Question on a non-Ibanez Steve Vai Guitar

[IWantAJem]

Does anyone know what guitar is used by Steve in the crossroads movie? I'm asking because I just love the tone it's like a crystal clear screamin strat (is that what a superstrat is?). Anyways I was looking at the RG series and it seems like an RG, so can anyone confirm the model? Thanks guys.

[vaijem777]

I'm think it was some sort of Charvel. Definitely NOT an Ibanez though.

[jono]

It was a Jackson, not a Charvel, close there

It has been reported as a bolt on Soloist and as a Dinky before now.

[IWantAJem]

I really enjoy your input but I was hoping someone would have an exact model

[vaijem777]

I don't think you're going to have much luck finding the exact model. Even if you did find the model that it was originally, Steve was notorious for swapping parts out and modifying his guitars until they were anything but stock.

[caprile]

even if you find the exact model....who knows what he used to actually record the part....that wasn't live

[sniperfrommars1]

Originally Posted by caprile

even if you find the exact model....who knows what he used to actually record the part....that wasn't live

Green Meanie . Charvel Super strat. That actually started out looking like a strat. He shaved the contours down, and chiselled out the trem, modified the wiring and you have the first jem in my opinion

[Timanator]

I never did understand the story behind that.

If you read this interview:

http://www.guitarworld.com/artistindex/9610.vai.html

According to Vai, he and Cooder recorded the parts together.

But if you read this from Arlen Roth:

http://www.fast-rewind.com/crossroads.htm

Cooder wasnt even involved much.

As for equipment, back in 86 would be just one of his Frankenstein guitars through some effects and a tube amp miked.

[PerKr]

I asked Steve about this when he visited the forum.

the guitar in the movie was a custom jackson. he didn't remember much more about that guitar. I know there's a similar charvel but you'll have to go through either warmoth or jackson to get an exact copy.

the guitar he used to record the stuff for the movie was Green Meanie. She is now locked up at a museum where we're not allowed to take any photos (according to a jemsite member who went there). And I don't think Steve remembers what pickups he used at the time.

while we're talking about her... if anyone have built a GM replica I'd like to see it. I just love GM. much cooler than any JEM I've seen (sorry guys but she really is one of the coolest guitars ever to have been on a stage or in a studio)

[IWantAJem]

Awesome, thanks guys so the guitar wasn't even used for the recording, damn I'm a sucker :P I knew karate kid wasn't really playing but I was hoping steve was D: . Any more info on this "Green Meanie"?

[PerKr]

there is a green meanie gallery on this site with some info on it. you can also check vai.com.

[The Eristic]

Wayne Charvel currently makes a repro of the original Green Meanie he built for Vai.

http://www.wayneguitars.com/meanie_green.shtml

[BREWTAL*LICKS]

I bought my newest guitar partly because the body looked sort of similar to the crossroads guitar.

If everything was recorded on "Meanie", then the only conclusion I can come to about the red one in the movie is that it fit Jack Butler's personality better. Anyone else care to share thoughts on why the change of axes?

[sniperfrommars1]

Originally Posted by BREWTAL*LICKS

I bought my newest guitar partly because the body looked sort of similar to the crossroads guitar.

If everything was recorded on "Meanie", then the only conclusion I can come to about the red one in the movie is that it fit Jack Butler's personality better. Anyone else care to share thoughts on why the change of axes?

The devils guitar player. Big red guitar. Stage prop. Vais had more than a few. The truth of the matter is, green meanie was the ugliest frickin guitar in the world, and just "would not have looked right".

[Petie]

Has anybody here bought or played one of those Green Meanie replicas?