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Steve Vai, Photo: Wojciech Pędzich

Photo: Wojciech Pędzich · CC BY 4.0

Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Steve Vai. Every item links to its public source.
23 items · Last checked

What guitar does Steve Vai play?

Steve Vai has been seen using Ibanez JEM signature guitars, including Evo and Flo III, with DiMarzio Evolution pickups and Ernie Ball Super Slinkys, into Synergy SYN-2 preamps with his VAI modules, a Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo and Fryette LX-2 power amps, plus an Ibanez Jemini and DigiTech Whammy DT.

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What guitar gear Steve Vai uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

Guitars

9 items

Stage

2 items

Amps

5 items

Pedals

7 items
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About Steve Vai's gear.

What guitar does Steve Vai play?

Ibanez JEM signature models. Premier Guitar's 2023 Rig Rundown shows Evo and Flo III, both with DiMarzio Evolution pickups and Ibanez LO-PRO tremolos, plus Bo, the prototype for the JEM77BRMR, and the custom Hydra triple-neck.

What amp does Steve Vai use?

Two Synergy SYN-2 preamps loaded with his VAI and B-MAN modules, into a Fractal Axe-Fx III Turbo for effects, then Fryette LX-2 stereo tube power amps and Carvin Legacy 4x12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30s, per Premier Guitar in 2023.

What pedals does Steve Vai use?

Premier Guitar's 2023 Rig Rundown shows a Little Lehle III A/B switch, a Dunlop 95Q wah, his Ibanez Jemini Distortion, a DigiTech Whammy DT and a Morningstar ML5 MIDI looper, with an RJM Mastermind LT and Fractal FC-12s for switching.

What pickups does Steve Vai use?

DiMarzio Evolution pickups, in both the neck and bridge of Evo and the bridge of Flo III and Bo, according to Premier Guitar's 2023 Rig Rundown.

What strings does Steve Vai use?

Ernie Ball Super Slinkys, .009 to .042, on Evo and Flo III, with Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms on Bo, per Premier Guitar in 2023.

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Steve Vai
About this guide · Last checked

Steve Vai is the American guitar virtuoso behind Passion and Warfare and a long line of Ibanez JEM signature guitars. This guide covers the touring rig Premier Guitar documented in 2023: his JEMs and Hydra, Synergy preamps, Fractal effects and pedalboard.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. Steve Vai didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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