Steve Vai's Prototype Ibanez Jem VAI2K DNA Guitar VAI

Note: Steve is re-listing this item after Ebay removed the auction in error. Our apologies for the inconvenience...
Description
Steve Vai is auctioning his original prototype Ibanez Jem VAI2K DNA guitar and all proceeds will go to help his friend, A&R executive Cliff Cultreri. 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. Along with the special show at the House of Blues on September 30 with Joe Satriani, Steve hopes to raise additional funds through the sale of this guitar to help Cultreri and his family’s financial needs.

This is Steve's only Jem DNA guitar. It is the same one featured in the Ibanez catalog, and the one that has spent some time in the Hollywood Guitar Center RockWalk Museum. There were only 300 production DNA guitars made and sold worldwide. Steve's prototype is in excellent near-mint condition - the only blemish being a small chip in the clearcoat on the bottom of the body near the strap pin. Apart from the often-photographed beautiful one-of-a-kind swirl paint job on this guitar, what sets this guitar apart from the production Jem DNA model is that there is no blood in the DNA swirl paint job of this prototype. (The production models had Steve's blood mixed into the paint job.)

Here's what Steve says about the guitar:

"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 & 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.

The back/front photo above was taken by us here at Vai.com in the studio and shows the guitar in its current condition. The other photos were of the guitar with Steve were taken by noted rock photographer Robert Knight.

A great piece of rock n’ roll history, this guitar can be autographed by Steve for the winning bidder. Steve is also prepared to present this guitar personally to the winning bidder if they are willing to collect the guitar in Los Angeles. The winner may even want to collect this guitar at the Cliff Cultreri Benefit Concert on September 30. We will include an Ibanez case with this guitar, however as this guitar is the prototype, it did not come with the Ibanez certificate or special case. Steve will hand write a letter of authenticity if the winning bidder desires.

This is an Official Steve Vai auction. You can email us for more information at ebay@vai.com. Please, serious enquiries only.