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Tag Archive for: 4 Stroke

日向秀和(ひなっち)モデルのアンプヘッドが遂に2021年7月1日から一般発売!!ひなっちがステージで使用している事で目を引いた方も多いはず!本人が使用しているオレンジカラーに極ロゴが入ったあのモデルが新登場!!Orange 4 Stroke 500 LTD was finally released on July 1. Yes, many of you might have seen Hinatch playing it on stage. This new signature amp head is in orange color with his logo “Extreme!”

を教えて下さい。What was the initial impact on you when you came across Orange Amps, either amp head or cabinet? 日向:まず、凄いナチュラルだなと思いましたね。ナチュラルだし、凄く芯のあるローが出るっていうのが最初の印象でした。オレンジに出会う前は結構アンプに迷ってて、試行錯誤した結果、ロー感とか一度自分の中で完成したなって思ってたんですよ。でも、オレンジに出会ってその完成したと思っていたものを覆されたと言うか。よりベースの音を届けやすくなった感覚っていうのが凄くありまして。余計なローが全く無いって言うか。そこらへんがすごくびっくりしました。My impression was that it was an extremely natural and thick low sound. I was going through many amps in those days and trying to find my low frequency sound. Just when I thought I found it, I came to play an Orange Amp. Then there was no going back. I immediately felt that the low frequency could easily travel across. I call it pure bass sound. I was just astonished.

トレードマークになっている「極」の由来を教えてください。How did your motto “Extreme” come about?日向:英語で言うと「極める」ってどういうことを言うんでしょうね。物事を「マw スター」とかそういう感じなのかな。その道をマスターするっていう意味合いを一文字で表すことが出来る漢字かなと思って。「極める」っていうのはベーシストとしてもそうだし、すべてそうです。ずっと追いかけていくって大事なことだし、そういうのを志してるっていうところでの漢字一文字ですかね。I don’t know the exact English word for it. This Japanese character “extreme” also means reaching the top or mastering completely. It applies to everything including bass guitar. It is important to pursue it with ambition. This character says it all.

4 Stroke 500 LTD HINATCH“極”はいつもどのようなセッティングで使用しているのしょうか?Could you tell us your setting of 4 Stroke 500 LTD?
日向:アンプのセッティングなんですけど、大体いつも12時にするんですよ。12時にして、オールフラットの状態でまず鳴らしてみて、そこから耳につくところの音域を減らしていきます。例えばちょっとローが出過ぎてるんで、これを減らしていく。こうすると自然なボトム感と言うか、出てきますよね。で、ちょっとミドルも痛いんで、コンコンいっちゃう。このコンコン言うところをはしょる。そうするとナチュラルになってますよね。基本的にもう、減らしていくだけですね。(EQがフラットの状態でも)ハイもしっかり出てるんで。まずは12時にして、オールフラットにしてから、いらない音域をどんどん削っていくみたいなセッティングをしています。I usually start off setting everything at 12 o’clock, all flat,  and hear it. Then I tweak to reduce whatever remains in my ears. For instance I turn down  whenever I hear too much bass or knocking mids. It becomes a natural bass sound. My approach is always to reduce unnecessary ranges from 12 o’clock. You can still obtain solid high frequency.

コンプはどのように使用しているのでしょうか?How do you use a built-in  compressor on 4 Stroke 500 LTD?
日向:コンプが付いてるんですけど、薄ーく掛けてるんですよね。結構ガッツリ掛けるとサンプリングされてるベースの音みたいな(笑)、音まで出せるんで面白いんですけど、これだと掛かり過ぎてダイナミクスがあんまり出ないんで、薄くかけといてから、エフェクターを踏んだときのコンプの掛かり方がすごいこれ気持ちいいんですよ。歪ませたりとか。だから、エフェクターを割とハイゲインのボンって踏んだときにモチっと着いてきてくれるようなコンプの感じが良いんで薄く掛けてます。すごい効くと思いますこのコンプ。素晴らしいです。This amplifier is equipped with a compressor. And I put it on just slightly. If I turn up, it can produce a very thick sound that is almost like sampling bass tone. But it would reduce the dynamics. I like to put on just enough compression so that other effect pedals such as distortion are switched on, it will nicely compliment the sound. I think it is a superb compressor.

このモデルの魅力や遊び方について教えて下さい。What do you think is the most attractive feature of 4 Stroke 500 LTD? And how would you like to play it?
日向:極端な話、EQもすごい効くんで。こんな音まで(笑)出ちゃうっていう。ハイとかも、例えばめっちゃ絞ったりするとちょっとヴィンテージっぽい音から、ハイだけでも全然違う。これだけEQが効くって言う。シンプルだけにすごく効くって言うか。そういうのすごく大事だなと思います。いっぱい目盛りが付いてて何していいか分かんないってアンプも中にはあったりして。それよりもすごいシンプルで効くって言うのはサウンドメイクしやすい。だからいろんな音域を出して試してみるっていうのもすごく面白いと思います。後はさっきやったみたいにコンプをめっちゃガッツリ、鬼のようにコンプ出してサンプリングしたみたいなベースの音を出すのもすごく楽しいんじゃないかな。このままレコーディングしても、レコーディングとかだったらすごく面白いんじゃないですかね。スラップがすごく楽しいかも。サンプリングしたみたいな音も出るし、EQもすごく効くので、自分の好きな音を探ってみるのもいいんじゃないかなと思います。For me it has to be the effectiveness of the equalizer. You can create all kinds of sound by setting the different equalizer level. I found that you can obtain vintage bass sound by cutting the high frequency. Unlike some amps out there with many knobs and notches, this model is very simple to operate. And you can always make the sound you want after you tweak different  frequencies.  Again do not forget how clean and powerful the compressor is on this model. You can maximize the effect for your recording sessions. So the sampling sound comes in handy when you are playing slapping bass. It works great!

Hinatch Kurosawa / Orange artist profile.

Iron Maiden, Steve Harris

Iron Maiden ‘Beyond Flight 666’ by John McMurtrie

4 Stroke

Steve Harris, where do we begin with Steve Harris? The only constant member in legendary British hard rock band Iron Maiden alongside guitarist Dave Murray, and is also the primary songwriter of the band. Since the formation of Maiden in East London’s Leyton in 1975 the band has released sixteen studio albums, toured the world a countless time in their own airplane flown by singer Bruce Dickinson and made their mark as one of the biggest heavy metal bands in history. Steve Harris has developed a recognisable way of playing such as the “gallop”. Paired with drummer Nicko McBrain and his unexpected clever ways, three guitarists and Bruce Dickinson sprinting and jumping across the stage throughout every single Iron Maiden show, and let’s not forget, fights Maiden mascot Eddie on a regular basis, their shows are nothing but spectacular. In addition to his bass playing and songwriting, Steve Harris has also produced and co-produced their albums, directed live videos and played keys for the band while in the studio. A Jack of all trades, so say the least.

Glenn Hughes

Crush Bass 100
AD200 MK3 Head
OBC810 8×10 Bass Speaker

Glenn Hughes is not just an incredible bassist, but a remarkable singer with the most astonishing vocal range. He first made a name for himself while in Trapeze, before joining Deep Purple in 1973 where he shared vocal duties with David Coverdale, and brought the funkiest bass lines to the band. With Deep Purple MK III he released “Burn” and “Stormbringer”, before Ritchie Blackmore left the band and Tommy Bolin was brought in on guitar for Deep Purple MK IV. They released “Come taste the Band” in 1975, before all going their separate ways the following year. Since then, he’s released a one of album with Pat Travers’ guitarist Pat Thrall, recorded with Gary Moore and fronted Black Sabbath briefly in the 80s. In more recent years, he released a one off album with his short lived band ‘California Breed’ with Jason Bonham on drums and guitarist Andrew Watt, as well as playing in Black Country Communion with Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian and again, Jason Bonham on drums. His latest venture is touring the world, twice, as “Glenn Hughes plays Deep Purple”, bringing back to life all the songs from way back when.

Rush, Geddy Lee

AD200 MK3 Head
OBC410 4×10 Bass Speaker
OBC810 8×10 Bass Speaker

Rush have over the past forty years pioneered progressive rock with their unusual compositions and musical craftsmanship, with each member repeatedly being listed as some of the most proficient players of their instruments. This has led to Rush being somewhat of a ‘musician’s favourite band, and they have been highly influential within their genre, although that has changed slightly over the course of the career. Geddy Lee first started playing music when he was around 10 years old, and got his first acoustic guitar at 14. Before this, he played drums, trumpet and clarinet. However, it wasn’t until he was introduced to popular music at the time and some of the great Brits such as Cream, Jeff Beck and Procul Harum, and cited Jack Bruce as one of his first and early influences.

The Bronx, Brad Magers

4 Stroke
AD200 MK3 Head

It wasn’t until in recent years that Bronx bassist Brad Magers got his hands on his first Orange and we are stoked to now have him as one of our artists. He’s got a few different set ups consisting of either the 4 Stroke, or an AD200, which he describes as: “A monster of an amp, it’s just such a simple set up but exactly what it needs to be. I hate when all these amps have all these annoying tweaks on them as there’s just a few things you really need. As long as there is gain I’m pretty much good to go – you set it up in like two seconds and then you’re just there like: “Well, that’s the best sound I’ve ever heard!”  When Brad isn’t busy with the Bronx, he puts on his mariachi suit and picks up the trumpet with side project Mariachi El Bronx. Rumour has it that there might be a surf band in the works as well, but we can’t say for sure – yet..

Radio Moscow, Anthony Meier

AD200 MK3 Head
OBC410 4×10 Bass Speaker
OBC115 1×15 Bass Speaker

Anthony Meier’s first encounter with Radio Moscow was back in 2012 when his other band Sacri Monti played a few gigs with some of Radio Moscow drummer Paul Marrone’s other bands, and they got chatting. However, it wasn’t until a year later when singer and guitarist Parker Griggs relocated to San Diego that the band started looking for a new bassist. Paul suggested Anthony and he was invited to jam with them. Needless to say, the jam worked out well, as Anthony’s still in the band over five years later. When not on the road with Radio Moscow, he still keeps busy with his other band Sacri Monti that’s due to come over to Europe this summer. He also DJs regularly at local San Diego / Oceanside bars, and is an skilled pool player, some might even say excellent.

Tom Petersson, Cheap Trick

Rockerverb 50 MKIII Head
PPC412 4×12 Speaker Cab
AD200 MK3 Head
OBC810 8×10

Cheap Trick bassist and Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tom Petersson turned heads in the early 70s when he came up with the idea of creating a 12 string bass. The reason behind this was wanting to make the band sound as big as humanly possible, and by adding (after inventing…) the 12 string bass, he was left with an instrument that almost sounded like bass and guitar all in one. This has become a vital part of the bands sound, and his amps plays a huge part in this. He is a big fan of both the AD50 and AD200, and plays them both straight out without any pedals.

Orange Amplification is delighted to announce it will be partnering with Rough Trade to provide sound equipment for artist performances, enabling both iconic British companies to continue to support and champion live music.

Celebrating its fiftieth year, Orange Amplification has always been at the cutting edge of music sound and amplification. The company is renowned for its ‘British tone’ which is revered across the globe and has long been respected for the help, support and encouragement it gives to artists and musicians.

As one of the most respected and loved music retailers, Rough Trade has focused on emphasising the social aspect of exciting music. The independent company has a global reputation hosting free in-store gigs performed with the highest specification of staging and sound equipment. Its stages at Rough Trade East, Nottingham and Bristol Stores will now be graced with a range of Orange Amps.

Stephen Godfroy, Co-Owner, Rough Trade commented “Rough Trade are proud and excited to partner with Orange Amps for all our UK in-store live events. Their independent heritage and five decades of craftsmanship are qualities we’re proud to celebrate with our extensive programme of events, featuring their iconic amps in our Bristol, Nottingham and East London backline spec for bands to enjoy. We look forward to celebrating their 50th Anniversary with them later in the year – here’s to another 50!

The three Rough Trade live stage areas are now equipped with an amplification selection that includes Rocker 32’s, 4 Strokes, OBC410’s and more. The Rocker 32 is probably the perfect, portable, all valve stereo amp combo for guitarists. It has the classic Orange mojo in abundance with a small stage footprint. The 4 Stroke is the amp for discerning and demanding modern bass players delivering powerful tones with a natural, rounded emphasis, combined with the classic OBC410 the two together produce a highly focused sound giving tons of great low end which allow the mids to shine through.

Previous Orange Ambassadors to have graced the Rough Trade stages include Slaves as well as Everything Everything and The Cribs. Upcoming in-store events include Jon Spencer, Connan Mockasin, John Grant and Bobby Gillespie.

To find out more about Orange Amps, its gear and ambassadors please go to

https://orangeamps.com/ . To find out more about Rough Trade, its stores and live gigs please go to https://www.roughtrade.com/regions

Let’s dive straight into this – Orange, can you tell us about your history with the company?
Brad: Basically, I had an Ampeg deal back in the day so that’s where I started while Ken and Joby were the ones always using Orange cabs, and Joby having some sort of Orange connection. I always liked Orange, but I never had a deal, and the stuff I wanted was always a bit out of my price range, so it’s more in recent years I’ve gotten in on it as well. Joby reconnected with Orange recently and we did a bit of a revamp of our gear in the States and got some all blacked out Orange cabinets, and I got a 4 Stroke over there which I love.

Have you got the same set up for this UK and Europe tour?
Brad: On this tour I’ve got the AD200 which is a monster of an amp, it’s just such a simple set up but exactly what it needs to be. I hate when all these amps have all these annoying tweaks on them as there’s just a few things you really need. As long as there is gain I’m pretty much good to go – you set it up in like two seconds and then you’re just there like: “Well, that’s the best sound I’ve ever heard!” 

Any other Orange favourites…?
Brad: Definitely the It’s the Terror Bass which you guys don’t make anymore but should totally bring back! I still have the habit of bringing a spare amp with me on the road, but from my experiences with Orange I’ll probably never need it, but then again, you can never be too safe, right? It’s so great it could easily be your main amp as well, i
t’s just amazing that something that small can sound so good, that goes for the guitar one as well. Obviously as a bassist it’s driving mad that you’ve gotten rid of the bass one! When I got mine it was broken, and you cant really get the parts to fix it anywhere in the states. Luckily, my Orange guys in the states let me send it back here to the UK to get fixed. Everyone at Orange is so nice that it was the easiest thing to do ever.

With The Bronx we’ve also got Mariachi El Bronx, which is two bands from completely different sides of the spectrum – punk and mariachi, you must have a pretty wide musical background?
Brad: It’s interesting with me, I actually play trumpet in our other band, and that’s my main – or I guess I don’t really have a main instrument anymore, but you know, main instrument.  I started playing horn in 4th grade and did pretty well at it. It was never my intentions for that to become my life, or such a big deal, especially not that early on, I was kind of just doing my thing until it snowballed and it took me to college. Early on, I was more of a classical guy, and my mum was really into classical music as well, and I was a classical trumpet player.

Somewhere in middle school I discovered rock ‘n’ roll, started a band and went down the line of straight up old school rock like Stones, AC/DC and that sorta stuff, then that went into a punk fase. I’ve always been into a lot of stuff, and blues might be one of my favourite genres. What’s interesting to me, is that there’s actually quite a few musicians where bass and trumpet is the combo, Flea’s one of them. Obviously I can’t remember anyone else now, but oddly enough there is at least another 4-5 big musicians where that is the combo, which to me seems like the weirdest thing ever, and every time I hear about some other guy with that combo I’m just like ‘How did that even happen?’ For me it was just circumstances, I dabbled a bit between everything, guitar and drums as well – I could play them all but not well, and only ended up playing bass as the band I was in at high school needed a bassist, and here I am, years later.