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Staff Picks: Player's Prerogative

This month Zakk Wylde joins PG editors as we name the guitar we’re playing right now.

Many guitarists change instruments like they change shirts—daily. This month Zakk Wylde joins PG editors as we name the model we’re playing right now. By the time you read this, we’ll probably be playing something else … and we’re cool with that.

Zakk WyldeGuest Picker - Black Label Society

What are you listening to?
Robert Plant solo records like Band of Joy, Joe Pass solo records with just him on guitar, the new Al Di Meola Beatles tribute All My Life—which is phenomenal—Zeppelin, Sabbath’s 13.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
As of late, I’ll either pick up my Epiphone Masterbilt or my steel string. Each day I pick up a different guitar. I’m in NYC jamming! So today I was jamming on my Masterbilt with the vertigo design just to run scales.


Andy EllisSenior Editor

What are you listening to?
At First Sight, the new debut by fingerpicker and multi-instrumentalist Dan Bankhurst. A gorgeous mix of driving Travis picking, melodic originals, and instrumental versions of “Moondance,” “Just the Way You Are,” and other classics.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
My current main squeeze is a 2006 Gibson Les Paul baritone with a 24-fret ebony ’board and stock alnico 2 humbuckers. Strung .013-.072 and tuned B-B, it sounds insanely burly straight into a blackface Fender.


Tessa JeffersManaging Editor

What are you listening to?
A rollicking indie band called Bear Hands.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
A Vintage FG-170 Yamaha acoustic built at Nippon Gakki in Japan that my mom found in a rental home and gave to me. I have a budget acoustic, but this guitar is warmer sounding, projects well, and is just all-around special.


Rich OsweilerAssociate Editor

What are you listening to?
Pontiak’s Innocence. The Carney brothers bring a smorgasbord of sounds, from drippy ’60s psych rock to modern fuzz fuel to an acoustic-based ballad.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
With a 4-year-old on the loose, too many things have been broken and don’t work anymore, so I pick up the only guitar that hasn’t been banished to the closet for its own safety: a very beat-up, but great-sounding ’78 Washburn dread.


Jason ShadrickAssociate Editor

What are you listening to?
I’ve been on a bit of an Americana kick lately with Jason Isbell’s Southeastern and Levi Lowery’s self-titled album. Both combine heartfelt songs with rootsy, ethereal, and sometimes punky tones.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
My current No. 1 is a Mexican Fender Tele with Rio Grande pickups. The neck profile is a little flatter than a vintage Tele and the neck humbucker reminds me of my Mike Stern phase.


Charles SaufleyGear Editor

What are you listening to?
New Bums’ Voices in a Rented Room LP—Six Organ’s Ben Chasny and songwriter Donovan Quinn deliver a perfectly simple and infectious distillate of Big Star’s 3rd and Nikki Sudden’s solo laments.

As of right now, when it’s time to jam the first guitar I pick up is my ___ because ___­.
It’s my gal’s magical Martin 00-15 or my Rickenbacker around the house. Both are great songwriting tools. But these days, my only jam essential is a Fuzzrite clone built by Jesse Trbovich. I feel like I always have something to contribute when that thing is around.