Disturbed’s primary guitarist, Dan Donegan, is known for playing various Gibson and Epiphone models. During live performances, he uses a variety of Les Pauls including the Custom Shop ’59 Reissue, Standard T, Classic Antique and R8 VOS. He also uses an Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro electric guitar with EMG 81/85 active pickups for most of their studio recordings. He plays an Epiphone SG Special on some occasions. He sometimes also uses Fender Stratocasters such as a 1963 reissue model as well as Gretsch guitars in his repertoire.
Contents:
I. Introduction to Disturbed and Their Music
Founded in 1994, Disturbed is a heavy metal band from Chicago, Illinois. Comprised of members David Draiman on vocals, Dan Donegan on guitar, John Moyer on bass and Mike Wengren on drums, the group has been making waves in the music industry since their debut album The Sickness back in 2000. Since then they have released seven studio albums, two live albums and three compilation albums – all to great acclaim.
Although rooted in alternative metal music, Disturbed combines elements of industrial rock and hard rock with groove metal and nu-metal. This unique blend of styles gives them a sound that stands out from other bands in the genre and fans can expect powerful riffs accompanied by strong vocal performances whenever they listen to one of their songs.
The band’s most prominent feature would be Donegan’s dynamic lead guitar playing which has become synonymous with the group’s sound over time. His range covers anything from melodic solos to chugging rhythms as well as some thrash metal-influenced riffing here and there too – he truly knows how to make an impactful performance. Of course it helps that his choice of instruments are top-of-the-line guitars like those made by Gibson or ESP which give him even more power when he plays his licks live onstage.
II. The Guitars Used by Dan Donegan in Disturbed
Dan Donegan of Disturbed is known for his unique guitar style. His sound is a combination of crunchy riffs, distorted chords and melodic solos. Donegan’s primary weapon in creating this sonic tapestry is a variety of custom Fender Stratocasters. He relies on these instruments to achieve an aggressive yet controlled tone that defines the band’s heavy metal sound.
Donegan has also been seen playing a range of Schecter models onstage and in the studio, including their Apocalypse series, Hellraiser Hybrid C-7 model, and Damien Elite 6 FR model. He typically chooses models with active EMG pickups to enhance the power and clarity of his playing. In addition to Strats and Schecters, Donegan has been spotted using B.C Rich Warlock electric guitars during Disturbed’s live performances as well as ESP guitars for certain recordings throughout their career.
These three brands provide Donegan with the versatility he needs to accurately recreate the band’s signature riffs night after night while still giving him enough flexibility to add his own creative flair when needed in both recording sessions or onstage improvisations. With such an arsenal at his disposal it’s no surprise why Donegan remains one of the most innovative guitarists in modern hard rock music today.
III. The Gear of John Moyer, Bassist of Disturbed
John Moyer, the bassist of Disturbed, is no stranger to guitars and other gear. His journey as a musician began in high school when he was taking guitar lessons from his father’s friend. By the time Moyer joined Disturbed, he had amassed an impressive collection of musical equipment.
Moyer’s primary instrument on stage is the Spector Euro LX 4-string electric bass guitar. The body of this model has been crafted with swamp ash for a brighter tone and exceptional sustain. It also features a neck made from maple, which helps produce that classic bright sound that many metal players are looking for. The fretboard consists of rosewood with 24 jumbo frets, giving it a smooth feel while playing fast runs or thick chords. To ensure consistent tone across each string, Moyer sets up his strings with DR Hi-Beam Stainless Steel Heavy Gauge strings (45-125).
For amplification, Moyer relies on an Aguilar DB750 head amp powering two DB410 4×10 cabinets – known to be one of the loudest rigs in rock music today. In addition to live performances and studio recordings, Moyer has used the Aguilar rig to mix out different sounds at rehearsals so he can fine tune his parts before taking them to the stage.
IV. Mike Wengren’s Drum Setup in the Band
The heavy percussion of Disturbed is the backbone to the band’s signature sound, and there’s no one better at laying down a powerful beat than Mike Wengren. As the drummer in Disturbed since 1994, Wengren has seen many different musical styles come and go, yet he remains steadfast in his approach. He plays on a huge custom drum kit by DW Drums with both traditional and electronic elements including a Roland Octapad. This allows him to deliver dramatic accents to create an explosive atmosphere for the music.
To make sure that he gets just the right sound out of his drums each night, Mike Wengren relies on quality hardware such as Pearl Stands & Clamps and Remo Drumheads. His snare is tuned extra tight to give it maximum punchiness during live performances – something that fans of Disturbed have become accustomed to over the years. The rest of his setup also includes Sabian cymbals ranging from crashes to hi-hats depending on what type of song they are playing. For amplifying this collection of instruments onstage, Wengren uses Shure microphones so everyone can clearly hear what he’s doing behind the kit.
It’s clear that Mike Wengren puts a great deal of effort into creating a unique sound for every show that will move audiences from beginning to end – all while remaining true to himself and showcasing why he’s been playing with Disturbed for almost 25 years now.
V. Wrap-Up: How Disturbed’s Gear Influences Their Sound
Disturbed has been playing together since 1994, and over the years their signature sound has evolved. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what guitars Disturbed use, it’s worth examining how their gear influences their distinct sonic imprint.
The two main guitarists in the band are Dan Donegan and John Moyer, who both favor heavily customized models crafted by ESP. Donegan is most famously known for wielding his version of the ESP Eclipse Flying V in a unique blacked-out look with reverse stripes. He also owns an LTD DC600 model with a set of EMG pickups that offer a stronger mid range than other types of humbuckers while still maintaining clarity and definition. Meanwhile, Moyer plays on an LTD M1000 electric guitar outfitted with Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups that combine elements of traditional vintage tones with modern responsiveness.
In addition to their own custom axes, both Donegan and Moyer rely heavily on effects pedals – especially multi effects processors like Line 6 Helix – to shape the tone of each song and give them more sonic control in live performances. The duo often makes extensive use of modulation effects such as phasers and flangers for added depth, as well as chorus and delays for extra dimensionality at higher volumes. While all these various components play important roles in constructing Disturbed’s sound, it’s clear from listening to any one of their albums that they still approach recording like classic rock bands: tracking parts separately before melding them into the final product through mixing boards or computer software programs like Pro Tools or Logic Pro X.
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