NGD: Ibanez Pia Onyx Black

[Gitarmats]

So I've always wanted to try a Pia ever since they were revealed, and I'm happy to say the day is finally here! (Actually it's been a week or so now. Details details...)





I got this in a trade on the used market, but the previous owner had just had it for a couple of weeks, so it's basically brand new. Mint! I just fixed the intonation and trem angle a little bit, and this guitar was perfect.

Super comfortable neck that feels great to play. Pickups sound great! Haven't really messed around with the push-pull knob yet, but I'll test it out a bit more when I do a full video review. I checked for the sanding inside the holes and it's all good on this one.

I also quite enjoy the scalloped frets at the top. I feel it especially helps for tapping, actually. Easier to get good contact with the frets with the scallop.

I also got a coulpe of videos playing it out this week:




Overall super inspired by this guitar and super happy with finally owning one!

 

[GitGuy513]

Sounds great and great demos. Can’t beat those gold HB pickup covers. I have to get my hands on one of these and try out the scalloped frets. Or I suppose another guitar with them, although I like only having the last few frets scalloped.

 

[6L6C]

Love your playing! Ton's of technique, but not mechanical or boring.
Like it allot very uplifting.
Also congratulations on the new guitar !!

 

[AtomicJeff]

I like it -- and your playing, too. Congrats!
I've only tried a couple of guitars with scalloped frets, but I liked them.

 

[Gitarmats]

Sounds great and great demos. Can’t beat those gold HB pickup covers. I have to get my hands on one of these and try out the scalloped frets. Or I suppose another guitar with them, although I like only having the last few frets scalloped.

Thank you very much! Yeah, they look super fancy! I tried a Malmsteed strat once and I found it interesting with the scalloped fretboard, but I also think it might be a bit overkill except for the top frets.

Love your playing! Ton's of technique, but not mechanical or boring.
Like it allot very uplifting.
Also congratulations on the new guitar !!

Thank you so much!

I like it -- and your playing, too. Congrats!
I've only tried a couple of guitars with scalloped frets, but I liked them.

Thank you!

 

[GuitarChapPappa]

Vey nice guitar (Black Beauty) and very nice playing too.
The guitar found itself in the right hands.
It also sounds like it's love at first sight.

 

[Tonedeaf]

I knew I would like it just by the thread title and it beat my expectations. I'm assuming these were made for Steve Vai?

 

[unix-guy]

I knew I would like it just by the thread title and it beat my expectations. I'm assuming these were made for Steve Vai?

Yes... The PIA is new-ish Vai signature model that was first released 5-6 years ago (I think).

I believed PIA stands for Power In Action although his wife's name is also Pia...

 

[ScottyB]

Yes, his wife's name is Pia, but I thought I read that the guitar model PIA stands for Paradise in Art.

 

[Peavey Herman]

Man, I only saw this beauty on my little phone screen at work and was jealous already... but now on the big screen - blown away. It looks almost as good as you play.

 

[Tonedeaf]

Yes... The PIA is new-ish Vai signature model that was first released 5-6 years ago (I think).

I believed PIA stands for Power In Action although his wife's name is also Pia...

If he didn't name it after his wife, he'd still be the doghouse.

 

[unix-guy]

I just did a quick search and found:

For the design, Vai says, “I wanted something simple, and something that for me also had personal meaning.” Those ideals are reflected in the guitar's moniker - the PIA. “It stands for Paradise in Art,” Vai says. There's a second personal meaning as well. “It's also my wife's name,” he adds.

So @ScottyB had correct.

 

[Mike Hagger]

Scalloping the frets would throw the intonation off, I'd stick to scalloped fretboards myself.

 

[Gitarmats]

Scalloping the frets would throw the intonation off, I'd stick to scalloped fretboards myself.

Hahaha, true.

Man, I only saw this beauty on my little phone screen at work and was jealous already... but now on the big screen - blown away. It looks almost as good as you play.

Thank you very much! It's for sure a very inspiring guitar! I just want to play it when I look at it! Lots more videos coming with this for sure!

Vey nice guitar (Black Beauty) and very nice playing too.
The guitar found itself in the right hands.
It also sounds like it's love at first sight.

Thank you very much! Yep, I'm in love with this guitar now!

 

[Assumer]

That is beautiful.

 

[gennarogiura]

Congrats!

I bought a PIA Black Onyx from guitar Center in Camden NJ last week, and it is great, a ton of sustain, the utopia pickups are great.

Only a couple adjustments lowering the action and it is perfect.

Playability is great, I like the not so big frets compared to my RG.

The high pass filter is subtle, but when you lower the volume it is more noticeble bringing high end back.

Also got a great deal, like 400$ less and the store guy opened the box in front of me, nobody touched it before

Went to that store since I had a social security appointment and the store was 5 min away, I guess the trip was worth it.

Enjoy your PIA!

 

[Gitarmats]

Congrats!

I bought a PIA Black Onyx from guitar Center in Camden NJ last week, and it is great, a ton of sustain, the utopia pickups are great.

Only a couple adjustments lowering the action and it is perfect.

Playability is great, I like the not so big frets compared to my RG.

The high pass filter is subtle, but when you lower the volume it is more noticeble bringing high end back.

Also got a great deal, like 400$ less and the store guy opened the box in front of me, nobody touched it before

Went to that store since I had a social security appointment and the store was 5 min away, I guess the trip was worth it.

Enjoy your PIA!

That's so awesome! Congrats on yours and thanks!

 

[Harm]

Awesome. A dream guitar!