Synyster Gates Gear Guide
Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates’ Schecter signature guitars, Sustainiac, Hellwin amplifier, Axe-Fx effects and Cry Baby system.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and songs. Equipment can vary between recordings, tours and years.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Schecter Synyster Gates signature models | Multiple finishes and tunings for set-specific parts. | Hail to the King tour |
| Seymour Duncan Invader bridge pickup | High-output bridge pickup fitted to the documented signature guitars. | 2013 rig |
| Sustainiac neck pickup | Sustainer system for held notes and feedback-like sustain. | 2013 rig |
| Tuning variants | Guitars prepared for standard, drop D and drop C-sharp parts. | Live |
| Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom .010–.052 | String gauge listed for the guitars in the 2013 touring setup. | 2013 rig |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Schecter Hellwin 100-watt head | EL34-powered signature amp with three channels and built-in noise gate. | 2013 tour |
| Hellwin effects loop | Axe-Fx effects were routed through the amp’s loop in the documented setup. | 2013 tour |
| Audio-Technica wireless | Wireless unit at the front of the signal chain. | 2013 tour |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II | Handled the majority of Gates’ effects in the documented rig. | 2013 tour |
| Dunlop Custom Shop DCR-2SR Cry Baby Module | Rack wah controlled by a floor controller. | 2013 tour |
| Fractal MFC-101 | MIDI foot controller used to change Hellwin channels. | 2013 tour |
| Noise gate | Built into the Hellwin head for high-gain noise control. | 2013 tour |
| Shorter solo strap | Tech supplied a guitar with shorter strap for upper-fret access during the mid-set solo. | Live staging |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Hail to the King | Signature Schecter and Hellwin/Axe-Fx touring rig documented during this tour. | 2013 |
| Bat Country | High-gain sound and wah colors in the band’s live set. | Live |
| Almost Easy | Tour-specific processing and tuned guitars support the rapid riff parts. | Live |
| Afterlife | Sustainer-equipped guitar supports long held notes in lead passages. | Live |