Zakk Wylde Interested in Producing a Line of Dimebag Darrell Signature Guitars

By Haley Nelson

This past December, Pantera fans recognized the 17th anniversary of Dimebag Darrell’s assassination. On December 8th, 2004, at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag Darrell was assassinated by a crazed, young fan who blamed Abbott for the breaking up of Pantera. The guitarist left a legendary legacy as a member of one of the biggest thrash metal bands and founding bands of groove metal. In recent news, following a recent lawsuit filed by Rita Haney, Darrell’s Abott’s girlfriend, against Dean guitars, Zakk Wylde has announced he is exploring the possibility of creating his own line of Dimebag Darrell Signature Guitars with his company, Wylde Audio. Haney, who is trustee of the late Abbott’s estate, is suing on the grounds that Dean guitars filed trademarks that weren’t theirs, owes them money, and disrespected the legacy of Dimebag Darrell (Darrell Abbott). Haney made the decision to end the relationship between Dean guitars and Abbott. After this was announced, Wylde, who was close friends with Abbott, was asked in an interview with Wall of Sound about the future of Dimebag Darrell’s famous line of guitars, and if he would be producing them himself through his guitar company, Wylde Audio. Wylde responded by leaving his own production of the guitars a possibility, but only after consulting Haney and Abbott’s estate and knowing what Haney would want to do.