“There’s No Right or Wrong, Only Preference” | Zakk Wylde on Pantera, Gear & Sonic Identity

[@sweetwater]

Out of reverence and respect for the magic created by Philip, Rex, and the Abbott brothers, which Pantera track do more people need to hear? Tell us in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out Zakk’s sound at Sweetwater 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Zakk_Wylde_on_Pantera_Gear_and_Sonic_Identity

[@getwhatyougive]

A New Levellllllllllllllllllllll

[@DanielSiano]

You’ve Got To Belong To It.

[@jayteesgear]

No Good- attack the radical. One of the BEST Grooves on the planet. Heavily overlooked

[@Hodgiez]

Psycho Holiday

[@mikegallagher2732]

I'LL cast a shadow.....🤘🤘

[@ericgriffin120]

Zakk Seriously deserves his own show, podcast, something.

[@josephwalton487]

Dude,..I agree completely.

[@Cosmo__Kramer]

He used to regularly go on his KZbin and do little skits and some teaching

[@jacktodd3439]

Zakk has his own podcas, he started it last year. It's audio only tho.

[@michaelpacinus242]

Dude… smell my nails

[@pCeLobster]

Yea it's unexpected for this biker looking guy to have British humor and good comic timing. He's always been surprisingly funny and quick witted.

[@strugglingguitarist]

I ran in to Zakk in 2016 at the Denver Airport, he couldn't run from me we were on the Tram, he let me take a picture with him and he was super cool, he had all the Black Label Society band mates with him, if you ever get to talk to him, what you see is what you get, never the I am a Rock Star don't talk to me, when he got to his stop, I was going on to another stop, he literally took about 10 steps off of the Tram looked back straight at me and said 'take care brother', he could have just went on about his business, but instead he took a minute to stop and say that, it speaks volumes about his character, now that my friends is a REAL COOL ROCK STAR, Zakk didn't know it but I was fighting prostate cancer at the time he really lifted my spirits, now that's a real brother man.

[@rksdmf]

First date with my now wife was a random night hanging out with Zakk at a pizza place/bar in CT in 2007 pitching him meatballs in the kitchen as he was hitting them with a pizza paddle. You read that right.

[@strugglingguitarist]

​@@rksdmfI could see him doing that, he is crazy in a good way, he would be a lot of fun to hang with.

[@jamesestrada82]

That’s awesome man! Always nice to hear a good story involving something famous. I used to live about 40 minutes south of Denver… I miss that place.

[@RamonSludgecore]

I love how Zakk never gave off “rockstar” vibes. He’s always been humble and always just a fan. He’s a nerd just like us🙂 he still draws his inspiration from the influences he had as a kid and that’s just cool to me.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

And he isn't a gear snob. Sure, he is either endorsed by or owns the brands for his gear; but there isn't much he uses that's unattainable to the average person.

[@Dougal74577]

@@thisdyingsoul76 Its all about the music and that feelin to want to rock out! It comes from inside! Not pedals or dragons jumping out of the PA!!! Rock n Roll!!!!

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

He always seems like he would just be the coolest dude to hang out with.

[@murf1mikejr]

Definitely is. Met him last year. Class act.

[@justjiggin11]

Zack was the selling point for me to see the new Pantera tour. He was absolutely the man for the plan. I knew it would be incredible with Zack there and I was not let down. You would have thought dime was there, and he truly was spiritually. You could feel it. Much love and respect.

[@TheTenngoat]

Dude always brings a smile. Met him several times. He IS this authentic and real. Truly a national treasure. Thanks Zakk!

[@beedalton9675]

Zakk and his dads interview😂😂😂 I laugh. Tuff love lol

[@mht525]

The world needs more Zakk. Keep it simple. "King Edward" respect ✌️🤘🎸🏴☠️🇦🇺

[@ernestolopez23]

Zakks the man, grateful he’s stepping up to give us fans the songs live. The songs are powerful and deserve to be played live and to the masses. I hope Zakk grinds that axe for a long, long time 🤘🏼

[@jt624]

Totally man, I am right on the same page with ya, as hopefully many others are. I've seen Pantera 4x in the 90's. But that doesn't mean that I don't want to hear their songs as real as they can be played again live. Bring it!

[@Viper_555]

“The manual shouldn’t be…like you’re an astronaut. I’m just trying to make a glass of Tang.” Hilarious!!

[@gordonstarship]

Zakk is a legend. I recommend the Pantera tour to anyone. Just witnessing "Floods", is worth it.

[@djkanyetwitty]

I wouldn't. Zakk can't play Pantera, when he tries it sounds horrible

[@SavedbyGraceAlone84]

@@djkanyetwitty No, no he doesn't. I saw them last year and he did just fine.

[@djkanyetwitty]

@@SavedbyGraceAlone84 Lie to yourself. You can't lie to me

[@SavedbyGraceAlone84]

@@djkanyetwitty Nah home slice, you're just wrong.

[@djkanyetwitty]

@@SavedbyGraceAlone84 Nah home skillet. Zakk playing Pantera sounds horrible. No Dime No Pantera

[@rksdmf]

I had the honor of meeting Nick back in 2004-2006 (I was 22). He was my grandmothers neighbor. Awesome dude. Picture me showing up to my little cousins birthday party and seeing a British bald dude in a Black Label vest. Started talking right away having no clue who he was. I had my acoustic with me. He taught me two things, how to play the chorus to Cemetary Gates and told me about the MXR smart gate. I told him how I just got a JCM2000 DSL100 and was trying to get Zakks sound. He explained it exactly how Zakk is now and told me to get a smart gate. If you read this, it was awesome meeting you Nick! God Bless.

[@ChuggOfCthulhu]

Zakk Wylde, w/ BLS, was the best meet and greet I've ever experienced! He's one of my heros! Seen him over 10x now. Nice, super humble and chatty dude. So glad he exists, in the capacity he does, and still flies the flag high! I'd recommend the new "Pantera" tour. Seen that 2x and it just solidifies Zakk as one of the best players of our time. Very few can capture the vibe of a player like Dime, and still sound like themselves, without sacrificing themselves.

[@nitrokyosho]

I met Zakk on Dec 12, 2001 at Daddys music in Vernon CT ,he was a awesome guy to meet very friendly and cool and sighed all my stuff and took pictures with me that i treasure still today ,class act and a gentlemen and funny , Zakk is the real deal not a phony like some .

[@markpabst7963]

Meet Zakk at the Ram’s opening game a couple years back. He had just played the halftime with Ozzy and was walking out to the parking lot with his guitar on his back and no security or anything. Stop and talked to me for 15 mins took pictures and gave me and my buddy picks. WAY down to earth and no rockstars vibe at all. Zakk is super cool, one of my heroes for sure!! 🤟🏻

[@AdrianTori-kc4mn]

To Nick ,, this goes out to you , your band Grim Reaper , got me thru some hard times….. thank you again..Your Fan from Houston, Texas. Happy Father’s Day.

[@f.z88]

As a PANTERA fan since childhood, I have great gratitude and respect for Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante.

[@davidtappe5337]

I’m so glad I got to see him live here in OKC. He rocked the Diamond’s roof off.

[@PrepMonkey]

This guy shaped my childhood in a lot of ways lol First time I got a crybaby, I played until my fingers bled trying to sound like him

[@StoneXue]

Zakk is always just such a genuine dude. I dont think I have seen a bad interview with him if I have I dont recall it. No matter who he speaks with he just seems to tune into them but also take them on a ride in his universe.

[@adamstrachn]

This was wonderful. Nick did excellent and it's always a treat hearing Zakk. Sweetwater is really expanding their reach in an organic way this year. Such great production quality. Adding more content without it being fake, played out, cringe or unfamiliar. You all are going to have a musical media empire sooner than later. Appreciate the effort.

[@AaronWinterhalter]

I got to see Pantera at a small club in Sacramento around 1991. Such an amazing concert. Pantera so underrated in general even among metal heads

[@AK-ic1yj]

We all want a Zakk video series like the ones Pantera had back in the day "homevideo" style. That would be so awesome!!!!!

[@flapjack413]

That was seriously the best intro for an interview ever. Zakk is a god tier lunatic, lol.

[@dronebeggar]

Always enjoy the Zakk man. His book “Bringing Metal to the Children” is hilarious as well. Had me laughing to tears with the road stories.

[@isaac.m.martin]

Zakk always puts a smile on my face! I appreciate his relatively simplistic approach to the rig.

[@greglesondak]

Never had a rig rundown leave me with that big of a smile on my face. This was great!

[@mark6302]

Zakk is from my home county and used to work at a music store I still go to \m/

[@PaulHAMCO]

I was at my local music store, I told them to shove it.

[@BadMotivator66]

zakk's sense of time is so tight and at the front of the beat, so very different from dime's. you can really tell his approach to playing. he seems like a nice fella

[@michaelmiller7789]

Dimebag was/is my inspiration. I once bought the Randall RG 200, Furman PQ3, Rocktron Hush, MXR 7 band EQ, Dean ML with Dimebucker pickups. I learned tone is in your hands as well. I wasn’t happy with the way that gear sounded for my playing, so I eventually ended up finding my dream rig. PRS MT15 (50 watt upgrade) with an OD808, ISP Decimator and ESP EC1000 w/ Dimebucker pickups running through two PRS MT112 with Eminence DV77. Best sound ever for me. Hunt for your sound, not someone else’s.

[@HearGear]

Zakk Wylde is a great guy and super funny.. :D

[@matcoffidis1135]

He really is. I saw this video of him playing Sabbath on a Hello Kitty guitar. It was funny, but man...he was rocking it!

[@WillyG2023]

Seeing Zack rock a crucifix and icons of Christ and the Blessed Mother has brightened my day a little. God bless, Mr. Wylde.

[@toasttoasted3492]

BLS Zakk Sabbath Pantera reunion So happy we have Zakk

[@harrypothead42024]

I have more fun listening to Zakk Wylde than any other guitar player on the planet

[@KeystoneOutdoorsman]

Zakk looks great. Keep it up man, we need you around for awhile.

[@enlighteningsoul.]

Zakk Is Just The Legendary Virtuoso.... So much of Influence.... 💥💥💥💥

[@jconner3891]

He mentioned wizard. That is pretty cool. Always wanted to try one.

[@carreraf7]

I was a huge Zakk's fan since 2003 when I started playing guitar. He was icon of the rock and metal guitar. Cant forget his jam with slash. Zakk recently started to show up on my YT and I see he's lost a lot of muscle. I dont know if its because of illness or just aging. But Im kinda sad. I was junior in the uni and now Im 40.

[@marce211275]

GENIUS GENIUS GENIUS... WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE RIG RUNDOWN WITH THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYERS ON EARTH!!!

[@IOSARBX]

Sweetwater, Your videos always make me happy, so I subscribed!

[@Shablamalamadingdong]

Love his energy. That was quite informative and entertaining for me!

[@mattc8723]

When are Nick and Zakk gonna have a Dime-off? They both know Dime's tunes in depth, I want to see those two compete. It will be awesome!

[@jmaripen]

Ahhh. Another OG. Zakk Wylde! Monster guitar player!

[@alanmurry5030]

Zakk's the best. You know, when no rest for the wicket album came out, I was in my early twenties, I became a fan of Zakk wylde. And remember, its no advisable to have 15 girls 😅. It may become too complicated 😅😅. Love you Zakk. From India Nagaland.

[@alienautopsy9326]

Zakk’s the man. What a cool guy on top of being a great musician. Quality

[@aarone213]

Zakk is so awesome. Great humor, but straightforward.

[@richardsmith7322]

God Bless you father Zack for stepping in Dimes shoes for us die hard fans

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

It's interesting that Dime was known for a mid scooped, solid state sound and a very hot, bright passive Bill Lawrence 500XL pickup. Meanwhile, Zakk is known for a very mid forward sound through an active pickup with rolled off lows and highs and emphasized mids. I'm surprised he uses EVs and not Celestions, as I thought EVs were known for clean sound reinforcement more than the distortion characteristic of guitar speakers. Some thoughts: 1) On my DAW input meter, my EMG 81 registers about -6db below my Seymour Duncan Distortion. Additionally, I always had problems getting Dime and Zakk's signature squeals out of the EMG 81 without a boost before the amp, whereas with my Duncan Distortion artificial harmonics were a lot easier to get consistently. That said, EMGs sit very well in a mix for rhythm guitars. I continue to use them because they are so clear and mid focused. For those who say EMGs sound thin, going from 9 to 24 volts with the 24 Volt Mod really helps. At $30-40, the Mod cheaper than trying a new passive pickup or going to Seymour Duncan Blackouts. 18 volts helps EMGs sound fatter, but 24 volts increases dynamics, speeds up the transients, and makes an EMG equipped guitar much more responsive and enjoyable to play. The Mod clips right on to the 9 volt battery connector. You won't need extra space because two 12 volt batteries can fit in the Mod's 9 volt size housing. While 12 volt batteries aren't as easy to find as 9 volts, you can get 12 volts at Wal-Mart. 2) I am 43 years old. I started playing in 1996 when I was 16. 100+ watt tube heads, full stacks, and racks full of effects gear were still popular with old school metal bands even though grunge and nu metal were popular. Back then, Mesa Dual Rectifiers along with a Triaxis/90:90 based multi effects rack were popular. I'll always have a soft spot for that old gear but times have changed. If I were advising a young player who is just starting out, based on gear available today I would recommend a used Axe FX (any generation works), solid state Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 power amp, and FRFR speakers, as this is where the gear industry and live gigging methods are going. You can always turn impulse responses and unneeded effects off if you're going through a guitar cabinet. Why an amp modeler? The Axe FX makes signal chain experimentation and complex channel switching easier for bands who must do everything themselves and don't have a road crew. When you can program complicated presets into a single button press on a MIDI floor controller, you don't need all those pedals and someone to run them backstage. I prefer rack units to the floor models as I think rack versions are more powerful and have more features, but it's whatever works for you. 7-8 pedals costing $800 can't match the power of thousands of effects a $800 Axe FX could give you. The only downside is pedals are more tactile and intuitive to use than programming an Axe. Learning how to program an Axe FX may violate Zakk's no NASA manual rule, but with young players these days always learning about new smartphone tech and how to increase their social media presence, it shouldn't be a big deal.

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_thaiM-A-F-I-A]

I appreciate what you’re doing Zack..thank you.

[@jarrodhilton4860]

Zakk! What a genius. Amazing to hear him as an artist.

[@noelsampson4195]

Grady Champion is THE MAN !!!! Awesome guitar tech !!!

[@trippy325]

Everybody loves Zakk!! Thanks for this rig check!

[@abhulineokonofua8677]

Zakk and Dimebag are true friends 😊😊😊

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Zakk is so funny. Love his playing of course too. I also play ENGs and love them. No matter what people say they rock ! ❤❤❤❤

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

Yeah man, those ENG's are the best. They are way better than the EMG's by far. ENG's rock! 🤘

[@mikerisnermusic7051]

I was at the Grand Rapids show. Absolutely Incredible and a great tribute to the brothers. Floods brought tears to my eyes. Took me back to seeing Pantera in 1994 for my first concert. Was awesome seeing Nick come out to do backup vocals on Walk! As far as a Pantera song more of the newer fans need to hear, Regular People gets my vote 🤘

[@MUCKFOOT399]

yeah, I was there. in the pit0💀

[@aycaramba6003]

Just a really grounded and funny guy who really knows what it's all about. I look up to him. Father Zakk. 🤘🔥

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

You should do one of those DNA tests to make sure.

[@ramvat9247]

I really would love to hear some new stuff from Pantera. I like anything Zakk does, and I thank he would be a great pick to take place of Dimond Darrel, like hes been doing. We have Rex and Phil and drummer from Anthrax Charlie Benante. Two original band members and two new ones. I thank its a great new line up with Charlie and Zakk. Let it happen.

[@matthewmontano1948]

Sick! Sweetwater!! How about you guys start carrying Wylde Audio now?!?

[@derekbroyles1863]

Zakk and Dime-Bag are the 2 greats. Zakk is living legend! I have learned so much of my guitar skills from these guys. I have tons of gear and I found my tone. Still have Randalls and Marshall amps but found the Krank chadwick, its like marshall on steroids. Use that blue mxr 6 band. Zakk overdrive and wahh pedals.. I still have a les paul zakk guitar bullseye. Gettint me the gen guitars soon. Keep posting videos Zakk!

[@JohnnyBargeldBoom]

God bless brother Zakk! Love him!

[@Sound_Stable]

Imagine getting to run the whammy for Zakk playing Dime's riffs. The miles I would travel just to do that.

[@SteveSelvidge]

Man, Zakk looks super healthy. Sobriety is working for him.

[@macfan3]

hah, people see things diffentley. i saw him and thought, whats wrong?..

[@CruzPui]

Hard drugs

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

@@macfan3 Yeah, he literally looks like he could drop dead any day now.

[@slngblde]

He looks good for someone on blood thinners that was a heavy drinker for decades. He’s closing in on 60 now too.

[@Shadowx011]

I am only speculating but I believe he dropped a lot of weight because he gave up alcohol mainly lots and lots of heavy beers. …okay exercising and diet as well but mainly quitting the alcohol is the reason. ADDERALL

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

You listen to Zakk talk long enough and you realize he's a hard rockin' Peter Griffin.

[@mikeporter4092]

😂

[@New_Millennium_Cyanide_Christ]

That’s brilliant 😂 Can’t unhear that from this point on

[@ricmullaney4803]

Omfg that's way too accurate 😂😂😂😂😂

[@vincewillis6141]

Love it!!!!! talked about Robin Trower several time

[@markbare2817]

He's so down to earth, he's so cool!!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@IOSARBX]

Sweetwater, Subscribed because your videos are so much fun!

[@john-bs8pt]

The end bit is the best advice 😂🤣 god bless you Zack! Love you brother!

[@Rockr69747]

Dime said when he was developing the Krank amps with those guys that he couldn't get enough gain out of tubes, so he went to solid state. History was made.

[@totowylde]

HAHAHAHAHA HIlarious, ZAKK jokes are pure gold. love his attitude.

[@Lolaandcassidyadventures]

Saw Zakk a few months ago with Zakk Sabbath it was epic!

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Indeed... the advice at the end is pure gold... ☕🎸

[@pcx1832]

Zakkは、いつまでもSuper HEROESです。

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

Love his wooden pedalboard, haha!!! I want his guitar!!! Got one in stock @SWEETWATER!!!!

[@shauntackett4497]

Killer interview!!

[@freddymichalak9306]

Zakk's Doing Great as a PanterA Guitarist

[@_pant0m]

The closing advice was hilarious made my day

[@G.I.N.N]

I sincerely hope he is in good health and continues for years to come. 😊

[@donniejean]

Dude you’re hilarious. Def someone I could just relax and chill

[@arrtdave]

0:18 gaddam...if the opening riff didnt make you go deaf....

[@KushiteComplex]

Sounds incredible. Has an album been released (LIVE) or studio re-release?

[@_pant0m]

Yeah i was 15 travelled 3hours to the nearest mall and bought SD1 that i tot i will "Sound" like him ( live n Loud ) specially " i dont know" tones, with my korean strat copy and a bullet amp 15 ...ive learned hard

[@kisschicken]

Never actually heard Zakk talk. Nice, funny guy.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Whacky Zakk 😂 Love the vibe between these two.

[@youWoNtLikeMe04]

Can't beat a Roland JC for cleans. The best sounding clean amp for metal.

[@ddubbz1979]

Over the years, my drive pedal has moved further left on my board. It was interesting to see Zakk with a drive at the end of the signal chain. I'm still not brave enough to put a delay in front of it, though.

[@uriahuriah3792]

Definitely one of the greatest ☝🏽🤘🏼

[@squeelerjakeaxcradle7095]

I like Nick he’s a great guy, he should do more posts 🎵🎸 plus he was a founder with Steve Grimmette in Grim reaper band. Steve lived in Swindon RIP. Rock on Nick let’s have more from you on classic rock. My generation and l love it nothing beats the originals

[@CesarHuescaMusic]

Zakk knows. 👌🏻

[@bob-ov4iq]

Seen pantera last year and they were phenomenal everyone sounded top notch and zakk was rocking out hard , there isn’t anyone who can fill the roll better than zakk same goes for Charlie

[@nildesperandum4776]

I won a contest through a music store in Madison Wi, in the early mid 90's. A one on one hour long guitar lesson with Zakk Wylde. I was to meet him on a Saturday. But.. I didn't get the letter telling me I'd won the contest, until the Monday after it happened. Sorry Zakk!! I had no idea!!

[@americanandroid9952]

Was Hoping On Hearing Zakk Play

[@geoff_craig]

Zakk always downplays how much of a guitar genius he is. I hope after Pantera he gets to shine with some of his original stuff.

[@fyeforyourentertainment5306]

Zakk I love the warhammer body styles. I have an idea but I’m not sure about it. Looks good in my mind and I already have a name for it.

[@EonSlumber]

I play all diff tunings w bass and guitar together. Fun stuff.

[@obgatson1275]

I,hope the singing,never stops,❤❤❤

[@Extrapua]

"no more tears" - video ..zakk... Inpersonifacation of heavy metal... Amazing sound...solo squeezing tears...❤

[@sandrogoncalves8819]

no more tears tam tam tam tam ra ra ra ra ra ra

[@darinkaintz386]

No More Tears album changed my life.

[@Unitedfruitco]

Zach’s a cool freakin dude!🤘🏼

[@technoalah]

Zakk is unbelievable.

[@TheMetalGamer3356]

Give father Nick a podcast please! He has so much respect with fans and artists alike! Let him interview industry legends in that format

[@nomadnick726]

Idk if Nick will be able to read this but if you reading this nick, your name triggered an old favorite teen memory i have & im curious to know, did you do the audio recording for Dimebag's Riffer Madness tab book back in the day? I member combing through that book & cd that came with it tryin to learn my top dime riffs. Respects to both you & zakk for honoring the brothers & giving us pantera & bls fans enjoyable content here. Getcha pull!