Jem Setups of Steve Vai? - Anyone know?

[Christopher Chen]

It's always been something I've always wanted to know, how are Steve's Jems setup? Some of us here have met Steve and even seen his guitars.

I know there's someone here who's even had a one on one lesson with the guy. Lucky you!

Well how are Steve's guitars setup? What does the back of his jems feel like, what's the action like...are there any special electronics he uses in his guitars besides the sustainer?

Thanks a lot.
Glen: Hope I posted in the right section!

Chris.

[dodgerfan9]

Well, I did get a lesson from Vai several years ago in his studio and, yes, ALL (I think) of his guitars were sitting right there in front of me, but I didn't have the nerve to ask him if I could try one. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things I wish I would have said or done when I was there (like video-tape the whole thing) but I just didn't think too much about it at the time. 20/20 hindsight kinda sucks sometimes *:-(

[Christopher Chen]

Hey man I totally feel your pain, but no regrets man at least you got to meet the man, yet alone get a lesson!
I think all of us would pee in our pants in the presence of the Vai man!

Chris.

[wyzenhymer]

Hey Dodgerfan, give us the lowdown on what happened! You may become our hero!!
G.M.

[dodgerfan9]

Ah-ite. I think I told the story once on the old forum and it's also on Vai's site, but I'll go again for you newbies. Please forgive me, but it's going to be the "short" version. Anyway, in 1990, Guitar School magazine held a drawing for which the grand prize was a UV7BK and a lesson with Steve. I ended up winning the drawing & Ibanez shipped the guitar to me about a year later and I went to Steve's house/studio about 6 months after that.
* The lesson lasted about 2 hours or so & covered a lot of things like theory, improv, technique, etc... *A little of everything, really. As I said before, he had all of his gear set up in the studio, guitars on one side of the room & amps in the middle. There must of been at least 20 guitars sitting on stands just waiting their turn. The "wall" of amps included Marshalls, Boogies, Soldanos, Carvins, etc...all plugged in and mic'ed & ready to go. I think we both ended up playing through two of the *Marshalls if I remember right.
* *And ya know, you'd think that you'd be totally intimidated in a situation like that but it turned out to be the opposite. Vai was completely "normal" and very down to earth & made my wife & me feel very comfortable and welcome to be there. No "rock star ego" at all.
* *Thanks for letting me re-tell my story. I never seem to get tired of it :-)

Bob Mc.
* *