PIA stands for "Paradise in Art", but it could also be a beautiful tribute to Steve's wife, Pia Vai. Or maybe a nice combination of both?
PIA3761C-BLP (Blue Powder) Steve Vai signature.
PIA stands for "Paradise in Art", but it could also be a beautiful tribute to Steve's wife, Pia Vai. Or maybe a nice combination of both?
PIA is an evolution of Steve's incredibly successful JEM models, a series that with slight variations has remained unchanged for almost 35 years. At a glance, there's a lot of JEM about the PIA model, a JEM with a new monkey grip now called Petal Grip. But if you look closely enough, there's something that sets it apart from a JEM.
The body edges have become softer and rounder.
The body's arm cut has a different and larger shape, it goes further forward (towards the neck), further down and is deeper. This is to make the guitar more comfortable to sit down and play with.
The volume control has been moved further down to be out of the way of the pick hand.
The flower vine has a different look and a new name, PIA Blossom.
Then there are a whole bunch of changes that are not visible but can be heard and felt.
New neck profile called PIA (the thickness is the same as a newer JEM).
Jumbo stainless steel bandsticks. Bandsticks that have a magical, smooth, playing feel and are incredibly much longer than normal bandsticks.
A highpass/lowcut filter by pushing/pulling the volume control. When you turn the volume off, the low register tends to take over and become too dominant, this filter counteracts that and is a filter Steve has had on his personal JEMs for a long time.
New pickups from DiMarzio called UtoPIA.
This is how DiMarzio and Steve himself describe them.
"Using the Evolution® Bridge as the basic platform, the UtoPIA Bridge was designed to focus more on the low-end response of the guitar while adding thickness and body to the top end. The challenge was still to deliver the harmonics that Evolution® is known for. Upper midrange frequencies were also dialed back to produce a less aggressive attack and provide more control.
The UtoPIA bridge boasts a big, fat low end, high output and thick top.
The UtoPIA neck has a big, fat low end and thick top.
The UtoPIA Middle can add some chime to any guitar with a lifeless single coil. With a healthy amount of treble, the UtoPIA Middle can provide the "quack" in the 2nd and 4th positions when placed between the UtoPIA Neck and Bridge humbuckers.
The bridge is Ibanez' classic original EDGE, considered by many to be the world's best swing bridge. The barn spring door is attached with magnets and screws.
Related products