Toshiya (musician)

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Toshiya
Background information
Born	March 31, 1977 Nagano, Japan
Genre(s)	Rock/metal
Occupation(s)	Bassist Composer Producer
Instrument(s)	Bass guitar
Associated acts	Dir en grey
Notable instrument(s)
ESP D-TR-290 RU-Drive Killer Beelze Lakland 55-94 Classic

Toshiya (born on March 31, 1977, in Nagano) is a Japanese musician and the bassist of Dir en grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997 and was previously a member of D+L and Gosick.^{[citation needed]}

Unlike fellow band members Kaoru and Die, Toshiya has only composed a handful of Dir en grey's songs, such as "Erode" and "Bottom of the Death Valley". Unsurprisingly, his compositions tend to have a distinct, bass-driven sound.

Contents 1 Equipment 1.1 Guitars 1.2 Pickups and other accessories 2 External links 3 References

[edit] Equipment

Toward the beginning of the band's career, Toshiya was endorsed by Killer Guitars in Japan. During this period he primarily used guitars with the company's Kumovi body and later his signature-series bass, the Beelze, which is similar to a reverse version of a typical Rickenbacker guitar. These signatures had a verse written by Toshiya on the headstock instead of the standard Killer logo. The third model he used from Killer was a custom bass called the 3epo.

Toshiya is currently endorsed by ESP Guitars in Japan, who provides most of his basses, picks, and straps. His endorsement began with P-bass style guitars, used for most of the bands songs, and Lakland 5-string guitars used for low-tuned songs such as "Obscure". He now primarily uses his signature-series basses from the ESP Custom Shop called the RU-Drive, which is a copy of the Gibson RD body shape. He previously used bass amplification by Ampeg but has switched to Mesa/Boogie tube amps and cabinets.

Replicas of the dicontinued Beelze series were once available through Killer, who still offers a non-signature version of it under the series name Simmony. ESP currently offers replicas of the 22-fret RU-Drive in both the ESP and Edwards artist series.

[edit] Guitars

Brand	Model	Notes
ESP	D-TR-90 RU-Drive	Toshiya's signature model from ESP. The bass was made in alternating combinations of white and black, much like the Beelze, along with multiple fret amounts. This model was originally referred to as the "RD Type."[1]
ESP	D-TR Prototype	Precursor to the RU-Drive series. It features a modified version of a left-handed P-bass body and has the same headstock as the RU-Drive models, including Toshiya's custom ESP logo. It can be seen on the The Code of Vulgar[ism] DVD, i.e. during the performance of "Child Prey".[1]
Seymour Duncan	DP-100 RSV	Like many of the artist's guitars, it became heavily decorated with stickers and electrical tape over time, leading to confusion whether it was still the same model. Later replaced by the ESP Prototype.[1]
Lakland	55-94 Classic	Alternating models with either a white or black finish.[1]
Gibson	Flying V	Has a white finish with white pickguard.
Killer	Beelze	Toshiya's signature Killer bass. Used several models with either a black and white finish. One can be seen broken in the Ware photo book.
Killer	3epo	A custom bass designed by Toshiya with a biomechanical look, the body resembling that of a reptile or insect. Has a primarily purple finish with details in white. The guitar can be seen on Dir en grey's 1999.12.18 Osakajo Hall release and the "Myaku" music video, available on the Kimon compilation. It has since been retired.
Killer	Volture	Alternating models with either a see-thru blue finish or a matte black finish.
Killer	Eve	Used multiple versions.
Killer	Stone Blue	none
Rickenbacker	4003	Has red finish with white pickguard.
Fender	J-bass	Has a sunburst finish.

[edit] Pickups and other accessories

• Seymour Duncan SJB-1n a neck and SJB-1b at bridge on RU-Drive basses
• ESP custom-printed picks
• ESP Dir en grey series guitar strap

[edit] External links

• Toshiya's custom bass at ESP

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} “Dir en grey Pure Essence of Machiavellism", Gigs, Sept., 2004.

Dir en grey
Members: Kyo | Kaoru | Die | Toshiya | Shinya
Discography
Albums: Gauze | Macabre | Kisou | Vulgar | Withering to Death. | The Marrow of a Bone
EPs: Missa | Six Ugly     Remixes: Kai
Singles: Jealous | -I'll- | Akuro no Oka | Yurameki | -Zan- | Cage | Yokan | Myaku | [KR] Cube | Taiyou no Ao | Ain't Afraid to Die | Filth | Jessica | Embryo | Child Prey | Drain Away | Kasumi | The Final | Saku | Clever Sleazoid | Ryoujoku no Ame | Agitated Screams of Maggots
Videography
Clips: Kaede ~If Trans...~ | Mousou Toukakugeki | Gauze -62045- | Kimon | Average Fury | Average Psycho
Live: Mousou Kakugaigeki | 1999.12.18 Osakajo Hall | Tour 00 >> 01 Macabre | Rettou Gekishin Angya | Blitz 5 Days | The Code of Vulgar[ism] | It Withers and Withers | Despair in the Womb