Zakk Farkas was introduced to guitar at a very young age and started playing when he was 7. Now 36, he has an extensive collection of some pretty insane guitars with stories to match.
His dad took him to his first concert when he was 10 to see AC/DC and after that, Zakk was determined to be a touring musician. Eventually, while playing in numerous bands, Zakk would share the stage with many of his favorite artists growing up like Between The Buried and Me, He is Legend, Protest The Hero, Poison The Well, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more. His main guitar influences are Randy Rhoads, Dimebag Darrell, Eddie Van Halen, Dave Murray, & Chris DeGarmo. Although he's hung up his touring and show shoes, he still plays, and is currently teaching his 3 year old son how to play.
Zakk’s guitars:
2020 "Dean From Hell" Dimebolt
1995 Washburn 333 Dime Slime (Signed by Dimebag)
2018 Custom Karl Sandoval Blackout V (Signed by Karl, Zakk Wylde, & Ozzy Osbourne)
2003 PRS McCarty 594 10 Top (Signed by Paul Reed Smith)
2019 ESP E-II M-I Thru
2001 Gibson Flying V (Signed by James Hetfield)
2018 Custom "Angel of Death" Strat
2006 Switch Vibracell, Epiphone GT Explorer
2023 Custom "Hell Kitty" (Hello Kitty) Strat
1987 B.C. Rich Platinum Series Warlock
2010 Schecter 006 Elite Thru
2005 Custom "Pale Man" Â Schecter 006 Elite
What was your first guitar and do you still have it?Â
My very first guitar was a fluorescent pink 1987 B.C. Rich Warlock. It was one of the only guitars I ever sold and the only reason I sold it was because I was saving to buy another guitar. I was 12 and cutting grass for money wasn't exactly giving me fat stacks. I think I sold it for $200 and the kid I sold it to spray painted it black the same day and I was mortified. I told myself that one day, when I had the money, I'd find the exact same guitar and own it again. I found it in 2021 and it will stay with me forever.Â
What's your favorite guitar right now and why?
That's such a tough question because all of my guitars own a piece of my heart. If I had to pick just one though, I'd have to say it's my custom built Karl Sandoval V. He was the master luthier that made Randy Rhoads' iconic Polka Dot V. What makes this guitar even more special though is that it's signed by Karl, Zakk Wylde and Ozzy Osbourne. I believe it may be the only Karl Sandoval signed by both of them in the world. Meeting Ozzy was a crazy experience but that's a whole different story. I actually have a lot of crazy stories that some would never believe without receipts and I've got em'.Â
What's your newest purchase?
As a birthday gift to myself, I preordered a Solar X1.6AN. I've never played a Solar but this guitar looks amazing and if it's backed by Ola Englund, it's gotta play well too. I love that dude.Â
How often do you play?
Since the birth of my second son, I don't get as much time as I'd like to jam but being a dad to my boys is the best gig I've ever played. They're my world now. Â
What's the music you are creating, what's the mission behind it?
I don't really write anymore but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I now like to focus my energy into learning different styles I would've never considered playing when I was younger. Watching kids like Billy Strings and Marcus King absolutely crush it, just inspires me to venture out because it's not my style or background but it sounds so damn good.Â
The last 5 years, I've been dabbling in DIY art, woodworking, and sharing it with others on social media. I recently launched a YouTube Channel called, "Home Degore". I've covered things like building a hidden room and customizing guitars. I may be retired from playing shows but the creative gears are still turning. I'm really excited about this next chapter of my life. Â
