STEVE VAI

STEVE VAI - Auction For Original Ibanez Jem VAI2K DNA Guitar Up And Running


As previously reported, guitarist Steve Vai is auctioning his original Ibanez Jem VAI2K DNA guitar, and all proceeds will go to help his friend 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. Vai hopes to raise funds through the sale of this guitar to help Cultreri and his family’s financial needs.

The auction kicked off on Thursday, September 7th at 6:30pm PST and will run until 6:30pm PST on Sunday, September 17th. Go to this location http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290027082446 to take part in the auction.

According to Vai's oficial website this is his only Jem DNA guitar. It is the same one photographed in the Ibanez catalog, and the one that has spent some time in the Hollywood Guitar Center RockWalk Museum. It is one of only 300 world wide and is in excellent near-mint condition.

Vai has issued the following statement:

"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 And 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."

Vai 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.

STEVE VAI - More Guests Confirmed For CLIFF CULTRERI Benefit Show

As previously reported, guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani will be holding a special benefit show for their friend and music industry veteran, Cliff Cultreri. Dubbed The Cliff Show, it will take place on Saturday, September 30th at the House Of Blues in Hollywood, CA. Confirmed on-stage guests now include Paul Gilbert, Steve Lukather, Dweezil Zappa, Scott Henderson, Johnny Hiland and Billy Sheehan. More guests will be announced soon.

The following update recently appeared on Satriani's official website:

"We are doing a few special packages to help raise money for Cliff through the benefit show. Check out the two links below if you want to help out the cause, plus see a great show and meet the guys:

We are selling 6 reserved tix at a table (not available to the public) + after show passes on Craigslist for $2000. There are 2 tables available. Click http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tix/209006245.html to purchase.

There also is an auction for a reserved table for 6 in the VIP balcony + photoshow meet-and-greet. Click http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/04lb2j to place your bid."

Auctions end on September 28th.

According to the official press release for the benefit show,"Cliff Cultreri is the A&R executive who ‘discovered’ both Satriani and Vai as well as many other popular recording artists, while working at Relativity Records. 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. Satriani and Vai hope to raise funds to help Cultreri and his family’s financial needs. Both Satriani and Vai will perform, with special guests due to be anounced soon. Steve Lukather and Scott Henderson have been confirmed already."

Tickets to the show are $100 and can be purchased at this location http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/09003D08B2715D42?artistid=736048&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1 . They went on sale August 12th.

London Guitar Show - Exclusive STEVE VAI Masterclass

Legendary guitarist STEVE VAI will be hosting two exclusive masterclasses at the London Guitar Show on Saturday, April 28th, 2007.

Separate tickets are required for each of the masterclasses as the numbers for the event will be limited. Tickets can be purchased http://www.londonguitarshow.co.uk/book/book.asp or on the ticket hotline 01353 665577 and can only be purchased in advance – they will not be available on the day. The Vai Masterclass ticket also gets you entrance into the main exhibition, seminars and other planned clinics.

Steve will be signing autographs on Sunday, 29th, so you still get the chance to meet him if you cannot make the Saturday Masterclass.