What Guitars Has Aaron Marshall Endorsed? The Complete Gear Breakdown
What guitars has Aaron Marshall endorsed? If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the blistering, melodic, and rhythmically complex sounds of progressive metal, you’ve likely wondered about the instruments behind the wizardry of Aaron Marshall. As the visionary force behind the instrumental project Intervals, Marshall has carved a unique niche, blending technical prowess with unforgettable melodies. His signature tone isn't just a product of skill—it's meticulously crafted through a curated arsenal of high-end guitars and a deep collaboration with one of the industry's most respected brands. This definitive guide explores every facet of Aaron Marshall's endorsed gear, from his flagship signature model to the diverse collection that fuels his creativity, offering you a clear path to understanding and even achieving his iconic sound.
Aaron Marshall: The Progressive Metal Visionary
Before diving into the gear, it’s essential to understand the artist. Aaron Marshall is more than just a guitarist; he’s a composer, educator, and a driving force in modern instrumental music. Born on June 30, 1990, in Toronto, Canada, Marshall has become synonymous with the innovative spirit of progressive metal.
| Bio Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aaron Marshall |
| Date of Birth | June 30, 1990 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Primary Project | Intervals |
| Genre | Progressive Metal, Instrumental Rock |
| Role | Guitarist, Composer, Producer, Educator |
| Associated Acts | Animals as Leaders, Plini |
| Key Releases | The Shape of Colour (2015), The Way Forward (2017), Circadian (2023) |
| Social Media | @aaronintervals (Instagram) |
His music, primarily under the banner Intervals, is celebrated for its intricate compositions that seamlessly merge complex rhythms with soaring, clear melodies. He has released three critically acclaimed studio albums and has established himself as a sought-after online educator through platforms like Guitar World and his own webcam lessons. This blend of performance and pedagogy makes his gear choices particularly significant for aspiring guitarists.
The Core of the Tone: Aaron Marshall's Signature Schecter
While Marshall’s talent is the primary ingredient, his primary tool is a result of a deep partnership. However, aaron’s main squeeze these days is his signature model which he developed in conjunction with the folks at schecter guitar research. This isn't just a celebrity endorsement sticker; it's a fully collaborative instrument born from years of real-world testing and refinement.
The Development Process: From Prototype to Perfection
He had been playing prototypes for many months. This lengthy gestation period is crucial. It means the final Aaron Marshall signature guitar wasn't rushed to market. Marshall used these prototypes on tour, in the studio, and during the writing of his albums, providing relentless feedback to Schecter Guitar Research, Inc. This iterative process ensured every contour, pickup, and hardware choice served a specific musical purpose. The result is an instrument that feels like a natural extension of his creative self.
Why Schecter? A Partnership of Quality and Vision
In order to provide you with the highest level of quality and value, schecter guitar research, inc has built a reputation for offering professional-grade instruments at accessible price points. For a touring and recording artist like Marshall, reliability and consistent performance are non-negotiable. The partnership with Schecter allowed him to specify every detail without the prohibitive cost of some custom-shop routes, making his signature model attainable for a wider audience of serious players.
Key Features: Tonewoods and Versatility
Its tonewoods and range of features make it a great choice for guitarists looking for a flexible and expressive instrument. The most common variant, the Schecter Aaron Marshall SM-7, typically features:
- Body: Alder or Mahogany, chosen for its balanced, resonant tonal foundation with strong low-end clarity.
- Neck: Maple with a comfortable "C" profile, often with a satin finish for fast, unhindered movement.
- Fingerboard: Either Rosewood or Maple, typically with 24 frets and compound-radius for technical playability.
- Pickups: Custom-wound Schecter humbuckers (often the 'Marshall' set) designed to deliver crystal-clear cleans, tight rhythm chunk, and singing, articulate leads without harshness. They are voiced to complement his heavily processed but note-for-note clear style.
- Hardware: A high-quality, stable tremolo system (like a licensed Floyd Rose) for expressive dive bombs and stable tuning, and locking tuners.
- Electronics: Simple, effective controls—usually a master volume, master tone, and a 3-way pickup selector—prioritizing functionality over unnecessary complexity.
Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Schecter may update components like tuners or pickups based on part availability or incremental improvements, but the core design philosophy remains constant.
The Full Arsenal: Beyond the Signature Model
A guitarist of Marshall's caliber does not rely on a single instrument. An enthusiasm that only accelerates when it comes to the topic of guitars, with models by artisedes, musicman, suhr, lark and abasi all in his arsenal. This diverse collection highlights his quest for specific tonal and playability characteristics for different musical contexts.
- Suhr: Known for impeccable build quality, stellar tuning stability, and versatile, high-fidelity pickups. Marshall likely uses Suhr models for tracks requiring extreme clarity and precision.
- Music Man (Ernie Ball Music Man): Famous for their robust construction, powerful output, and iconic designs like the Luke or Valentine. These are workhorses for heavy rhythm tones and reliable stage performance.
- Abasi Guitars (by Strandberg): Representing the cutting edge of ergonomic design with their "headless" construction and fanned frets. Marshall's use of an Abasi speaks to his embrace of modern, comfortable instruments for extended playing sessions and complex technical passages.
- Lark & Artiseed: These brands cater to the modern progressive and metal player. Lark (often associated with Plini) and Artiseed are known for sleek aesthetics, high-performance features, and tones that sit perfectly in modern, djent-influenced mixes. They represent the boutique, artist-focused side of his collection.
This is the full list of aaron marshall's signature guitars. While his Schecter is his namesake model, his personal collection includes these other prestigious brands, each serving a unique purpose in his sonic palette. He also offers regular insight into his guitar antics via his instagram account @aaronintervals and often replies to questions on social about the gear he uses. Following him provides real-time glimpses into this evolving collection.
Deconstructing the Style: The "How" Behind the Gear
Understanding why he chooses certain gear requires a look at his technique. Back in july 2021, marshall sat down with guitar techniques to take a deep dive into the instrumental playing style that van halen holds in such high regard, and picked apart his approach to tones, tempos, melodies and modes, as well as keys, harmonies and three of his favorite guitar instrumentals. This interview reveals his influences (from Van Halen's phrasing to jazz harmony) and his methodical approach to composition.
His playing is a masterclass in economy and precision. He favors tight, syncopated rhythm parts that lock in with drums, requiring guitars with excellent note separation and tight low-end. His leads are melodic and vocal, demanding pickups that respond dynamically to picking attack and finger pressure. The "super fast setup" he employs (as noted in sentence 11) isn't just about speed; it's about fluidity and reducing physical barriers to expression. This is why his signature model’s neck profile and fretwork are so critically important.
Social Media & The Tone Chase: Engaging the Community
Prs artist aaron marshall is all over instagram. While he is a PRS artist (likely using their models for specific clean or jazz-inflected tones), his Instagram is a primary hub for gear talk. He frequently shares:
- Close-up videos of his Schecter SM-7 and other guitars.
- Signal chain breakdowns, showcasing his Axe-Fx III (the core of his live rig) and pedalboard.
- Answers to fan questions about strings, tunings (he uses various, often down-tuned like B standard), and pickup heights.
Read our reviews and comparisons. While this sentence is a call to action for the reader, it underscores a vital point: Get the gear to sound like aaron marshall and get their tone. It’s not just about the guitar. His tone is a product of:
- The Guitar: His Schecter provides the foundational clarity and output.
- The Processor: The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III is the heart of his live rig, modeling amps and effects with stunning accuracy.
- The Technique: No amount of gear can replicate his unique phrasing, hybrid picking, and rhythmic precision.
- The Mix: His sounds are crafted to sit perfectly in a dense, progressive mix, often with high-gain amps that remain articulate.
Aaron Marshall in Action: The Touring Rig
Aaron marshall in action with his sparkle aqua green 060 on the intervals / animals as leaders and plini eu tour. This iconic Sparkle Aqua Green Schecter SM-7 has become his visual signature on stage. It represents the perfect fusion of his personal aesthetic (a unique, eye-catching finish) and the functional requirements of a touring musician—durable, recognizable, and sonically consistent night after night. Seeing him wield this guitar alongside other modern prog giants like Animals as Leaders and Plini cements his status and the credibility of his signature model.
Practical Takeaways: How to Get Aaron Marshall's Tone
- Start with the Foundation: The Schecter Aaron Marshall SM-7 is the most direct path. It’s designed for his specific needs. If budget allows, consider a Suhr or Music Man for alternative feels.
- Embrace the Modeler: His live sound is almost exclusively Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III. Replicating his exact presets is a deep dive, but understanding that he uses high-gain, modern amp models (like the JSX or Rectified types) with tight low-end and detailed highs is key.
- Focus on Technique:Practice his instrumental pieces. Songs like "The Shape of Colour" or tracks from Circadian are etudes in his style. Pay attention to his picking dynamics, legato runs, and rhythmic placement. Gear amplifies technique; it doesn't replace it.
- Follow His Journey:He had been playing prototypes for many months. This teaches us that tone is a journey. Experiment with pickup heights, string gauges (he often uses .011-.052 or similar for down-tuning), and signal chain order. Marshall’s current sound is the result of years of tweaking.
Conclusion: The Endorsement is the Instrument Itself
So, what guitars has aaron marshall endorsed? The answer is nuanced. He has formally endorsed and released signature models with Schecter Guitar Research. His personal arsenal, showcased proudly on social media and stage, includes guitars from Suhr, Ernie Ball Music Man, Abasi, Lark, and Artiseed. Each endorsement is a testament to his relentless pursuit of the perfect tool for his progressive vision.
Ultimately, the most significant endorsement is the one he gives through his own music. The Aaron Marshall signature Schecter stands as a tangible, accessible piece of that legacy—an instrument co-created by an artist who demands flexibility, expressiveness, and uncompromising quality. Its tonewoods and range of features make it a great choice for guitarists looking for a flexible and expressive instrument, whether you’re aiming to play his note-for-note or forge your own path in the world of progressive metal. By studying his gear, his technique, and his compositional approach, you gain more than a list of endorsed guitars; you gain a masterclass in building a modern, versatile, and artistically authentic guitar identity.