Steve Vai's Wild Guitar Collection | Interview
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
- How did the JEM change signature guitars? bit.ly/3f7BvO7
Hear the JEM PIAs in action: bit.ly/3hijwa7
Guitar hero Steve Vai invited us to drool over his collection and gave us a tour of his personal musical instrument mecca, "The Harmony Hut." From a 30-fret Guild to a dual-whammy JEM, we were mesmerized by what we saw.
Want to see other impressive gear collections?
Joe Bonamassa's Vintage Everything: bit.ly/33tZRMy
Paul Gilbert's Top 5 Guitars: bit.ly/3tzk79V
Trixie Mattel's Favorite Acoustics: bit.ly/3f6mGLD
Laura Jane Grace's Incredible Rickenbackers: bit.ly/3tB8nUz - Zábava
Thanks for the shout out, Steve! Great video!
Hey Michael i got to see you when you came to Auckland in 2008 (actually you signed my dear Ibanez after the clinic) then saw Vai + Satch when they came for G3 a few years later. It is an understatement to say that seeing you all in my city was life-defining, and I'd like to once again thank you for visiting us!! Much love!!
I’m very surprised it’s actually you dude! 😲❤️
Hey! You're an inspiring fellow, thank you.
Wow, god himself
can you teach me how to play at 5000 miles per hour?
I'd totally watch a 4 hour in-depth video on his entire collection lol
exactly this!
That's my type of series.
Same here, I usually don't watch 15+ min videos but I didn't even notice this video was 16 mins until the end.
Joakim Engeset haha. Me too!
YES!!
When Steve Vai tells you he can't do this thing another guy does and that he's a freak, you know this guy's skills are insane.
Michealangelo is a fucking alien!
People who comfortably play guitar well swap hands when they want to experience the confusion of being a newbie again. Imagine learning to be that fast...TWICE
@@ianleonard3264 I play with both hands too. I can play right or lefty guitars. But not like Batio, Batio is a absolute freak with the way he crosses his arms and plays with both hands on different fingerboards
@@fatboydashredder9877 its one thing to learn nirvana as a lefty and righty, but its another to learn to sweep pick diminished arpeggios as a righty and a lefty, as well as play legato at the same time with both hands 😂 MAB is a legend. i could never play with both hands
@@reesej319 oh yeah I could never be like MAB no matter how hard I tried. He's other worldly when it comes to what he knows
“It’s wire and wood.” - Steve Vai.: “It’s paper and pen” - William Shakespeare
What the difference aren’t they the same in a way
@@megalodoncam2167 It's a joke, man. Calm down.
You forgot _'It's iron and lead'_ - John Browning
@@federicovicente8116 someone needs to take philosophy >.>
Damn. His home looks like a whole Guitar Center😂😂
He's at his personal Guitar Center!
More like Norm’s Rare Guitars
Your guitar center has real guitars?
lol
@@mertman1 you mean steve's rare guitars
The man is right. You need "your" guitar, the one that sounds like you, plus a Jem, a strat, a tele and a Les Paul.
Then you want a 335, an SG, maybe an Explorer with actives, and a V with passives and a firebird with minis.
Except if you plan to gig long hours.
Then you need a standberg cause it's light, an SA because headless is heresy and you feel naked without a headstock....
But there are times that nothing beats an acrylic BC Rich Warlock... or a Hello Kitty Strat.
Now you've taken things too seriously and it's time for a mustang and a jaguar to go back to the basics...
But the singer can't sing that high... a 7 string maybe? Still not low enough... 8 string?
...and this your honor is why she is asking for a divorce. Basic needs!
My husband and I are both addicts. We'll go down together.
You described about 20 years of my adult life.
Exactly that.
Damn
You also need to get a Parker Fly
I love how he's not a collector of vintage or super high end priced guitars. He's a true musician like..what can this guitar do that's unique and cool.
agreed he has a pocket that he stays in for strength
Never buy a guitar you don’t need. They must all do something another one can’t…
That and he's also loaded LOL
Oh he is definitely a collector of super high end priced guitars, they just wont be valuated until after he dies.
@@HRRRRRDRRRRR But he still goes for value, ibstead of getting an original 100k guitar, which he could afford and it would likely increase in value, he got a replica. that's basically the same but much cheaper. He's a guitarist who collects not a collector who plays guitar. I like that. And it's guitars he himself would and does play not some rarity for the sake of having it displayed behind glass slowly increasing in value.
Say what you want about Vai. But he speaks about guitar as if it wasn't an instrument but as if it's his personal escape to another world. He's a genius and puts passion into everything he does. That's what I admire most. And I'm so appreciative to be able to hear anything he has to say. Keep rockin’ Vai🤟🏼🖤
His dedication to not only playing the instrument well, but also playing it soulfully is off the charts
“Occasionally it’s good for melodic minor scales”
the sly smile when saying it, amazing
I think he meant harmonic minor, considering it's Yngwie's guitar..
Shots fired
Came here to post this same thing 😂
Fausto Orieta that’s what i thought lol
I never get tired of Steve Vai. He’s a musical genius but also a very humble human being.
He has definitely gotten better with age.
James Ciccone and*
Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls Funny old world innit. Because I don't see that at all...
He states very clearly that he owes his skills to being taught by Joe Satriani. He wouldn't say that if he was the person you describe.....
No worries, each to their own..... 🤗
Billy Goat Gruff i don’t disagree with you. I was listening to Joe long before Steve Vai. Joe is absolutely amazing. He also taught one of my other faves, Kirk Hammett.
James Ciccone I hope you realise I was addressing the Witchcraft dude and not you.
Because I agree entirely with you.....
Love this man so much. Seems like such a humble sweet man. I saw him live like 19 years ago when I was in high school. It was at the Trocadero in Philly. We were all in line outside and then somebody noticed him walking around inside the venue somewhere, everyone started screaming for him and he just waved and flashed us all this huge genuine smile. Love to see what he's doing with Polyphia and just his positive vibes in general
Met him very briefly back in 06 in australia. He is genuinly a nice fella. Both him and joe are. He came up just to say hello.
There is only one Vai, one Yngwie, one Satch, one Gilbert, one Gary, one Eddie and one of every original legend who created music and song to a mind blowing level of creativity. I can only be so very glad I grew up listening to them and trying to do what they did...which obviously i will not or can, but we all know, being able to play the guitar and create even a simple music is just satisfying.
Yo, you forgot eric, brian, and aalot more
@@jazzram_ Brian May?
@@Johnnysmithy24 yea
Idk not to me. I see Steve play, and I think my minor sweeping and lagato is nothing and I must advance to the next level, even if others say “ bjt dude you mastered it “ I will still respond no one truly masters the guitar, you just LEARN…… it, further and further and further, I bet you Steve is still learning new things still this day, maybe it’s not new scales, bla bla bla. But different ways to play different things. Guys a beast
But there's many many Blackmores! Sometimes several of them show up during a 5 minute interview.
Remember that time Steve Vai lost a guitar duel to a kid with a Telecaster....That was brutal....
He should have brought more guitars with him that night!!!!
@Brad Hell yep, he sure did
Ry Cooder played all the slide stuff.. Steve the neo classical molarks
Yeah, but he gave it his all!!!
That kid's a Christian now, and pretty good at karate, I understand.
“Here is my Sitar” - cuts to photo of Steve cutting his own hair
I just thought that too.
Exactly! They just wasted that clip...
It was a heavy decision MAN!! It is historical that we have it on film.
Live with Zappa 1981 : czcams.com/video/GPb-X_UIW3s/video.html
Steve has an alter personality called Mrs. Smith.
Steve's taste in guitars is not only so practical, but beautiful. I so admire his determination to find THEE ultimate guitar that fits his playing style. He wasn't going to compromise his needs.
He never molded himself to a Strat or Les Paul- he amalgamated each quality he liked and ended up with HIS PERFECT GUITAR- the Jem. And I am equally impressed with Ibanez helping Steve as well.
The Jem’s got a lot of give to it. Knowing Vai, I think he could play a log and it would sound phenomenal, but he really did the right thing designing his own instrument. Not to say that Strats and Les Pauls aren’t fantastic as well. But the Jem is just something else.
His eyes spark up like a child. God bless you Steve.
Steve has had a pretty amazing career but he's such a humble guy. Ever the gentleman, Steve seems to deflect praise of his playing to others like Satch or Frank. He's one of the very few guys that puts a lot of energy & effort into any product he's associated with like the Legacy amps or the JEM line. Steve is just authentic and it shows in his personality and his playing. Truly a one of a kind.
Highly Agree ,I met him at a Evo Event and he was just a jem"
@@robg8784 I see what you did there and I like it.
I agree, he seems very genuine about his sponsorship. There a lot of other players (but not all) that don't really believe in their sponsorship. Vai really walks the walk a bit like EVH?
I think he realized being an asshole is a dead end. Turned it around and now seems like about the coolest guy you could meet
I personally can’t get into shred style players, but Steve is such a good dude. I love that guy even though I’m not really into his music.
Even though Steve gets lumped in with the shredders of the era, there are few, if any that could be as successful in as many contexts. From Zappa to Alcatrazz THEN to Roth THEN to Whitesnake THEN to a successful solo career? Not many could pull that off, too many were just one trick speed ponies.
same here.
I agree completely.
he's Guitar Keanu
Vai is not a shreader, he is a musician.
Steve. I love the way you appreciate music. I wish I could’ve started when I was a young boy. I always felt like there was Great musician inside of me trying to break out. But I got sidetracked. Now I’m 63 years old in bed with a fractured spine trying to recover. I have a room that is 10 x 10 with 10 guitars two amplifiers and PA system. But all I know how to do is play chords. You are such an inspiration to watch and I’m gonna start watching your videos about how to play guitar. I don’t know your brother. But I love you
Steve's genuine enthusiasm and love of music, guitar and his fellow thrashers is inspiring. Great vid.
Forget about the guitars I want to see his collection of wind machines.
IUnderstoodThatReference.gif
to keep his hair moving while he solos ...
Ha ha!
LMBO!
it's wire and wood but you give it an identity
"He's a freak," Steve to MAB. A high compliment.
Im not a musician by any means, but one that enjoys all types of music. Even though this vlog is over a yr old, im glad it was in my feed. Seeing Steve's collection and the history is just outstanding! The passion you see in how the history is explained is imperative to continue and appreciate the power of music. This would be an instrument id love to master if the opportunity to go back in time was present. Thanks Steve for sharing your passion and crazy technical background!! God Bless 💪😎
Been following this mans career quite a long time (since Alcatrazz). Honestly, I am not too into his solo stuff all that much, but more when he's the lead guitar in a group setting but I just adore this guy. He's just so genuine and down to Earth.
"If we get to cloning and we clone another Stevie Vai, maybe that guy can get his music on the radio." What a guy!
He's too good for the radio. Radio is mostly about watered down music that most people can understand and get into. That's why you don't hear and Steve Vai, Satch, Dream Theater, Animals as Leaders, Periphery or any of the bands that have any sense of complexity to them on there ....other than maybe Rush
Complexity isn't equal to pleasure. Not everyone wants a complex wife 😉
And finally give him a good looking guitar
@@alexandrumititelu647 my point is some people like to listen to something different than standard 2 to 4 chord song in 4/4 with the structure being verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus. And even complexity can have beauty. And yeah, sometimes its complex for the sake of being complex
Cory Morris lmao dude
I love how he's gotta have hundreds of guitars, each worth thousands of dollars, but comes off totally humble. He's just excited about his guitars and loves talking about them and showing them off. No ego in it at all. Insanely cool.
And he's not the blues lawyer type of collector. He adds something to his collection if it has unique features or tone, not because it's just an old guitar.
I agree!
When he says he couldn't get a guitar because it costs a $100k and he mostly plays two guitars he's had for decades that are beat to shit, you know he's down to earth.
I've seen Steve play multiple times with 3 different bands as well as solo... every time it's been a special unique experience. I love his energy.
I seem to watch this video every few months and enjoy it just as much as the first time I watched it. What an awesome collection
And then we have Brian May. “This my guitar. My dad and I built it from spare parts when I was a kid. Never needed a different one.”
he has spares for touring and his own collection as well im sure
I feel like a lot of guitarists have their favorite guitar but they still feel the need to give all these beautiful lonely guitars a home lol
Yes he does have at least 4 backups while on tour. All identical to the barn door special
Rowland s Howard played the same fender jaguar for most of his career with no backup
@@Dampzombieslayer Vai has EVO as his main during decades. A truly signature model
what about the I know you're here triple neck?
It is in the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona
There's one at the top of the stairs at The Hard Rock entrance in Vegas.
@@cesar3288 I was surprised when I went there. Not only that it was there, but how close they let you get to it.
lah ada di sini
That was wonderful!! Thanks Steve and Reverb. Loved every minute of this!!!
I just dream to have a beer with him, a conversation no matter how long or how short, but to listen to him sharing all these amazing stories, that should be the most amazing thing ever. I really admire him. God bless you Steve.
The cool thing about Vai's guitar collection is that he has a specific use for all of these guitars. It's not just a rich guy accumulating stuff he really doesn't need.
Yes, I don't get people who have 20 Strats. Does Fiesta Red sound different from Dakota Red?
@@AndreaAustoni You say that, but all I see is a wall of "Jems".
@@andrewmccloud8581 I mean its the guys signature guitar so I would assume he would have a ton of them
@@AndreaAustoni I wish I had 20 strats.
@@hillaryclintonsrack2638 I liked your comment, then I read your name, then I threw up 🤢🤮
I remember when Steve produced my album, I was staying at his house and used to often go to his Guitar vault to try a lot of those guitars out. Fun times. : )
You have tried this guitars ?
I think it was a kind of scientific expedition, right ?
Yo Thomas! I watch your vids on Instagram! Your a beast! You've come a long way since playing little Stevie Vai and bad for good! Well done sir
And you got the P&W universe!!! And really deserved it sir
@@djon34 Thank you
No way, you played little Steve Vai?!! I've just been sat here for 30 seconds thinking "why do I recognise the name McRocklin?!" and my memory is pretty shitty, so it's odd that I would recognise something like a username without reason, so I went onto your channel and don't remember watching any of your videos... unlike I found the 'Juggaar' playthrough! I have an 80's synthwave playlist that features a few of McRocklin & Hutch's songs!
I know the saying "small world" is a bit of a cliché but it really fucking is a small world sometimes 😂
Definitely the dreamiest studio & nicest guitar collection on earth! Truly inspirational
I might not love every song of his, but Steve is such an inspirational guitarist AND human. I love to see him talk guitars.
The humblest flexer ever 😂 I really appreciate Steve bringing extended range into the picture, without him I wouldn't have my 9 string RG👍🤘
For me, every time I hear Steve Vai play guitar it's almost magical and it never gets old
2 years ago he did a workshop in our litlle village in the Netherlands for bout a 100 people , man, seeing him and talking with the Steve so up close, he s a musician far from stardom we still talk about how patient and helpfull he was , he,s true craftsman
I can’t say enough how brilliant this video is , the content and history , stories behind all your stuff is amazing , cheers little Steve vai (legend)
”I like guitars with unique features”
*Camera pans to a stock blonde Tele”
I mean there’s no guitar like a good tele🤷♂️
@@radio7353 a tele is the most basic electric guitar, and thats why i love it
And says " unlike that one"
It probably has something different in it.
@@leewhitworth9142 organs
He’s actually that humble and laidback in person. I met him last year in Orlando, great guy and good sense of humor.
Absolutely, I met many years ago also in Orlando. Floored how cool and affable he was.
This brought back soo many memories. As a fan of Steve Vai I remember the G3 tours and the guitars that he used to use on those tours.
I didn’t know Steve Vai had such an incredibly friendly and cheerful personality. He seems to be a great person to meet. Loved more how he described the guitars than the guitars themselves.
What a nice guy, I love how he gave credit to Michael Angelo Batio.
Cacaphony yeah.
MAB is a great player and very energetic nice guy. He seems to be a great teacher.
@@markusantonio4866 sady flies under the radar of many people though. I feel like he needs more appreciation
@@bumpsy Like YM, too many notes too all the time
I am not too much into Steve Vai 's style of music but I love the man as a person and how down to earth he is. The theatrical and his stage presence. I don't think there is any other person who commands the stage as well as he does. That G3 concert in Japan with Joe, Steve and John is still my favorite of all time.
Still filled with enthusiasm and still challenging himself. 'And we are one' was incredible.
Love the Airline Maps Baritone guitar you have. Love all your guitars but that jumped right out. Keep up the good work and keep on jamming.
That's a wonderful collection of instruments. God bless you Steve, lovely to hear you talk about this with so much passion :).
I'm glad one of those Lannister Jazzmasters actually went to a good home.
And by good home, I meant world class player.
Shawn McVey you sound right but in the video it looked like a jaguar
CJ Brown it is, the GoT guitars were a Strat, Tele and Jaguar
I love it when he’s talking about the Yngwie guitar and he say that it’s nice for melodic minor scales and that smile and nodding.
I love that pink guitar @7:11. I would love to have a guitar like that. I had a nice Kramer focus 3000 ,I bought in 1986ish and it was a bit of a darker pink. I wish it wasn't stolen. I would love to buy a guitar and start playing again. Unfortunately, I got ill and can't work anymore, so I can't afford one. You have a beautiful collection. Thank you for sharing it.
That Steve Vai, what a nice "little" guitar collection
He used to cut my grass, he was a very nice boy!
and those where not all the guitars hihi
Steve definitely rethought the concept of the guitar. It's great to see that every guitar in his collection has a certain purpose and he's not just another manic collector.
Vai could make an entire series about his guitar collection...and I’d watch every minute of it!!
It's Wonderful to be alive. Fantastic collection, fantastic musician, and best guitars on earth.
Dude is out there.. I love it haha. Saw him a few years ago when he had the electric harp player and the guy that normally drums for Billy idols on tour, he's definitely always searching for new sound scapes with different guitars and effects and stage presence. I definitely recommend seeing him at least once if you're a guitarist in any capacity. He'll certainly make you question what you've been doing with your time practicing, but it's not depressing in anyway because he seems down to earth and very self aware that he's a beacon for guitar nerds and even jokes about it.
My brother is a bassist and has gone to at least seven Vai shows... he always comes back refreshed and inspired.
Five seconds in and I'm already impressed. Vai is the best. I'd love to be in that room for even a minute.
Vai is such a mellow and cool Dude... Could listen to him for Days. Great Human Being!
That was fantastic! I could easily watch more.
Steve gives props to just about everyone in this video. Cool dude.
"The ham is cooking brother... always cooking with me... I make no excuses" Steve Vai
Hilarious!
He's such a great musician, not just shred he does things that catch your ear and you just can't help but be drawn to it.
7:26 : "I tried buying it but it was way too expensive, way too expensive for me". Damn, I can't imagine there's a guitar out there that Steve still can't afford
I think woh tab nhi le sakta tha this entire room is almost 2 million bucks plus 😂aur yaha uske signature picks lene ke paise nhi mere par 🤣🤣😅
@@KAKASHIHATAKE-ps1sl the fuck are you talking about
@@kimifurstenberg3722 nahi bataunga jhaatu
@@kimifurstenberg3722 he's swearing
@@nubisprodis6836 I see
Imagine when it comes time to change all those strings...
Thomas gets locked in there for 11 days
Luckily he has his guitar techs for that! :o
I have 4 guitars and I find it a chore to change strings on the 2 guitars I use
@@jonathanwright8802 Thomas can do it in 3 hours with a machine he made entirely out of velcro.
@@hatsunemiku8007 that statement couldn't be any more true
All I could think about was Frank Zappa singing 'A Token of My Extreme' during this video, "If you've been modified
It's an illusion, and you're in between"
Hey, its a way of life, youll love it. The white zone is for what? And who goes" all the way". Hmm?
I love this dude, he always comes across as so personable. I could listen to him talk about guitars and music all day.
I love how he goes I have a few different finishes and it pans out to a wide angle on an entire wall of different finished jem guitars
"Maybe that guy can get his music on the radio" sounds like a great title for an album of sub 3 minute songs.
The kindest guy ever! Btw I loved that part when he talks about that guitar that Joe Satriani gave him as a birthday present.
The first guitar in ever remember playing was an 88 floral. Such an amazing instrument in every way. Truly would love to own one
Awesome guitar museum. Thank you steve for showing us.
Drinking game: Every time Steve says unique, take a shot.
You sent people to the hospital if there light weights
Imagine spending the day in that room... it wouldn't be enough time to really explore each and every guitar!
What would I give just to spend a day in that room admiring the guitars and listening to Steve Vai.
inspiring as ever. Thank you for the music
wow, the biggest thing to really hit home from this is when he said " maybe he can get his songs played on the radio" i felt connected in that moment...
"So this is a JEM, but it's also a skate board."
Lol
Those lights that hang are absolutely beautiful
I could listen to Steve's talking about his guitars for hours. Every single one of them has a story to tell.
Question: How many guitars do you need?
Answer: The exact number of guitars you have, plus one.
earthaltar that's basically it
@@joseislanio8910 It's a sickness.
Tyler Larson couldn't have said it better himself.
Guitars, pedals, and bicycles.
@bed tundy me neither I love it.
My fave guitar of his would be the passion and warfare swirl guitar, its an iconic guitar included in the grammy winning album
A great album....Ballerina 12/24 is my fave track on there.
yes thats a good 1, guitar and album!!
@@lordyoda8555 Fantastic track. Personally, I like Erotic Nightmares the most. The way he can make a guitar speak is mind-blowing.
Dude's got a great sense of humor and seems very humble. I just saw him and Joe Satriani in Pompano FL 03/23/24. Amazing show and performance. 🙏
Steve you’re an absolute master at your craft and am so glad you have Michael Angelo Batio credit for your heart guitar!!
Nicely done Steve and Reverb.
"the ham is always cookin" made me finally understand his ways lmao
Steve is the reason why I chose an Ibanez when I first started getting better from hours of practice. Beautiful collection.
Stevie Vai is such a fascinating dude. I can watch/listen to him all dam day,
NAMM : we would like to invite you as a guest
Vai : no , I have my own NAMM here
I thought your name says megadeth
NAMM at home
2:17: *When a new jem comes out every year and your trying to justify it yourself*
Steve Vai Jem20th . The most beautiful work of art i have ever seen . I like all the swirl guitars . Take your pick . It reminds me of when i was 7 .wish i had that 20th .Thank you for everything Steve . Thank you also Joe . Your my favorites .
Love this man with all my heart! Even that great collection still not good enough for you Master!
Your hands and mind that are the most valuable things in that video!
EVO and FLO are treasures. Pieces of history.
"But I cant play like that"
*immediately shows him playing like that*
Yea I kinda think he contradicts himself some times
no, he’s completely right. No one can play like Batio. At his peak he really seemed to defy physics. Probably the fastest trick player of all time
what they showed him playing was NOT like Batio. Do your research, we don’t need more empty comments in this world
@@metalinyourhead3604 He does, but I think it’s because first of all, MAB really is a freak, and second because his knows how good he is but it doesn’t matter much to him
Steve is so humble!! He such a unique guitar player that he even compliments other guitar players.
One of the best guitar players ever... and remains humble and with his feet on the ground. I respect him so much.
I don’t know a lot about Steve, but I love listening to him talk about guitars.
I like that fact that even though Steve is definitely proud of himself for his achievement in the music industry, he does not sounds like someone who think he is greatest among others. Dude seems to be very humble person . 👍
What a great way to spend the afternoon. Thanks Steve.
Back in the 80s I had an Ibanez Sabre. I took it to the shop once to have the broken whammy bar removed. The shop guy said, "What were you doing, trying to play Steve Vai stuff?"
I was lucky enough to see him twice back then. Once with DLR and once with Whitesnake.