Kanami Tōno: “I never want to forget the excitement I felt when I first picked up a PRS”

PRS celebrates Japanese hard rock icon Kanami Tōno with her first-ever signature guitar

The Band-Maid guitarist honors her very first PRS by choosing a Smokeburst finish, Brush Stroke Bird inlays, and thoughtfully designed electronics.

PRS continues its run of high-end electric guitars with the release of the PRS Kanami — a model crafted specifically for Japanese hard rock virtuoso Kanami Tōno of Band-Maid.

This limited-edition signature guitar is powered by PRS 85/15 pickups, delivering exceptional clarity along with extended high and low frequency response. A pair of mini-toggle switches allows the full-bodied humbuckers to be instantly converted into crisp single-coil tones, dramatically expanding the guitar’s tonal palette.

The mahogany body is topped with quilted maple, while a one-piece mahogany neck is paired with a 24-fret ebony fingerboard featuring distinctive Brush Stroke Bird inlays that lend the instrument a refined artistic flair.

Smoked Black hardware includes a PRS Gen III fixed bridge with a tremolo arm, along with PRS Phase III locking tuners that blend modern locking performance with a touch of vintage elegance.

According to Kanami, selecting the guitar’s color was a lengthy process. She ultimately chose a distinctive Trampas Green Smokeburst finish. The color references her very first PRS guitar, with the Smokeburst element adding a more restrained and sophisticated aesthetic. The Band-Maid logo also appears on the cover of the guitar’s dual-action truss rod.

“I never want to forget the feeling of excitement I had when I first got a PRS,” says Kanami.
“It’s a way of keeping that beginner’s spirit alive, while also declaring my commitment to moving forward with this guitar by my side.”

Band-Maid formed in 2013 as a bold contrast between the visual imagery of Japanese maid café workers and hard-hitting rock music. Their music videos routinely surpass ten million views, and their latest album, Epic Narratives, features guest appearances from Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger and members of The Warning.

“PRS has always been an essential part of Band-Maid’s sound ever since I started playing the Custom 24,” Kanami explains.
“When I decided to become a professional guitarist, one of my dreams was to have a signature model — and that dream has come true here. The thought that someone out there will be playing the Kanami signature model makes me incredibly emotional. I might even cry!”

On the subject of emotion, Kanami previously told Guitar World in 2020 about her approach to lead playing:
“A great guitar solo should trigger emotions. I always keep that in mind.”

Her fellow guitarist Miku Kobato has already been honored with her own elaborate “Flappy Pigeon” signature guitar.

Production is strictly limited to just 200 units, with each guitar hand-signed by Kanami on the rear electronics cover.