Die (musician)

Die
Die at Maquinaria Festival, 2009
Background information
Also known as	Die
Born	December 20, 1974 (1974-12-20) (age 36)
Origin	Mie, Japan
Genres	Metal, rock
Occupations	Guitarist, composer, record producer
Instruments	Guitar
Associated acts	Dir en grey, La:Sadie's, Ka･za･ri
Notable instruments
ESP DDT, ESP D-DR

Die (born December 20, 1974, born in Mie) is a Japanese musician and one of the guitarists of Dir en grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997 and was previously a member of La:Sadie's and before that he was in Ka･za･ri. Die is the second most credited composer within Dir en grey (after fellow guitarist Kaoru and at least up to Vulgar, at which individual credits for the music were dropped) and his songs tend to be more upbeat, such as "304 Goushitsu, Hakushi no Sakura", "Riyuu" and "Mr.Newsman".

Equipment

Die is endorsed by ESP Guitars in Japan who provides him with most of his guitars, picks, and straps. He has two lines of signature-series guitar from the ESP Custom Shop guitars called the DDT and D-DR models. Both models are based on the classic Telecaster body, the original DDT model being a copy of it and the newer D-DR model appearing to be a combination of a telecaster and an ESP F-body. In live performances he mainly uses amplification and red covered cabinets by Mesa/Boogie (Road King amplifier and Rectifier 4x12 cabinets).^{[citation needed]}

Both of Die's signature guitars have replica models available in Japan through the ESP and Edwards product lines. ESP offers replicas of the D-DR 300 and DDT #00004. Edwards offers replicas of the same models as ESP and a miniature DDT.

Guitars

Brand	Model	Notes
ESP	DDT #00001	Die's first signature and primary guitar before the D-DR series was made smartly.[1]
ESP	DDT #00002	The only see-through black version of the DDT series.[1]
ESP	DDT #00003	The only see-through dark green version of the DDT series, also the artist's first guitar to have the "Dir En Grey" inlay at the 12th fret.[1]
ESP	DDT #00004	Just the same guitar as DDT# 00001 but also with band logo inlay on 12 fret 1
ESP	DDT #00005	Just the same guitar as DDT #00003, but red color as DDT #00001 & DDT # 00004 1
ESP	D-DR Prototypes	Prototype models of the D-DR series and Die's first baritone guitars, with a 27 inch neck instead of the 25.5 inch of the DDT series.[1]
ESP	D-DR 300	Die's second signature series from ESP from which he has multiple models. The D-DR 300 has the same neck length as the prototype, but a 5mm thicker body.[1]
ESP	D-DR 300 7-String
ESP	MC Custom	Has a metallic grey finish.
ESP	Eclipse Custom	Has a brown and black snakeskin wrap finish on it, Die's only guitar to contain three sets of pickups.
ESP	VP-SL7 7-String
ESP	Die TE Custom	Has 2 different models.
ESP	Die LP Custom	none
ESP	MA-300 SA	Acoustic used for Gauze.
Fender	Esquire	Used for recording
Morris	MT5000	The artist's most regularly used acoustic guitar.

Pickups and other accessories

• Mesa/Boogie 6x Red Leather 4x12 Standard Rectifier Cabinet^[2]
• Mesa/Boogie Red Leather Road King Head^[2]
• Mesa/Boogie TriAxis Preamp
• Mesa/Boogie Red Leather Dual Rectifier Solo Head
• 2x VHT Power Amps
• Roland JC-120 Combo Amp
• Boss FV-300L Volume Pedal
• Dunlop Crybaby 95Q Wah
• Digital Music Corp. Ground Control Pro Foot Controller
• Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 Preamp
• MoogerFooger MF-102 Ring Modulator Pedal
• EHX POG
• EHX Small Clone Chorus
• MXR Phase 100
• EMG SA pickups at both bridge and neck on DDT #00001 and #00004
• Seymour Duncan SSL-4 at neck and ESP SS-RI-120R at bridge on DDT #00002, #00003, #00005, and the D-DR Prototypes.
• Seymour Duncan SH-1N at neck and SH-6B at bridge on D-DR 300
• ESP custom-printed picks
• ESP Dir En Grey series guitar strap

In the DVD that was included with the limited version of their new single, featuring Recordings of all three tracks, Die is seen using an Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff.

In their recent interview with GiGS No. 315, Die and Kaoru used the WARZY DRIVE by Shark Effect for the Dropped A tuning. Die also upgraded his POG to a POG2, The Eventide TIME FACTOR was added, and his Electro Harmonix Small Clone was Modified.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "ESP DDT & D-DR series information". espguitars.co.jp. http://www.espguitars.co.jp/gallery/die/. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Mesa/Boogie Artist Gallery: Die". mesaboogie.com. http://www.mesaboogie.com/gallery_artist/art_gall.php?id=709/. 

External links

• Die's custom guitars at ESP
• Dir en grey - Official Website

Persondata
Name	Die
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 20, 1974
Place of birth	Kumamoto, Japan
Date of death
Place of death