The Guitar Player's Resource
From Ozzy's Right Hand to Guitar Company Owner.
Zakk Wylde spent decades perfecting his sonic signature through Ozzy Osbourne's legendary band and his own Black Label Society, developing such specific requirements that launching Wylde Audio became inevitable rather than optional. This Nomad represents everything those years of high-pressure touring and recording taught him about what working musicians actually need from their primary weapons.
That Redrum Vortex top over mahogany body creates visual drama worthy of arena stages while delivering tonal foundations warm enough for crushing rhythm work yet articulate enough for those signature pinch harmonic squeals that made Wylde's style instantly recognizable. The gloss natural finish lets that stunning grain structure breathe while providing tactile feedback that matte surfaces simply cannot match.
The EMG 81/85 combination tells the whole story about Wylde's sonic priorities. These active humbuckers have been his go-to choice for decades because they deliver exactly what heavy music demands: the 81 bridge pickup provides focused aggression with enough output to drive any amp into singing sustain, while the 85 neck pickup offers warmer character perfect for those melodic passages that separate musical heavy guitarists from mere noise makers.
That three-piece maple set neck with deep insert joint provides rock-solid construction designed to survive the kind of aggressive playing that destroys lesser instruments. The "Zakk C" neck shape feels substantial enough for serious power chord work while remaining comfortable during extended solos, while that 14-inch radius ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl rune inlays provides smooth navigation across all 22 frets.
The TonePros Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece system handles aggressive playing with mechanical reliability that won't fail during crucial performance moments, while those Grover tuners keep everything stable despite the string-bending punishment Wylde's style demands.
At 24.625-inch scale length, this Nomad splits the difference between Gibson and Fender traditions, creating string tension that accommodates both crushing low-end riffs and expressive high-register work.
Specs:
Body: Mahogany body
Top: Redrum Vortex
Binding: 1-ply white binding
Pickups: EMG 81/85 active pickups
Neck: 3 piece maple set neck with deep insert joint
Radius: 14" radius
Scale length: 24.625" scale length
Neck Shape: Zakk "C" neck shape
Fretboard: Ebony fretboard
Frets: 22 frets
Inlays: Mother of Pearl Rune inlays
Tailpiece: TonePros bridge with tailpiece
Nut: Graphtech Ivory Tusq XL nut
