Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

Replicas of Steve Vai's Emerald Ultra Guitar now available

News
By Joe Bosso
Published 18 September 2012

"At first I wasn't sure if I should plug it in and play it or crawl inside of it and fly it to Venus" - Steve Vai

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Replicas of Steve Vai's Emerald Ultra Guitar now available

Replicas of Steve Vai's Emerald Ultra Guitar now available

Last month, we brought you news of the Emerald Ultra guitar, the futuristic, otherworldly looking instrument that Steve Vai is playing for the song The Ultra Zone on his current The Story Of Light Tour.

The guitar was custom-built for Vai by Alister Hay of the Ireland-based Emerald Guitars. Hay based his design on Aaron Brown's illustration for Vai's 1999 album, The Ultra Zone, which depicts an "alien Steve" playing a guitar that could have come from a sci-fi film.

Replicas of the Ultra guitar are now available from Emerald Guitars. Each is an exact replica of the Ultra Guitar owned by Vai and will precisely maintain the same standard and specs as the one the guitarist is currently playing.

The Ultra guitar's body is constructed from a carbon/glass composite and its neck is carbon fibre. It features built-in lasers and what is said to be a "chameleon-like tendency to change color." The run of Ultra Guitars is limited to just 100 pieces. Each Ultra guitar comes with a hand-crafted “Pod” guitar case like Vai’s, along with a letter of authenticity.

The price is $8,450 USD, and orders can be secured with a $1,000 USD deposit. To pre-order and for more information, visit Emerald Guitars.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
The Ultra guitar - front and back views

The Ultra guitar - front and back views

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
The Ultra guitar - plus "Pod" case

The Ultra guitar - plus "Pod" case

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
The Ultra guitar - snazzy lighting stand not included

The Ultra guitar - snazzy lighting stand not included

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Steve Vai vibes out in rehearsal with his Ultra guitar

Steve Vai vibes out in rehearsal with his Ultra guitar

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Designer Alister Hay with the Ultra guitar

Designer Alister Hay with the Ultra guitar

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Joe Bosso
Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.

Read more
Matteo Mancuso taps out a solo on his Yamaha Revstar while Steve Vai gets creative on his Ibanez PIA
Artists Mancuso on his blockbuster Steve Vai collaboration – and the crucial advice the guitar icon gave him
 
 
Gibson Custom VOS Reissue 1971 Flying V Medallion
Guitars Gibson unveils Custom Shop reissue of a Michael Schenker and Kirk Hammett favourite
 
 
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue
Artists Epiphone and Alex Lifeson team up for a replica of the Rush guitarist’s iconic 1976 ES-355
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Jackson Pro Plus Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET8
Artists Misha Mansoor’s Evertune-equipped 8-string might be the heaviest signature Jackson of all time
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Yngwie Malmsteen
Artists Yngwie Malmsteen emerges from an “avalanche” of ideas with “80 to 90” songs and a scorching new album
 
 
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster Road Worn '51
Guitars Fender CEO clarifies his controversial comments comparing cover songs to AI
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne and Slash perform together in 2009.
Artists Slash says he and Ozzy Osbourne had plans to go into the studio together
 
 
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Line 6 Helix Stadium Native Plugin
Guitars “Craft tones practically at the speed of thought”: Line 6 unveils Helix Stadium Native plugin
 
 
Joe Bonamassa wears a blue suit and plays his signature Epiphone Les Paul [left]; the late great Albert Collins with his Telecaster.
Artists Joe Bonamassa on how Albert Collins taught him to wield his guitar as “a weapon”
 
 
Latest in News
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher perform onstage at the Oasis Live '25 - Toronto concert at Rogers Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals “Oasis’ schedule is booked”: The Gallaghers’ masterplan for 2027 is allegedly already in place
 
 
midipad
Tech MIDIpad transforms your gamepad into a musical instrument and MPE controller – and there’s a free version
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 05: Lindsey Buckingham attends the Variety Power of Young Hollywood 2026 event at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on August 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage)
Singers & Songwriters “Quite a few things will reveal themselves”: Lindsey Buckingham teases possible Fleetwood Mac activity
 
 
William Orbit
Artists We look back at a classic William Orbit interview
 
 
William Orbit
Artists William Orbit, the production genius behind Madonna’s Ray Of Light, has died, aged 69
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill attend the 'Diaspora Calling' merch pop-up & signing event in celebration of the Fugees 30th Anniversary at 180 Studios on August 5, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Bands Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean are positive that the Fugees will record again
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...