A friend of mine spent a whole day with him and he said he was really down to earth and oddly they didn't talk music as much you would think it was more about weather family and alot of topics that were not music related I would guess he probably does get burned talking music so much as soon as they figures out who he is LoL He is a just a man that plays guitar after all just like any other just different tastes and we all develop our own over time as much as we think we want our favorite artists set up that often changes as we progress and find our own sweet spot
Excellent 4 videos, thanks. The pickup splitting mode, with the 5 way switch, where position 4 and 2 use the inner coil from the humbuckers with the middle coil, is common on a lot - possibly even all - of the Ibanez HSH guitars, even the lowly GRG. The manual with my Ibanez says it's on JEM, PGM, RG, GRG, S, NDM, GRX models by default, not just the JEMs.
When the jem first came in . Those kind of wiring , split coil , was a new thing . The other ibanez guitars such RG ,etc were produced as a lower tier product but adopted the good parts of the Jem guitar .
@@allboutthemojoFrom what I see on the video, he uses the two springs with different tension on each so basically the tension will have like two stages, so maybe if he’s just doing subtle vibrato or just 1-2 semitone pullup on the whammy it’s not too hard to pull up, and when he does a very high pullup there’s more resistance this is just my interpretation based on what I saw on the video, I could very well be wrong so someone please (nicely) correct me if I am
@@chocolaa-p2689I don’t believe he has them set up for two stages. The one on the right was just missing the little rubber part that’s attached to the block. That what he was saying to his tech that it had fell out. 1:59
@@overkill2006 no. But they all have the concept of a washing board. a name is a name, but brands like Gibson, Fender, Krammer, Dean, Jackson ETC must stay for all people.
If the backstop isn’t touching the trem in its zero position how does it have any purpose? Giving it something to rest on doesn’t seem like it would do anything
I think the gap was for either padding to damp the knocking sound, or possibly the backstop was installed a little too far from the trem and the padding made the difference (also the padding fell out for one of them)
He could adjust it if he wishes. That's the nicest thing about this. If you install this, you will need to tighten the spring tension too. The notes will be sharp. You counteract this by turning the stabilizer. You basically balance tension-compression to get to zero position. If you wan't to drop tune or bend, the notes would not go miles off.
@@jaezryl I have a blackbox trem stabilizer in my Ibanez. You're right that there is no flutter capability with the backstop touching the zero point. But in Steve's case, the only upside to having this installed is to make sure the Trem doesn't go as far back if he breaks a string. Bending will have the same exact consequence as a fully floating Trem though without it contacting the zero point like he has it setup.
Flanger I don't think the brand of spring matters. As long as the action is fine, it doesn't matter. And I can't help but make the comment since that person mentioned the strings--- blows my mind he uses such generic, shitty strings. I've tried just about everything out there and those strings are pure garbage. I use Elixir .9-.46, maybe that is part of why my tone is better than his.
@@Skyvars Nope, Elixer go to feel like they are dull after a few days of hard playing. Slinky cobalt 9s are what Vai uses unless he tunes down and then he uses 10s. Both of which have excellent tone.
Looks like hipshot tremsetter but who knows. The typical instruction you see is to run two normal trem springs plus a single hipshot, but now I'm seeing that Steve Vai, who bends mercilessly, runs two tremsetters and three springs off a five-claw. He likely has one tremsetter for the high side of the bend and one for the low side? Dunno but this is the coolest setup vid.
+Ming Wu Yes, but you have to deal with that bridge, and it doesn't flutter that well. Also, the way is designed is a one post trem stopper, with a bar on the other side, very clunky and really not that loved on jemsite, unlike this two post one that you can install AFTERWARDS to your favorite guitar.
I use the middle pick up (single coil) in conjunction with the humbuckers, but extremely rarely do I use the middle pick up on it's own. I would say never.
Did you notice that when Steve took off the back plate he called out to Thomas (Nordegg) his guitar tech that a piece of the trem stabilizer had fallen off. He noticed alright and I'm sure that if it's on all Steve's guitars it is far from useless.
i cant believe he let his secret fly out after all these years... just wow
Wow, what a patient man Steve is.
love this guy, such a genius! and his amp is incredible! super versatile, from Vai to Gran Hechicero, outta this world tones, thank you for this!
Steve...You left Bo's lights on...
Steve sounds like a nice guy....
A friend of mine spent a whole day with him and he said he was really down to earth and oddly they didn't talk music as much you would think it was more about weather family and alot of topics that were not music related I would guess he probably does get burned talking music so much as soon as they figures out who he is LoL He is a just a man that plays guitar after all just like any other just different tastes and we all develop our own over time as much as we think we want our favorite artists set up that often changes as we progress and find our own sweet spot
Excellent 4 videos, thanks.
The pickup splitting mode, with the 5 way switch, where position 4 and 2 use the inner coil from the humbuckers with the middle coil, is common on a lot - possibly even all - of the Ibanez HSH guitars, even the lowly GRG. The manual with my Ibanez says it's on
JEM, PGM, RG, GRG, S, NDM, GRX
models by default, not just the JEMs.
iDominic42 Yes but not before the JEM, the classic RG the (550) was created as a more affordable JEM
When the jem first came in . Those kind of wiring , split coil , was a new thing . The other ibanez guitars such RG ,etc were produced as a lower tier product but adopted the good parts of the Jem guitar .
I bought one of your guitars and i feel what i paid for it, it should have all the goodies your does
that 7 string is awesome!!
And it is almost too bad steve does not play 7 string a lot for the past 30 years .
🤔Anyone know what brand tremolo stopper he uses?
When is Ralph Macchio getting his rig video?
😂😉
I would consider to buy his signature tele
Doomhamar: thats stabilizer not stopper ( two different things ), Carlos Peralta: thats not Goeldo Blackbox, thats ibanez backstop
Ha I have the Blackbox and it's much smaller than the contraption Steve has there
What does using 2 stabilizers do for him? Does it allow full guitar downtune without adjusting the Floyd Rose float?
@@allboutthemojoFrom what I see on the video, he uses the two springs with different tension on each so basically the tension will have like two stages, so maybe if he’s just doing subtle vibrato or just 1-2 semitone pullup on the whammy it’s not too hard to pull up, and when he does a very high pullup there’s more resistance
this is just my interpretation based on what I saw on the video, I could very well be wrong so someone please (nicely) correct me if I am
@@chocolaa-p2689I don’t believe he has them set up for two stages. The one on the right was just missing the little rubber part that’s attached to the block. That what he was saying to his tech that it had fell out. 1:59
I have the same Floyd ROse, that one probably has bell brass. The vibration will be stronger. 3:19
2:37 thank steve vai..for string what u use..
👀 weuu nice tremolo ...
It's called the Goeldo Blackbox. I've only been able to find it on ebay for 30 USD plus 5 USD shipping.
The black box is a single one. Vai uses the ibanez double stop stabilizer that ibanez no longer sells. They are on some of the older japan models.
I like the R.C. shocks. 1:51
Do you know what brand he uses?
@@overkill2006 no. But they all have the concept of a washing board. a name is a name, but brands like Gibson, Fender, Krammer, Dean, Jackson ETC must stay for all people.
Big Secret revealed..omg..
What was the secret?
@@Ihatejdmandmusclethe bowels of the guitar with his weed stash
Still can't believe uses 9 guage strings. He's got big hands and a massive grip. I've played 10s for years and 9s just feels so slinky.
Linda guitarra sempre quis uma mas muito caro 😣
Qual esse esquema de estabilização na ponte?
Ibanez Backstop
If the backstop isn’t touching the trem in its zero position how does it have any purpose? Giving it something to rest on doesn’t seem like it would do anything
I think the gap was for either padding to damp the knocking sound, or possibly the backstop was installed a little too far from the trem and the padding made the difference (also the padding fell out for one of them)
So it could flutter
He could adjust it if he wishes. That's the nicest thing about this. If you install this, you will need to tighten the spring tension too. The notes will be sharp. You counteract this by turning the stabilizer. You basically balance tension-compression to get to zero position. If you wan't to drop tune or bend, the notes would not go miles off.
@@jaezryl I have a blackbox trem stabilizer in my Ibanez. You're right that there is no flutter capability with the backstop touching the zero point. But in Steve's case, the only upside to having this installed is to make sure the Trem doesn't go as far back if he breaks a string. Bending will have the same exact consequence as a fully floating Trem though without it contacting the zero point like he has it setup.
@@JacobZirkin yeah it appears to be so. It's ironic since Vai pyrotechnics rely heavily on floyd rose dive bombs and stretches.
That's great Stevie, now when you gonna learn how to play. HAHAHA!!! (IMO greatest guitarist on the planet)
I always wondered, what *springs* does Steve use. Does anybody have any idea?
Ernie Ball Super Slinky! :)
Springs mate :)
Flanger I don't think the brand of spring matters. As long as the action is fine, it doesn't matter.
And I can't help but make the comment since that person mentioned the strings--- blows my mind he uses such generic, shitty strings. I've tried just about everything out there and those strings are pure garbage. I use Elixir .9-.46, maybe that is part of why my tone is better than his.
ragnaroksangel so, elixir is better? I mean, is this product better than super slinky strings? I never tested
@@Skyvars Nope, Elixer go to feel like they are dull after a few days of hard playing. Slinky cobalt 9s are what Vai uses unless he tunes down and then he uses 10s. Both of which have excellent tone.
the tremelo stopper some1 know whats it called from what company??
Looks like hipshot tremsetter but who knows. The typical instruction you see is to run two normal trem springs plus a single hipshot, but now I'm seeing that Steve Vai, who bends mercilessly, runs two tremsetters and three springs off a five-claw. He likely has one tremsetter for the high side of the bend and one for the low side? Dunno but this is the coolest setup vid.
Ibanez Backstop
@@newgunguy4176 What does using 2 stabilizers do for him? Does it allow full guitar downtune without adjusting the Floyd Rose float?
@@allboutthemojo Who knows? Every guitarist and tech have their own reasons to do everything.
@@newgunguy4176 hopefully someone knows because I really am curious about this. If it allows downtune and full float I want to install it.
if he never uses the middle then why not leave it out .
He needs the mid pickup to create the single coil tones with neck or bridge pickup. Which gives the tone a nice stratty clean tone.
He use the middle pickup when in position 2 and 4 combining with single neck or bridge pickup. He just not use just only middle pickup.
Go back and and listen a bit more carefully.
I'm trying to make a replica evo , what tape is it that he uses on the neck humbucker
hehe :P
2:00
@Steve Vai Dude, any reason why Ibanez discontinued the Trem Stoppers?
Hey ibanez have a new bridge called edge zero and it has the trem stoper!
+Ming Wu Yes, but you have to deal with that bridge, and it doesn't flutter that well. Also, the way is designed is a one post trem stopper, with a bar on the other side, very clunky and really not that loved on jemsite, unlike this two post one that you can install AFTERWARDS to your favorite guitar.
Ibanez licensed it from Coherent Sound in Light (or how they where called) and they have seemed to end the licensing deal
What does using 2 stabilizers do for him? Does it allow full guitar downtune without adjusting the Floyd Rose float?
Would have been a lot more informative if he had actually demoed all his stuff.
you can't have the sound of pos 2 and 4 without the middle pickup
I use the middle pick up (single coil) in conjunction with the humbuckers, but extremely rarely do I use the middle pick up on it's own. I would say never.
So they make crappy guitars even for Steve?
T Meo
Don't blame Ibanez for you sucking at guitar.
The way his trem-stabilizer is setup is completely useless.
No. It isn't. You just don't understand.
Yeah I’m gonna go with Mr. Vai on this one over random RUclips guy
Did you notice that when Steve took off the back plate he called out to Thomas (Nordegg) his guitar tech that a piece of the trem stabilizer had fallen off. He noticed alright and I'm sure that if it's on all Steve's guitars it is far from useless.
What does using 2 stabilizers do for him? Does it allow full guitar downtune without adjusting the Floyd Rose float?