The Ibanez Universe is the world's first modern, commercial seven-string electric guitar, developed by Steve Vai and manufactured by Ibanez. The Universe is a seven-string version of the Ibanez JEM series, Vai's signature model. It slightly differs from the JEM due to the absence of a "monkey grip" cut-out handle on the body. However, it was not the first seven-string guitar. Alex Gregory developed seven-strings for both Fender and Hamer before t...
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The Ibanez Universe is the world's first modern, commercial seven-string electric guitar, developed by Steve Vai and manufactured by Ibanez. The Universe is a seven-string version of the Ibanez JEM series, Vai's signature model. It slightly differs from the JEM due to the absence of a "monkey grip" cut-out handle on the body. However, it was not the first seven-string guitar. Alex Gregory developed seven-strings for both Fender and Hamer before the Universe was designed. These guitars are notably different than modern seven-string guitars, however, in that they featured an additional high 'A' string rather than a low 'B' string.
The first Universes, the UV7 and UV77 appeared on the market in 1990, though Vai had played prototypes in live performances before that. The UV7 was available in white (UV7PWH) or black with green appointments (UV7BK). The UV77 was available in a swirled multicolor finish (UV77MC) and is now considered a collector's item. The UV77MC's were swirled first in...
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