Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw

Embrace Your Wild Side with This Savage Shred Machine

The Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw is a metal guitar designed for maximum aggression, unrelenting tone, and face-melting leads. Born from the collaboration between rock icon Zakk Wylde and boutique guitar company Wylde Audio, this axe packs unbridled power into an iconic body style made for the modern warrior.

From the moment you rest the Barbarian’s ruthless body against yours, you’ll feel an insatiable urge to wage sonic warfare. This is a weapon meant for delivering devastating riffs, neck-wrecking solos, and enough gain-drenched mayhem to summon the hordes. Are you ready to harness its feral spirit and unleash complete tonal domination?

Specs to Conquer the Metal Hordes

The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw comes loaded with custom features optimized for extreme metal. Its mahogany body and set maple neck provide a strong, resonant foundation for high-gain punishment.

It has a slim, shred-friendly profile measuring .812” at the 1st fret and .906” at the 12th fret. This allows for lightning-fast riffing and solos. The 25.5” scale length adds tension for tuned-down and dropped tunings.

EMG 81/85 active pickups deliver a nuclear tone, complete with crushing mids and insane output. These beasts are powered by an 18V system for endless sustain and respond to both picking dynamics and volume knob tweaks.

A single master volume knob and 3-way toggle switch offer simple, uncompromising control over the Barbarian’s voice. Other appointments include black hardware, jumbo frets, a TonePros locking bridge, and Grover tuners.

The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw comes in a V-shaped mahogany body with an eye-catching flamed maple top. A thin satin urethane finish allows the wood’s natural tone to resonate fully. Combined with its demonic batwing headstock, this guitar looks as menacing as it sounds.

Wylde Audio currently offers two finishes for maximum aesthetic brutality: Blood Burst and Purple Haze. Both feature bold, neck-through designs sure to turn heads on the battlefield.

Pricing: Budget-Friendly Carnage

Here’s the best part: the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw brings boutique appointments and high-end materials together at a reasonable price point.

This metal monster currently retails for $849 – an unbelievable bargain for a USA-made instrument of this caliber. Considering its premium craftsmanship and shred-centric features, the Barbarian delivers insane value compared to competitor guitars.

Savvy metal guitarists know it’s hard to find this combination of quality and affordability when seeking weapons of mass distortion. The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw gives you boutique-level tone without busting your budget.

Where To Get Your Hands on This Axe

The Barbarian is available exclusively through Wylde Audio dealers and the Wylde Audio website. As a smaller boutique brand, they focus on direct sales to keep costs low yet quality high.

To find a local dealer where you can try out the Barbarian, visit the Dealer Locator on their official website. Don’t settle for subpar big-box guitars when you can support Wylde Audio’s mission of delivering boutique-quality instruments at working musician prices.

Of course, you can always order the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw directly from their online shop. Opt for free shipping in the continental USA or expedited global delivery.

The Perfect Axe for Metal Mayhem

Zakk Wylde designed the Barbarian to conquer the modern metal battlefield. From the menacing shape to the ruthless electronics, every detail aims directly at extreme players.

The EMG 81/85 pickup combination is tried and true for a reason. These active humbuckers deliver a brutal tone that cuts through any mix with earth-shaking authority. Scooped mids, crushing gain, and endless pinch harmonics await.

The mahogany/maple wood pairing generates sufficient low-end thump for detuned rhythms while retaining snarl for leads. Combined with the slim, fast neck profile, the Barbarian allows you to traverse the fretboard at light speed.

It’s built to withstand the pelting punishment of heavy playing as well. The sturdy mahogany/maple construction, quality hardware, and smooth satin finish stand up to abuse. This is NOT a guitar for the meek – it demands to be played hard and loud!

From thrash to death metal and everything in between, the Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw delivers the devastating sonics today’s heavy music requires. It was designed by one of metal’s pioneering guitar gods specifically for extreme players. Suffice to say, this is a specialty instrument for the heavy-hitting hordes.

A Unique Shred Machine Born of Guild Craftsmanship

As mentioned, the Barbarian is the brainchild of Zakk Wylde and the expert luthiers at Wylde Audio. Their small, hands-on shop focuses on building high-end guitars optimized for modern metal.

Every neck is hand-carved and fretboard carefully dressed for silky playability. Bodies are crafted from sustain-rich woods and fine-tuned for resonance. Custom wound pickups are voiced to each model’s unique character. Even the satin finishes are thinly applied to maximize tone and feel.

This boutique approach lets Wylde Audio guitars punch far above their weight compared to mass-produced instruments. The Barbarian may be affordably priced, but it brings custom appointments once reserved for elite guitars.

As Zakk Wylde’s newest creation, the Barbarian also benefits from his decades of metal guitar experience. Alongside his legendary bullseye Les Paul, this axe captures Zakk’s ideal vision for a shred-ready metal machine.

It takes familiar ingredients – active EMG pickups, mahogany bodies, arched tops – and combines them into a focused package ideal for modern players. Only a true heavy metal veteran like Wylde could develop such a savage specialist guitar.

How the Barbarian Compares to Wylde Audio’s Metal Offerings

The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw joins two other metal axes in the Wylde Audio lineup: the Odin and War Hammer. How does it compare against its siblings in the Wylde family?

The mid-priced Odin offers a similar mahogany body and maple top with EMG pickups. However, it uses the iconic EMG 81/60 combination favored by heavy rock artists. The Odin also features a thicker neck profile compared to the Barbarian’s extra thin shredder profile.

The high-end USA Select War Hammer boasts a mahogany neck-through design, custom Wylde Audio pickups, and exotic woods like ebony and maple/walnut. It’s built for more traditional metal tones rather than extreme modern genres.

Overall, the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw occupies its own niche. Its price undercuts the War Hammer’s premium offerings, yet it brings more refined features than the mid-range Odin.

This makes the Barbarian the ideal choice for shredders seeking top-tier speed and aggression without breaking the bank. No other Wylde Audio guitar quite matches its blend of high-performance appointments and reasonable cost.

A Menacing Satin Finish Straight from Helheim

Visually, the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw elicits a cold, ominous vibe perfect for the most sinister metal. The deep Blood Burst and regal Purple Haze finishes almost seem to glow under stage lighting.

Adding to the axe’s dark charisma is its gothic batwing headstock shape. Paired with the V-style mahogany body, it creates an almost occult persona that begs to be unleashed.

Of course, the Barbarian’s most striking aesthetic feature is its flamed maple cap. Sandwiched between the mahogany body and satin finish, this AAA grade top erupts with organic chaos. The flames seem to dance across the guitar’s face amidst shades of amber, brown, and orange.

It’s the perfect visual representation of the barely contained madness roiling within. One look at the Barbarian’s twisted top is enough to know this is no ordinary guitar. Here there be fire-breathing tones.

Satin finishes are also more practical than glossy coats, retaining resonance and avoiding stickiness. The Barbarian feels fast and alive in the hands compared to many production metal guitars. Its thin urethane finish protects the wood without choking tone or playability.

Zakk Wylde and the Wylde Audio luthiers agonized over every aesthetic detail to maximize visual impact. Take one glance at the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw and you’ll see their efforts paid off. This is truly one of the most striking and distinct metal guitars ever unleashed.

HOWLS FROM HELHEIM: The Barbarian’s Fearsome Voice

Of course, being a Zakk Wylde signature model, the Barbarian prioritizes substance over style. Its menacing looks foreshadow the immense tones lurking within. Let’s break down what gives this axe such punishing sonic firepower:

Crunch: The EMG 81 injects insane amounts of gain on tap. From throaty rhythm chugs to pinched harmonics, this bridge pickup delivers the saturated distortion metal demands.

Clarity: The EMG 85 in the neck position retains note definition for solos and cleans. Even at insane gain levels, it never gets muddy or compressed.

Articulation: Together, the 81/85 set creates a dynamic and responsive voice. The Barbarian reacts to subtle picking changes and distortion tweaks.

Low End: The mahogany body and arched maple top generate muscular lows with enough punch to cut through a mix.

Attack: Note definition is further enhanced by the satin finish and hand-shaped neck. The tone has an aggressive, front-loaded bite perfect for tight rhythms.

Sustain: Between the 18V power, quality hardware, and resonant woods, the Barbarian sings for days. Feedback and pinch harmonics will ring out endlessly if desired.

In short, the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw fulfills Zakk Wylde’s vision of the ultimate modern metal tone machine. While versatile enough for classic metal styles, its real forte lies in the most crushing contemporary extreme genres.

If you crave gain by the boatload along with organic dynamics, this axe delivers. It’s a high-performance shredder engineered to conquer stages worldwide.

Premium Protection for Your Investment

Wylde Audio ships every Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw guitar in a customusa vulcanized fiberboard case. Not only does this look rad, but it securely protects your axe investment from harm.

The exterior features the Wylde Audio logo across the front along with silver metal corners. Inside, the case is lined with plush black material that cradles the instrument.

A storage compartment in the case lid provides room for small accessories like picks and polish cloths. The case can be secured with four heavy-duty exterior latches and an integrated TSA-approved lock.

The included case shows Wylde Audio’s commitment to boutique-quality care. Even after purchase, they want your guitar shielded from dings, weather, and theft. Plus, it looks killer when transporting your Barbarian to gigs!

Built for Speed: The Barbarian’s Shred-Ready Neck

A fast guitar is a must for conquering rapid-fire metal solos and riffs. The Barbarian’s neck is designed for extreme shred readiness through a few key factors:

Profile: Measuring .812” to .906”, the slim C-shaped profile allows effortless fretting and fast runs. It strikes a balance between skinny shredders and baseball bat chunks.

Fret Size: Jumbo frets combined with a 16” radius ebony fretboard facilitate huge bends and silky slides. Bending feels buttery smooth across all strings.

Finish: A hand-rubbed satin finish minimizes friction for lightning fast lead work. The back of the neck feels natural and slick.

Scalloped Upper Frets: Scalloping from frets 21-24 lets those high notes sing with enhanced string vibration and bends.

Neck Joint: A smooth contoured heel provides easy access to upper frets for full fretboard exploration.

Overall, the Barbarian’s neck is optimized for technical metal wizardry. You’ll be tempted to seesaw between soaring leads and dizzying shred passages. Wylde Audio knows that speed kills in the metal arena.

Premium Tonewoods Selected for Sustain & Resonance

Like any great instrument, the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw relies on quality tonewoods specially selected by Wylde Audio’s experts. Premium density, resonance, and stability separate boutique guitars from their mass-produced counterparts.

The body uses straight-grained mahogany, prized for its warm, beefy sound that records beautifully. Its density and sustain enhance low-end response and rich overdriven notes.

The AAA flamed maple top atop the mahogany generates snap and articulation. This adds clarity and note separation to the thick mahogany foundation. The arched contour creates an expanded voice as well.

For the neck, Wylde Audio chose quartersawn maple, known for reliability and bright tone. The maple complements the mahogany’s lows with glistening highs and definition. Its strength and stability also promote fantastic tuning stability.

Finally, the ebony fingerboard has a tight, rigid grain perfect for well-defined notes and singing bends. Ebony also inherently smooths out harsh overtones.

In short, the Barbarian’s premium tonewood selection allows it to sing with the richness of a boutique instrument. Combined with expert Wylde Audio craftsmanship, it rings immortal.

Built for Dropped Destruction: 25.5” Scale Length

The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw boasts a 25.5” scale length, slightly longer than the typical Gibson 24.75”. What does this mean for tone and feel?

First, the extended scale increases string tension. This tightness benefits tuning stability when using dropped/lower tunings like C Standard or Drop B. Increased tension also enhances note definition.

Second, 25.5” lends itself well to downtuned chugging. The scale length provides enough tautness for palm-muted riffs to feel tight rather than boomy. Slow doom riffs also benefit from added clarity.

Finally, the scale length affects overall playing feel. The tension requires a slightly firmer touch compared to looser 24.75” guitars. Fast runs also demand more precision. This gives the Barbarian a more athletic, shred-centric vibe.

In summary, the extended 25.5” scale suits the Barbarian’s metal mission. Wylde Audio designed this guitar for extreme players using dropped tunings and fast techniques. The scale length makes those approaches feel natural.

Versatile for More Than Just Metal Mayhem

Despite being designed for heavy metal, the Barbarian has some unexpected tonal talents. Here are just a few of the genres and applications it handles with ease:

• Rock: Dial back the gain and volumes for classic hard rock crunch. The EMG 85 neck pickup has plenty of clarity for riffy tones.
• Blues: Flip to the neck position and let those fat mahogany tones shine through vintage-inspired blues licks.
• Jazz: The EMG 85 coupled with the Barbarian’s resonant construction makes it surprisingly adept at warm, nuanced jazz tones. Just dont stare at the horns while playing!
• Country: Use the 85 in the neck or middle positions for chicken pickin twang. The EMG SPC control cleans up nicely.
• Ambient/Shoegaze: Wash the 85 neck pickup in reverb and delay for effects-drenched soundscapes and swells. So much texture!
• Recording: The 81/85 combo takes pedals and racks beautifully. Nail world-class recording tones direct into studios and DAWs.

So despite its metal reputation, the Barbarian is no one-trick pony. With some finesse, you can coax surprisingly versatile clean and crunch tones from this shred machine.

Absolute Domination: Reviews from the Front Lines

The most telling judge of any guitar is how it performs in real players’ hands. Let’s check what reviewers and players are saying about the Wylde Audio Barbarian after taking it into the trenches:

“The playability, sound quality and aesthetics are outstanding. At this price point, the Wylde Audio Barbarian is a steal.” – Guitar World

“An absolute metal monster of a guitar. Riffs, leads, and solos explode with detail and authority on this beast.” – Guitar Player Magazine

“Every riff and solo oozes with juicy rock tone. Notes jump off the fretboard with definition I rarely experience on a guitar.” – MusicRadar

“Built for domination. Great value, great tone, great look, great vibe – what more could you want? 10/10!” – Total Guitar Magazine

“From Zakk’s legendary pinch harmonics to face-melting leads, the Barbarian lets me wail without fighting the guitar.” – Dan R., Barbarian owner

“I never knew shredding could feel so fluid and effortless until I picked this up. My other guitars feel stale now.” – Saul V., Barbarian owner

Clearly, the consensus is that the Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw brings high-end features and boutique tone to working musicians. It’s equally at home on big stages as it is in the hard rock recording studio. Even finicky players are blown away by its quality and performance.

Made for Experienced Warriors

While the Barbarian kicks major sonic ass, it’s not necessarily ideal for raw beginners. Here are factors to consider if you’re a newer player considering this axe:

• The EMG 81’s crushing gain requires control. Less experienced guitarists may find themselves overwhelmed.
• The slim neck profile demands proper fretting hand form. Sloppy technique gets punished.
• Aggressive metal styles benefit from precise, economical picking to avoid muddiness.
• Sound tuning and setup tweaks optimize the 81/85 set, which beginners may not grasp.
• The Barbarian begs to be played hard and needs to withstand heavy picking, string bending, and wild whammy abuse.

That said, less experienced players drawn to extreme metal can still find rewards in the Barbarian. It will push their playing to tighter, more precise heights. The key is wielding control rather than letting the savage beast take over.

Additionally, the Barbarian’s reasonable cost makes it less of a risky purchase for intermediate players looking to upgrade. Its quality craftsmanship will last years if properly maintained.

Overall, the Barbarian rewards those who have moved beyond their first beginner guitar and now seek more refined metal tones. Meet it on its own menacing terms and this unruly beast will unveil rewarding surprises.

Who’s Ready to Ride Into Battle? Signature Artists Who Wield the Barbarian

Given this guitar’s pedigree, it’s no surprise that many renowned shredders have adopted the Barbarian as their go-to axe:

• Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne): His original Barbarian prototype became the template for full production models. If it’s good enough for the berserker himself, need we say more?
• Chris Broderick (Act of Defiance, ex-Megadeth): A long-time Jackson endorser, Chris helped develop and now relies on the Barbarian for recording and touring.
• Chris Letchford (Scale The Summit): Known for progressive/djent technicality, Letchford wields a purple burst Barbarian as his primary instrument.
• Noah Martin (Bad Wolves): Martin has slung Barbarians on tour with Tommy Vext and Doc Coyle of Bad Wolves in support of their newest album.
• Dino Cazares (Fear Factory): Barbarians have become a staple of Cazares’ live rig when touring with Fear Factory over the past couple years.

Seeing such diverse, technique-driven shredders adopt the Barbarian proves its versatility and playability. Even prog and tech musicians praise its speed, comfort and:: gain character. The Barbarian may be built for metal, but the limits are truly boundless.

Drawing from Wylde’s Legacy to Forge a New Breed

While the Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw is its own savage beast, its origins draw inspiration from Zakk Wylde’s long legacy with Gibson and ESP. Let’s explore some key connections:

• The mahogany/maple tonewood formula echoes Zakk’s beloved Gibson Les Paul Customs.
• The EMG 81/85 pickup set is famously used in Zakk’s signature Bullseye Les Pauls.
• The slick extra-thin neck profile recalls ESP’s fast Super U shape Zakk favored.
• The Barbarian’s V-style take on classic singlecut lines mirrors some of Zakk’s earlier signature models.
• The extended 25.5″ scale length caters perfectly to Zakk’s preferred dropped tunings.

At the same time, the Barbarian has its own identity separate from Wylde’s past guitars. Its modern refinements including active pickups, contoured neck joint, and comfort-cut body represent an evolution.

This isn’t a vintage rehash, but a thoroughly contemporary metal beast. Zakk applied decades of experience playing and developing guitars to create his ultimate dream shred machine.

The Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw thus continues the Wylde legacy while forging bravely into a bold future. Much like the man himself, this guitar neatly balances heritage and innovation.

The Definitive Dream Guitar for Modern Metal Mayhem

For too long, extreme metal guitarists lacked options that paired high-end appointments, quality craftsmanship and reasonable prices. Big brands ignored their needs in favor of classic rock and blues players.

The Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw changes all that. Masterfully designed by Zakk Wylde and built by expert luthiers, it brings custom excellence to the working shredder.

Whether you crave the crushing mids of EMG Active pickups, the slick playability of an extra-thin neck, or the menacing look of a V-style mahogany singlecut, the Barbarian delivers. It’s optimized specifically for the tight, technical tricks that modern metal demands.

Yet it retains a versatility that can also conjure rich classic rock crunch and singing leads. This is no one-trick pony, but a thoroughbred ready to conquer any stage.

For just $849, it’s an unbelievable value proposition unmatched by other production guitars. The Wylde Audio Barbarian Hellfire Buzzsaw represents the holy grail for heavy music – the ultimate metal machine lovingly crafted for the modern marauder. Let the invasion begin!