As long as it keeps working and my luthier is around, I will keep this. i really don't feel that I will have anything other than minor work on it. I did compare this guitar with the new Gibson SG-Custom with humbuckers, and I like the Epi much better. The only thing that could be better on this guitar is having 3 sets of humbuckers. The thing I like the most out of this guitar is its total sound versatility, and the thing I like the least is not having a whammy bar.

Sound
Hi, I am an active musician, gigging four nights a week. I have always bought the Gibson SG with humbuckings and had it custom made. I needed to go out and buy a new guitar so I called Epiphone and talked to the head tech. He told me that the Zakk Wylde sounds like a custom made and every bit as good as its American counterpart I love its ability to play clean jazz, blues, and 80's and 90's music. I think its appearance is totally unique and when we play, I have people who come up and ask me about it. My amp is a Fender Twin Reverb, as I like the tube sound. I think that playing it at a recording studio or playing it out would be the same..providing you have a good recording engineer. My only compaint is that it is heavy compaired to my SG-custom. Oh, the sustain is as good as any other guitar, and the bright sounds are similar to the Beatle's high treble sound. As far as sounding better, you could use the active humbuckers, but I think that this is a phenomenal guitar for the… read more money,and I don't think that it is worth switching to them.

Features
The only complaint that I had is the plug jack was a little loose when it arrived here. Using a pair of needle nose pliers corrected that problem. I had read that the pickup switch was a weak link, but mine is just perfect. I wish that it had a Floyd Rose whammy bar, but I would only use it once and a while.

Quality
This guitar is put together extremly well. So far, I haven't had a single problem and I don't expect it to. The wood is almost mirror like when the light is shinning on it. it is very smooth to the touch and has no blemishes. I was really impressed when I called Epi and got answers right away. I don't think I will need a backup for this guitar. I also bring my Martin DH28 for accoustical work.

Value
The Zakk Wylde guiatar is well worth owning. I would buy another top of the line Epi again. I compaired my Gibson SG-Custom with humbuckers and like Zakk's guitar much better. I think the neck is much faster.

Manufacturer Support
All I can say is that I was actually shocked to having called 3 times, to have a congenial and technological response. This is a rarity for calling American companies today.

The Wow Factor
The aesthetics of this guitar are second to none. Zakk Wylde displays pure genuis in his design of this guitar. It just feels right, but a little on the heavy side, but nothing that a good leather strap can't rectify.

Musical Background:
Active musician playing 4 nights a week.

Musical Style:
Jazz, blues, and rock and roll from the 80's. read less