Steve Vai Live Rig | SatchVai Tour 2025

Interview with Doug MacArthur about Steve Vai's Gear

Introduction and Background

• Chris introduces Doug MacArthur, who has been working with Steve Vai for four and a half years.

• They reminisce about their first meeting in 2022 during a European tour.

Picks and Strings

• Doug discusses the types of picks used by Steve, specifically mentioning Intune Griix picks, one heavy (1.5 mm) and one lighter (1.14 mm).

• The choice of pick varies depending on the song or mood; heavier picks are preferred for bass-heavy songs like "Hydra."

• String gauges also vary; typically, Steve uses 9 to 42 gauge strings but sometimes opts for custom gauges based on preference.

Guitar Modifications

• Doug explains modifications made to Steve's main guitar, including re-fretting with EVO gold wire and scalloping the neck.

• The main guitar features a sustainer and an Evolution 2 pickup for better tonal control compared to previous models.

Guitar Characteristics

• The modified guitar is described as lightweight and versatile, having appeared in music videos.

• Doug details how he carves down neck profiles to suit Steve’s preferences for thinner neck shapes.

Touring Equipment

• Discussion shifts to the new Evo guitar replica created during the beat tour, replicating wear from the original Evo.

• This replica was designed closely resembling Evo but lacked some aging effects due to material differences.

Additional Guitars Used

• Various guitars are discussed that have been used throughout tours, including unique models like John Scoffield's model with custom pin striping.

Pedal Board Setup

• Doug describes his pedal board setup which includes various banks for different songs and humorous naming conventions.

• Key pedals include a whammy DT, Dunlop 95Q wah pedal, and an EP booster that provides clean boosts.

Signal Chain Overview

• The signal chain consists of synergy modules connected through fractal systems primarily used for effects like delays and reverbs.

Noise Gate Usage

• A noise gate (NS2 model), initially avoided by them due to constriction issues, was tested successfully during rehearsals leading to its inclusion in the rig.

Conclusion of Gear Discussion

• They discuss using Carvin Legacy cabs loaded with vintage speakers as part of their sound setup while highlighting aesthetic choices in gear design.

Closing Remarks

• Chris thanks Doug for sharing insights into Steve Vai's gear setup while encouraging viewers to stay tuned for more content.