Zacky Vengeance
Encyclopedia
Zachary James Baker, better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is the rhythm guitar
ist and backing vocalist
for the American metal
/rock
band Avenged Sevenfold
.
, and formed Avenged Sevenfold there with M. Shadows
and The Rev
. Before Avenged Sevenfold, he was in a punk
band called MPA*, which stands for Mad Porno Action. He implied that they were not successful. Baker came up with his stage name "Zacky Vengeance" because he wanted to get back at all the people from his youth who doubted his potential. He also came up with Jonathon Seward's stage name "Johnny Christ
," saying it suited him. Vengeance was also responsible for the creation of the initialism "A7X".
Despite playing the guitar left handed (he is ambidextrous), Vengeance recalls the first guitar he learned to play on was actually a right-handed his parents had bought him for his thirteenth birthday. He learned by playing upside-down, watching his favorite bands and other people he knew who played, and practiced as much as he could. He would also read each edition of Guitar World
cover to cover, learning the tabs of the songs published there and watching the professionals perform them until he could play just as well.
On April 20, 2011, Vengeance convert to along with band mate, Synyster Gates
. Avenged Sevenfold picked up numerous other awards and delivered the headlining performance of the night.
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
ist and backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
for the American metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
.
Biography
Baker taught himself how to play the guitar when he was thirteen. He attended Huntington Beach High SchoolHuntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School is a public high school in Huntington Beach, California. Opened in 1906, it is part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. HBHS is a California Distinguished School...
, and formed Avenged Sevenfold there with M. Shadows
M. Shadows
Matthew Charles Sanders , better known by his stage name M. Shadows, is the lead vocalist, songwriter, and founding member for the American metal band Avenged Sevenfold.-Early life and musical beginnings:...
and The Rev
The Rev
James Owen Sullivan , more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold...
. Before Avenged Sevenfold, he was in a punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band called MPA*, which stands for Mad Porno Action. He implied that they were not successful. Baker came up with his stage name "Zacky Vengeance" because he wanted to get back at all the people from his youth who doubted his potential. He also came up with Jonathon Seward's stage name "Johnny Christ
Johnny Christ
Jonathan Lewis Seward, , better known by his stage name Johnny Christ, is the bassist of the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Johnny was the fourth bassist to join Avenged Sevenfold in 2002, replacing former members Matt Wendt, Justin Sane, and Dameon Ash...
," saying it suited him. Vengeance was also responsible for the creation of the initialism "A7X".
Despite playing the guitar left handed (he is ambidextrous), Vengeance recalls the first guitar he learned to play on was actually a right-handed his parents had bought him for his thirteenth birthday. He learned by playing upside-down, watching his favorite bands and other people he knew who played, and practiced as much as he could. He would also read each edition of Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
cover to cover, learning the tabs of the songs published there and watching the professionals perform them until he could play just as well.
On April 20, 2011, Vengeance convert to along with band mate, Synyster Gates
Synyster Gates
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. , better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist of the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.-Early life:...
. Avenged Sevenfold picked up numerous other awards and delivered the headlining performance of the night.
Guitars
Vengeance uses Schecter Guitars, and endorses the company.- The Vengeance standard(2007 signature)
- The Vengeance Standard model (rebel flag as seen in "Walk" at Ozzfest in 2006)
- The ZV camo (seen using in Glasgow 2010)(it is actually a Schecter S-1 RAF Spitfire)
- The ZV special designed by Zacky Vengeance(2008 signature)
- The ZV custom (His first custom given by schecter)(2007 signature)
- The ZV Blade(2009 signature)(He has a few of this and even had a sustainiac installed on one of them as seen hanging in his house)
- The ZV special & custom with FR (as seen behind the scenes in the Live in the LBC DVD)
- The ZV mirror (as seen in NightmareNightmare (song)Nightmare is a song by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold released as the lead single for their fifth studio album, Nightmare. It is also their first single released without former drummer "The Rev", who died on December 28, 2009...
music video and on the Nightmare Tour.)(2010 signature) - The ZV "Gynecologist" with blood splatters. This version is different to the others as this comes with Seymour Duncan Invaders instead of his usual Seymour Duncan SH-4 "JB" set(now with white SH-4"JB"set)
- Vengeance has many custom shop S-1 models made exclusively for him.
- All models are loaded with Seymour Duncan JB Pickups.
- Formerly a Gibson SGGibson SGAt the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
left-handed was used by him (as seen in Warmness on the SoulWarmness on the SoulWarmness on the Soul is the first EP/single by Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on August 8, 2001 by Good Life Recordings. The release features the video for the title track, "Warmness on the Soul" as an Enhanced CD bonus. The EP was the first release to feature guitarist, Synyster Gates...
music video) - Seen using a Schecter PT series custom at the HEAVY MTL 2010
- In 2009 he was seen using a Fender Telecaster (blonde/creme) (this guitar was also used during performances of Buried Alive in 2010)
- Schecter S-1 with duncan designed hb-102
- Schecter S-1 with Seymour Duncan JBs
- Schecter Hellraiser Avenger (Black Cherry, Left-handed)
- Schecter S-1 custom (New in December 2010)
- Schecter S-1 bullseye custom as seen in Uproar backstage.(it was actually a Schecter S-1 RAF spitfire custom reissue only one of this was ever made.This model differs from the 2006 spitfire model)
- Schecter Tempest Extreme Vengeance Custom (This model has vengeance blades on the knobs)(FAKE)(it was a tempest extreme.)
- Schecter S-1 Elite( he has the black cherry and the grey mist models.)
- Schecter S-1 Blackjack
- Carvin SC90(as seen on warped tour '03)
- Fender Stratocaster( this guitar he got when he was 13.)
- Schecter S-1 zacky vengeance custom "6661" model.( satin black,custom pickup rings and side jack by "creepy pewter".,Remake of The ZV custom.This guitar looks very dark and has an evil touch to it.)(2011 signature model)
- Fender Telecaster White(Used in a few tours in 2008)
- Schecter Vengeance 6661 2011 model prototype
- Gibson Les Paul maroon with Sna'Punk signature. (seen in the Unholy Confessions video).
- SchecterSchecterSchecter may refer to:* Schecter Guitar Research, an American guitar manufacturer* Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the Commerce Clause...
Sna'Pun-Kerhead with Sustainiac stealth pro in the neck and jb with gold pole pieces in the bridge.Tone pros bridge. Seen hanging in his house.
Amps
- Marshall Cabinet 4x12
- Mesa boogie Rectifier
- Marshall Jcm
- Marshall Jvm205H
- Jet city half stacks
Effects units and accessories
- BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
TU-2 Chromatic Tuner - Voodoo Lab GCX Audio Switcher
- Ernie BallErnie BallErnie Ball was an American entrepreneur, musician, and innovator, widely acclaimed as a revolutionary in the development of guitar-related products. He began as a club and local television musician and small business entrepreneur, building an international business in guitars and accessories that...
"Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom 10-52" strings - Dunlop Tortex Vengeance University 0.73mm (VU logo)
- Seymour Duncan JB Pickups
- Sustainiac Stealth Pro