Ibanez PIA3761 Steve Vai Signature

Ibanez Steve Vai PIA3761: When Innovation Meets Instrumental Mastery. You'll spot this guitar's otherworldly pedigree immediately - it's the same breed of instrument that enabled Steve Vai to push instrumental guitar into completely uncharted sonic territories.

The PIA3761 isn't just another signature model; it's the result of decades of collaboration between one of the world's most innovative guitarists and a manufacturer that's never been afraid to push boundaries.

That alder body might seem like a conventional choice, but there's wisdom in this decision that goes beyond simple tradition. Alder has been the tonal foundation for some of the most enduring pieces in contemporary music because it provides the perfect balance between warmth and clarity. It's neutral enough to let those carefully voiced pickups shine through while adding just enough character to keep your tone from sounding sterile or clinical.

Here's where things get really interesting: that 5-piece maple and walnut PIA neck represents everything Ibanez has learned about building necks for extreme playing techniques. The multi-piece construction provides incredible stability - crucial when you're dealing with the kind of aggressive string bending and tremolo abuse that defines modern shred guitar. But it's not just about strength; the alternating wood grain patterns create a neck that resonates beautifully while remaining dimensionally stable under changing conditions.

The Prestige fret-end treatment deserves special attention because it transforms the entire playing experience. Those perfectly rounded fret edges mean your fingers glide effortlessly across the fingerboard during even the most demanding passages. It's like the difference between running on a smooth track versus a gravel path - every technique becomes more fluid and effortless when the guitar isn't fighting against you.

Those DiMarzio UtoPIA pickups tell their own story about tonal versatility. The HSH configuration gives you access to sounds that span from warm jazz-fusion tones to searing high-gain lead voices. That neck humbucker provides the rich, singing sustain that makes single notes float beautifully over complex arrangements, while the bridge pickup delivers the kind of focused aggression that cuts through the densest mix. The middle single-coil adds that traditional sparkle and clarity that works brilliantly on its own or in combination with the humbuckers.

The Edge tremolo system proves that floating bridges don't have to be tuning nightmares. This knife-edge design with stud lock function provides incredible stability while giving you all the expressive capability you need for dive-bombs, flutter effects, and subtle vibrato work. That Lion's Claw tremolo cavity is pure Vai innovation - it allows for radical upward bends that would be impossible with a conventional routing, opening up entirely new expressive possibilities.

What really sets this guitar apart is how all these elements work together to serve the larger goal of musical expression. The 16.9" fingerboard radius is flatter than vintage designs, making it easier to execute clean bends and maintain consistent string height during rapid runs. That 25.5" scale length provides the string tension and clarity that keeps complex passages articulate even at high gain settings.

The redesigned Monkey Grip isn't just a visual statement - it's a functional element that provides a secure handhold for those dramatic performance gestures that are part of Vai's stage presence. Those PIA Blossom inlays create visual landmarks that help with position recognition during lightning-fast runs across the entire neck.

The locking nut and Gotoh machine heads work together to create a tuning system that stays stable even under the most aggressive playing conditions. When you're executing the kind of techniques that made Vai famous - those impossible-sounding legato runs, dramatic tremolo effects, and percussive tapping passages - you need hardware that won't let you down in the middle of a performance.

That Stallion White finish showcases the guitar's clean, purposeful design while providing a neutral backdrop that lets the hardware and appointments take center stage. This isn't a guitar that relies on flashy graphics or extreme aesthetics - its visual impact comes from the precision and purposefulness of every design element.

The 5-way blade pickup selector gives you quick, reliable access to all the tonal combinations you need. From the warm neck humbucker to the sparkling middle single-coil to the aggressive bridge pickup, plus those in-between positions that create unique tonal blends, you've got a palette that covers everything from clean jazz passages to full-throttle metal mayhem.

What makes this guitar truly special is how it represents the evolution of Steve Vai's requirements over decades of professional playing and recording. Every specification has been tested in the real world of concert stages and recording studios. This isn't just theory - it's practical knowledge translated into a physical instrument that responds to your musical intentions rather than limiting them.

The 24 jumbo stainless steel frets provide excellent wear resistance and bright, clear note definition. Stainless steel frets last longer than traditional nickel-silver and maintain their smooth feel even after extensive playing. Combined with that Prestige edge treatment, you've got a playing surface that will feel great for years to come.

This is what happens when decades of innovation meet uncompromising craftsmanship. The PIA3761 doesn't just copy Vai's sound - it gives you access to that sonic territory while opening up possibilities you might never have considered exploring.

General:
Number of Strings: 6
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed

Body:
Body Type: Solidbody
Body Shape: Steve Vai Signature PIA
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss
Color: Stallion White

Neck:
Neck Material: 5-Piece Maple/Walnut
Neck Shape: PIA
Radius: 16.9"
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: PIA Blossoms
Number of Frets: 24, Jumbo Stainless Steel
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.692"
Nut Material: Locking

Hardware:
Bridge/Tailpiece: Edge Locking Tremolo
Tuners: Gotoh Machine Heads

Electronics:
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio UtoPIA Ceramic Humbucker
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio UtoPIA Alnico Single-coil
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio UtoPIA Ceramic Humbucker
Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 5-way blade pickup swtich