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

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Once Philip Anselmo joined Pantera, history was forever changed by the band’s spirit of punishing riffs, searing solos, and unrelenting sonic haymakers, with 1990’s Cowboys from Hell cementing their legacy as one of metal’s most galvanizing innovators. In 2022, Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown decided to honor the late Abbott brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, by bringing Pantera back to the masses with a world tour. Longtime friends and collaborators Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante are filling in on guitar and drum duties, respectively, giving seasoned fans an exhilarating run of performances while picking up newcomers along the way. Sweetwater’s Nick Bowcott caught up with Zakk Wylde to talk all things gear, touring, and what it means to take up the gauntlet of his dear, much-missed friend, the legendary Dimebag Darrell. Check it out!
00:00 - Intro & Ear Damage!
01:19 - Zakk’s Pantera Celebration Rig
01:30 - Why Rig Tours Matter
02:37 - Noise Gate vs. Tap Dancing!
03:23 - Less Is More
05:09 - Zakk & EMG: The Backstory
07:47 - Zakk Wylde’s Pedalboard
08:41 - The Grady Champion Factor
09:47 - Roland JC-120
11:35 - Zakk’s Advice: Gear & Tone
12:44 - There’s No Such Thing as “Best”!
13:57 - Final Thoughts & Marriage Advice?
15:00 - It’s a Wrap!
Stream classic Pantera tracks on the go 👇
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Keep up with Zakk Wylde and Pantera on social media👇
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#Sweetwater #ZakkWylde #Pantera #BlackLabelSociety #NickBowcott

[@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.

[@fastandfunky]

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.

[@fastandfunky]

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

[@BigDro1323]

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.

[@Viper_555]

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

[@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.

[@gordonstarship]

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

[@mht525]

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

[@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.

[@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 🤘🏼

[@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.

[@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 .

[@SteveSelvidge]

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

[@macfan3]

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

[@OutlawOfKtulu]

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.

[@flapjack413]

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

[@TheTenngoat]

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

[@Extrapua]

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

[@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.

[@IOSARBX]

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

[@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!! 🤟🏻

[@Shablamalamadingdong]

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

[@mark6302]

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

[@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

[@JohnnyBargeldBoom]

God bless brother Zakk! Love him!

[@KeystoneOutdoorsman]

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

[@markbare2817]

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

[@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!

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_JTV]

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

[@davidtappe5337]

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

[@enlighteningsoul.]

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

[@TheEverythingChannel957]

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

[@vincewillis6141]

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

[@IOSARBX]

Sweetwater, Subscribed because your videos are so much fun!

[@alienautopsy9326]

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

[@imartcpa]

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

[@shauntackett4497]

Killer interview!!

[@jarrodhilton4860]

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

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

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

[@obgatson1275]

I,hope the singing,never stops,❤❤❤

[@spongesurf]

Everybody loves Zakk!! Thanks for this rig check!

[@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.

[@RiloRox]

15seconds in and this already the best thing im gonna watch today

[@jconner3891]

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

[@john-bs8pt]

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

[@jmaripen]

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

[@matthewmontano1948]

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

[@aycaramba6003]

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

[@marce211275]

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

[@KCRunyanOfficial]

Hellyeah! 🔥ZAKK🔥

[@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.

[@starligthstarligth9203]

🔥Zakk rocks🔥 in every way

[@bigguns1965]

Love Zakk great guitarist and all around good dude, hilarious!

[@THEJOEDAVISBAND]

always a interesting interview

[@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 ! ❤❤❤❤

[@uriahuriah3792]

Definitely one of the greatest ☝🏽🤘🏼

[@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!

[@Lolaandcassidyadventures]

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

[@1234drums]

Gotta love this man, y'know ❤❤❤❤

[@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!

[@abhulineokonofua8677]

Zakk and Dimebag are true friends 😊😊😊

[@scottfarcus2645]

Love Zakk. Thx for the end advice 👍🏼😆

[@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.

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Awesome!!!

[@matcoffidis1135]

Hes such a cool guy. Great poimt about sound. It's what sounds good to you. I guess if beauty is in eye of the beholder, than sound is in tbe ear of the listener. Or something like that....✌️

[@josephfranks1685]

He’s just the best 🤟

[@Shirtsaysshirt]

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

[@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.

[@KushiteComplex]

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

[@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.

[@mongalf8381]

He's the man!!!

[@dalejacksonmo]

Zakk is great

[@Bobby_Digital37]

The legend himself!!!

[@GypsyIrishNewfieNomad]

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

[@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

[@scholaroftheunlight]

"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" - Zak son of Glóin

[@CesarHuescaMusic]

Zakk knows. 👌🏻

[@Sound_Stable]

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

[@veeingfly8616]

The Jersey Viking never disappoints

[@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!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Whacky Zakk 😂 Love the vibe between these two.

[@totowylde]

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

[@na7h4n34]

Legend

[@scottchilds5726]

The only one, ever... Rock on

[@paulocosta7439]

😂The end was Great!! Great Advice!!!!🤣

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

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

[@_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

[@_pant0m]

The closing advice was hilarious made my day

[@freddymichalak9306]

Zakk's Doing Great as a PanterA Guitarist

[@ajizzle4rizzle]

Zakk is such a cool dude

[@benhemoth4693]

God I need that guitar

[@xGuitarInFlamesx]

outstanding guitar player and also a very funny guy

[@kisschicken]

Never actually heard Zakk talk. Nice, funny guy.

[@VashStarwind]

"You can see the rig... but the settings are OFF LIMITS!!!" lol

[@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.

[@pcx1832]

Zakkは、いつまでもSuper HEROESです。

[@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 🤘

[@muckfoot-4093]

yeah, I was there. in the pit0💀

[@Aaron_French]

I do wish Zakk was asked if he ever considered going for passive pickups/solid state amps for Pantera to get closer to the tone.

[@mannyfragoza9652]

Zakk is almost unrecognizable he lost so much weight

[@fauxbro1983]

When you're in your 50s it's healthier to not be carrying extra pounds. Plus he quit drinking

[@thewyldeone89]

Where i can get that beanie? Did’t found on the webstore

[@thewyldeone89]

Where i can get that beanie? Can’t find on the webstore

[@carlmeiner]

Take a shot every time Zakk says "You know..."

[@Madton]

RIP