The thoughts and pontifications of Billie Marshall
GearHeads - Nonpoint's Zach Broderick
by Billie Marshall,posted Sep 16 2010 9:22AM
Name: Zach Broderick
Band: Nonpoint
Instrument: Guitar
Latest Project: Nonpoint's new album Miracle is in stores now
What led you to play guitar?
I started playing guitar because I was infatuated with 80’s rock as a kid. I loved jumping around my room with my guitar playing pretending to play AC/DC in front of 100,000 people. When I played my first gig in eighth grade (at a graduation party) I knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What were some of the first songs you ever learned on guitar?
I think it was "Hey, Joe" by Jimi Hendrix or The Doors' version of "Gloria." It might have been "Patience" by Guns 'n Roses. F***...I don't remember. What brands/ models do you use to record?
I use the same thing to record as I do when perofrming live. I swear by my EVH 5150III for my recording amp. On Miracle I used a Zakk Wylde Gibson Les Paul custom camo finish bullseye guitar for all of the record. For the clean tones I used a Fender Stratocaster.
I have always had a love for Gibson Les Pauls. Growing up as a teen I played Epiphones, I can afford nice Gibsons now which is awesome! Gibson offers me great tone, awesome comfort and a great look. I just love everything about them.
Any challenges?
Learning more and more about guitar is a never- ending challenge. I'm not complaining though; I love trying to better myself as a musician. It's a fun challenge. Trying to learn to mimic Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, Eddie Van Halen and Slash have always been really difficult. Those are definitely my favorite and most influential players of all time. They all have such unique and difficult styles. I love sitting down next to my stereo and jamming along with them on guitar.
Any mishaps?
The worst was when we were on tour with Mudvayne and my tech told me that he wanted to talk to me in the venue. I walked in only to have him show me that the neck on my Zakk Wylde camo custom was mysteriously cracked in half. He said he didn't know how it happened.
The worst part was that it was given to me as a gift from one of my best friends, Brett Myers (the MLB pitcher for the Houston Astros). I had just gotten it from Brett and he asked “how’s the guitar treatin’ ya?”I couldn’t lie to him so I told him about my discovery. I asked some luthier friends of mine how to fix the break. I used some wood glue and put Humpty Dumpty back together again. It's been solid since and I haven't noticed a difference in tone or playability.
What other gear do you covet?
I love my EVH amps more than any other amp on the planet. The definition, gain, clarity, everything; it's just an amazing amp. It's the amp I always wanted. My buddy Chris Cannella runs the artist department at EVH amp studios and he's just the nicest guy ever. Eddie Van Halen and his tech Matt Bruck have been extremely insightful on how to dial in the best tone on that amp. I think it's so awesome that Eddie works directly on the amps. He still takes so much pride in his tone. I'm also using the EVH Frankenstein pickup in my black Gibson ‘86 custom. I love that pickup as well. I'm gonna put the EVH Wolfgang pickup in another one of my guitars. Obviously, I can't say enough good things about EVH.
Any advice for people who wanna learn to play?
First off...have fun! Make noise and create your own style. Learn from friends and take constructive criticism. Keep an open mind. Make sure you’re jamming with the right people. Steer clear of egotistical people and “know- it- alls.” Have patience. You’re not gonna learn how to play like your favorite players overnight. It takes some dedication and discipline. Most importantly plug in and have a blast!
What led you to play guitar?
I use the same thing to record as I do when perofrming live. I swear by my EVH 5150III for my recording amp. 
Nonpoint's new album, Miracle, is in stores now. Recognize some of the backing vocals? That's Chad Grey of Mudvayne who also helped produce the album.