Devin Holt

I recorded with some ESP 6-string baritones I’ve had a bit, but I got my hands on ESP’s 7-string baritones that I will be using on the spring and summer tours. The reason for the change to 7-string is because I wanted to challenge myself and it solved a problem I had, because I teach guitar lessons in standard tuning. So when I pick up a new trick or technique, and I want to apply it, I always have to mentally transpose it to baritone tuning, which isn’t that far off, but you don’t want to be in that calculated of a headspace when you’re jamming or improvising onstage. Switching to the 7-string allowed me to have a full standard-scale guitar, but then I still have the low seventh string that helps me go into Pallbearer-rhythm mode. And I tune it to A–E–A–D–G–B–E and Brett tunes to dropped-A, which is A–E–A–D–F#–B.

I’ve always been a Megadeth fan, and around a decade ago, I started collecting the (former Dave Mustaine ESP signature model) DV8. I have every color variation except the weird orange one, that I would still love to track down. But I’ve been aware of ESP going back to when I was a teenager. They have always been great guitars.

The LTD V-401B guitar is my favorite stage guitar, but I've been loving my E-II series Viper as well. I’ve been playing the baritone V since I hopped on the ESP team about a year and a half ago.