Developer of "Steve's Special"

[chlamy]

is the "Steve's Special" a pickup designed by Steve Vai (hence "Steve's") or by Steve Blucher from Di Marzio as stated on the Rob balducci Site :

http://www.robbalducci.com/Overview_backgr_music.html

I always thought it was designed by SSV and (but I can be wrong) I seem to remember an ad of Vai advertsing for those ...

any info ?

[cerealk]

you were wrong

the Steve in question is Steve Blucher

[shred4Him]

Correct, Vai has no connection with that pickup. Steve Blucher is one of the head pickup designers (if not the head designer) at DiMarzio.

[Petie]

John Petrucci did ads for them.

According to Dimarzio's website FAQ, the Steve's Special and Blaze are pretty similar...

[VOLTAGE]

I talked to steve blucher about this and he said the SS was designed for JOHN PETRUCCI who used a tone zone but needed a more open, less middy tone since he uses mesa amps which are very mid heavy.