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  3. Total Guitar

Buy their sound: Steve Vai

By Total Guitar
published 29 August 2014

Time to update your Vai-tunes?

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Introduction
(Image credit: Anton Novoderezhkin/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis)

Introduction

Steve Vai is one of the world’s most virtuosic guitarists, a pioneer of the shred genre with a flamboyant stage persona to match his guitar skills. The son of Italian-Americans, he also looks great in closely tailored rock apparel and wraparound shades. The git.

As well as a successful solo career, Steve has played for Frank Zappa, Whitesnake, David Lee Roth and even PiL. From fusion to hard rock to new wave, Vai has proved as versatile as he is virtuosic.

It was during his stint with Roth that Vai was targeted by Ibanez, who sent a one-off guitar, wrapped up for Christmas, to his parents’ house. Vai was effectively wooed and joined Ibanez in a bid to build the best shred guitar money could buy.

The result was the JEM, an expensive, highly-spec’d wonder of a thing, boasting 24 frets, unrivalled access to the dusty end of the neck and a vibrato system with several improvements on the Floyd Rose.

The success of the JEM led to Vai and Ibanez developing the Universe, the world’s first mass-produced seven-string guitar. Endorsements with Morley and Carvin amps followed, leaving Vai fully kitted out and free to spend his pocket money on hair products.

Here we look at two rigs - one budget, one blowout - that can help you get close to Vai’s tones…

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Ibanez GRG250DX
Street price: £289/$299

Ibanez GRG250DX

BUDGET: Sure, it’s not as refined as a JEM, but you get a locking trem and an HSH pickup array, just like Vai’s axe.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Marshall MG101CFX
Street price: £299/$499

Marshall MG101CFX

BUDGET: This budget offering from Marshall has phase and delay effects (as used by Vai) built-in.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Street price: £75/$79

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

BUDGET: You’ll need this should you ever decide to have a go at Bad Horsie.

Don’t worry that it’s not a Morley - Vai has used both brands.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Timotei Pure 2in1 Shampoo
Street price: £5/$7

Timotei Pure 2in1 Shampoo

BUDGET: Vai possesses some of rock’s most luxuriant locks. Make sure yours dazzle too with this classic from Timotei.

Total spend on budget rig: £668/$884*

*(approx. based on web prices)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Ibanez JEM70V
Street price: £989/$1,499

Ibanez JEM70V

BLOWOUT: You’ll need the Edge vibrato and Lion’s Claw trem cavity for Vai’s trademark wang bar work... and the monkey grip for, er, carrying your guitar.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Carvin Legacy 3 Amp and C212GE cab
Street price: £1,581/$1,399

Carvin Legacy 3 Amp and C212GE cab

BLOWOUT: This is Vai’s signature amp (and 2x12 cab), boasting three channels consisting of clean, overdrive and... more overdrive!

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Digitech Whammy
Street price: £139/$199

Digitech Whammy

BLOWOUT: Vai keeps a ‘Rack Of Whammy’ backstage, but this will suit mere mortals just fine.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Street price: £99/$139

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

BLOWOUT: Delay effects are supplied by Vai’s rackmount gear; a stompbox will keep you within budget.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Morley Bad Horsie Wah
Street price: £116/$138

Morley Bad Horsie Wah

BLOWOUT: Might as well go for the Morley over the Dunlop if you’ve got the moolah!

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Wraparound Sunglasses
Street price: £12/$20

Wraparound Sunglasses

BLOWOUT: Look like your hero and protect your peepers with these bad boys from ASOS, offering total UV protection!

Total spend on blowout rig: £2,936/$3,394*

*(approx. based on web prices)

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
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Total Guitar
Total Guitar
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Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

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