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These ornate bridge and neck pickups feature custom laser-cut baroque-style covers, and match Vai's recently released Blue Powder Ibanez PIA3761C signature guitar
Now, to ensure the new-look axe has matching pickups, Vai has teamed up with DiMarzio for a set of Blue Powder UtoPIA electric guitar pickups.
Wound specifically for Vai’s PIA signature electric guitar, both the UtoPIA neck and bridge humbuckers flash custom laser-cut baroque style covers, which feature an similarly floral aesthetic to the guitar’s fretboard inlay.
As for specifics, each pickup takes inspiration from the Evolution Neck and Evolution Bridge humbucker, respectively, though focus more on the low-end response of the guitar in an effort to deliver added thickness and body to the top end.
(Image credit: DiMarzio)
For both, the upper-midrange frequencies were also tamed to provide a less aggressive attack, while also providing a greater level of dynamic control.
In operation, both promise “big, bold lows” and a “thick top end”, and are said to be ideal candidates for coil-spitting. According to DiMarzio, they are also suitable companions for the UtoPIA single-coil middle pickup.
Having said that, the single-coil version isn’t currently available in Blue Powder – it can only be purchased in Satin Gold and Satin Nickel, as well as a handful of non-lasered standard colors such as Black, White and Cream.
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As for the humbuckers, Blue Powder represents the latest in a long line of available custom laser-cut cover colors which also include Black, White and Pink finishes.
Steve Vai's new Blue Powder Ibanez UtoPIA (Image credit: Ibanez)
They also join a comprehensive catalog of Steve Vai signature DiMarzio pickups, which includes the Gravity Storm, Evo 2 and Dark Matter 2 sets.
The Blue Powder UtoPIA bridge and neck pickups are available now for $159.
Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor, and has been writing and editing for the site for five years. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 19 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. During his GW career, he’s interviewed Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Tosin Abasi, Matteo Mancuso and more, and has profiled the CEOs of Guitar Center and Fender.
When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt performs with indie rock duo Esme Emerson, and has previously opened for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Keane, Japanese House and Good Neighbours.
