WHERE CREATIVITY AND CULTURE COLLIDE

This year’s Osaka Sound Messe was packed with energy, creativity, and passionate guitar enthusiasts — and Vola Guitars was proud to be right in the thick of it. Held at the vibrant ATC Hall in Osaka’s scenic Nanko district, the event welcomed 8,794 visitors over two days, up nearly 10% from last year. The show continues to grow, attracting players, builders, and collectors from all corners of the music world. Our booth saw a steady flow of traffic, with players of all backgrounds eager to explore our line-up, ask questions, and plug in. There was a tangible sense of curiosity and excitement, especially among those seeing Vola instruments up close for the first time. For many, it was a rare opportunity to try out guitars they had only seen online or heard about through word of mouth. Connecting with players face-to-face is something we truly value, and Sound Messe gave us the perfect setting for it.

Among the models on display, the OZ 7 QGM J3 stood out as the clear crowd favorite. Its bold look, extended scale, 7-string setup, and Bare Knuckle pickups made it a real conversation starter. Dozens of visitors paused to take photos, and even more wanted to feel it in their hands. Not far behind was the OZ RV TNC, which also drew attention for its sharp flamed top and tone-shaping intricacies — something many players hadn’t expected but were excited to discover. The OZ Keene Machine drew a lot of positive attention as well, with several visitors commenting on the bold green finish and overall vibe. The OZ AP Supernova, equipped with an Evertune bridge, intrigued players curious about unwavering tuning stability, with one visitor mentioning she came specifically to try that system out. Throughout the weekend, it was clear that Vola’s design philosophy — modern playability, standout looks, and thoughtful specs — resonated with the Messe crowd.

A highlight moment came when popular YouTube guitarist Nacoco stopped by the booth. Known for her technical playing, stylish visual presentation, and masked persona, she brought her signature charisma and drew plenty of attention from attendees. Her visit was a fun surprise, and it was great to connect with someone whose work resonates with so many guitar fans online. We were also fortunate to collaborate with several companies, including Neural DSP, who kindly lent us a Quad Cortex for our booth demos, and BOSS (Roland), who provided a Katana-50 EX Gen 3 amp and a Katana-110 Bass amp. Their support made it easy for visitors to explore the full range of tones our guitars can offer. Outside of the booth, the live stage hosted some impressive displays — especially during a powerful set by Kelly SIMONZ, one of Japan’s premier neoclassical players. His playing and energy lit up the room, leaving a lasting impression. Events like Sound Messe remind us why we’re committed to pushing guitar design forward — not just in how our instruments look and feel, but in how they connect with players around the world. Seeing new faces discover Vola for the first time, hearing real feedback, and sharing ideas with fellow creators fuels everything we do. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth — we’re already looking ahead to what’s next.