@@leavelukealone It's more showing slowly and in detail, as well as explaining the techniques so you can apply them to your own licks and playing. There are examples of how to apply the techniques included though. You could always find the lessons that are included in this course on School Of McRock and check out the trailers. schoolofmcrock.com/lessons Cheers!
I remember very well seeing you when you were a boy. I was a guitar mad teen at the time and remember being just a tiny bit envious of your friendship with Steve. Respect is due my friend, as I can see what an amazing guitarist you have become, and that's down to your own hard work and efforts alone. I'm so glad that you are still in touch with Steve to this day. Well done Thomas, just brilliant.
Interesting fact, the body on that guitar is actually a replacement. The original was broken and got sent off to Performance guitars in LA for repairs (I got see the original on a trip, its unreal how much history is in that little shop)
Great guitar! I grew up a few minutes away from Steve Vai. The original flame was made by Joe Despagni. I saw it with fresh paint in his garage along with a few other designs including one that Joe had made for me. Never met Steve, but mutual friends and local musicians always spoke highly of him as a man. Big fan since I saw Steve with Zappa in the early 80s!
I don't know what is cooler - having all those amazing Vai guitars or having him as a friend. Steve is my hero. I am thrilled that all those guitars I drooled over are in your hands and you still shred on them!
Oh that guitar was my dream after watching the Going Crazy video…I even cut up a guitar to make one that looked like it…thanks for giving us a look at guitar history ❤️
I grew up n the 80’s….started playing after hearing EVH in 79….I listened to all the shredders of the time,but I got really fascinated with Frank Marino for a long time…..his playing was amazing…it’s a shame he never got more recognition and fame….
Huge shred fan here. I grew up with Yngwie, but Vinnie Moore is my favourite. The best at playing fast but retaining melody. His first four albums all sounded different and all are incredible.
I was obsessed with that guitar as a kid, found a pic of it on AOL and printed out on the old bubble-jet to hang on the wall above my amp. Sounds as good as I thought it would!
I can't believe Steve gave you that guitar the same year I was born. Congratulations on that great gift and on the beautiful gift that life gave you, the friendship with Steve. continue telling these beautiful stories. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Joe Satriani's Flying in a Blue Dream was my first instrumental guitar album I had ever heard. I didn't even know who he was. The cover was just cool to me so I bought it. When I got home and put it on, I couldn't believe my ears.
All this time loving your playing and I had no idea you were “that steve vai, what a nice little boy!” Super wild, love that video. And now you’re a master in your own right
Very cool story!! Its so awesome that you and Vai are so close. Love your videos and I would love a video about "The audience is listening "!! I still can't believe you chopped up the floral jem back in the day, thats crazy and ballsy and only you could have pulled it off!! Keep up the shredding, im glad you're back!!
Loved the '80s. Still love the '80s lol. My fave guitarists of that time were/are Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Tony McApline and even the '70s/'80s guys like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. So many good ones. I love watching your videos. It's fun to hear you play and tell your stories.
Always loved that one, and it’s nice to see it here. Intriguing how you gravitated to it, and the Birthday gift, appropriate. That you have it time capsuled is even better. Amazing guitar, your guitar tones are majestic, and familiar. I’ll see if I can catch one of your streams soon, hitting the notify.
Great story. It must have been an amazing experience to poke around in that guitar vault. Even just seeing them would be amazing but actually getting to play them.. Wow. #switchedfromtwitch
Steve & the original Performance Flame Guitar in the Goin' Crazy video was the reason I first started playing guitar, used to draw that thing every day trying to perfect it.
Hey Thomas I'm looking to buy my 1st kiesel but had a question if you could please answer it for me I wanted a fixed bridge but thinking about whammy what is the tuning stability like with a wammy on a kiesel thank you
Have always loved the flame guitar, so much so I made my own version of it several years back and plan on making another. Would love to share those pics and stories if your interested.
I played the original version of that guitar and I also played the cloud guitar in Joe‘s garage in Carle Pl., New York they were originally made by Jem
Hi Tom, cool flame guitar it's probably a Jem body, that was cut into a flame shape , cool story about Steve Vai and You,, Steve is a so down to earth person. Thanks -RJ.
To get to create music, spent time with, and stayed at the Maestro’s house and studio was already an epic experience. To be gifted a piece of musically historical instrument that was touched by the hands of God, now that is legendary.
I’m not a fan of wild bodies like the BC Rich warlock and such but damn that’s a beautiful guitar! And it sounds amazing but I heard you can’t really go wrong with Dimarzio pickups. I haven’t tried them for myself personally.
That guitar is such an amazing gift. the audience is listening introduced me to Vai and Thomas and started my search for the swirl guitars that my local music store could not get me :( I ended up with a slime green bc rich warlock. I am still chasing that swirl guitar :)
Cheers! It’s always changing, I’ve done tone breakdowns a few times - the easiest way to get the latest tone info is on the live streams, here on UA-cam, usually on Fridays 👍🏻
Can you show us your settings for this tone/sound in your beginning intro. I want to try and recreate it with my Line 6 ux2 Pod Studio. It has been haunting me. Please.
I don’t think it’s that very guitar but not sure at which point he switched the necks. It’s more likely this was the last one made as he transitioned into Ibanez.
@@McRocklin As I remember he said he had two of them. He also mentioned they were difficult to play which might be why the neck got swapped out (if it's a Performance body). It could have been fully made by Ibanez though? I know SV is doing a book of his guitars and is trying to track them all down to photograph them. My guess is the story behind this one will come out then. Keep up the great work
These stories are phenomenal! Out of curiosity, why was the Performance neck swapped? Was it an endorsement issue? Were the frets too worn out on the other neck?
I saw Dave, Steve, Greg, and Billy twice on the Eat 'em and Smile Tour. Chattanooga, TN, and Birmingham, AL. I'm pretty sure he used that guitar on drop D tunes like Unchained. It was awesome!
You play amazingly yourself, sir! Great phrasing. You can hear a Vai influence which, giving the circumstances, makes sense!!! Randy Rhoads and Jake E Lee are my favorites. Badlands album changed my musical direction.
Jason Becker no.1 Vai then as august 92 hit i was 9 about to turn 10 and heard 19! You were one of the most influential guitarists for me too! I later would grow up and work fir Interscope from 06-09 aswell. Victory then stole me and the rest is history!
I think its pretty awesome that folks like Steve Vai take kids and other folks under their wings. To nurture the next generation of talent. In a way. Frank Zappa did that with Steve Vai in a large way. (From hearing Steve's interviews about Frank) (I particularly love the one about Steve's tone being like a "Electric Ham Sandwich" LOL) To see Steve do the same type thing. Sorta like the Jedi Master training the Young Padawan. Is extremely awesome. I know there are several Guitar players out there that live to share and help the "Next" generation of Guitar greats. And its just awesome. (Paul Reed Smith, Music is Win, etc.)
I'm thinking your guitar was probably a fully new Ibanez Custom Shop instrument made especially for Steve, modeled after the Performance ones...your body is painted yellow to red (outside to inside), while the Performance guitars seem to be painted orange to yellow to red...they probably used a factory basswood RG body, but it's interesting that they didn't carve the standard RG "tilt-joint" or full Jem neck cutaway on the back of the body, probably because that was the only spot for the strap pin!
In the 80s, for me, it was EVH, Randy Rhoads, Night Ranger, Dokken, Ratt, Poison, Vai, Satriani and White Lion. I love the flame guitar. Can I have it? lol
Get 90% off Guitar Techniques 101 mcrocklin.com/sale (Limited Time Only Offer!)
Oh weird, please email: Info@schoolofmcrock.com and we’ll get you sorted out mate 👍🏻
Thank you.
@@leavelukealone It's more showing slowly and in detail, as well as explaining the techniques so you can apply them to your own licks and playing. There are examples of how to apply the techniques included though. You could always find the lessons that are included in this course on School Of McRock and check out the trailers. schoolofmcrock.com/lessons Cheers!
How do you get that massive guitar sound? Are you doubling the tracks, having one track left and the other right?
I never grew up in the 80s but Steve Vai and Joe satriani, Randy Rhoads and Eddie van halen got me into guitar🙂
Those are all Gods of Guitar!!!!
I am from the '80s and I have not grown up
That flame guitar is such an iconic piece of eighties history.... absolutely love it what a lucky guy
I remember very well seeing you when you were a boy. I was a guitar mad teen at the time and remember being just a tiny bit envious of your friendship with Steve. Respect is due my friend, as I can see what an amazing guitarist you have become, and that's down to your own hard work and efforts alone. I'm so glad that you are still in touch with Steve to this day. Well done Thomas, just brilliant.
Appreciate that Stone, thank you mate!
I love your videos so much Thomas! The stories, the playing, the 80s... Love!!
Thank you! : )
Interesting fact, the body on that guitar is actually a replacement. The original was broken and got sent off to Performance guitars in LA for repairs (I got see the original on a trip, its unreal how much history is in that little shop)
Great guitar! I grew up a few minutes away from Steve Vai. The original flame was made by Joe Despagni. I saw it with fresh paint in his garage along with a few other designs including one that Joe had made for me. Never met Steve, but mutual friends and local musicians always spoke highly of him as a man. Big fan since I saw Steve with Zappa in the early 80s!
I don't know what is cooler - having all those amazing Vai guitars or having him as a friend. Steve is my hero. I am thrilled that all those guitars I drooled over are in your hands and you still shred on them!
Wow! What a great story! I had no idea you were the kid in the video. Must be an honor to be great friends with Steve.
Oh that guitar was my dream after watching the Going Crazy video…I even cut up a guitar to make one that looked like it…thanks for giving us a look at guitar history ❤️
Vai, Jason Becker, Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Vito Bratta, Yngwie, Michael Lee Firkins - good times!
What a awesome story, memory. Thank you for sharing. Vai is a wonderful human being... Are you still in touch?
Thanks. Yes we are, I spoke to him just the other day.
I grew up n the 80’s….started playing after hearing EVH in 79….I listened to all the shredders of the time,but I got really fascinated with Frank Marino for a long time…..his playing was amazing…it’s a shame he never got more recognition and fame….
Huge shred fan here. I grew up with Yngwie, but Vinnie Moore is my favourite. The best at playing fast but retaining melody. His first four albums all sounded different and all are incredible.
Nice!!
Awesome story and cool as hell. Thanks for sharing that
So happy for you!!
I was obsessed with that guitar as a kid, found a pic of it on AOL and printed out on the old bubble-jet to hang on the wall above my amp. Sounds as good as I thought it would!
I can't believe Steve gave you that guitar the same year I was born. Congratulations on that great gift and on the beautiful gift that life gave you, the friendship with Steve. continue telling these beautiful stories. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Dude, that´s an outstandingly cool guitar... and it is the loveliest story the way you got it! Thank you for sharing!
Love the clean toned chords at 10 minutes in….nice!
Joe Satriani's Flying in a Blue Dream was my first instrumental guitar album I had ever heard. I didn't even know who he was. The cover was just cool to me so I bought it. When I got home and put it on, I couldn't believe my ears.
Same..
All this time loving your playing and I had no idea you were “that steve vai, what a nice little boy!” Super wild, love that video. And now you’re a master in your own right
Very cool story!! Its so awesome that you and Vai are so close. Love your videos and I would love a video about "The audience is listening "!! I still can't believe you chopped up the floral jem back in the day, thats crazy and ballsy and only you could have pulled it off!! Keep up the shredding, im glad you're back!!
Haha cheers Steve!!
Fantastic video Thomas, I always loved that flame guitar. Awesome 🎸😎🔥
Thank you! : )
Ye, it’s a cool guitar for sure!!
Loved the '80s. Still love the '80s lol. My fave guitarists of that time were/are Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Tony McApline and even the '70s/'80s guys like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. So many good ones. I love watching your videos. It's fun to hear you play and tell your stories.
That guitar was the talk of my Jr High school days, I'm glad to see it's in good hands..Thanks for this video!
Hopefully you and Steve can come together on another album soon. Love the videos! 🤘🏻
Thanks for these guitar stories, Thomas. Keep them coming please!
This flame guitar impressed when I was young😲... Well, I have the same feeling in 2021 😅. Thank you for this nice story, Thomas 🤗
cool guitar and awesome sound too
Awesome story!!
Ever discuss a B4G one-off show(either live or virtual)?
Your playing is absolutely fantastic!!!!
Great video!! What a legendary guitar from a legend himself. 🤘
Had to subscribe and take advantage of your class!! Thank you!!
cheers from Malaysia mr. Thomas! nice story
Favorite guitar player is Steve Morris and your a close second because your both very legible and precise.
Sick guitar and even better story behind it
Thank you!
Awesome back story 😎👌
I’m stunned - you were the kid I watched in amazement on TV years ago.. great video, subscribed just now like it’s my job!
Thank you! : )
Loved that clean stuff you were playing…… beautiful
Wow this thing sounds incredible
It’s certainly not lacking in tone.
At first I thought the guitar was so-so. After watching the video I see the guitar is kickass for sure. Thanks for showing it.
Beautiful brother.
We need to see this guitar make a firey comeback Thomas! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Always loved that one, and it’s nice to see it here. Intriguing how you gravitated to it, and the Birthday gift, appropriate. That you have it time capsuled is even better. Amazing guitar, your guitar tones are majestic, and familiar. I’ll see if I can catch one of your streams soon, hitting the notify.
Thank you! : )
That's a great guitar. And a great story.. Wish I could have seen your face when he told you it was yours. Cheers.
That is one helluva iconic guitar to anyone that experienced the 80s lol and awesome shredding as well 🤘💀🤘
Great video!!
that pick up sounds great!
That guitar is so bad ass! Thank you for sharing that amazing story.
Great story. It must have been an amazing experience to poke around in that guitar vault. Even just seeing them would be amazing but actually getting to play them.. Wow. #switchedfromtwitch
That clean tone is amazing
What a great story!!!stay cool over there,Rock!It's about 90 here.So I feel ya!👍🤘
Such a cool guitar 🔥 we need a vid like this for that beautiful Swirl universe next please that’s my fav vai guitar hands down haha
Absolutely, cheers!
Steve & the original Performance Flame Guitar in the Goin' Crazy video was the reason I first started playing guitar, used to draw that thing every day trying to perfect it.
Cool vid! Could you explain your signal chain here and how you achieved the sound? Lots of reverb for sure but what amp & speaker (sim)? Thx!
Remember seeing this guitar in the Hard Rock Cafe in Panama!!
Great story about the flame guitar!
Wow man that's a sick guitar🔥⚡️🎶🎸
Hey Thomas I'm looking to buy my 1st kiesel but had a question if you could please answer it for me I wanted a fixed bridge but thinking about whammy what is the tuning stability like with a wammy on a kiesel thank you
It’s incredibly stable, it’ll take a little getting used to if you’re coming from another system, but not long 👍🏻
Have always loved the flame guitar, so much so I made my own version of it several years back and plan on making another. Would love to share those pics and stories if your interested.
I built a similar one in high school woodshop class! I’d love to see yours!
I played the original version of that guitar and I also played the cloud guitar in Joe‘s garage in Carle Pl., New York they were originally made by Jem
Wow!! What awesome stories!!!! VAI ROCKS!!!
Great playing. That's a sweet ax
Sounds so great, indeed! 🔥🔥🔥
Hi Thomas my favourite was Tony Mac Alpine. Cheers.
Good shout!
Great video. Such a phenomenal player. Much respect! Beautiful and tasteful phrasing EVERY time. Peace.
Thank you! : )
Hi Tom, cool flame guitar it's probably a Jem body, that was cut into a flame shape , cool story about Steve Vai and You,, Steve is a so down to earth person. Thanks -RJ.
Cheers Ronald!
Cool birthday memories man...and cool guitar!
My favorite shredmeister? Tony MacAlpine hands down.
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
that guitar is pretty fire
To get to create music, spent time with, and stayed at the Maestro’s house and studio was already an epic experience. To be gifted a piece of musically historical instrument that was touched by the hands of God, now that is legendary.
Such a cool guitar! Sounds great too.
Thanks!
@@McRocklin do you know how many Flame guitars were made for Steve?
Hey! So I guess you changed the neck on it ? It had a kramer neck back in the going crazy video....
No, there were three of these guitars made.
@@McRocklin WoW cool! Like everyone I dreamed of that instrument! Lucky you:)
I tried to make a flame guitar like that years ago. The body came out great but everything else was a mess.
lived four years in the uk never had hot weather so I can imagine, it's hot here in france too :) great memories u had
🥵🥵🥵
Cool story and heritage! Goin' Crazy! (I think i can remember steve had a few, and that one of these models of guitar being stolen at one point?)
Quite possibly. I know one was give to his engineer
Is this a different one than the one in the video? Or just a different neck with a baretta style headstock.
I'm a lover of pointy guitars and that is one of my favourites of all time.
my top guitar shape is the Ibanez Voyager by Reb Beach!RBM2 is soo damn hot!
@@bernhardtsen74 that guitar is beautiful especially the one used in the old black magic video
I’m not a fan of wild bodies like the BC Rich warlock and such but damn that’s a beautiful guitar! And it sounds amazing but I heard you can’t really go wrong with Dimarzio pickups. I haven’t tried them for myself personally.
And looking at that bottom cutaway I can't help but think it should be a real cool design for a 36 fret guitar
That guitar is such an amazing gift. the audience is listening introduced me to Vai and Thomas and started my search for the swirl guitars that my local music store could not get me :( I ended up with a slime green bc rich warlock. I am still chasing that swirl guitar :)
👍🏻👍🏻
Thomas..man. what is your rig..dude. your tone is awesome..please tell us man
Cheers! It’s always changing, I’ve done tone breakdowns a few times - the easiest way to get the latest tone info is on the live streams, here on UA-cam, usually on Fridays 👍🏻
Hey mate, what reverb and delay do you use? BTW that Neural Omega sounds epic! Great guitar playing as usual
Thanks! That was an Ableton Rev/Del 👍🏻
Hay how about another sale please ! I just found your website this week please have mercy 😁
Dude I love the guitar
Zappa's music had me prepared for Vai.....but Racer X.....both dudes could shred!! Paul and Bruce are badass!!
Can you show us your settings for this tone/sound in your beginning intro. I want to try and recreate it with my Line 6 ux2 Pod Studio. It has been haunting me. Please.
Hey Scott, the latest live streams frequently show the latest gear I’m using for tones. Hopefully catch you on the next one 👍🏻
God,I remember you as a kid playing on the TV,congrats mate👍👍👍
Cheers Lee!
Nice-looking and very functional guitar design. Personally I would have added another pickup for a bit more tone options.
This guy plays incredible 😱😱😱
Is that the original one from the Goin Crazy video with the Performance neck? I know he had several of these.
I don’t think it’s that very guitar but not sure at which point he switched the necks. It’s more likely this was the last one made as he transitioned into Ibanez.
@@McRocklin As I remember he said he had two of them. He also mentioned they were difficult to play which might be why the neck got swapped out (if it's a Performance body). It could have been fully made by Ibanez though? I know SV is doing a book of his guitars and is trying to track them all down to photograph them. My guess is the story behind this one will come out then. Keep up the great work
Super awesome 🔥🎸🔥
I remember seeing that guitar for the first time . Man it's cool !!
Great birthday memory. Can you tell any difference between the edge tremolo over a Floyd rose?
Yeah they feel quite different on your wrist, but they behave very similar.
These stories are phenomenal!
Out of curiosity, why was the Performance neck swapped? Was it an endorsement issue? Were the frets too worn out on the other neck?
Thanks! I have no idea of the reasons for the Performance neck, the frets on this one are perfect though.
I saw Dave, Steve, Greg, and Billy twice on the Eat 'em and Smile Tour. Chattanooga, TN, and Birmingham, AL. I'm pretty sure he used that guitar on drop D tunes like Unchained. It was awesome!
Awesome! I saw the Skyscraper tour live too, was super cool!
The fretboard seems wider then normal. I guess to allow for more room on those Steve Vai crazy bends and finger tapping..
You play amazingly yourself, sir! Great phrasing. You can hear a Vai influence which, giving the circumstances, makes sense!!! Randy Rhoads and Jake E Lee are my favorites. Badlands album changed my musical direction.
Niiiiice good shout I also love Jake E Lee. And thanks!
Thought you’d start off straight into The GoinnCrazy solo😎
Jason Becker no.1 Vai then as august 92 hit i was 9 about to turn 10 and heard 19!
You were one of the most influential guitarists for me too!
I later would grow up and work fir Interscope from 06-09 aswell.
Victory then stole me and the rest is history!
I think its pretty awesome that folks like Steve Vai take kids and other folks under their wings. To nurture the next generation of talent. In a way. Frank Zappa did that with Steve Vai in a large way. (From hearing Steve's interviews about Frank) (I particularly love the one about Steve's tone being like a "Electric Ham Sandwich" LOL)
To see Steve do the same type thing. Sorta like the Jedi Master training the Young Padawan. Is extremely awesome. I know there are several Guitar players out there that live to share and help the "Next" generation of Guitar greats. And its just awesome. (Paul Reed Smith, Music is Win, etc.)
I'm thinking your guitar was probably a fully new Ibanez Custom Shop instrument
made especially for Steve, modeled after the Performance ones...your
body is painted yellow to red (outside to inside), while the Performance
guitars seem to be painted orange to yellow to red...they probably used a factory basswood RG body, but it's interesting that they didn't carve the standard RG "tilt-joint" or full Jem neck cutaway on the back of the body, probably because that was the only spot for the strap pin!
And those '80's RG550 maple necks are MAGIC...i have 5 of them!!!
Very cool thanks for the info!
In the 80s, for me, it was EVH, Randy Rhoads, Night Ranger, Dokken, Ratt, Poison, Vai, Satriani and White Lion. I love the flame guitar. Can I have it? lol