Artists

Milky-Way Kaori Ijuin (Guitarist / Vocalist)

Comment:

"I had it made just the way I wanted! Since I'm a frequent Twitter user, I went with Twitter’s colors. Posting guitar videos on Twitter and other social media led me to meet Kz Guitar Works, and I'm so happy about that.

Not only does it look adorable, but the sound sparkles too—without being too loud or harsh—and it responds well to distortion from pedals. I’ve posted videos of myself cranking up the distortion and playing rock riffs. The pitch is great as well. I tried using it for a crunchy sound during a live performance, and it sat perfectly in the mix without overshadowing the vocals or interfering with the bass, making it easy for the guitarist to use as well.

As someone with the same last name, I’ll keep using it with love!"

Comment:

"At my last live performance, I used a different model than this time, and I really felt the evolution. I believe this evolution is something unique to Kz Guitar Works. But just because it’s unique doesn’t mean it’s an unruly wild horse that’s hard to tame—on the contrary, it’s incredibly easy to play and feels like it’s made for your hands. Even though it's electric, it has an acoustic richness to it. And since it has single-coil pickups, it has a wide range, but the power is more than enough, and I never feel lacking.

The Kahler tremolo unit is also smooth and easy to use! And the combination of the components creates sounds that change expression like magic.

I’m looking forward to the evolution to come. I highly recommend that you all experience this magical sound firsthand!"

Comment:

"The Kz One Semi-Hollow offers a wonderfully natural and airy sweet sound that is characteristic of a hollow body. When you set the switch to series, it provides power, and you'll find yourself wanting to play those soulful, sustained crying notes. Switch to parallel, and the sound becomes bright with a crisp half-tone that feels great. The clarity is amazing, and it makes you want to play arpeggios.

The Kz One Junior has a tight sound. The rear pickup makes you want to strum power chords with a sharp, punchy tone, while the front pickup delivers a sweet tone. The solid-phase-out sound is also great!

Both the standard and solid models offer a rich variety of sounds, so you're sure to find a tone you love. Both models are built solidly, and their playability is top-notch.

This is a guitar that I would love for many guitarists to try!"

Shido Soma (Guitarist)

Profile:

Shido Soma was born in Hokkaido, Japan, on October 5, 2012. At the age of 12, he is the younger brother of drummer YOYOKA and has been immersed in music since childhood. He is a member of the family band “Yoyoka Family Band,” where he primarily performs as a vocalist. With the band, he has performed at festivals throughout Japan as well as in Germany. In September 2022, Shido moved to California with his family and began seriously pursuing the guitar. He has since started performing as a guitarist in various locations, including California, Nevada, Utah, and Texas.

Keiichi Takahashi (Guitarist)

Comment:

"I had the impression that hollow body guitars sacrificed a bit of sound core in exchange for their airy feel. However, the Kz One Semi-Hollow strikes a perfect balance—it has a solid core while maintaining that airy quality, which is fantastic. With pickups that offer a wide range and versatile controls, you can create a broad array of sounds.

The Kz One Junior has the same wide range as the Semi-Hollow, but it also brings out a very powerful, wild feeling. Even when emotions are running high, the sound follows along with ease, and it’s more than capable of handling intense, aggressive playing in the so-called 'mixture' style."

Profile:

Originally from Osaka,

the user has provided music for numerous artists and performed as a backing musician. In 2011, they won the runner-up prize in the Guitar Magazine Contest.

Recently, they have been based in Tokyo, engaging in event activities and offering lessons nationwide, while also actively distributing content on YouTube.

The Kz Guitar Works signature model 'Kitaro' has undergone significant modifications in recent years and has been updated as the 'Shin-Kitaro,' which is now performing in many settings.

Hiroshi Nomaguchi (Bassist)

Profie:

In 1992, the user made their major debut as the bassist of 'infix' with the single 'Romancing Journey' (produced by Yoshinobu Sakazaki of THE ALFEE). 

Following that, they achieved smash hits with songs like 'Ai ga Tomaranai' (theme song for the movie 'Kamen Rider ZO'), 'WINNERS FOREVER' (ending theme for 'Mobile Suit Victory Gundam'), 'Kizudarake no Tenshi ni Nante Naritai to wa Omowanai' (theme song for 'Journey to the West'), and '100 Man Kōnen no Kanata' (insert song for 'Journey to the West'), with sales reaching 300,000 copies. 

In addition to their band activities, they have participated in live performances and recordings for various artists (see 'Works' below), and are also known for composing scores for film and television.

At Kz Guitar Works, they participated as the bassist of QUEENESS in the 'Matsuri The Party 2020' event in November 2020. In the summer of 2021, they had their custom-order bass created.

Comment for Kz One Junior:

"I visited the workshop in Zushi and had the chance to try out various models. They were all truly amazing, but for me, as someone who usually plays a Strat, the Kz One Junior with its maple neck and lever switch really felt right. I’ve already started using it for this tour.

It’s a very versatile guitar. You can use it like a regular Strat, but you can also achieve that Brian May sound. It’s incredibly easy to handle. Despite being a single-coil, it’s a bit more powerful without being overly sharp. And when you pull the switch, it cuts the lows for that Bohemian Rhapsody-style sound.

From straight sounds to those with a unique atmospheric vibe, this guitar is quite greedy in the best way. If you love the sound of the Red Special but want to play something other than Queen tracks or your own originals, this guitar is probably the one for you."

From Workshop:

The 'Kz ST Trad 22 KING'S ORDER' was created as the 'Yoshiki Fukuyama' model, with the thoughtful consideration of not only his own needs but also the fans. Fukuyama-san approached every detail with sincere dedication. By combining his long-held ideas and passion with the technical skills and creativity of Kz Guitar Works, we were able to create a guitar that he described as 'the one I’ve finally reached after 40 years of effort.

Takeshi Honda (Guitarist / PERSONZ)

Comment:

"The Kz One Semi-Hollow—my favorite new guitar with a Red Special-like vibe. Ever since I discovered it online, it’s been on my mind.

The moment I held it for the first time, I knew my instincts had been right. The powerful pickups, despite being passive, the wide variety of tones created from 23 different combinations, and the incredible resonance of the guitar itself—it’s all outstanding. I was immediately drawn to the single-coil half-tone sound achieved through the series-parallel switch. The Kahler tremolo unit also plays a big part in shaping its unique sound.

This guitar has been a source of inspiration, sparking new music within me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves further in the future.

For the CD tour promo photos and album-related shoots, I proudly featured the Kz One. Two key tracks on the album—07. 'CASE OF TEARS' and 11. 'CASE OF TEARS feat. K-JOE ver.'—were both entirely recorded using the Kz One. The tones that only this guitar can produce are truly exceptional."

Monyusode

Comment: 

"Wow!

I’ve received a guitar from Kz Guitar Works, an original guitar workshop based in Zushi City, Kanagawa, known for crafting the official signature model of Queen guitarist Brian May’s iconic 'Red Special'! 😘🌻

I’ll keep working hard to create more music from now on! 🔥"

(From Monyusode Instagram ＞)

Comment:

"My first impression when I played the Kz Guitar Works Kz One Semi-Hollow was, 'This guitar produces sounds that none of my other guitars can.'

The sweet tone of the single front pickup. The crisp clarity of the diverse half-tones created by combining the two pickups. The fat and powerful sustain achieved when the pickups are set to series mode. Each sound retains a hint of traditional tonal character while being versatile enough to suit an incredible range of musical genres.

But the most unique feature has to be the killer phase-out tone. I can’t help but wonder where I should use it (laughs).

The Tokyo debut for this instrument was at a tribute live show for the techno band 'YMO,' which I had been a part of in the past. The Kz One handled itself beautifully, cutting through the intricate sequencer lines and the thick synth bass lines on stage. From rhythm cutting to overdriven solos, it was an absolute joy to play. Truly a guitar that’s both classic and modern!

The neck grip feels great in my hands, and the pitch stability is a strong ally during live performances. I’m looking forward to seeing the continued evolution of this highly original guitar from Zushi."

Comment:

"I worked with Kz Guitar Works to design this guitar, combining a semi-hollow body with a simple single humbucker. I only use the bridge position pickup during live performances, so this setup is perfect for me.

I shape my sound using just the volume and tone controls.

We also went with a '58-style medium-fat neck grip for this guitar. It delivers an incredible sound and feels amazing to play.

Juicy, punchy mids and soaring high tones… I absolutely love this guitar!"

Brent Muscat (Guitarist / ex. Faster Pussycat)

Comment:

"This guitar is incredible.

This handmade guitar suits my playing style perfectly, and I really love it. It’s so versatile—you can play not just rock ’n’ roll but even country with it. I’ve never played a guitar like this before.

It resonates beautifully, and the tone and vibration feel amazing. I’m excited to keep playing it and can’t wait to show it off wherever I go. It arrived when the cherry blossoms were in bloom, so I named it 'SAKURA.'

I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Kz Guitar Works!"

Comment:

"I was blown away the first time I saw the Kz One Standard.

It’s a masterful fusion of the legendary original Red Special, the Guild-made Red Special from 1984 with a Kahler tremolo, and a double-cutaway Les Paul—enhanced with Kz Guitar Works’ unique touches.

While retaining a classic aesthetic, it features a player-friendly design and thoughtfully crafted controls that allow for a wide range of tones, from vintage to modern.

The reliable tremolo system and locking tuners make it possible to deliver expressive and exceptional performances. It’s a guitar that’s both classic and avant-garde.

This remarkable guitar, designed by Kz Guitar Works, isn’t just for die-hard Queen fans—it’s for a broader range of guitarists.

It’s the perfect match for players seeking a versatile, all-purpose guitar."

Comment:

"I’m honored to play the very first bass made by Kz Guitar Works.

The Jed ‘O’ Bass not only has an incredible sound and stunning looks, but it’s also perfect for both studio sessions and live performances.

From its slender neck and easy access to the higher frets to its perfectly balanced weight, everything about this bass makes it a dream to play.

I’m so proud of the bass we created together with the KZ team, and I can’t wait for other players to experience just how amazing it is."