Nightmare

The recording

The 'Nightmare' riff was tracked in 2010 with Synyster Gates playing a Schecter Synyster Gates Custom‑S, using the bridge position of a Seymour Duncan SH‑8 Invader pickup and a Sustainiac neck pickup. The part features aggressive palm‑muted attack and tight low‑end, captured by the studio engineers during the album sessions.

Reported gear

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom‑S

Guitar

Synyster Gates recorded the 'Nightmare' riff using his Schecter Synyster Gates Custom‑S equipped with a Seymour Duncan SH‑8 Invader bridge pickup and a Sustainiac neck pickup, captured with the bridge pickup in the studio.

MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver

Pedal

A Boost/Line Driver unit was placed in front of the amp to push the Bogner Uberschall into higher gain for the 'Nightmare' studio tone, as detailed in the tone settings.

Bogner Uberschall 120‑Watt Tube Head

Amp

The core amp for the 'Nightmare' recording was a Bogner Uberschall 120‑Watt tube head, delivering tight, high‑gain metal tone with a hint of reverb.

Alternatives

Schecter Omen‑6

Modern equivalent · for the Schecter Synyster Gates Custom‑S

$500 to $650

Peavey 6505+ 115‑Watt Head

Modern equivalent · for the Bogner Uberschall 120‑Watt Tube Head

$800 to $1,200

MXR Micro Amp

Modern equivalent · for the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver

$100 to $150

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup (Seymour Duncan SH‑8 Invader) for the main riff.
2. 2.Engage the MXR MC401 Boost to add extra attack before the amp.
3. 3.Use alternate picking on the rapid sixteenth‑note runs to maintain speed and clarity.
4. 4.Apply slight vibrato and sustain with the Sustainiac neck pickup for soaring leads.