FS: Steve Vai's own Jem VAI2K DNA (on e-bay NOW item# 290029613758)

MM · #1 08-25-2006, 06:00 AM

Hi Folks,

Steve Vai is selling his prototype Jem DNA guitar for charity.

This is Steve's only DNA guitar. It is the same one photographed in the Ibanez catalog, and the one that has spent some time in the Hollywood Guitar Center RockWalk Museum. It is one of only 300 world wide.

We're selling this guitar in an effort to raise funds for Cliff Cultreri. Cliff Cultreri is the A&R executive who ‘discovered’ both Satriani and Vai as well as many other popular recording artists, while working at Relativity Records. Cultreri is currently suffering from a host of Auto-Immune and Connective-Tissue disorders that are attacking his immune system, a one in 100 million occurrence that causes severe pain and physical problems. Vai hope to raise funds to help Cultreri and his family’s financial needs.

Glen has generously allowed me to post this here and promote an upcoming auction for the guitar, which will begin early next month. We will entertain offers for the guitar before that though, but please be aware that we are setting a high reserve.

Steve actually suggested that we post information about the guitar here on Jemsite first. Here's what he says about the guitar:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Himself

I received two DNA guitars for my personal collection. One was stolen from my studio and I used the other in some recordings for a while and then let it live at Guitar Center Hollywood for their display for years.

In an attempt to raise money for a sick friend who has made tremendous contributions to the music industry and actually gave me my start by releasing Flex-Able, Passion and Warfare, Sex And Religion and Alien Love Secrets, the guitar is being auctioned off and 100% of the income will go to his support.

If one of these guitars pop up in a hundred years from now and they scrape the DNA to make a Steve Vai clone, perhaps that guy can get his music on the radio.

Steve most recently used this guitar extensively during rehearsals for the Zappa Plays Zappa tour, but decided not to take it on the road where it may get damaged before the auction.

It is in really excellent condition - the only blemish on the guitar is a small dent along the edge of the bottom of the guitar near the strap button. It is smaller than a match head.

You can email us at: talk2us@vai.com for more info. I'll also be updating this post with a link to the auction once that is underway.

The back/front photo above was taken by me in my studio and shows the guitar in its current state.

More official photos here: http://www.jemsite.com/news/namm2k/index.htm

Mikey

vai.com

mi2tom · #2 08-25-2006, 06:08 AM

Damn! I would have buy one if I've got the $$$$ but how much are you selling it for mikey

TongueShredder · #3 08-25-2006, 06:51 AM

Whats the price like ?

**GilkyBear** · #4 08-25-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongueShredder

Whats the price like ?

Make an offer... ;p

**GilkyBear** · #5 08-25-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongueShredder

Whats the price like ?

Make an offer

TongueShredder · #6 08-25-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilk420

Make an offer

I would be banned from this forum because if I do that I would treat it as an auction

**GilkyBear** · #7 08-25-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM

We will entertain offers for the guitar before that though, but please be aware that we are setting a high reserve.

You can email us at: talk2us@vai.com for more info. I'll also be updating this post with a link to the auction once that is underway.

JEAPSON · #8 08-25-2006, 09:51 AM

Damn...time to sell the house, the car, the wife and children ! ;-)

andy7jem · #9 08-25-2006, 11:09 AM

Well, it's going to be WAAAAAAY out of my price range,but good luck with the auction and best wishes to Cliff and his family.

MALAM · #10 08-25-2006, 11:24 AM

Rough price guide?

surfdog777 · #11 08-25-2006, 11:29 AM

Well, you can figure a typical DNA bringing 4-5k, this one is going to pull an astronomical price. I'm not sure if the sale price for this piece will be tax deductible, as were/are the proceeds from the sale of Vai's gear that benefitted the MANF. That may affect the final sale price. In any event, this axe will fetch some unreal cash no doubt. My guess is, if you have to ask the price....you're not gonna be a player.

MALAM · #12 08-25-2006, 11:36 AM

$20,000?

abwalsh · #13 08-25-2006, 12:56 PM

I don't want to bring it down and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the DNA in the Hollywood GC was a prototype that didn't have any DNA in it? Just curious.

**GilkyBear** · #14 08-25-2006, 01:05 PM

Well, if it doesn't have any IN IT, it probably has a little ON IT.

And guys, it's an auction, who knows what it will bring? If he wanted everyone to know the reserve, he probably would've just said XXXX is the minimum bid, instead of that the reserve will be high. Anyway, Good Luck Mikey and best wishes to Cliff.