What if...

[Doink]

...Vai had chosen to go with Tom Anderson or Jackson instead of Ibanez.
As we all know, Anderson had given him a guitar in hopes that he would endorse their guitars. Vai, on record, says the the TA was a very nice guitar, but had too much bottom end. He did, however, use that guitar on a few DLR recordings and toured a bit with it.
He also had a few Jacksons laying around. If you recall, a few of them (possibly his faves) were stolen at one point. If they hadn't have been stolen, would Vai still be playing Jacksons today? A possibility.
What if Ibanez had chosen something slightly different to give to Vai, and what if Anderson had chosen to do just a few things differently. What if Vai liked the Anderson more and decided to endorse them? What if Vai chose Jackson, who were already making 24 fret superstrats at the time.
Would we all be playing Andersons or Jacksons? Would Anderson eventually mass produce lower end models (RG) that would appeal more to people wallets? Would either of them hold the leverage that Ibanez does today? Would KoRn be playing Anderson 7 strings? Would Limp Bizkit be playing Jackson 7 strings?
Without the JEM or the RG, where would Ibanez be? Dead and buried? Would they still have Satch, Petrucci, or Reb? Would they have gone back to the lawsuit models and turned into an "alternative" guitar company in the mid 90's?
I leave you to ponder this...

[Josh Blagg]

What if Hitler was nice?

[littlegreenman]

What if Melissa Ethridge was Straight?

[jem7vwh]

who knows? *what if ideas are only fun for me if there's a legitmate chance of it happening. *However, here are some other possible pasts:

* Vai opts for Jackson and Ibanez chases CC Deville. *In 1987 Ibanez introduces the RoCCker. *A lower priced buget line, the RC is introduced. *The CC Deville model is available in one color- Day Glo Green. *Ibanez floats out of existence in late '91

* Vai opts for Fender who promises to buy Ibanez guitars. *The new Vai model, the Pizzazzemaster is introduced along side the new Zappacaster. *Neither fail to impact the american market. *Critics sight the lame seafoam green and ugly white pickguard as major detractors.

[Exotic Shredding]

...What if Vai signed to Cort or Squier and the world decided there's no reason for qualiy instrments! *Custom shops, boutique luthiers, and all companies of actualy quality close by 92 and for eternity the ideal guitar never costs more than $85. *(hehehe, the jem555 would seem like an exotic masterpiece!)

Everyone should be thankfull!

Personally i think someone should have made copies of Vai's Conkclin WhiteSnake 7. *That was a vicious axe.

[bob oakman]

Since Vai had a great deal of influence on the design and tone of the Jem and UV series, and indirectly influenced the direction of the RG, the absence of that influence would have probably changed things profoundly. There is a good chance that, without that influence, I would not be playing Ibanez. I really like them just the way they are.

[Coolstu]

Vai went with Ibanez because they built him exactly what he wanted and quickly. He has stuck with them because they continually give him exactly what he wants in a guitar.

All the other manufacturers including Jackson etc had the chance to supply Vai with guitars but they were not able to supply him with a guitar with the spec he required.

I don't believe in What ifs....... *Ibanez knew what they wanted, they bent over backwards and got what they wanted. Steve Vai also got exactly what he wanted a nd know we get exactly what we want.

Ibanez deserve to be where they are today and I wish them every success in the future. :biggrin: