Video: Watch Steve Vai Demo His New Ibanez PIA Shredders | NAMM 2020

Steve Vai's signature Ibanez JEMs are some of the most enduringly popular artist series guitars of all time (a story we've covered before in our "How Steve Vai's Superstrat Reinvented the Signature Guitar"). Today, a new chapter is added with the announcement of the related Steve Vai Signature PIA.

In our video above, Steve Vai himself shows off the new guitar—in each of its four finishes. You may ask yourself: Has the PIA inspired Vai to fresh technical heights or has he just always been this good? Either way, you'll get a sense for just how fast these new machines can be played.

"The JEM has been around for 35 years and has seen surprising success, and there's no plans to discontinue it," Vai says. The PIA is therefore "an evolution of the JEM, but it's a new signature piece."

In place of the JEM's "Monkey Grip" the PIA has a "Petal Grip" of flower petal–like holes, which are matched by an ornate floral inlay stretching up the fretboard. The PIA body is a softened take on the JEM superstrat design.

If you know the history of the JEM, you'll know how large a role Vai played in all of its details, and it sounds like the same process has continued throughout the creation of the PIA. Working with DiMarzio, Vai workshopped, tested, and fastidiously chose the new HSH pickups. And offering an extra tonal feature Vai says he has on his own guitars, the PIA's volume knob is a push-pull pot that activates a low-cut filter.

Be sure to watch the full video above to see Vai solo and finger-tap his way across the PIA's neck. And check back soon for pricing and availability on Reverb. For all the latest news and product announcements from NAMM 2020, click here.

See more New Products and Highlights from Winter NAMM 2020
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