Ibanez PIA3761-XB Steve Vai Signature – Onyx Black
The Ibanez PIA3761-XB Steve Vai Signature is the evolution of one of the most influential signature guitars ever made.
More than three decades after Steve Vai and Ibanez changed the electric guitar landscape with the JEM, the PIA takes that original concept and pushes it forward. It's still unmistakably a Vai instrument: fast, expressive, highly versatile and built around unrestricted access to the tremolo and upper frets. But the PIA has its own identity, with its distinctive Petal Grip, PIA Blossom fingerboard inlay and DiMarzio UtoPIA pickups.
Finished in Onyx Black with gold hardware, the PIA3761-XB is made in Japan and sits firmly at the top end of Ibanez's signature guitar range. This is a serious instrument, whether you're a Vai fan or simply looking for an exceptionally refined modern electric guitar.
DiMarzio UtoPIA Pickups
Steve Vai's signature DiMarzio UtoPIA pickup set gives the PIA an H/S/H configuration with a huge amount of tonal flexibility.
The neck and bridge humbuckers use ceramic magnets, while the middle single coil uses an Alnico magnet. Combined with the five-way selector, the PIA can move from full humbucker sounds into clearer, more open split-pickup combinations.
There's also a push/pull high-pass filter on the Volume control, providing another useful option for shaping the guitar's response.
It's a sophisticated switching system, but importantly, it doesn't feel complicated when you're actually playing the guitar.
Ibanez Edge Tremolo
The PIA3761 uses the legendary Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo.
It's one of the defining pieces of Ibanez hardware and exactly the sort of bridge you'd expect on a Steve Vai signature instrument. From subtle vibrato and chord movement through to extreme pitch changes and divebombs, the Edge gives you enormous expressive range while maintaining excellent tuning stability.
An Ibanez Ultralite Tremolo Arm is also included.
Made in Japan
The PIA3761 is Made in Japan, with the attention to detail you'd expect from one of Ibanez's flagship instruments.
The five-piece Maple/Walnut neck is just 18mm thick at the first fret and 20mm at the 12th, paired with a 430mm-radius rosewood fingerboard. That creates the fast, flat playing surface Ibanez players will immediately recognise.
The 24 jumbo stainless steel frets receive Ibanez's Prestige fret-edge treatment, giving the neck an exceptionally smooth feel right through to the highest registers.
Frets 21 through 24 are scalloped, allowing greater fingertip access to the string for bends and vibrato high on the neck.
The PIA Details
The PIA doesn't simply update the specifications of the JEM. Steve Vai and Ibanez gave it its own visual language.
The famous JEM Monkey Grip evolved into the flowing Petal Grip, while the rosewood fingerboard features the elaborate PIA Blossom inlay.
On the XB version, the combination of Onyx Black, gold hardware and the colourful UtoPIA pickup covers makes this one of the most immediately recognisable guitars in the Ibanez range.
It's unmistakably a Steve Vai guitar without simply recreating the JEM.
Key Features
Steve Vai signature electric guitar
Made in Japan
Onyx Black finish
Alder body
PIA 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck
Rosewood fingerboard
PIA Blossom fingerboard inlay
25.5" scale length
430mm fingerboard radius
24 jumbo stainless steel frets
Prestige fret-edge treatment
Scalloped upper frets 21–24
DiMarzio UtoPIA H/S/H pickup configuration
Ceramic neck and bridge humbuckers
Alnico middle single-coil
5-way pickup selector
Push/pull high-pass filter on Volume control
Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo
Ultralite Tremolo Arm
Gotoh machine heads
Luminlay side dots
Gold hardware
PIA Petal Grip
Hardshell case included
Who Is the Ibanez PIA3761 For?
You don't need to play like Steve Vai to appreciate what the PIA does.
It's an exceptional choice for players who want low action, effortless upper-fret access, serious tremolo capability and a genuinely versatile H/S/H pickup system.
For progressive rock, fusion, instrumental guitar, hard rock, metal and technical playing, its specifications make obvious sense. But the UtoPIA pickup system gives it considerably more range than simply being a high-gain shred guitar.
And, of course, for a Steve Vai fan or Ibanez collector, the PIA represents the current evolution of a relationship between artist and guitar maker that helped reshape modern electric guitar design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PIA stand for?
PIA is named after Steve Vai's wife, Pia Vai. The design followed the JEM as the next major evolution of Vai's long-running collaboration with Ibanez.
Is the PIA3761 made in Japan?
Yes. The PIA3761 is manufactured in Japan.
What pickups are in the PIA3761?
It uses Steve Vai's signature DiMarzio UtoPIA H/S/H pickup set, with ceramic humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions and an Alnico single coil in the middle.
Does the PIA have stainless steel frets?
Yes. It has 24 jumbo stainless steel frets with Ibanez Prestige fret-edge treatment.
What tremolo does the Steve Vai PIA use?
The PIA3761 uses an Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo, together with a locking nut and Ultralite Tremolo Arm.
Does it include a case?
Yes. An Ibanez hardshell case is included.
Looking to buy the Ibanez PIA3761-XB Steve Vai Signature in Onyx Black? Visit us at Coleman's Music in South Melbourne to experience it in person, or shop online with fast shipping Australia-wide.
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