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The Ibanez Guitar Company
Before getting into Steve Vai and the Ibanez PIA3761, let us look at the guitar company that manufactures this “JEM” of an instrument.
Ibanez is a Japanese guitar-making company owned by Hoshino Gakki, based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Ibanez Guitars – Image Courtesy of Wikipedia.org
With the Superstrat at its peak of popularity, guitar companies needed to find joint ventures with top players, to respond to the changing market demands.
Kramer went on to do exceedingly well in sales from the endorsement of Eddie Van Halen, the Ibanez guitar company, despite its ability to produce innovative models had problems.
To grow in the aggressive market, they knew that the company needed to find a joint venture and their own iconic guitar brand champion…
The only name that came out was Steve Vai.
Steve worked directly with the company to put his input into exactly what he liked and did not like; because of all the guitars he played, he was not 100% happy with any single instrument.
Guitar Lessons From Frank Zappa
While playing with Frank Zappa, Steve learned an important lesson. Frank would take any gear he owned and dissect it to see if it could be made to his standards of what he wanted to hear.
“I realized that I didn’t have to be limited to the guitars that people are making and selling in stores.
Frank would take a guitar—or any piece of gear—and squeeze it until it screamed for mercy. Then he’d call the company and say, ‘OK, but can you do this to it so I can make it do this, this, and this?’ He’d do that with any kind of pedal, guitar, musical notation—anything.”
Steve Vai
First JEM Prototypes
After receiving 2 JEM prototypes, the artist proceeded not to play them but to take one apart and put it back together.
Steve made it a habit of doing this to every guitar he owned and really wanted to know how the instrument worked.
After reassembling the new prototype, he was impressed by the craftsmanship, and those guitars essentially became 90% of what the production instruments ended up.
Steve mentions…
“Ibanez, however, took just three weeks and gave me a guitar that was exactly what I wanted,” he says. “In fact, it was better than what I wanted.”
Hoshino Gakki’s and his team’s relationship with guitarist Steve Vai introduced the Ibanez JEM777 in the summer of the 87 NAMM show in Chicago, which featured many Superstrat designs.
The New JEM SuperStrat Stats
Three original 1987 Ibanez JEM 777 guitars- Image courtesy of Wikimedia-Author Kav2015-and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Body & Finishes
This superstrat sported a Basswood Pointed body shape with aggressive deep horn cutaways, 25.5-inch scale, 3 fluorescent finishes w/Matching headstock that included…
- Loch Ness Green-limited-run JEM777LG
- Desert Sun Yellow-regular JEM777
- Shocking Pink-regular JEM777
Also, colourful contrasting pickup and controls with…
Monkey Grip
The Monkey Grip design was inspired by horse riding and is a handle clipped to a saddle so the rider can hang on if the rider needs extra leverage.
The Monkey Grip was not only for show or unique looks; the artist used it for his Stage antics by whirling the guitar around while hanging on to the handle. (See image)
Ibanez JEM7VWH w/Monkey Grip-Image courtesy of Wikimedia-Author ArtBrom-and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Bridge Hardware & Powerstation
The guitar also came with the Ibanez Edge Vibrato system w/Stud & Block Lock, a Lions Claw Tremolo Cavity (for pull-up tremolo use) and a bridge guard w/colourful DiMarzio pickups in an HSH configuration (First of its kind design) a 5-way toggle switch with higher output electronics and tilt back headstock.
Ibanez Neck
The Maple neck was a Ultra Thin profile with distinctive-coloured Disappearing Pyramid inlays and a contoured cutaway heel neck joint design to facilitate easier fret access to the higher regions.
Partial Scalloped Neck
Inspired by bassist Billy Sheehan’s Yamaha bass and the guitars Yngwie Malmsteen had shown Steve. The Neck was Partially Scalloped from the 21st upward to the 24th fret.
1987 Promotional Poster by Ibanez of the JEM777 with Guitar Features
With its debut in 1987 and despite being expensive, the limited edition JEM777LG in Loch Ness Green models sold out quickly and became successful from the first day.
And as of 2010, there have been 5 variations of the JEM. So This union of Ibanez and Steve Vai was the perfect canvas for the creative guitar virtuoso to play in.
To Get A Copy Of The Ibanez JEM Electric Guitar Design- Full-Scale Print & Plan, Tap On The Image Here.
Steve Vai
Image courtesy of Wikimedia-is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.
Steve Vai Is an American guitarist, composer, and producer who started his career in 1978 as a transcriptionist for Frank Zappa and was later asked to play with Zappa’s band from 1980 to 1983. He was 20 years old.
Releasing his first solo album Flex-Able in 1984, and in the same year, replacing Neoclassical virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen in Alcatrazz and Whitesnake, also recording with artists such as Spinal Tap and Ozzy Osbourne.
But by the end of 85, he had his big break with Ex Van Halen lead frontman David Lee Roth, who put together a Supergroup and album with Bassist Billy Sheehan, Drummer Gregg Bissonette, and started touring in 1986.
Soon after Steve joined David Lee Roth’s new post-Van Halen band, they spent the early months of 1986 recording a debut album, Eat ‘Em And Smile and played their first gigs in August, starting a US tour that ran more or less nonstop until February ’87, along with playing a hell-spawned guitarist in the movie Crossroads the same year.
Accolades
Steve Vai was a new force in the rock scene with formal training; a 1979 graduate from the famous Berkley College Of Music, Vai possessed incredible technical prowess and was a force to be reckoned with.
He was known for his disciplined focus and structured 10-hour practice sessions, including…
- Finger exercises
- Picking/Tapping
- Scales
- Chords / Strumming
- Ear training, Music theory and more (See book below)
To Get A Copy Of Guitar World Presents Steve Vai’s famous 10hr Guitar Workouts, Tap On The Image Here
His previous employer, Frank Zappa, said…
“Steve did everything that Eddie Van Halen ever dreamed of, and then some.”
He was voted “10th Greatest Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine, has been a 3x Grammy Award winner and 15x nominee and has sold over 15 million records.
With the ’80s being the heavy metal and virtuoso guitarist era, Vai was on top with his mastery of technique and sound and was described as a “highly individualistic player.”
The Ibanez PIA Guitar
Sounds As Good As It Looks
With over 3 decades of JEM success, Ibanez and Vai have joint ventured again to create the next evolution of his Signature Guitars, the PIA, which was not designed to replace the JEM but to take the concept further.
The PIA stands for (Paradise in Art) and was in development for three years.
Vai calls the PIA a “more organic, more comfortable” instrument.
This instrument gives you a full range of sonic textures and is breathtaking.
Whether on stage, in the studio or woodshedding, this Ibanez PIA 3761 will always take your playing to the next level.
The 2020 Solid body Ibanez Pia w/Fast Neck Rosewood Fingerboard, Vine Inlay, 24 Frets HSH Powerstation and more -Image courtesy of musicredone.com
(Read on)
Body
- The Sculptured Alder Wood Solid body– with more rounded contours than the JEM gives the PIA a softer look and adds comfort for playing.
- Scale /648mm/25.5.”
Neck
The PIA 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck Rosewood fingerboard features a slim, fast profile that lets you know where you are in the dark and is designed for effortless playability.
- Neck Width / 43mm at NUT and 58mm at 24 F
- Neck Thickness /18mm at 1F and 20mm at 12F
- Neck Joint- Countoured Bolt-on (no neck plate)
- Fretboard Radius-430mm /16.9.”
- Scale Length – 648mm/25.5.”
- Nut- Locking
- Nut Width-1.692″
- String space –10.8mm
- Machine heads-Gotoh
- 24 Prestige Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets w/Prestige Fretedge Treatment- giving you the best possible playing experience.
(Prestige Fretedge Treatment essentially means rounding off the edges of the frets giving you a fretboard that feels more fluid.)
- Luminlay side dots- To help see in the dark
- Hardware –Gold
- Scalloped fingerboard on 21-24 Frets
Controls
A 1 x Master Volume (Push/pull high-pass filter) and a 1 x Master Tone along with a 5-way blade pickup switch and pickup configuration (See below image),
5-way blade pickup switching system-Image courtesy of www.ibanez.com
New Vai Signature DiMarzio Pickups
The trio of DiMarzio pickups is unique to the PIA, designed to give you a massive range of tones.
The pickups are voiced for smoother highs, more scooped mids, and more pronounced low-ends.
Two humbuckers keep your low end tight and responsive, whilst the single coil gives you glassy, crystalline highs.
This setup design underwent rigorous sound testing and back-and-forth changes by Vai and DiMarzio until the pickups delivered precisely the tone and response he desired, adding a push/pull high-pass tone filter to increase tonal versatility.
PIA Powerstation HSH Configuration w/baroque-style covers-Image courtesy of guitarcenter.com
Neck Pickup –DiMarzio UtoPIA Humbucker is positioned for a warmer, richer tone. (Passive/Ceramic)
Middle Pickup- DiMarzio UtoPIA high-output Single-coil that functions as a traditional-sounding single coil but works well with the two humbuckers in blade positions 2 and 4. (Passive/Alnico)
Bridge Pickup- DiMarzio UtoPIA Humbucker is designed as a lead pickup with enhanced midrange output. (Passive /Ceramic)
The DiMarzio pickups have baroque-style covers to add to the finishing and look.
Special Features
Fingerboard Inlay
The Rosewood fingerboard resembles a beautiful multi-colour, blossoming vine inlay or motif.
(See image)
The PIA Vine Fretboard Inlay-Image courtesy of Ibanez.com
Edge Tremolo
The Edge Tremolo Bridge (the latest version of Ibanez’s Edge locking tremolo system) and innovative Lion’s Claw Cavity (see image below) allow you to bend notes to radical extremes in both directions and back again with incredible precision.
This new Edge Tremolo also comes with an Ultralite Carbon Fibre Tremolo Arm. and a locking nut for serious stability to keep you free of detuning issues when using the setup.
The Edge Tremolo Bridge w/Lion’s Claw Cavity-Image courtesy of Ibanez.com
Redesigned Petal Grip
The new Petal Grip offers a contemporary aesthetic design.
It is meant to symbolize “unity, companionship, and interpersonal bonds,” or a stylized version of the traditional “Yin/Yang symbol” of balance, adding to the motif of flowers on the neck and pickups.
New Petal Grip design – Image courtesy of Ibanez.com
Magnetic Tremolo Cavity Plate
The tremolo cavity plate allows for quick removal and reinstallation due to magnetics. This design makes changing strings or adjusting the tremolo system a JEM of an idea.
Magnetic Tremolo Cavity Plate w/contoured bolt-on neck construction – Image courtesy of Ibanez.com
Available Colours w/Matching Headstock
- Stallion White,
- Envy Green,
- Panther Pink,
- Sun Dew Gold
- Onyx Black
Introduction of PIA (Paradise in Art)
What More Steve Vai, Tap On The Image Above
Final Thoughts
I followed Steve Vai when he joined David Lee Roth and saw him play multiple times live.
In the ’80s, when the guitar player needed to be on top of their game in the rock scene, there was Steve Vai, a musician who was definitely in command of his sound and style.
Now with the ability to watch this maestro on videos and see how he approaches his craft, you know that anyone who pays attention to the details as Vai does, it is no wonder the PIA has evolved as it has from the JEM.
I have owned and played several Ibanez guitars, from the George Benson to the Steve Lukather Roadster series.
Still, to this day, the Ibanez brand has been one of my favourite playing guitars.
Should You Add This Guitar To Your Collection?
It depends on how serious you are about investing in a guitar.
These guitars are not cheap, but you will get a quality instrument for the cost.
Did You Like This Article?
Check out the Nita Strauss Signature Ibanez Jiva10 Review
Also…
Please leave your comments in the section below, and if you have a favourite player or guitar you would like me to review, leave a note below.
As always, stay the course and keep playing.
Steve Vai Blog banner image courtesy of wikipedia.org and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Guitar images by musicredone and ibanez.com
Image of JEM Guitar designs courtesy of Amazon.
Image of Steve Vai Guitar Workout Courtesy of Amazon
Image of Steve Vai CTA courtesy of Amazon
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Ibanez PIA3761 Electric Guitar
$3,241.40
Pros
- Maple/Walnut Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard
- 24 Prestige Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets
- A Trio of DiMarzio UtoPIA Pickups
- Abalone PIA Blossom Inlays.
- Carbon Fiber Tremolo Bar and Locking Nut
Cons
- Cost.
Starting A Journey At 7 Years Of Age, The Love For The Guitar Only Became Stronger Going Into My Teens. This Leading To An Exciting Time Of Teaching, Performing, And Recording. Join Me Now As We Can Bring The Love Of This Instrument To Other Musicians Globally.
