Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Oh I thought it was great just the way it went. It wasn’t too long on the history.
For choices for guitar subject there was a lot to take in and a lot of ground covered:

There was your original guitar hero in Japan that takes the look in the mirror and see how it looks, whatever looks the best that’s what you should go with. It’s a funny approach at first but the more you think about it the more it makes sense. Every guitar is going to fit someone else differently

There was the body shape and how that fits you. Also how the design of a Strat type guitar sits well balanced.

Also how you learned how to strum lighter how for your style now a single coil sounds so nice and for that reason tend to favor single coil overall now.

You also talked about liking lighter weight guitars and that you prefer maple necks but for new guitars rosewood they breathe better. The new maples can have a lot of paint.
The pros and cons of flat Gibson and fender with the radius and how you tend to like radius of fender.
There’s no perfect guitar also there’s pros and cons to all. And guitars are imperfect instruments.

The pickups also are like microphones they are the voice but you also need the right body and materials for it all to come together

Really interesting.
Thanks again for sharing and making the time for us.
Yes was great to all connect I always look forward to these live streams

Thank you for your reply Jeffery!
So happy to hear that.

Originally I wanted to cover more about "Differences" and choices on guitars in general but I really thought I should share my honest view on how I choose my guitar.

The bottom line is really does not matter which ever guitar you choose!
As long as you love it as your playing style & the tone that you have been looking for.

This topic is a little deep than I was thinking.
So many parts involved. Not only body shapes but also pickups, neck profile, prices and more!

I am not saying that Stratocasters are the best choice but it it a great choice for imporiving your skills. Because that body shape is so perfect for strumming, palm muting and more!

Yes! You know my reason to chose toward single coil pickups. More pure and more dynamic range. HB produce more mids and low...so slightly lack top end. This means...you can play a little harder and you don't notice it. I have learned my picking volume technique with dynamics so I can play HB with care.

I prefer lighter weight guitars. Someone (companies) sent me a few guitars that a little heavy side. I don't play those. That Black Esquire... I bought it from Sweetwater because I can choose lightest weight guitar. Same as my Epiphone SG Jr.. I bought them from Sweetwater., I bought two so I can compare with different bridge and different pickup for studying purpose. See! To learn something is not FREE!

That's correct! There is no perfect guitar!
When people ask me " Which one guitar do you choose " if you ...island..."
I think I prefer to think how we survive! I may pick large acoustic guitar so I can make a fire!

About pickups... a lot of myth...
You're very welcome! I am so happy to hear that you got a few takeaway from this live stream.

Thank you.
Tomo

Thank you Jiayang for joining my GW Live Stream.
Tell me more about your Gibson ES-335?
How did you decide to buy that guitar?
When? How? What made you to buy Gibson ES-335?

I am just curious,
Thank you.

Tomo

Great live stream and I appreciate the summary Jeffery. All kinds of options to understand and experience. New 5way switch for Tomo's Guitar? :), minor technical difficulties found at a good time!! Just like any machine they need maintenance. The explanation on rosewood vs. Maple face necks was a key takeaway on how the breath. I dig the history of fender's choice of body style. Always changing a guitar with practice seems to help certain focus or new findings to work on. Always listening and searching for a nice pleasing dynamic tone. Great to chat with everything during this live stream :) - johno

Thank you Johno for joining GW streaming live!

I really appreciate it! Yes! I just put all together. Maybe that 5 way switch is the problem?
No front (neck) pickup... I will check it later. I need to make a new YouTube video today.

I love maple neck as long as vintage guitars. In 1959... many players complained about maple neck being "Dirty" so Leo Fender changes it to rosewood (Slab Board).

I do every 15-20 minutes I change a guitar so I am not get used to one thing.
And less worry about frets! (just my way....)

Thank you!

Tomo

Hey Tomo, it could be The ground connection, typically I find that the issue. If the pickups buzz up to the right ohms k value, awesome. The guitar does seem to have a unique wiring with your setup parallel config. If the pick plate is clean, and ground is good, a trim pot? Crazy sometimes if sound taps out of the guitar OK, put it together then it doesn't sound tap or sing, intermittent wire solder or pickup grounded out because it accidentally made contact in the signal path. Curious what you find. It seems like a special wiring recipe to not mess up or it won't be the same! Many hours on that Guitar, 8k$guitar... maybe get your guitar tech on it and use an alternative time being, less headaches. So many options, I know you'll get it! Wishing you all great success on the fix! - johno

You da' man Tomo! That is so cool, completely your own. It seems complicated to me when it is a custom rig like that. I dig trying new stuff to experiment with :) I need to practice too tho and not get too side tracked with tone, cheers - johno

Thank you Johno,

So finally it worked. But funny part is when I redid that wiring ... it worded.
Next day morning, did not work... then maybe a few hours later worked.
Then next day... it 's not working! Now I ask Seymour Duncan to ship another front pickup.

Thank you.

Tomo

Hey everybody! Finally got the chance to listen to the livestream from last week. SO interesting to learn how so many different things influence Tomo’s guitar choices. I went and listened to some Char. Amazing musician, so talented and super-clean. Highly recommend giving it a listen.
Tomo, thanks for adding more insight into your role in developing the Ibanez AZES31. From my end, I can certainly agree that the build quality and finish are top notch. I’m still learning all the capabilities of this guitar, but the looks, playability, and tone are exceptional. Thanks for all your work with Ibanez!
And I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpse of this particular livestream. It’s always interesting to learn how someone thinks outside of the typical guitar stuff one reads in magazines and the internet. And I happen to think all your guitars are beautiful!. Also enjoyed learning what all the forum members play.

Thank you Linda for watching the Live Stream from last one!

I talked a lot about my influences so you understand that everyone got own special thing!

Char is so amazing! His main guitar was a Fender Mustang. Now he plays a Stratocaster.

Ibanez asked me another project for the AZES... " Joint development " for in 2026!
I am so thrilled about this. Your AZES31 is very special! My pleasure!

Thank you!

Tomo

Guys , That's really really cool of Live trailer !
Tomo tell us Never ever give up dream !

We’re almost live

See you soon!!!

Feel the much enthusiasm , thank you my GW family , so passion to learning , inspire me love guitar even more!
Grateful for everything you have done .
Oh ! I love your guys!

李jiayang we are better because you are here!