IN HONOR OF Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s third joint GW cover, we’ve decided to present a special “Satch and Vai” edition of Cover Models, a recurring one-page feature that we kicked off in our April 2024 issue. That’s when we track down GW cover stars from the distant or recent past and ask them to tell us about the guitars they’re holding on their covers. This month, we’d like to send out some big-time thanks to Mike Mesker, Vai’s art director, who contributed several historical details concerning Vai’s guitars.
JOE SATRIANI
1. NOVEMBER 1989
Guitar World
Original photographer: Neil Zlozower
What model guitar are you playing in this photo?
SATRIANI: That’s my first Ibanez JS prototype, which we called “Black Dog.” It had a Roadstar neck and a basswood 540 Radius body. By the time of this photo it also had a DiMarzio FRED pickup in the bridge and a PAF Pro in the neck. [Luthier] Gary Brawer had done extensive fret and fretboard work as well.
Why did you bring this particular guitar to the shoot?
I started using it live in ’88 and used it all over Flying in a Blue Dream and throughout the Nineties. It was one of my favorites to play at that time because it had a very unique feel and tone. Since it was a distressed, plain black guitar, I thought a little artwork would improve the look and give it a cool vibe. It was featured on the back of the Flying in a album, so it only seemed right to bring it to the photo session.
