Guitar Center has announced a new partnership with legendary metal musician Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), encompassing a private Master Class program for unsigned artists and a new line of Zakk Wylde guitars called Wylde Audio. The guitars are available at Guitar Center and the iconic guitarist will also appear on the cover of Guitar Center’s April 2016 Guitar Buyer’s Guide.
“I’m very excited for the launch of Wylde Audio,” said Wylde. “For me, it’s the next logical step. You start as a player, manager, VP of Team Operations, then Team Owner. I’ve surrounded myself with super talented people to make this vision become a reality. It only makes sense to join forces with Guitar Center for a retail partnership, with their history of encouraging talent and supporting musicians.”
Added Jake Cheung, manager, Music Marketing + Artist Relations, at Guitar Center: “With the launch of Wylde Audio, it was only fitting that we have a musician of Zakk Wylde’s caliber participate in Guitar Center’s Master Class. Zakk rarely participates in these programs, so we’re excited to bring this exclusive opportunity to our customers to receive a private master class from one the world’s greatest guitarists.”
The guitarist’s brand new line of guitars, which currently comes in three models (Odin, Viking and Warhammer) are arriving in April for purchase at select Guitar Center stores or online at GuitarCenter.com. All three models feature a solid mahogany body with a set three-piece maple neck and the ebony fretboard has a 24.6″ scale and 14″ radius with 22 jumbo frets. Each guitar also includes a pair of Wylde’s signature EMG active pickups, a time-tested combination of EMG 85/81, that have helped define Wylde’s sound.
Additionally, unsigned guitar players can compete to be part of a private, exclusive Master Class experience with Wylde starting April 1. To be considered, fans can upload videos of themselves playing Wylde’s latest single “Sleeping Dogs” and submit it through the official contest platform: GuitarCenter.com/masterclass. Wylde himself will then hand-select the top five guitarists to win the grand prize.
Guitar Center’s Master Class grand prize winners will receive:
* A VIP trip to Los Angeles for five guitarists to attend a private master class with Zakk Wylde
* A Wylde Audio Odin signature guitar
* New gear from Dunlop, EMG, Monster Cable and MXR
* A feature writeup in Revolver magazine
Previous promotions have included artists as varied and prolific as Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Synyster Gates (AVENGED SEVENFOLD).
Watch Zakk Wylde discuss the Master Class program below.
Source: Blabbermouth
