Steve Vai is planning an entire album of 8-string instrumental guitar

Steve Vai performs at the Ibanez PIA launch event in Anaheim, California
(Image credit: Olly Curtis/Future)

Steve Vai is well-known as one of the original proponents of the 7-string guitar with the iconic Ibanez Universe, but as of yet, we’ve yet to see any recorded evidence of the virtuoso wielding an 8-string guitar… but it seems that may change in the not-too-distant future.

In an interview with Guitar.com, Vai revealed that he has three new albums in the works - one of which features his most extended-range compositions yet.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.