Guitar legend Steve Vai recently announced Vai Academy 2017: Passion and Technique. He has checked in with the following update:

"The schedule for Vai Academy 2017 has been posted at this location. This intensive four day camp, called Passion and Technique features Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Al Di Meola, Carlos Alomar, Stig Mathisen, Dave Weiner, Philip Bynoe, Jeremy Colson, Doug Doppler and special unannounced guests! You won't want to miss this one! To reserve your spot click here."

Vai has also posted a video trailer for Vai Academy 3.0:

The third incarnation of Vai Academy offers 4 days and nights of non stop guitar, start to finish, January 2nd - 6th, 2017 at the beautiful Asilomar Center, positioned in the oceanfront village of Carmel, California. Visit VaiAcademy.com to reserve your spot today.

From Steve: “Friends and fellow guitarists, welcome to the third year of Vai Academy. It feels great to say that! I’m so excited that this has been as successful as it’s been, and it seems to become more interesting every year. If you’re new to the program, we’re excited to meet you for the first time. If it’s your second or third year, thank you for coming back!

For 2017, we’ll be at the Asilomar Center in beautiful Carmel, CA January 2-6. It’s a great week because everyone’s ready to start the year fresh after the holidays. It doesn’t hurt to ask for admission as a holiday present either—just a suggestion!

We always pick a theme for this thing. I listened to you guys very closely this time around, and I’m doing something different for our Master Classes. This year, we’re going to focus on guitar technique. Many young guitarists always want to know things like: How do I bend notes properly? What’s the best way to approach vibrato? How do you pick so that you get the most out of what you’re trying to achieve? What does it feel like to play effortlessly in 11/16 timing? How does my intonation work into all of this? We’re all in need of guidance regarding these things: I know I still am occasionally!

At the same time, I’ll actually get a chance to go deeper than the technique portion. As you’re getting that part down, we’ll talk about finding inspiration within yourself to write melodies and songs. The technique is the tool. It’s your most useful friend to express what’s inside. Let’s unlock that together. As always, I’ve invited some friends to join me. We have one of my idols, the legendary Al Di Meola, and the wonderful Carlos Alomar—in addition to a few special guests which we’ll be announcing soon.

We’re starting with the technique as the foundation. What’s great is that will grow in whatever direction you personally want it to. Ultimately, the main goal of Vai Academy is for everybody in attendance to feel incredibly enthusiastic when thinking about their goals, their future, and connection to the instrument. You’ll hopefully leave with a few new buddies and maybe band mates too. I look forward to seeing everybody at Vai Academy 2017.”

When guitar legend Steve Vai appeared on the cover of the September 2016 issue of Guitar World to discuss his latest projects—including the new 25th-anniversary version of his masterpiece, Passion and Warfare—he agreed to let the publication photograph several guitars from his staggering private collection.

At this location you'll find photos of 10 guitars (mostly Ibanez), each of which is accompanied by a revealing tidbit courtesy of Vai. An excerpt follows:

Ibanez UV77 7-string with burnt finish

Vai: “This is Bruno—a dipped multicolored seven-string that I took a blowtorch and a wire brush to in the Nineties. I have no idea why I did that; I guess I just liked the burnt-wood look. I first tried it with the natural wood aspects in my home studio and wondered what the same technique would do to a multicolored finish. You can see the guitar in the ‘For The Love Of God’ video, and by the way, attempts to recreate my treatment of the finish have not been successful.”

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Steve Vai’s landmark solo album, Passion & Warfare, Ibanez proudly releases three limited edition Steve Vai Universe guitars that embody the spirit of his groundbreaking album.

The year 2015 marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Steve Vai's landmark solo album, Passion & Warfare. Critically acclaimed and publicly celebrated for its unique artistic vision and sheer musical muscle, Passion & Warfare, is now considered the milestone that marks the arrival of the 7-string solid body electric guitar.

This 7-string guitar, which Steve dubbed the 'Universe', was showcased prominently on Passion & Warfare, and opened the door for guitarists of every musical background to expand their artistic horizons.Initially adopted by like-minded guitar virtuosos, Steve's vision of a new musical landscape took a turn that perhaps even he hadn't anticipated when, in the hands of Korn and other purveyors of 90's new metal, the 7-string became mandatory equipment for anyone engaging in the genre.

Since that time, Steve, along with countless other 7-string enthusiasts have continued to incorporate the Universe into a myriad of musical settings that have both inspired and challenged the world.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Passion & Warfare, Ibanez presents three limited edition Steve Vai Universe models. Each of the three are inspired by Steve’s vision and representative of the musical impact that this timeless album had on the world of music.

Using the same colorful swirled patterning associated with the original Universe, Ibanez presents this 21st century re-visitation of Passion & Warfare. These handcrafted guitars draw on the color schemes present in the original album artwork, depicting the ravages of a war-torn hell juxtaposed against a nirvana-like state of passion for life and love.

The third in this series of celebratory guitars looks to the traditional role silver plays in observance of a 25th anniversary, marrying it with the color combination reminiscent of the custom 7-string that Steve used when touring with Whitesnake, immediately following the release of Passion & Warfare.

Go to this location to learm more about the three limited edition Steve Vai Universe models on offer.

Poland's InfoMusic has posted an video interview with Vai, conducted at Ibanez Guitar Festival 2016 back in June. In the clip below he discusses his 30 year working relationship with Ibanez and being an inspiration to other players.