Zakk Wylde recently opened up about his deep connection with guitar gear, explaining how it all starts with a desire to replicate the sounds of legendary guitarists. According to Wylde, there’s no such thing as a “bad” piece of equipment in the world of gear, and it all comes down to personal preference and the pursuit of the perfect tone.
For some guitarists, the thrill lies in plugging directly into an amp and playing. For others, it’s about experimenting with different effects and gear, always searching for that elusive, perfect sound. For Wylde, the journey of finding the right gear and tone is just as significant, if not more so, than the final destination.
In an interview with The Captain of Andertons Music Co, Wylde reflected on his own gear journey. He shared how, as a kid, hearing the sounds of guitar legends like Robin Trower and Jimi Hendrix sparked his curiosity. “What is that pedal they’re using over there?” he recalled wondering. He remembered hearing Randy Rhoads’ live tone with chorus effects, which made him eager to learn about the gear that created those distinct sounds.
“The beauty of learning is when you’re a kid, and you hear Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Eruption,’” Wylde said. “You’re thinking, ‘What is that on his guitar?’ Then you find out it’s a Phase 90 pedal, and when you step on it yourself, you think, ‘Oh my God, it sounds like the record!'”
Wylde noted that pedals are particularly inspiring, as they often lead to new songwriting ideas. “If you step on a different pedal, it inspires you to write a song around it, that’s great. Same thing with amps,” he added.
He also expressed his love for various amps, from old Laneys to Oranges, Friedmans, and Fenders. “It’s just like Italian food,” he said. “There’s no bad. It’s all good. You’ve got the pesto, you got the tomato sauce… It’s all good.”
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