Amber Bain, the innovative force behind the acclaimed musical project The Japanese House, recently graced the studios of The Current for an intimate in-session performance hosted by Mark Wheat. Fans eagerly anticipating the session, set to air on Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 p.m., will also be treated to an exclusive web feature capturing the essence of this musical encounter.
During her visit, Amber Bain, the lead vocalist and guitarist for The Japanese House, brought along a couple of her cherished guitars. Following the recording session, she generously shared insights into her most treasured instrument, offering a glimpse into the personal connection musicians forge with their guitars.
Diving into the Details: Unpacking the Fender Mustang
What model of guitar are we looking at?
“This beauty is a Fender Mustang, specifically a vintage 1976 model,” Bain revealed. The story behind its acquisition is as charming as it is serendipitous. “I stumbled upon it in a guitar shop near my place, drawn in by, well, a girl,” she chuckled. “I played it while she was there, and she casually remarked, ‘Oh yeah, it suits you—it sounds really cool!'”.
Driven by teenage infatuation, Bain made a return visit, hoping for another encounter. “She was there again, so, on impulse, I bought it, all to impress her,” Bain admitted with a laugh. “I never actually spoke to her again after that,” she added, “but this guitar? I absolutely adore it.” This anecdote highlights how personal experiences can intertwine with our musical instrument choices, turning guitars into vessels of stories and memories.
Amber Bain
London Roots: Shoreditch vs. Denmark Street
Was this guitar find in the legendary Denmark Street of London, known for its guitar shops?
“No, surprisingly, this wasn’t a Denmark Street find,” Bain clarified. “It was in Shoreditch. Of course, I’ve explored Denmark Street numerous times, but this Mustang in Shoreditch simply stood out. I was immediately drawn to its unique color, this wonderfully strange hue. It’s almost…gross, but in a delightful way. Like a mustard yellow, but with its own character.” This detail adds a layer of personal preference and aesthetic appreciation to Bain’s choice, showcasing that the appeal of a guitar goes beyond just sound and playability.
Sound and Synergy: Voicing the Mustang
Could you describe the sonic qualities of this Fender Mustang?
Bain offered an insightful perspective on the guitar’s tonal nuances. “Interestingly, it’s not universally the best-sounding guitar with every amplifier setup – as is the case with many guitars,” she noted. “Specifically, through a Vox amp, it really doesn’t shine!” she laughed, highlighting the importance of amp and guitar pairing.
However, Bain quickly pointed out its ideal match. “But paired with a Fender Vibrolux amplifier, this guitar truly sings. It sounds absolutely lovely through that combination.” This emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between guitars and amplifiers in shaping a musician’s signature sound.
“The Mustang’s smaller body size is also a perfect fit, especially since I’m not particularly tall,” Bain added. “It almost feels like a toy guitar in my hands, which is a really comfortable and enjoyable feeling.” This highlights the ergonomic aspect of guitar choice, especially for players with smaller frames.
Live Performance and Studio Secrets
Is this 1976 Fender Mustang your go-to workhorse for live performances?
“Actually, I don’t use it as extensively live as one might think,” Bain revealed, surprising some. “It’s specifically dedicated to one song in our setlist. There’s a track I recorded, ‘Letter By the Water,’ where I unknowingly recorded the guitar with the tuning three-quarters of a step down across all strings. I hadn’t checked my tuning before hitting record!”
This accidental discovery led to a unique live performance requirement. “Realizing this, I had to tune all the guitars down, but then I went a full step down,” she explained. “It’s a bit of a funny situation! So, for live shows, I bring out this Mustang. It’s in standard tuning, but a whole step lower than normal, so a capo won’t work – I have to physically detune it. That’s its dedicated purpose – ‘Letter By the Water.'”
“I used to use it for everything, though,” she reminisced, indicating its past versatility in her musical journey.
From Writing to Stage: A Creative Companion
Considering its history, has it been a songwriting companion as well?
“Absolutely, I do write songs on this guitar,” Bain confirmed. “While I occasionally use a nylon-string guitar for writing, I generally gravitate towards electric guitars, and this Mustang is a frequent choice. And of course, my laptop is part of my songwriting process too. But this Fender Mustang is definitely my favorite guitar to play at home. It’s simply lovely and inspiring.” This emphasizes the guitar’s role beyond performance, highlighting its significance in the intimate creative process of songwriting.
Amber Bain
Unconventional Style: The Upside-Down Lefty Approach
Your playing style is quite distinctive – left-handed, but on a right-handed guitar, played upside down. Can you tell us about that?
“Yes, when I first started learning, being left-handed, I attempted to play right-handed, but it just didn’t feel right,” Bain explained about her unique style. “Then, I had this thought: I didn’t want to be limited to left-handed guitars. What if I was at someone’s house and they had a guitar? I wanted to be able to pick it up and play.”
This practical consideration shaped her unconventional approach. “So, I decided to learn this way – upside down,” she stated. This choice presented some early challenges. “Guitar teachers were not thrilled,” she laughed. “They’d get quite frustrated, insisting, ‘You have to restring it and learn properly!’ But I was just like, no, this works for me.”
Bain’s unconventional method hasn’t hindered her musical expression. “And it hasn’t held me back at all, I believe. Though, admittedly, it does look a bit funny playing a guitar upside-down!” she chuckled. “But I’m so accustomed to it now that when I see guitars played ‘normally,’ the right way up, it actually looks really strange to me!” This highlights the personal and adaptable nature of musical expression, where unconventional methods can lead to unique artistic voices.
Finding Inspiration and Forging a Unique Technique
Did you model your playing after any specific guitarist, or did you develop your chord shapes independently?
“I largely figured things out on my own,” Bain said regarding her self-taught technique. “Interestingly, playing upside down has actually enhanced my playing, particularly for fingerpicking. For some reason, it feels much more natural. With the bass notes, I’m using my stronger forefinger, and then the higher notes are handled by my thumb, which is also quite strong. This allows me to execute a lot of interesting fingerpicking patterns quite easily.” This reveals how adapting to an unconventional style can unlock unexpected technical advantages and contribute to a distinctive musical voice, as exemplified by The Japanese House.
Resources:
The Japanese House Official Website
Fender Guitars Official Website
