Synyster Gates Net Worth

What is Synyster Gates' net worth?

Synyster Gates is an American musician who has a net worth of $16 million. Synyster Gates is an American guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Celebrated for his blazing solos, genre-bending versatility, and virtuosic technique, Gates has helped define the band's sound across multiple stylistic eras—from early metalcore roots to arena-filling hard rock and experimental concept albums. His precise yet expressive playing has earned accolades from fans and critics alike, including being named Best Metal Guitarist in the World by Total Guitar in both 2016 and 2017. Often pairing speed with melody, he is widely regarded as one of the most skilled guitarists in modern metal. Beyond Avenged Sevenfold, his contributions to side projects, collaborations, and signature gear lines have further cemented his legacy.

Early Life

Synyster Gates was born Brian Elwin Haner Jr. on July 7, 1981, in Long Beach, California, and raised in Huntington Beach. Music ran in the family: his father, Brian Haner Sr.—known professionally as "Papa Gates"—is a guitarist and session musician who later performed with Avenged Sevenfold. Gates picked up the guitar around age ten and was influenced early on by a mix of classic rock, metal, jazz, and gypsy jazz. He attended Mayfair High School and Ocean View High School before enrolling in the Guitar Institute of Technology at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where he studied jazz and classical guitar. Partway through the program, he received a call from his childhood friend and drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan to join a rising band called Avenged Sevenfold. He dropped out and joined the group in 1999.

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Avenged Sevenfold

Gates made his recorded debut with the band on the EP "Warmness on the Soul," and soon after contributed to a reissue of their first album, "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet." His stage name, "Synyster Gates," was invented spontaneously during a drive with The Rev. The band's breakthrough came with the 2005 album "City of Evil," which showcased Gates' intricate solos, harmonized guitar duels with rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, and a more melodic, classic metal sound. Gates became a central creative force behind subsequent releases including "Avenged Sevenfold" (2007), "Nightmare" (2010), "Hail to the King" (2013), "The Stage" (2016), and the genre-defying "Life Is But a Dream…" (2023).

Known for his technical prowess, Gates frequently blends shredding with unorthodox phrasing, sweep picking, eight-finger tapping, and jazz improvisation. His solos are often cited as highlights of Avenged Sevenfold's catalog, adding drama and complexity to tracks like "Bat Country," "Afterlife," and "Exist."

Other Projects and Recognition

Alongside The Rev, Gates formed an experimental side project called Pinkly Smooth, releasing the album "Unfortunate Snort" in 2001. Although short-lived, it showcased the duo's more avant-garde musical tendencies. Gates has also contributed to tracks by other artists, including Good Charlotte's "The River" and Burn Halo's "Dirty Little Girl."

He has been honored with numerous awards over the years. In 2011, he and Zacky Vengeance shared the Revolver Golden God Award for Best Guitarist. His frequent wins in fan-voted and critic-chosen guitar polls have kept him consistently ranked among the top metal guitarists of his generation.

(Photo by David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images)

Personal Life

Gates married Michelle DiBenedetto in 2010. The couple has two children, a son born in 2017 and a daughter born in 2019. Michelle is the twin sister of Valary DiBenedetto, who is married to Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows—making the two bandmates brothers-in-law.

Real Estate

In 2007, Gates paid $1.6 million for a home in Huntington Beach, California. Today this home is worth $3 million.

Gear and Legacy

Synyster Gates has a long-standing partnership with Schecter Guitar Research. His signature model, the Synyster Custom, features distinctive black-and-silver pinstripes, a Floyd Rose tremolo system, and Sustainiac pickup technology. The guitar is a favorite among aspiring metal guitarists and has been produced in multiple variants.

Beyond gear, Gates is recognized for pushing the boundaries of metal guitar. His mix of technical mastery and emotive playing has made him a respected figure not only in rock and metal circles but also among musicians of other genres. Whether on stage at festivals or in the studio crafting multi-part epics, Synyster Gates continues to elevate the role of the modern metal guitarist.

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