Claudio Sanchez Launches Evil Instruments with the Jackhammer Guitar

At NAMM 2025, Coheed and Cambria’s lead vocalist and guitarist Claudio Sanchez unveiled his latest venture: Evil Instruments. This new guitar brand marks an exciting chapter for Sanchez, with the launch of its first model, the Jackhammer.

As a longtime fan of the Gibson Explorer, Sanchez sought to create a guitar that encapsulated his musical journey. “The Jackhammer is an amalgamation of many guitars,” Sanchez explains. “It draws inspiration from the SG Special I played when we were touring in a van to the E2 Explorer I discovered at Mike’s Music in Cincinnati. It’s a tribute to the instruments that helped shape my identity.”

The Jackhammer’s origins can be traced back to a simple collage Sanchez assembled on his phone during a flight to visit his in-laws. Upon landing, he shared the idea with his guitar tech, Kevin Allen. “I asked Kevin, ‘Hey, you’re a luthier – could you make a prototype of this? I want to see if it makes sense.’ He put together a working prototype, and I loved it,” Sanchez recalls.

The name “Jackhammer” comes from a lyric in the title track of Coheed and Cambria’s 2003 album, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3: “Man your own jackhammer.” To bring the design to life, Sanchez collaborated with Dunable Guitars, a respected boutique guitar manufacturer based in California. “I finally got to see the import versions at NAMM – they’re sick!” he exclaims.

Jackhammer Specifications

Evil Instruments offers two versions of the Jackhammer: a USA-made model and an import variant manufactured in South Korea.

• USA Model:
  • Bare Knuckle pickups
  • Grover tuners and hardware
  • Nitro-finished mahogany body
  • Ebony fingerboard
  • Five-piece maple neck
• Import Model:
  • Alnico V pickups
  • Gloss-finished mahogany body and neck
  • Ebony fretboard

For Sanchez, playability is paramount. “I handed over my E2 Explorer and said, ‘Copy these specs as best you can, because this is the guitar I’m comfortable with,’” he explains. “As far as specifications go, that’s just not my world. I play guitars that feel right to me. If a guitar doesn’t feel good, I put it away!”

What’s Next for Evil Instruments?

While the Jackhammer is currently Evil Instruments’ sole offering, Sanchez suggests that more models may follow. “I could see myself introducing more colorways for the Jackhammer,” he says. “And I do have another body type in mind. It all depends on the excitement surrounding the Jackhammer. There’s something special about it, both in name and in its connection to the band’s lore. If it does well, I already have another design waiting.”

With a bold design and a strong connection to Coheed and Cambria’s legacy, the Jackhammer stands poised to make an impact in the guitar world. Fans and players alike eagerly await what’s next from Evil Instruments.