Leak! Is Ibanez launching a new Steve Vai PIA model at NAMM 2020?
At the end of my post covering last week’s announcement of new Ibanez models for 2020, I mentioned that we had not yet seen a new Steve Vai JEM model. Heads up: Ibanez is planning a new Steve Vai PIA model! If images that have surfaced on Facebook are genuine, that is…
Ibanez Steve Vai PIA leaked
The details are very scant at his time, but if the information we currently have is genuine, the we have the basic specification, colours and price of a new Steve Vai PIA model. The alleged source was the Facebook group Ibanez RG Series Fans, where someone shared a few pictures scanned from an unknown catalogue, along with a few grainy photographs.
You’ll need to be a member of the group to see them, so be prepared to join up if you want to follow the conversation on Facebook. As an owner of a few Ibanez RG550 models, I have been on there for ages and was surprised to see the model leaked late last night.
Ibanez Steve Vai PIA Signature model
Mrs Vai
The new models may be slated for launch at Winter NAMM 2020. The new Steve Vai PIA model looks a lot like a JEM, but there are a few major differences. In place of the traditional ‘Monkey Grip‘ there’s a weird hole that looks a bit like a Yin-Yang symbol. But why call it PIA? It just happens to be the name of Mrs Steve Vai, so this may be a tribute to her in some way. These models, if they are genuine, will be built in Japan and are evidently going to be at the top end of Ibanez’s guitar range. That’s reflected in their price.
Ibanez Steve Vai PIA specifications
Specifications
The alleged Ibanez Steve Vai Signature PIA has the following specifications:
- PIA Five piece Maple/Walnut neck
- Alder body
- Rosewood fretboard with PIA/blossom inlays
- Jumbo Stainless Steel frets with Prestige fret end treatment
- DiMarzio UtoPIA pickups in all there positions
- Ibanez Edge Tremolo bridge
- Gold hardware on all models
- Luminlay side dots
The finish options listed in the images are: Sun Dew Gold, Envy Green, Panther Pink and Stallion White.
I will update this article with more details as soon as they become available. Assuming these images are genuine, we might see an official announcement from Ibanez very soon. Currently there is nothing yet on the Ibanez main web site or Steve Vai’s site about this new model.
RRP: USD 4666.65 includes hard shell case.
UPDATE 15 January
You can now see Steve Vai playing the new PIA in the 60cyclehum Instagram post below
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
Gearnews NAMM 2020 Videos Sponsors
- Ibanez Steve Vai PIA Signature model: Facebook Ibanez RG Series Fans
- Ibanez Steve Vai PIA specifications: Facebook Ibanez RG Series Fans
- Gearnews NAMM 2020 Videos Sponsors: gearnews
This might also interest you
2 responses to “Leak! Is Ibanez launching a new Steve Vai PIA model at NAMM 2020?”
Dig ‘em. Luminlays and Stainless steel frets, too. Nice. Kinda iffy on the new monkey grip, though.
I love vai and I love the jems but 5 g. US dollars I’d a lot picking for a lot of picking however may make someone some $ if you were to stash 1 away for 20 years idk , just wish I was rich in would prob grab 1 but I’m not so I wont