Synyster Gates Guitars and Gear List (2024 Update)

Heavy metal music began in the late 1960s and has only grown over time, resulting in unexpected subgenres. With extreme metal genres popping up, the essence of the genre has also evolved with time. And at the forefront of this modern metal wave is Avenged Sevenfold and its lead guitarist, Synyster Gates, as a main exponent. Synyster is undoubtedly one of the most talented guitarists in modern metal.

In one of his interviews, Syn said that he was introduced to Pantera when his father bought him one of their CD’s and since then he wanted to be able to do what Dimebag Darrell was doing. He realized what kind of playing style he wanted and spent his formative years working on that.

Gates has been described as someone who could do finger-twisting licks, acrobatic sweeps, diabolical chromatics, and majestic dual-harmonies. In the following years Gates, Shadows, and The Rev developed their own sound by practicing together and helping each other grow into better performers. They constantly pushed themselves harder than before while building Avenged Sevenfold.

What Guitar Does Synyster Gates Play?

Synyster Gates plays Schecter Synyster guitars, which are his signature model. Schecter has manufactured an entire series of signature models based on his custom preferences to deliver the ultimate Avenged Sevenfold sound he is known for. He’s also known to have a few other models in his rig.

See the full list of Synyster Gates guitars and gear below.

Schecter Synyster Custom-S

Finish	Black with Golden/Silver Pinstripes
Years Used	2007 to Present

Gates’ most iconic six-string is one of many, all following the same patterns that made his extension rather iconic in the first place.

Over the years, there have been numerous variations of this instrument, but this one became a visual staple when seeing Gates perform either live or in the studio. It was one of the very first models to come out of the Schecter factory and into Syn’s hands, being one of his main go-to six-strings for Bat Country, there’s little room for argument on the relevance of this particular Schecter.

Gate’s No. 1 weapon in his arsenal, both on and off stage, is still the Custom-S model. It’s a beast with top-notch performance, featuring a top-of-the-line Seymour Duncan Custom Invader bridge pickup for the heaviest tones a passive pickup can generate. And a Sustainiac neck pickup with a control mechanism for changing the pickup’s volume and the amount of sustain. The Sustainiac pickup is also one of the guitar’s greatest aspects, allowing Syn to add his distinct flavor to the sound. It also has a Synyster Gates Custom humbucker at the bridge position.

The Custom-S model’s neck profile confirms that it was tailor-made for hardcore shredders. It’s the so-called “thin C” neck, which is identical to the classic “C” profile but is slightly slimmer.

This guitar is a complete heavy metal mean machine, especially with the Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge. This signature guitar has a mahogany body with an ebony fretboard. And of course, it has Synyster’s iconic Deathbat and “SYN” inlays, as well as a black finish with silver pinstripes. Finally, for maximum performance, it employs Grover tuning pegs of the highest quality.

This Guitar has also been seen in other finishes such as Black with Silver pinstripes, Black with Red pinstripes, White with Gold pinstripes, Gold Burst, Dark Earth Burst, and several others. In 2016, Schecter re-released the custom ‘S’ models in a gold burst finish, which featured the Schecter Synyster signature humbucker pickup.

Schecter Synyster Gates Avenger Bat Country

Finish	Glossed Black
Years Used	2005 to Present

The Schecter Avenger Bat Country is based on Synyster’s signature Schecter avenger model. This guitar was made specifically for the song ‘of the same name, released by the A7X in 2005 to complement the wild majesty of the song and bring out its brutal energy through Syn’s crazy yet beautiful guitar parts.

This particular six-string made its debut in the ‘Bat Country’ music video. Later on, only 100 copies of it have been released as a limited edition model, made for only the most dedicated fans, each personally signed and approved by Synyster Gates himself.

The Avenger Bat Country has a mahogany body and a three-piece mahogany neck with a gloss black finish, giving it a quality texture and a screaming metal vibe. It also features the customary Seymour Duncan Invader pickups found in many of Synyster’s other guitars.

The 3-way pickup switch, along with the volume/tone knobs offer a lot of tonal possibilities. The Mother of Pearl and Abalone Split Crown inlays are a unique feature that isn’t found on Synyster’s other Schecter guitars.

Schecter Synyster Custom ‘Golden Goddess’

Finish	White with Golden Stripes
Years Used	2011 to Present

One of the plenty variants of Gates’ custom signature model, this golden one has remained ever present in his lineup as one of the most dynamic siblings.

He’s used this guitar to record several tracks, although it is most often seen during his live performances. Syn has used this guitar in a variety of crazy and spectacular finishes throughout his career, including the one with Jack Nicholson’s ‘Joker’ artwork, the next model that was inspired by this six-string.

The Schecter Synyster white custom is designed to produce Synyster’s characteristic ominous and exceptionally heavy tone. It features a mahogany body and a fine ebony fretboard. It lacks the Sustainiac but has the new custom Synyster signature ‘Synbucker’ pickups at the bridge, which offers nothing less in terms of sound yet a different tone for a few tunes.

It also comes loaded with a Floyd Rose Original locking tremolo that enables one to perform the gentlest tremolo or the most insane dive-bombing effects while keeping perfect tune. And obviously, Deathbat fretboard inlays with SYN in gothic script add to the unique Synyster accent.

This Schecter Synyster custom was also re-released in some other stunning finishes, such as the Schecter Synyster ‘Red Rum’ model in 2011 when it was first made available to the market. This is easily one of the most iconic Synyster Gates Guitars of all time.

Schecter Synyster Custom Joker Special Edition

Finish	Purple with Green Pinstripes
Years Used	2013 to 2014

One of the versions of the Schecter Synyster Custom guitar model is the Schecter Synyster Custom Joker Edition. A limited run of these fantastic joker-styled guitars in 2013, demonstrating Syn’s passion and admiration for the character “Joker” from the DC franchise movie. This guitar was mostly seen on stage during the A7X’s tours in and around 2013, where Syn played this amazing beast.

The Schecter Special Version Synyster Gates Custom Joker edition is a full-fledged metal monster, which is exactly what it was designed to be. It features a 3-piece mahogany neck for added stability, as well as a pair of super-hot Seymour Duncan Custom Invader humbuckers, just like the original edition, for an extremely high output – just what Syn needs to light the stage on fire. The Special Joker Edition Synyster Gates Custom also features a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge like its predecessors, which led Gates to be even crazier with his playing. This guitar suited Syn’s skills perfectly.

Schecter PT Fastback

Finish	Black Gloss/Red
Years Used	2003 to 2004

Another electric guitar used by Synyster Gates worth mentioning is his Schecter Fastback PT, one that saw some extensive action throughout the band’s early and formative years. It was primarily seen with Syn while touring during the Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘Waking The Fallen’ era around the early 2000s.

It’s a two-humbucker Telecaster-shaped guitar with a string-thru body. The Fastback was a very versatile piece and an easy solution for all the heavy tones that Syn needed over his career. The PT Fastback that Gates used has been modified by Schecter over the years. The present-day PT Fastback features a Maple body and neck with a bolt-on construction.

It also features a Duncan Designed FG-101B pickup in the bridge position and a Schecter Diamond Custom Alnico pickup in the neck position. It has retained its versatility through time, which is one of the first reasons why Syn used it during his tours.

 Schecter City Of Evil C-1 FR

Finish	Gloss Pearl White
Years Used	2004 to 2005

The Schecter City of Evil C-1 FR is unique in that it was the first Schecter guitar delivered to Synyster Gates after signing with the company. Synyster Gates also used the Schecter C-1 FR for the recording and tour for the album “City of Evil” published in 2005.

Even though Schecter guitars couldn’t give him a signature model at the time due to being too busy, they did so the following year. A black variant of the C-1 FR belonged to Gates as well.

The body and neck of this icy beauty were made of mahogany with a beautiful pearl white finish. Gates had been a major fan of Seymour Duncan pickups from his early days with the band, thus the C-1 FR was laden with them. These pickups are heavily wounded ceramic pickups that are ideal for Syn’s very high gain requirements.

They gave the rhythm portions ample low-end and crystal clear high-ends, which was ideal for Syn’s luscious and powerful metal tone. The Floyd Rose 1500 tremolo on this guitar allowed Syn to do crazy things to the strings while retaining a steady tuning.

Schecter Synyster Gates Standard

Finish	Black with White stripes
Years Used	2005 to 2006

Synyster Gates’ first-generation model was Schecter’s first signature design that they made with him. The body and neck of this Synyster signature Schecter are mahogany, similar to the signature models that followed later along the line.

It also features the traditional Seymour Duncan Invader pickup setup, which used to be Syn’s hallmark before the introduction of the modern Synbuckers. Instead of the Gothic-style lettering present in later versions, the Schecter Synyster Gates 1st Gen Guitar has plain “SYN” inlays. Another distinction is that this instrument has a Deathbat logo on the headstock instead of the skull with a Tophat emblem.

With this guitar, Synyster Gates is most often seen performing in 2006. This guitar was also featured in the music video for Avenged Sevenfold’s “Seize the Day.”

Gibson ES-335 Dot

Finish	Cherry Red
Years Used	2003 to Present

The Gibson ES-335 is a rare and unique member of Synyster’s arsenal. This is an electric guitar that is usually famous among Jazz musicians but since Gates was also heavily inspired by jazz and blues genres, he also became a proud owner of one of these beauties.

This guitar appeared once in a behind-the-scenes video taken in the ‘City of Evil’ days around 2005 where Syn can be seen playing this beauty. Rumor has it that the Gibson ES-335 was used by Syn for recording the clean guitar parts in the song ‘Bat country’. This guitar was also used by him for several studio sessions over the years.

The Gibson ES-335 DOT is regarded as the centerpiece of the Gibson ES series. A hand-rolled Rounded “C” mahogany neck with Pearloid dot inlay and rosewood fingerboard provides great comfort.

This guitar is equipped with Gibson’s Calibrated T-Type humbucking pickups and a hand-wired control assembly, resulting in a versatility that blends in well with the Syn’s other guitars. Vintage Deluxe tuners with Keystone buttons, as well as a lightweight Aluminum ABR-1 bridge, distinguish the Gibson ES-335 Dot, making it an excellent addition to Gates’ collection.

This guitar also has been used by other notable guitar legends like Eric Johnson, BB King, Eric Clapton, and many others.

 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Finish	Alpine White
Years Used	2003 to 2005

The Gibson Les Paul Custom is a fiery combo of elegance and physical strength, with its sonic punch, smooth playability, and traditional “tuxedo” embellishments. The complementing 490/498 humbucker configuration is so versatile that the player can go straight to full shred mode from quiet jazz in the blink of an eye.

This guitar features a body made of fine mahogany, with a 2-piece carved maple top – a tried-and-true combination for a rich, sustained, expressive tone. These elite qualities align perfectly with Synyster’s vision; hence it occupies a well-deserving place in his touring rig.

The Gibson Les Paul Custom is also well-known for its ease of playability; many guitarists describe it as “effortless.” The Custom was even dubbed the “Fretless Wonder” for being so. Gates was seen flaunting this gorgeous guitar in the video of ‘Unholy Confessions’ released by Avenged Sevenfold in 2003.

Parker Fly Deluxe

Finish	Deluxe Glossed Red
Years Used	2003 to 2004

During the early days of his band and the Warped Tour in 2003, Gates carried the Parker Fly guitar. It was noteworthy because Syn played only one Parker guitar throughout his whole musical career, and he did it live, implying that it was quite fun to play.

The Fly is also one of the first electric guitars to employ composite materials. Its lightness and resonance set it apart. It was one of the first electric guitars to use both magnetic and piezoelectric pickups, offering acoustic and electric tones in a single guitar.

The Parker Fly had a poplar body and a basswood neck, rapped in carbon-glass-epoxy. It has two magnetic Humbucker-style pickups and a Fishman piezoelectric pickup that can mimic both electric and acoustic guitar tones. The piezoelectric pickup, which required a 9-volt battery, was assisted by an inbuilt active pre-amp. Sperzel tuners were used, allowing the string to be locked into position at the pole around its coils.

Schecter SYN GA SC Acoustic

Finish	Black Burst Satin
Years Used	2017 to Present

Schecter designed the SYN GA SC Acoustic guitar model specifically for Gates to provide him with everything he wanted from an acoustic guitar.

Syn has always utilized this guitar model, as well as versions such as the SYN AC GA SC and the SYN J, every time he performs the song “So Far Away,” which was released by Avenged Sevenfold in 2010 as a single.

When his band performed “So Far Away” at the Grammy Museum, he was spotted playing this guitar live. Aside from that, Gates hasn’t been seen in public with this beauty. It’s almost as if this instrument was designed for this song.

The body and neck of this guitar are made of Mahogany, while the fretboard is made of delicious rosewood. It features a Fishman Sonicore Piezo pickup at the bridge position, which is noted for its particular crisp and clear sound, as well as a Fishman Isys+ preamp to improve the sound further.
It contains a built-in tuner as well as volume, bass, and treble controls. The Pearloid Gothic Crosses with the ‘Syn’ inscription and the Deathbat emblem are also present in this guitar, giving it a trademark flair.

Godin ACS-SA

Finish	Natural
Years Used	2016 to Present

As we know, Gates has had deep roots in jazz and classical music since his formative years. These genres not only attract Synyster but also have a big influence on his playing style. Hence the unique addition of Godin ACS-SA is not a surprising addition to Syn’s arsenal.

He has used this acoustic guitar in the making of the “The Stage” album. Syn has also been seen using the Godin guitar during his tours in 2017.

The Godin ACS-SA has a 16″ fingerboard radius, a slim neck, and Godin’s signature ergo cut contouring technique. It was designed to give the impression that the player is playing a steel-stringed guitar with a nylon string, which is exactly what Gates wanted.

The ACS-SA features a chambered silver leaf maple body with a cedar top and a mahogany neck for a stunning mix of warmth and sustain. This instrument isn’t just tremendously adaptable; it’s also incredibly elegant, making it an ideal acoustic for Gates.

Schecter Synyster Gates Confederate Flag

Finish	Confederate Flag Artwork
Years Used	2006 to 2007

We all know Syn was a huge fan of Pantera and its guitarist Dimebag Darrel. So he wanted his axe to match his idol’s Confederate flag-colored instrument. Syn’s characteristic tone is embodied by this guitar, which is a version of his signature Schecter custom S model and has the new ‘Synbucker’ pickups at the neck and bridge position. Other than that, it consists of an identical electronics and hardware setup.

Syn used this guitar to record the main riff for Avenged Sevenfold’s song ‘Afterlife’, released in 2007. This guitar was also seen in Syn’s hands on several occasions, including at Ozzfest 2006 in San Bernardino, CA, where he did a cover of Pantera’s ‘Walk’, and in 2006, when Synyster played “Bat Country” live at the Chainsaw Awards.

Synyster Gates has retired the guitar since then and no longer owns it. Syn mentioned in one of the forums on his website (synner.com) that he wanted one because of his hero Dimebag, but that he couldn’t be a “party to it” because of “the overwhelming influence” it has on people. “I’m not saying that everyone who still supports the Confederate flag supports the terrible connotations,” he added.

Gates also owns other notable custom themed guitars, such as the Schecter Synyster custom American flag he used in 2006-2007 and the Synyster Gates Beast and The Harlot in a Black finish with Red pinstripes that appeared in Syn’s hand in A7X’s 2005 video “Beast and the Harlot.” The Schechter custom model in the colors of the German flag that appeared during Gates’ performance of “Bat Country” on MTV’s TRL in 2006 is another one worth mentioning.

Timetable Showing Each Guitar Synyster Gates Has Played at Each Point in His Career

Synyster Gates Amps Overview

Schecter SYN100-HE Hellwin Stage Series Head

Years Used: 2014 to present

Synyster Gates’ setup has had a lot of different amps throughout the years. Unlike his guitars, he wasn’t confined to a single brand of amplifier. If we look at all of his choices, it’s evident that he prefers a powerful sound with a piercing mid-range.

Even though Schecter’s guitar amplifier line isn’t well-known, the Hellwin model is a strong 100-watt all-tube amp in the style of classic Marshalls that gives Syn just the right amount of juice for his thunderous tones.

It was always used in conjunction with the Hellwin SYN412 cabinet by him. The amp excels at clean sounds and has two different voicings: the USA, which is crisp and direct, and the richer UK voicing, which Gates says he favors for more rock-oriented stuff.

Mesa Boogie JP-2C

Years Used:2003 to 2005

Gates also owns the Mesa Boogie JP-2C, a true beast of an amp. Yes, it’s the John Petrucci trademark model, which is based on the Mark IIC+ amplifier.

It’s a highly adaptable piece of gear that can produce everything from smooth jazz to massive crushing riffs and screaming leads which is why it was one of the most loved pieces of gear in his rig.

Syn was seen utilizing the Mesa Boogie dual rectifier head on stage with his band during the ‘Warped’ tour in 2003.

Marshall JVM Series JVM205H

Years Used: Unspecified

Gates got the complete gamut of Marshall tone from the Marshall JVM205H all-tube 50-watt amplifier head, from crisp clean to molten roar! The onstage switching is extremely flexible (thanks to the integrated dedicated, programmable footswitch unit), and the 50-watt format is ideal for both stage and studio use.

In an interview, Gates’ guitar tech lauded the amp, saying it’s really adaptable and that Gates can turn it up and get a lot of gain out of it.

Fractal Audio’s Axe-FX III

Years Used: 2018 to Present

The first device for musicians to include a military/industrial-grade DSP into a consumer product, the Axe-Fx, revolutionized the guitar industry. This digital amp modeler can achieve realism like no other unit.

Gates initially used the Axe-FX II when it was released in 2014. The Axe-Fx III built on this idea by combining the power of four different CPUs. Hence, Gates upgraded to the third generation model in 2018 and has been using it ever since.

The Axe-Fx III, according to Gates, can shape and manipulate any type of sound. It allows him to produce any tonal emotion he wants, which is why he adores this sophisticated piece of gear.

Gates claimed that he couldn’t use his other amp to paint whatever he wanted on his proverbial canvas. But with the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, he could just “carve out and produce ridiculous noises.” “It’s merely a ceiling of your imagination that prevents you from producing,” he added.

Synyster Gates Pedal and Effects Overview

Dunlop Cry Baby DCR-2SR Rack Wah

Years Used: 2003 to Present

One of the effects pedals that Synyster Gates uses on his guitar on-stage is a Dunlop Cry Baby DCR-2SR Rack Wah. This Wah pedal produces some very distinctive sounds with Gates’ guitar.

The Cry Baby Rack Module gives Gates more control over your wah tone than any wah pedal in the world. The 6-position switch lets him select the sweep frequency range, and he can even determine the wah’s bandpass shape with the variable Q control.

The adjustable boost (up to +10dB) makes the Rack Wah even more flexible and customizable to Syn’s needs on-stage. Gates can connect up to six pedals and place them anywhere onstage.

The two outputs give him an astounding amount of routing options for unprecedented versatility, which ticks one of the most important boxes for Gates.

Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer

Years Used: 2003 to Present

The legendary Boss CS-3 compressor gives Gates more sustain, tighter dynamics control, and a fuller sound, all from a single pedal. The CS-3 provides a smooth sustain without affecting the original sound quality. This pedal offers a wide spectrum of effects, from light compression to squeezed sounds.

The CS-3 has an EQ for precise sound control and is designed for great low-noise performance.

Synyster talked about his Boss Compression pedal in an interview with Guitar Center regarding his gear, saying that the Boss compressor simply generates a sound of “natural types” without being synthetic in the least way.

Visual Sound H2O

Years Used: Unspecified

Among the modulations, delays, and other effects in his signal chain, Syn has one particularly unique element that he still uses today. Visual Sound H2O is a chorus and echo pedal rolled into one.

This unusually designed 2-in-1 pedal has delays ranging from 10 to 800 milliseconds and lets him employ a chorus or delay separately.

Using a NOS BBD chip, the Visual Sound H2O produces a flowing analog chorus and ringing echo. Gates can shape his chorus with a few basic knobs on this wonderful sounding pedal: Speed, Width, and Delay Time.

Gates can use these parameters to personalize his sound by adding a subtle chorus or by totally drowning it. Gates has never looked back on his decision to acquire this weapon.

Electro-Harmonix POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator)

Years Used: Unspecified

Gates bought the Electro-Harmonix Micro POG polyphonic octave generator pedal to fuel his tonal creativity. This allows for incredible flexibility in Syn’s workflow, especially when dealing with bass. It also seems to have unique tone options.

With the Micro POG’s Octave and Sub Octave knobs engaged, Syn could access one octave higher with the Micro POG, whilst he could also add a lower octave. With a solid shell and a tiny body, the Micro POG is a beast of an addition to Gate’s pedalboard.

Gates uses the micro POG to refine his polyphonic tracking, and he also uses it on stage to energize his sound and create symphonic harmonies. Syn’s guitar tech made a statement on this in an interview and has even referred to it as “Rad”.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

Years Used: Not specified

The MXR Carbon Copy analog delay uses old-school bucket brigade technology to provide a rich, warm delay. The Carbon Copy has a 600ms delay time and can be modulated through a top-mounted switch.

Its simple three-knob structure gives Gates complete control over Delay, Mix (dry/wet blend), and Regeneration (delay repeats) – all in one amazingly tiny pedal!

With a single flip of a knob, this pedal can give Gates everything from crisp bathroom slap echoes to enormous delays. This MXR Carbon Copy analog delay pedal is another fantastic piece of gear that Syn’s guitar tech commended in an interview, saying that “everyone likes one of these.”

Synyster Gates Accessories

Dunlop Gator Grip 2.0mm Picks

Almost all heavy metal musicians like Dunlop Gator Grip Picks because they provide improved playing control and a dark, meaty tone.

It has a matte surface that enables a secure, non-slip grip, allowing Gates to perform insanely quick licks with confidence. It also includes a contoured and beveled edge for a smooth attack and soft release, allowing Syn to play with unrestricted dexterity and passion.

Since 2010, Syn has been using these picks and has never looked back. He even has his signature version of these picks with a black Deathbat logo.

Ernie Ball Skinny Top / Heavy Bottom .010 – .052 Strings

Guitarists from all over the world have turned to Ernie Ball strings since the early 1960s. Ernie Ball strings are built to create a wonderful tone, last a long time, and deliver dependable performance. Gates knew he could never go wrong when he chose Ernie Ball strings.

Syn gets a fantastic balanced tone out of Ernie Ball’s Skinny Top Heavy Bottom strings (gauges .010–.052), thanks to the tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire wrapped around nickel-plated steel. It has been said that Syn applies these strings to all of his guitars.

Wrap Up

Born Brian Elwin Haner Jr. on July 7, 1981, he grew up alongside his friend Zacky Vengeance and became a member of Avenged Sevenfold at an early age. As a child, Syn was inspired by his father (also a guitarist) and was influenced by legends like Dimebag Darrell, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, John Petrucci, Slash, Zakk Wylde, and Allan Holdsworth.

In ‘All Excess’, Gates claimed that his name came to him while driving drunk through the park with The Rev. He has earned several musical prizes, traveled all over the world, and was nominated for a Grammy Award along with his band for Best Rock Song in 2018 for ‘The Stage’.

In 2010, ‘Guitar World’ listed him as one of the 30 greatest shredders of all time. On April 20, 2011, Gates and bandmate Zacky Vengeance received the Revolver Golden God award for Best Guitarist. Gates was also voted as Best Metal Guitarist in the World by the “Total Guitar” magazine in 2016 and once again in 2017.

When it came to music, Synyster Gates loved metal but also admired other genres, such as jazz, gypsy jazz, classical, and avant-garde music. He also studied jazz guitar at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood during his musical journey.

He conducts an online guitar school in addition to his music, alongside his father Brian Haner Sr., because he wants to inspire musicians all over the world and help them grow.

Gates and the rest of the Avenged Sevenfold group are currently working on a new studio album as of 2021. The band said in an interview that it is “70 percent done,”. We’re all waiting in anticipation to find out where the band is going after the release of “The Stage” in 2016. With all of the old, iconic metal bands retiring gradually, A7X will continue to be the torchbearers of modern metal.