Steve Vai owned Ibanez 10th Anniversary Jem. Serial #16. I saw G3 at the Woodlands in high school and bought a VHS cassette of Alien Love Secrets, entering me in a chance to win this guitar. When I came home from winter break from college, you can imagine my surprise when I heard I had a message from Steve himself. Pretty soon, I realized that I indeed won this guitar. See the link below – I am the Paul Phillips from Houston, TX. It came with me to Florida, Corpus Christi, and now we’ve been back in Houston for a while now. I don’t think Vai played this guitar much, but it was used for countless photo shoots. From what I researched, if you see a photo of Vai with a black guitar and stainless steel pick guard from 1997 or before, it’s pretty much sure to be this one.
Condition is basically like I got it. I’d bring it out to show some friends on occasion that are guitar nerds, but never “used” it for anything than trying to play the guitar solo from Crossroads on an authentic instrument. I probably played it for only a few hours combined over the last 20 years. I did replace the strings on it, but that was at least 15 years ago, so consider getting new strings when purchasing. If you’re concerned about the condition at all, or want to zoom in on areas, let me know. Most of the wear was from the previous owner as she’s been a case queen since. It’s only been stored indoors in air conditioned environment. I play mostly bass, and when I play guitar, I prefer my Strat from the same vintage.
Comes with everything seen in the pictures. Guitar with whammy bar. Alien Love Secrets VHS cassette that I bought to win said guitar. Issue 7 of fan newsletter Greasy Kids Stuff, featuring a photo of Vai with this guitar. 2 green Light Without Heat Vai picks. Personalized note from Vai’s assistant at the time – phone # is no longer associated with Vai. 3 Fire Garden stickers, but probably not likely to stick to much. Lock manual. Warranty card (never filled out). Ibanez guitar manual. Replacement tension bar that goes over strings behind the nut (I’m not a huge locking tremolo nerd, so sorry if this has a name). Some other weird stainless thing that I don’t recognize, plus a couple sets of tremolo bushings. I also have an after show pass from the Ultra Zone tour signed by Vai and Mike Keneally. There’s a key to the case, plus a plastic bushing that looks like from behind a strap button, but I have no idea what it is for sure.
Looks like the reverbs won’t let me post a link, but look it up on Vai’s site. See pictures for url.
Item shipped USPS insured shipping. Let’s talk if you have anything else in mind.