The hide Fernandes guitars are some of the most recognizable Japanese guitars ever made. In the 1990s, hide of X JAPAN was one of the key faces of Fernandes, and his Mockingbird-style guitars ran from the sticker-covered “Army Panther” to the green “Ameba” and the Yellow Heart. This article walks through each one; for the company behind them, see the Fernandes Brand Guide.
hide Fernandes Guitars Quick Facts
- Artist: hide, lead guitarist of X JAPAN
- Brands: Fernandes and Burny
- Body shape: Mockingbird-style, inspired by B.C. Rich
- Famous guitars: Army Panther, Ameba, Yellow Heart
- Signature features: psychedelic finishes, acrylic bodies, the Fernandes Sustainer
Prefer to watch? This article is based on my own short video below.
The Mockingbird That Defined hide
hide (written in lowercase) was the lead guitarist of X JAPAN, the band that shaped Japanese hard rock and the visual kei look. In the 1990s he was one of the most visible artists on the Fernandes roster, and his guitars were as much a part of his image as his hair and stage clothes.
His main weapon was the Fernandes MG series, a Mockingbird-style model inspired by B.C. Rich. The sharp, asymmetric body made him stand out on any stage. He played this shape from his indie days and kept it after joining X, so for many fans the Mockingbird simply is hide.
“Army Panther”: The Sticker-Covered Mockingbird
One of his early Mockingbirds was covered in stickers. Layer by layer, the guitar developed its own personality, and fans came to call it “Army Panther”. It is a good example of how hide treated a guitar: not as a finished product, but as something he kept making his own.
“Ameba”: The Green Mockingbird on Blue Blood
On Blue Blood (1989), the album that made X a major force in Japan, hide played a green Mockingbird known as “Ameba”. Its wild graphic made a strong impression and still comes up whenever fans talk about his guitars.
Its origin is still debated. Some fans believe the base guitar was a Fernandes, others say it started life as a B.C. Rich. As far as I know, there is no confirmed answer, and the exact origin is still considered unknown today.
hide Fernandes Signature Models: Psychedelic, Acrylic and Sustainer
As his popularity grew, Fernandes put hide front and center and released many signature models. They shared the Mockingbird shape but went in very different visual directions:
- Psychedelic finishes: loud, swirling graphics that look like nothing else on a guitar wall.
- Acrylic bodies: see-through bodies that put the look ahead of tradition.
- Fernandes Sustainer: a built-in system that keeps a note ringing for as long as you hold it, so you get endless sustain and feedback-style effects without cranking an amp.
These guitars were produced under both the Fernandes name and the Burny name. Examples include the Burny MG-145S and MG-165S and the Fernandes MG-120X and MG-100X. If the two logos confuse you, Fernandes vs Burny explains how one company ran two brands.
| Guitar | When | Look | Why fans remember it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army Panther | Indie era to early X | Mockingbird covered in stickers | A guitar he kept making his own |
| Ameba | Blue Blood (1989) | Green Mockingbird with a wild graphic | Iconic look; origin still unknown |
| Psychedelic models (e.g. MG-120X) | 1990s | Swirling psychedelic finishes | Pure visual impact |
| Acrylic models (e.g. MG-115C) | 1990s | See-through acrylic body | Looked unlike any other guitar |
| Sustainer models (e.g. Burny MG-125S) | 1990s | Mockingbird with the Fernandes Sustainer | Endless sustain built in |
| Yellow Heart | Later years | Yellow with hearts | The guitar most fans connect with hide |
Yellow Heart: The Guitar That Represents hide
In his later years, the defining image became the YELLOW HEART. For many fans, this is the guitar that represents hide the most: bright, playful and impossible to mistake for anyone else’s.
The look, the attitude and the presence all left a lasting impact. Burny later offered Yellow Heart models such as the MG-145S HY and MG-165S, both with the Sustainer.
Buying a hide Model Today
hide models now turn up mainly on the used market, in Japan and overseas. A few quick checks help:
- Logo: check whether it is a Fernandes or a Burny, and that the model number matches the finish.
- Sustainer: on Sustainer models, test that it actually works, because repairs are harder now.
- Graphic condition: on Yellow Heart and psychedelic finishes, the graphic is the whole point, so look closely at wear and touch-ups.
For where these models sit in the company story, see my Fernandes guitars history.
Final Thoughts
hide showed that a guitar could be part of an artist’s identity, not just a tool. From the stickers on Army Panther to the green Ameba and the Yellow Heart, each design said something about him, and Fernandes and Burny made it possible for fans to own a piece of that.
Which hide guitar design caught your eye the most? Let me know in the comments on the video.
FAQ
What guitar did hide from X JAPAN play?
hide mainly played Mockingbird-style guitars made by Fernandes, inspired by the B.C. Rich Mockingbird. Signature models were also sold under the Burny name.
What is hide’s Yellow Heart guitar?
Yellow Heart is the yellow Mockingbird with heart graphics that became his defining guitar in his later years. Burny released Yellow Heart models such as the MG-145S HY and MG-165S with the Sustainer.
What is the Ameba guitar?
Ameba is the green Mockingbird hide played on the X album Blue Blood (1989). Fans still debate whether its base was a Fernandes or a B.C. Rich, and its exact origin is considered unknown.
What is the Army Panther guitar?
Army Panther is the fans’ name for hide’s sticker-covered Mockingbird, which he used from his indie era into his early years with X.
Do hide signature models have a Sustainer?
Some do. Several Fernandes and Burny hide models have the Fernandes Sustainer, which keeps notes ringing for as long as you hold them.
Are hide models Fernandes or Burny?
Both. hide models were produced under the Fernandes name and the Burny name, two brands of the same company.
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