Best 13 Synyster Gates Guitars

Synyster Gates, guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold, has established himself with a distinctive guitar sound that has evolved through various personal collaborations. This roundup examines his most significant guitar endeavors, highlighting the gear and styles that make his playing both recognizable and diverse.

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Reviews

Schecter V-7 Chris Howorth Snake Cross Satin Black

The Schecter Chris Howorth V-7 combines potent Seymour Duncan pickups with solid mahogany construction for a guitar that cuts through any mix. Its Thin C neck design and ultra-access neck carve make it incredibly playable, with smooth access to all 24 frets. That said, the real charm lies in its signature Snake Cross design and matching headstock, making it stand out in any collection.

Schecter Avenger FR S Apocalypse Blue Reign

The solid swamp ash body and 5-ply maple/padauk neck create a lightweight yet responsive platform for this high-performance metal guitar. The Schecter USA bridge humbucker delivers classic rock tones with modern aggression, while the Sustainiac neck pickup provides infinite sustain for those killer solos. Playing comfort comes from the 24 extra-jumbo frets on the compound radius ebony fingerboard, making it a joy to shred at speed.

Sterling by Music Man JP150 John Petrucci Electric Guitar

This Sterling by Music Man electric guitar combines impressive playability with a comfortable neck design that makes it a joy to play, despite some minor blemishes noted in reviews. The active push-push volume control and modern tremolo system give players powerful tone-shaping capabilities right at their fingertips. While some may find the stock pickups a bit lacking, the guitar's overall construction quality and responsive tuning system make it a solid choice for both novice and experienced players alike.

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S Electric Guitar

The Synyster Custom-S packs signature Avenged Sevenfold guitar hero features into a stunning Mahogany body with black and silver stripes. The passive humbucker delivers massive output with Gold Grover hardware and a Floyd Rose tremolo giving you pitch-perfect bends. Whether you're a metal master or just starting out, this guitar nails the look and tone that shredders dream about.

Schecter Synyster Standard Electric Guitar

This signature guitar really lets Synyster Gates' style shine through, with those Floyd Rose tremolo tricks sounding epic. The mahogany body and ultra-thin C neck give it plenty of substance without weighing you down. The black and silver pinstripe finish looks killer on stage, and the humbuckers deliver that killer Avenged Sevenfold tone you'd expect.

Schecter Synyster Standard Electric Guitar

This Schecter Synyster Standard electric guitar captures the signature tone and feel of Avenged Sevenfold's Synyster Gates. The bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fretboard and 24 jumbo frets delivers quick, precise playing, while the Seymour Duncan Invader bridge pickup and EMG 60 neck pickup give you versatile tone options. The Floyd Rose tremolo system keeps your tuning locked tight, and the gloss black finish with silver pin stripes adds a menacing look to this highly playable metal machine.

Schecter Synyster Custom HT

The Schecter Synyster Custom HT is a beast of a guitar that lets you unleash your inner metal god. Its dual Schecter USA humbuckers give you serious chug, whether you're wailing on high gain chords or tearing through blistering solos. The mahogany body and neck deliver massive tone with enough warmth to keep your solos from bleeding into the background. The carbon fiber reinforcement keeps everything stiff and solid, no matter how hard you play. This isn't just a guitar - it's your personal assault weapon for shredding metal.

Schecter Zacky Vengeance ZV 6661

Featuring Seymour Duncan JB pickups and a mahogany neck, this Schecter guitar delivers the classic dark tones that define rock guitar. The 22-fret rosewood fingerboard and Tune-O-Matic bridge give it the playing feel of a guitar built for a metal god, even if you're still developing your chops. While the 6661 graphics look a bit off the factory floor, the guitar itself plays beautifully with great sustain and versatile tone.

Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster

This versatile guitar combines classic Fender design with modern active pickups, delivering bold tone and exceptional playability. The offset semi-hollow body design fights feedback while the slim satin-finished neck invites hours of practice. Whether you're crushing metal riffs or crafting vintage rock tones, this guitar has the versatility to match your muse.

Fender Steve Lacy People Pleaser Stratocaster, Maple Fingerboard, Chaos Burst

This Fender Stratocaster draws from the innovative designs of Synyster Gates while paying homage to classic Strat tones. The Maple fingerboard and deep 'C' neck profile offer exceptional playability, while the Player Plus Noiseless pickups deliver crystal-clear sound without hum. The proprietary chaos fuzz circuit and 5-way switch provide signature warmth alongside traditional Strat clarity, making it a versatile addition to any guitarist's collection.

Schecter Synyster Custom-S Electric Guitar

This Schecter guitar combines impressive sustain from its signature humbucker with the versatility of a Floyd Rose tremolo. The mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard create a comfortable playing experience, while the satin gold finish adds a sleek touch to this otherwise aggressive metal machine.

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S Signature Guitar

The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S is a beast of a guitar that lives up to its aggressive metal roots. With a stunning black finish and silver pinstripes, it looks as menacing as it sounds. The mahogany neck and Seymour Duncan pickups deliver incredibly responsive tones that can go from shredding lead work to deep, sustain-heavy riffs. While it shows some minor playwear, the guitar still plays and sounds amazing, making it a fantastic addition to any metal guitarist's collection.

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S Electric Guitar

This guitar, featuring a mahogany body and neck, delivers exceptional tone whether you're chugging heavy metal riffs or finger-picking clean chords. The Floyd Rose bridge keeps it perfectly in tune, while the sustainiac system extends notes into heavenly echoes. You'll want to check out those purple body stripes and cool death bat inlays up close – they're even more awesome in person than in photos!

Buyer's Guide

Synyster Gates guitars combine powerful tone with versatile performance capabilities, making them a popular choice among musicians. Understanding the key factors that influence their sound and playability will help you select the right model for your playing style and musical needs.

Tone and Timber

Synyster Gates guitars typically feature solid wood construction, with popular choices including maple, mahogany, and ash. The body wood significantly affects the guitar's tone, with maple bodies offering bright, articulate sound while mahogany provides warmer, more sustained tones. The neck wood, usually maple or mahogany, contributes to the guitar's overall character. Pay attention to the wood type and its quality to achieve your desired sound.

Electronics and pickups

The pickup configuration determines the guitar's tonal versatility. Standard models include humbucking pickups that deliver clear, resistant tone with plenty of output for active stage environments. Some models offer hum-canceling options or single-coil alternatives for a more distinctive sound. Consider the pickup configuration that matches your playing style and the genres you perform.

Build Quality and Construction

A Synyster Gates guitar's build quality reflects in its attention to detail and component selection. Look for features like bound fingerboards, precise hardware fit, and consistent neck joint. The guitar's setup, including truss rod adjustability and bridge stability, affects playability and longevity. Testing the guitar's action, intonation, and overall feel is crucial before making a purchase.

Personal Fit and Playing Style

Selecting a Synyster Gates guitar requires considering your physical size and playing preferences. The neck profile, scale length, and body style all influence comfort and playability. Players with smaller hands may prefer a slim neck profile, while those with longer reaches might opt for a longer scale length. Testing the guitar's weight distribution and balance is essential for finding a model that suits your playing style.

FAQ

What kind of guitars are included in this roundup?

This roundup focuses specifically on Synyster Gates' guitar collection, featuring various models and configurations that the guitarist has used throughout his career.

The guitars range from his main performance instruments to practice models, allowing readers to understand the significance of each instrument in his setup.

Why is Synyster Gates' guitar collection important?

As a prominent guitarist in the metal genre, Synyster Gates' instrument choices significantly influence his sound and stage presence. His collection represents modern metal guitar design and technology.

Examining his guitars helps music enthusiasts understand the evolving relationship between guitarists and their instruments in contemporary rock music.

What sets these guitars apart from others on the market?

Many of these guitars incorporate advanced features like active humbucking pickups, aggressive body contours, and innovative strap designs to enhance stage performance and comfort.

Some models incorporate custom features requested by Synyster Gates himself, demonstrating the collaboration between guitarists and manufacturers.

How do these guitars compare in terms of sound quality?

The active humbucking pickups offer clear, articulate tone with plenty of gain for heavy metal applications, while still maintaining good clarity for clean or semi-clean tones.

Some models feature additional tone controls or switching options that allow for versatile sound shaping, particularly useful during live performances.

What maintenance requirements do these guitars have?

Like most modern electric guitars, these instruments require regular maintenance including string changes, neck adjustment, and pickup cleaning.

Some models may need special attention to their aggressive body designs, with extra care required to prevent damage during transport or performance.

Are these guitars suitable for both practice and performance?

Each guitar in the collection is designed with specific purposes in mind - practice models may have simpler features, while main performance instruments incorporate advanced ergonomic and technical features.

The versatility of the collection means musicians can choose the right guitar for their current needs, whether warming up before a show or recording in a studio.

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