The Ibanez EP9 Steve Vai electro-acoustic guitar is manufactured using high quality resonant woods; the top is made from Engelmann spruce whilst the rear, sides and neck are mahogany. The neck utilises a Rosewood fret-board and is decorated with ornate yellow pearloid “Tree of life design” as stipulated by Mr Vai himself.
The guitar is fitted with sophisticated electronic circuitry in the shape of the Fishman Acoustic Matrix pick-up and also the Fishman Aura pre-amp that provides amongst other things 6 selectable custom acoustic sound images that have been pre-programmed into the Aura. The pre-amp also includes active 3 band EQ, on-board tuner (Chromatic) and anti-feedback control.
The EP9 uses satin-gold Grover machine heads whilst the body has a single cut-away to allow access for soloing on the higher frets. The guitar is finished in a light brown tan colour that is described as “Resonant root beer” and has a decorative inlaid rosette around the sound hole featuring Steve Vai’s trademark design.
