Synyster Gates, the iconic guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold, is known for his distinctive guitar style and equally recognizable signature Schecter guitars. These guitars, with their unique aesthetics and powerful sound, are highly sought after by fans and guitarists alike. Unfortunately, the popularity of Synyster Gates’ guitars has led to the rise of counterfeit models, designed to deceive unsuspecting buyers.
Recently, a convincing fake Synyster Gates guitar surfaced, even fooling experienced eyes at first glance. This incident highlights the importance of being vigilant and knowing the key indicators of a genuine Synyster Gates guitar versus a counterfeit. This guide will break down the tell-tale signs that helped identify this particular fake, providing you with the knowledge to avoid falling victim to similar scams. Whether you’re a die-hard Avenged Sevenfold fan, a collector, or simply looking to own a Synyster Gates signature guitar, understanding these details is crucial.
Key Indicators of a Fake Synyster Gates Guitar
When examining a Synyster Gates guitar, especially one offered at a suspiciously low price or through unofficial channels, pay close attention to these critical areas. These points, while sometimes subtle, can be the difference between acquiring a genuine instrument and a disappointing fake.
1. Pickups: Beyond the Invader Look
Genuine Synyster Gates signature guitars are famously equipped with Seymour Duncan Invader pickups, known for their high output and aggressive tone. While the fake guitar in question also sported pickups that looked like Invaders at first glance, closer inspection revealed discrepancies. The pole pieces, a key visual characteristic of Invaders, were not quite right.
It’s important to note that pickup swaps are common. A seller might argue that pickups were changed, especially on a supposed “prototype.” However, this should raise a red flag and warrant deeper investigation into other aspects of the guitar.
2. Pickup Selector and Knob Placement: A Layout Mismatch
A significant deviation from the standard Synyster Gates guitar design is the control layout. On authentic models, the volume and tone knobs are positioned below the pickup selector switch. The counterfeit guitar exhibited the opposite configuration, with the pickup selector situated between the knobs.
This is a fundamental design element of Synyster Gates’ signature guitars and a clear indication of a fake. While seemingly minor, such details are rarely overlooked in genuine production models, even prototypes.
3. Top Strap Button Placement: Horn vs. Back
The placement of the top strap button is another easily identifiable difference. On a real Synyster Gates Custom guitar, the upper strap button is located on the back of the guitar’s upper horn, pointing towards the player’s body. Conversely, the fake guitar had the strap button mounted on the top of the horn, facing upwards towards the headstock.
This seemingly small detail is a consistent feature of genuine Synyster Gates guitars. Counterfeiters often miss these nuances, focusing on more visually prominent features.
4. Deathbat Inlay: Jawline Discrepancies
The Deathbat inlay at the 12th fret is an iconic element of Synyster Gates’ guitars. Even in slightly blurry photos, inconsistencies in the Deathbat design can be detected. In this fake guitar, the jawline of the Deathbat appeared “off,” suggesting a poorly replicated inlay.
While variations can occur, a noticeably distorted or incorrectly shaped Deathbat inlay is a strong indicator of a counterfeit. Genuine Schecter guitars maintain a high standard of inlay craftsmanship.
5. Fretboard Inlays: Pearloid vs. Flat White
Synyster Gates signature guitars typically feature pearloid inlays on the fretboard, giving them a shimmering, iridescent quality. The inlays on the fake guitar appeared to be a flat, stark white, lacking the characteristic pearlescence.
This difference, though subtle in pictures, can be more apparent in person. Pearloid inlays have a depth and reflectivity that flat white inlays simply don’t possess.
6. Headstock Size: The “Large Headstock” Warning Sign
The headstock shape and size are crucial details. The fake guitar exhibited a “large headstock,” particularly noticeable in the width between the points at the 6th and 1st string tuning pegs. This wider headstock deviates from the more streamlined profile of genuine Synyster Gates guitars.
Schecter Guitars themselves have previously issued warnings about counterfeit guitars often featuring oversized headstocks. This historical context further reinforces the significance of this detail. (See Schecter Issues Counterfeit Warning for more information).
7. Backplate: The Missing Space
The backplate, covering the tremolo cavity on the back of the guitar, also presented a discrepancy. The fake guitar’s backplate had a noticeable space revealing the bridge springs. While some newer Synyster Gates models do feature a space in the backplate, the shape and size of the opening on the fake differed from authentic designs.
Older Synyster Custom models, like the 2010 version used for comparison, typically have backplates that fully cover the tremolo cavity without such a gap. Backplate designs can change over model years, but this detail, combined with others, adds to the evidence of a fake.
8. Pinstripes: Inconsistent Length and Thickness
The signature pinstripes are a defining visual element of Synyster Gates guitars. On the fake guitar, the pinstripes showed several inconsistencies. The thick pinstripes on the headstock did not extend to touch the 1st and 6th string tuning posts, a feature present on genuine models. Furthermore, the body pinstripes on the fake guitar ended prematurely, before reaching the guitar’s edge, unlike the full-length pinstripes on authentic guitars.
These pinstripe flaws, while seemingly minor, are indicative of rushed or inaccurate manufacturing processes common in counterfeits.
9. Serial Number and Country of Origin: The Missing Identification
Typically, genuine guitars will have a serial number and country of origin marking on the back of the headstock, where it joins the neck. The fake Synyster Gates guitar lacked this crucial identification.
While the absence of a serial number could be argued away in the context of a prototype, it’s a significant red flag, especially when combined with the other inconsistencies. Reputable manufacturers almost always include serial numbers on their instruments for tracking and authentication.
Conclusion: Buyer Beware, But Knowledge is Power
This case of the fake Synyster Gates guitar serves as a valuable lesson for guitar buyers. While the counterfeit was convincing enough to initially fool even experienced individuals, a closer examination revealed a multitude of red flags.
By familiarizing yourself with these key indicators – from pickups and control layouts to inlays, headstock details, and pinstripes – you can significantly increase your ability to spot a fake Synyster Gates guitar. Always exercise caution when purchasing guitars, especially from private sellers or unverified sources. If a deal seems too good to be true, it very well might be.
However, remember that if you acquire a guitar that you enjoy playing, and the price reflects its authenticity (or lack thereof), then the most important thing is that you are happy with your instrument. But when seeking a genuine Synyster Gates guitar, vigilance and informed observation are your best defenses against counterfeits.
