Ibanez PIA3761 BLP Steve Vai Signature Electric Guitar Blue Powder

Steve Vai stands as one of music's most innovative forces, a guitarist whose technical mastery and creative vision have redefined what's possible with six strings. Beginning his journey at age 12 under the tutelage of Joe Satriani, Vai quickly progressed to transcribing for and performing with Frank Zappa at just 18 years old. Over three decades later, with 15 million albums sold and three GRAMMY Awards to his name, he has established himself as a true original in the musical landscape.

Recognition for Vai's contributions extends far beyond commercial success, with accolades including a dozen awards from Guitar Player magazine and the prestigious Les Paul Award from the TEC Foundation. This honour, previously bestowed upon legends like Paul McCartney, Neil Young, and Herbie Hancock, recognised Vai's "breathtaking facility on the guitar" and his dedication to advancing musical language. His innovative spirit led to groundbreaking instrument designs, including the Ibanez JEM guitar in 1985, featuring revolutionary elements like the floating tremolo and monkey grip, which became one of history's most successful signature series.

The Ibanez PIA3761C represents the latest evolution of Vai's design philosophy, combining aesthetic beauty with performance excellence. Built with a 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck for tonal clarity and a Rosewood fretboard that provides focused mid-range response, the instrument features the stunning PIA Blossom inlay that reflects Vai's artistic vision. DiMarzio® UtoPIA™ pickups, voiced specifically to Steve's preferences, offer smoother highs, scooped mids and enhanced low-end response, while premium hardware including Gotoh® machine heads and the Edge bridge ensures exceptional tuning stability and playing comfort.

Thoughtful design details set the PIA apart, from the high-pass filter on the volume pot that maintains clarity at lower volumes to the exclusive Petal Grip symbolising unity and connection. The magnetically-held tremolo cavity plate allows quick access for string changes and tremolo adjustments. As Vai himself notes, "Some guitars are built for performance, some for aesthetic. These instruments are the best of both worlds... and perhaps the universe!"