Synyster Gates
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Career with Avenged Sevenfold
Synyster Gates began his professional career in 2001 at the age of 19 when he joined the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold as the lead guitarist. He quickly became known for his technical proficiency and distinctive guitar solos. Gates frequently collaborates with rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance and was close with the late drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan. Together, they also formed a side project, Pinkly Smooth, in 2001 in Huntington Beach, California.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 1.78 m
- Date of Birth
- 07-07-1981
- Marital Status
- Married
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- Wife
- Michelle DiBenedetto
- Marriage Date
- 2010
- Birth Place
- Huntington Beach, California, United States
- Profession
- Musician, Guitarist, Singer
- Net Worth
- $16 million
- Alma Mater
- Musicians Institute
- Employer
- Avenged Sevenfold (Since 1999), Pinkly Smooth
- Birth Sign
- Cancer
- Birth Date
- 7 Jul, 1981
- Age
- 38 yrs
- Occupations
- Guitarist
Musician
Songwriter
Violinist - Citizenship
- United States of America
- Birth Place
- Huntington Beach
- Education
- Musicians Institute
- Gender
- Male
- Description
- American musician
- Net Worth 2021
- 16 million
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Selected for this profile
He primarily uses Schecter Guitars and has several custom signature Avenger models under the Schecter Guitar Research brand. He has also used Gibson guitars, particularly during the recording of Avenged Sevenfold’s albums “Waking the Fallen” and “City of Evil.” In addition to playing guitar, Gates lends his vocals and contributes piano and keyboard parts in various projects. Alongside his musical pursuits, he runs Syn Gates Clothing, a fashion line designed and managed in collaboration with his wife, Michelle.
Awards and Recognitions
Throughout his career, Synyster Gates has received numerous accolades. In 2006, he was named “Guitarist of the Year” and “Young Shredder of the Year.” In 2010, Guitar World magazine included him in its list of “30 Greatest Shredders of All Time,” praising his mastery of complex techniques like sweep picking, chromatics, and dual-harmonies.
He ranked No. 87 in Guitar World’s 2016 list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and was celebrated for both his style and skill. Gates was voted “Best Metal Guitarist” and “Snappiest Dresser” in Guitar World's readers' poll in 2010. That same year, Rock One magazine ranked him the third-best musician in the industry, and in 2011, he and Zacky Vengeance jointly received Revolver’s Golden Gods Award for Best Guitarist.
In a special edition of Revolver magazine, Gates revealed that while he initially wrote “So Far Away” in memory of his grandfather, the song ultimately became a tribute to his best friend and bandmate, The Rev, who passed away on December 28, 2009.
Public Persona and Style
Gates is known for his distinct personal style that includes black T-shirts, tattoos, gloves, and black nail polish. He often wears sleeveless shirts to showcase his extensive tattoos and is frequently seen with his trademark fedora hats—especially in black and red. Symbolizing his deep bond with The Rev, he often reserves the seat next to him for his late bandmate while traveling.
Beyond music and fashion, Gates is also known for his philanthropic spirit. He has participated in charitable efforts, such as auctioning off his guitar to support victims of California wildfires. His fashion-forward presence earned him the title of “Sexiest Male” in the 2008 Kerrang Readers Poll.
Net Worth and Social Media Presence
As of recent estimates, Synyster Gates has a net worth of approximately $16 million, a reflection of his successful music career and business ventures.
On social media, he has developed a strong following. His Instagram account holds 13.1k followers, while Twitter has garnered 49.1k followers. His official Facebook page, named Synyster Gates, has around 48k likes, showcasing his continued popularity across platforms.
