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 and backing vocalist of
the band Avenged Sevenfold.
Early Life He is the son of musician, author, and comedian
Brian Haner, Sr., who worked with Sam the Sham's band in the 1970s and has done session
work for Avenged Sevenfold.
Gates studied at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California, as part of the Guitar
Institute of Music program, studying jazz and classical guitar.
He cites Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Tony Iommi, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine and Slash
as his main influences.
Avenged Sevenfold
He was featured on the EP Warmness on the Soul which contains select songs from the
first album as well as Synyster's new version of "To End The Rapture".
His name on Avenged Sevenfold's debut album was "Synyster Gates".
On the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess, Syn claimed that his name was created on a drunken
drive through the park with The Rev. Gates was voted Sexiest Male in the 2008 Kerrang
Readers Poll.
In 2010, Guitar World listed Synyster Gates as one of the 30 greatest shredders of all
time.
They described him as being able to perform finger-twisting licks, acrobatic sweeps, devilish
chromatics and towering dual-harmonies.
Synyster was chosen as one of Guitar Hero's 50 fastest guitarists.
On Guitar World's 2010 Readers Poll, Synyster Gates was chosen Snappiest Dresser and the
Best Metal Guitarist.
Rock One Magazine's 2010 Readers Poll voted Gates the #3 best musician in the industry.
On April 20, 2011, Haner won the Revolver Golden God award for Best Guitarist along
with band mate, Zacky Vengeance.
Avenged Sevenfold picked up numerous other awards and delivered the headlining performance
of the night.
In the Special Edition of Revolver magazine that was released the same day as the Nightmare
album, Synyster Gates stated that he originally started out writing the song "So Far Away"
in honor of his grandfather.
However, the song is now primarily about Syn's former band mate, The Rev, who died in December
2009.
Pinkly Smooth Haner, along with The Rev, played in an experimental
metal band named Pinkly Smooth.
Formed in the summer of 2001 in Huntington Beach, California, the band featured ex-Ballistico
members Buck Silverspur on bass and D-Rock on drums.
The band has released one album, Unfortunate Snort on Bucktan Records, which features a
crossover sound of mostly punk, ska and Progressive metal.
Former Avenged Sevenfold bassist Justin Sane played keyboards and piano on the album.
There was speculation that Pinkly Smooth was going to produce another record, but due to
the death of The Rev, it is highly unlikely that they will produce any more material.
However, Brian has said that he would consider remastering the tracks from Unfortunate Snort
and re-releasing the album.
Discography With Avenged Sevenfold
Sounding the Seventh Trumpet Waking the Fallen
City of Evil Avenged Sevenfold
Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough Nightmare
Hail to the King waking the fallen resurrected
With Pinkly Smooth Unfortunate Snort
Featured guest appearances Bleeding Through's "Savior, Saint, Salvation,"
track.
Good Charlotte's "The River" track and music video.
Burn Halo's "Dirty Little Girl" track and music video.
Burn Halo's "Anejo" track.
Brian Haner's "Blow-Up Doll" music video.
The Jeff Dunham Show intro song.
AxeWound's "Vultures" from their debut album of the same name.
MGK's"Save Me" from the album Lace Up.
Equipment Guitars
Synyster Gates uses mainly Schecter Guitars.
Schecter Guitar Research has been sponsoring him and he has signature Avenger models.
He has also been using Gibson Guitars when Avenged Sevenfold was recording Waking the
Fallen and City of Evil.
He has his own Seymour Duncan pickups, a custom SH-8 Invader, with Black, Gold, White or Chrome
caps.
Schecter Synyster Custom-S(Black with White pinstripes, Black with Gold pinstripes, Black
with Red pinstripes, White with Gold pinstripes, White with Black pinstripes)
Schecter custom models with Rebel flag, American flag, German flag, Black with Red Stripes,
Red with Black Stripes, White with Gold Stripes, White with Black Stripes, one featuring Jack
Nicholson's Joker art and color scheme.
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom with "REV" inlays on fret board instead of "SYN" featured
on the So Far Away music video Schecter Synyster Custo
Schecter Synyster Deluxe Prototype Schecter Synyster Special
Schecter Avenger Schecter C-1 Classic - Transparent Blue
Schecter Custom C-1 FR Schecter Omen-6 FR
Gibson ES-335 Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR(white, black)
Schecter Scorpion with Seymour Duncan JBs Schecter PT Fastback
Schecter S-1 loaded with Seymour Duncan JBs Gibson Les Paul Custom
Parker Fly Epiphone Rockbass
Amplifiers and effects unit Effects unit
Krank Distortus Maximus Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Boss CS-3 Compresser Sustainer(2) Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
Boss BF-3 Flanger Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter
Boss GT-8 Guitar Multi Effects Processor Boss GT-10 Guitar Multi Effects Processor
Frantone "The Sweet" Distortion DigiTech Whammy Pedal
Budda Custom Wah MXR Custom Audio Electronics MC-401 Boost
Pedal MXR Carbon Copy Delay
MXR Custom Comp Visual Sound H20 Chorus & Echo
Sustainiac Stealth Pro Sustainer pickup Dunlop Crybaby RackWah
Crybaby control pedal for the RackWah Fractal Audio Systems Axe-FX II guitar processor
Fractal Audio Systems MFC-101 Midi Foot Controller
Amplifiers Bogner Uberschall
Bogner Uberschall Twin Jet Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cabinets Marshall JVM 205h
Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinets Schecter Hellwin USA 100W head, Synyster Gates
custom amp(released in 2013) Schecter Hellwin USA 4x12 Celestion Vintage
30s cabinets Quilter Tone Block 200
Other Equipment Audio-Technica 5000 wireless system
Ernie Ball strings, gauged .010-.052.
Dunlop Gator Grip .96mm picks Black Dunlop Gator Grip .96mm picks
Black Custom Graphics Dunlop Gator grip 2.00mm picks
Rebel Straps Skull Bottle Opener Strap Rebel Straps Skull Pick Box Strap
White Get'm Get'm Sergeant Stripes Guitar Strap
Black Schaller Strap Locks Levy's Boot Leather Guitar Strap With Metal
Bullet References
http:www.schecterguitars.comSynyster-Gates-Signature-Design.aspx External links