 404SJ-5) and the pickup configuration is also J+MM with maple covers like those basses (maybe? I mean, it really hard to see lol).

Headstock has 2 top tuners and 3 bottom turners, like the ALBION, but if you squint really hard it looks slotted. That’s strange for him but not unseen, as his ESP BUGSY was also slotted.

It has two knobs, so maybe it’s a passive bass! Long time since we saw one of those! Unless they are stacked knobs, then it just a 2-band EQ. There’s also a toggle, but if this is a J+MM pickup configuration that one splits the MM pickup.

The most interesting part is the hard blue shadows because they look very well defined, so they might be c-holes! That would be his second semi-hollow one, the first being the LOVE FLIES/HURRY XMAS PV bass (sorry, I can’t remember its official name).

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Hyde: Zodiacworks custom-made guitar. Ken: Fender Stratocasters. Tetsuya: ZON Legacy Elite 519 Walnut top / LAKLAND 55-69M / ESP Prototype. Yukihiro: Fender Jazzmaster.

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Tetsuya’s basses @ L’Arc~en~Ciel MMXX tour

Based on the official Youtube video “L'Arc-en-Ciel - ARENA TOUR MMXX in Osaka 2020.1.12-1.13”.

1. ESP GLAMBELLY GOOD VIBES

The GLAMBELLY was originally a shape variant* of the ESP BARDIC he has been using since the KISS era, maintaining the same specs (woods, hardware, fret number, signature electronics and pickups) but with a shorter scale (34′’ instead of 35′‘) and an arched top. Eventually the model was changed to become a 24 frets bass. That change made the bass similar to his 4 string 24 frets basses of the 90′s and early 00′s (TRF-I, ELT-I, Bandit).

* Body was inspired on the MUSICMAN REFLEX bass and the headstock 3+2 –ESP BARDIC is 4+1– is similar to the one in his Lakland 55-69 bass.

Better picture:

Picture source: Natalie.mu

2. ZON Legacy Elite 519

Tetsuya’s “desert island choice” bass. He has been using Legacy Elite basses in recording since DUNE, first with 4 strings and later –around the time he recorded with Creature Creature– 5 strings. He has used them in concerts before becoming an ESP endorser and started using them again sporadically since the latest world tour when, you guess it, he became an ZON endorser.

The Walnut top one. See previous posts for a better quality picture.

And the quilted maple top with a custom pink color one.

3. ESP ALBION

His latest ESP signature model first seen at last year’s Christmas concerts. Essentially a different shaped GLAMBELLY (same specs and electronics) without the fancy arched top.

Design is based in Wal Mark III. Headstock is inverted, longer and curvier compared to the original. Upper horn is identical, but the lower one sightly different.

4. Probably the ESP Prototype with EMG pickups, but...

Also know as the “X X X” bass –same for this tour–, but was used in the “Seventh Heaven” MV first. The very long upper horn and the maple fingerboard tells me it’s this one, otherwise it could has been...

...And now the elusive new bass. I haven’t seen a clear and complete photo of the next bass yet, and it doesn’t show in the video –unless it is the one in the previous photo.

ESP BASS V (?!)

Ok, so Tetsuya has been teasing this bass since November. That Fiesta Red headstock and rosewood-looking fingerboard looks suspiciously like a five string version of his signature ESP BASS IV. I mean, that looks like a “V” after the ESP logo. But maybe it’s not...?

Teasing didn’t end there, some time later:

That bass hidden behind the ESP Prototype really looks like a five string ESP BASS IV. I mean, that shorter horn and the Red Fiesta color! It has to be!

(I’m also very curious about that blue bass in the middle, I can’t recognize the body and pickguard shape from previous bass models Tetsuya has used. Maybe a single color with pickguard GLAMBELLY? Also the fourth bass is the GLAMBELLY GOOD VIBES and the fifth seems to be the ALBION)

The third time he teased it was the confirmation. That’s definitely a five string version of the ESP BASS IV. I mean, picture is very blurry but it has to be...

(C’mon man, gimme a clear picture, will you? XD)

UPDATE POST FOR ESP BASS V!

UPDATE POST FOR ESP NAVY!

UPDATE POST WITH OTHER BASSES HE USED IN THE TOUR.

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ESP GLAMBELLY

Body: Swamp Ash w/ Quilted Maple arched top Neck: Maple Fingerboard: Maple w/ LED inlays Frets: 22 Scale: 864mm (34in) Nut: Bone Neck Joint: Bolt-on Pickups: tetsuya J5-69 & MM5-69 w/ Quilted Maple covers Preamp: tetsuya LC-1 Controls: Volume, PU Balancer, Bass, Treble, Middle. 3-way split switch for bridge humbucker. Turners: GOTOH GB720 Bridge: GOTOH 401SJ-5 Color: See Thru Pink

Basically an ESP Bardic with the Lakland 55-69 electronics (something that was already happening with the special editions of the Bardic), the LEDs in the fingerboard and the smaller scale that Tetsuya used to prefer in his pre-Bardic basses.

As (almost*) always, this bass is inspired on another bass from other marker, in this case the Musicman Reflex, except the headstock (probably to avoid legal issues) and the contoured top. This type of arched top isn’t new for Tetsuya, he had some ESP guitars with tops like that (you can see them at the ESP Gallery, the two LP-shaped ones, look for the Tech’s notes).

As for the name... I guess that is a play with the ESP Potbelly name? Your guess is as good as mine. The curious fact is that he broke his naming scheme of every signature bass that went to sale since the BASS IV: they all started with the letter B.

* Except the ESP BANDIT, that design was half-inspired in other bass. Literally, the lower half of the body design was inspired in the Zon Legacy Elite.

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First of all, SOURCE: L’Arc~en~Ciel Spanish Street Team. Follow them, they’re awesome.

From left to right: Top:

ESP Bardic kurry GOOD VIBES [Last concert at the National Stadium]

Lakland 55-69M [20th L’Anniversary→]

ESP Bardic1 [15th L’Anniversary→]

ESP Bugsy [Grand Cross Tour→15th L’Anniversary2]

ESP Buzz Bass 3TS [SMILE Tour→ASIA Tour 2005]

ESP Buzz Bass Red Fiesta [SMILE Tour→15th Anniversary3]

ESP Flying A [TV presentation, REAL Tour4]

ESP BASS IV (ver 2) [Shibuya 7 Days]

ESP BASS IV (ver 2) [Idem ↑]

Middle:

ESP ELT-I [True tours→Shibuya 7 Days, 15th L’Anniversary5]

ESP TFR-I [Tierra→Heart tours, 15th L’Anniversary]

ESP JUGGLER [GCC, as far as I know]

ESP BANDIT 4 Neo-Marble [AWAKE Tour, as far as I know]

Floor (on sale, Tetsuya has not used any of them):

ESP Buzz Bass

ESP Bardic

ESP Bardic

ESP Bardic kurry Union Jack (behind the grmini)

ESP Bardic kurry Tricolour

ESP grmini GR-T-58TRI

1I’ve no idea when/if he used this blue one anywhere. →PEPSI NEX CM 2 Maybe he used it on the L’15th...? Not so sure about that. The rest is correct. 3 I don’t remember him using a 4-string one in the L’15th, but he definitely used a 5-string one. 4 I haven’t seen proof he used it on the REAL Tour, but I read he did so... I think I remember him using it on the REAL Club Circuit DVD? I have to rewatch that one YUP, REAL Club Circuit. 5 He used the ELT-5, not the ELT-I in the L’15th.

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Tetsuya really likes his Zon Legacy Elite 519.

[tetsuowl]

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Tetsuya’s bass gear spotlight #2: 「LAKLAND 55-69」

Tetsuya has been using Lakland basses, at least in live shows, since L’Arc~en~Ciel’s Theater of KISS tour (2007-2008), where he used a Lakland 55-94 with trans-yellow/orange maple top. After that, during the L’7 ~Trans ASIA via PARIS~ tour (2008), he used that one and two more: one with a trans-blue maple top, and a white one with tortoise pickguard.

But before he started using Lakland basses he’s been using, since the L’15th L’Anniversary (2006) live shows, an ESP signature bass based on them called BARDIC. The difference in design between the original Lakland model and its ESP counterpart is a longer lower horn in the body, a different pickguard design, uncovered pickups (at least initially) and a 4+1 headstock instead of the 3+2 one. Besides that, there are some other construction differences: reinforced bars in the neck, different hardware and electronics, etc.

Tetsuya was allowed the use* of Lakland basses because they have a partnership with ESP. The Japanese maker is the exclusive dealer of Lakland in their country and is also in charge of the production of Lakland’s budget line called Shoreline Series.

Eventually, Lakland launched, alongside with ESP, Tetsuya’s signature model: the 55-69. This model adopts the ESP BARDIC design modifications to the Lakland 55-94: the longer lower horn on the body and the non-Lakland pickguard design. The other difference with the ESP BARDIC, beside construction appointments, was the ebony pickup covers and new ESP custom-made electronics and pickups (the BARDIC uses Seymour Duncan pickups and the standard ESP CINNAMON electronics). Furthermore, the pink maple top color used in the 55-69 was for a long time exclusive to this model**.

During the L’20th L’Anniversary shows (2011) Tetsuya unveiled a modified version of his Lakland signature model: the 55-69M. This one has an ebony fingerboard, maple pickups covers that matches the body top and a transparent pickguard with the legend “KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON”. Later he started using another with Tetsuya’s new solo logo in the transparent pickguard instead of that message (as pictured in this post).

The 55-69, alongside with its ESP sibling, is the signature model that he has been using the longest in live shows, longer than the ESP TFR (Tierra-True tours, L’15 L’Anniversary) and ESP ELT (HEART-REAL tours, Shibuya 7 Days and L’15th L’Anniversary)*** series. There has been several variations/special editions of the ESP BARDIC on sale. Furthermore, Tetsuya’s latests prototype basses are based on the BARDIC (as seen in the 2014 National Olympic Stadium live show): a fretless one with a more rounded body and another one based on the Musicman Reflex 5 look-wise.

As far as I know, he has used neither the Lakland nor ESP BARDIC basses in recording.

* otherwise his endorsement with ESP Guitars wouldn’t have allowed it. Nowadays he seems to have an exception for Zon basses too. Nonetheless, he should use ESP basses in PVs, promotional pictures and TV performances. Also, the ESP endorsement seems limited to use of basses only, as he has been using guitars from other makers in promotional pictures, PVs and live shows before.

** recently Lakland posted in their Facebook account custom-order basses with that color.

*** yes, he has been using the ESP NEO/BANDIT 6 bass since the Neo Universe PV and the REAL tour; and keeps using that model in live shows nowadays, but he doesn’t use it as much as this basses, only once or twice a concert (on Get Out From Shell, Neo Universe or Time Goes On).

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TETSUYA「CÉLUXE NIGHT」で新曲を披露。初代ラルクメンバー、hiroとperoも登場し、特別な夜に : V.I.P. Press

TETSUYA（L'Arc～en～Ciel）が、自身のオフィシャルファンクラブ「CÉLUXE」の発足を記念し、7月23日に大阪のなんばHatchにてソロライヴを開催した。「CÉLUXE NIGHT」と銘打たれたこのライヴはFC会員限定で行われ、大阪でのソロライヴは約5年ぶりとあって、コアなファンがな

Wait, why is he using an Ibanez bass? ESP won’t be happy about that lol.

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Ok, now that I see the new bass in good quality that bridge doesn't look like a Lakland, so it must be an ESP. Now it looks like the same configuration than the Lakland 55-69 but without pickguard and with the look of a Musicman Reflex/25th Anniversary.

I know nobody cares, but I like to be a nerd about Tetsuya's gear :P

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Seems like Tetsuya asked Lakland to make a custom copy of the Musicman Reflex for him. Looks like it may be a single coil P-position pickup configuration, hidden behind his hand? That, or a piezo based bass, but I doubt he would use one of those for Ready Steady Go :P

Edit: never mind, it looks like it has pink wood-covers for a humbucker near the bridge, like his latest Lakland 55-69.

[tokkisun-blog]

- Niji - 

L’Arc~en~Ciel LIVE 2014 at 国立競技場 (2014-3-21)