Steve Vai's 1986 Hamer JEM Prototype "Monkey Grip Guitar"

[DarkHammer]

Steve Vai's 1986 Hamer JEM Prototype "Monkey Grip Guitar" incl. Signed Letter of Authenticity - Pre Ibanez 

Offered at $41,353 - this has to be the most expensive Hamer I ever saw.

https://reverb.com/item/79226132-steve-vai-s-1986-hamer-jem-prototype-monkey-grip-guitar-incl-signed-letter-of-authenticity-pre-ibanez-collector-alert

 

Attention Steve Vai JEM enthusiasts and collectors.

Offered here is the 1986 Hamer USA “Monkey Grip Guitar” prototype, a remarkable piece of JEM history.

This guitar was built by Hamer USA during Steve Vai's search for a guitar maker to realize his JEM concept, based on Vai's specifications and design ideas.

The guitar is accompanied by a signed Letter of Authenticity from Steve Vai, as well as a photograph of Vai holding this exact guitar, providing exceptional provenance for this unique instrument.

Details:

1986 Hamer USA JEM prototype / “Monkey Grip Guitar”
Built during the early development of the JEM concept
Signed Letter of Authenticity from Steve Vai
Original photograph of Steve Vai holding this guitar
Ibanez pink-lined hard case, numbered “Vai 81”
Available for pickup in London or Amsterdam
International insured shipping available — please contact me before purchasing so I can provide an exact shipping quote
Face-to-face delivery can also be discussed
A genuinely rare opportunity to own a piece of JEM history, from the period when the concept was still being developed.

 

[Saul Goodman]

You forgot the ninety-eight cents.

[Steve Haynie]

What did it sell for in the original auction of Steve Vai's stuff?  

[The Shark]

I hear they have really good weed and hash in the Netherlands.  Put down the pipe!

[topekatj]

4 minutes ago, The Shark said:

I hear they have really good weed and hash in the Netherlands.  Put down the pipe!

The monkey who listed that guitar needs to get a grip 😂

[velorush]

I have to ask, was Hamer's monkey grip anticipating a Hound Dog Taylor tie-in? 

Hamer:

Ibanez:

Hound Dog Taylor:

 

[The Shark]

32 minutes ago, topekatj said:

The monkey who listed that guitar needs to get a grip 😂

Yes. Topekatj with the win!

[The_Cali_Kid]

12 hours ago, DarkHammer said:

 

Offered at $41,353 - this has to be the most expensive Hamer I ever saw..

Hold my beer:

https://reverb.com/item/92908114-gary-moore-owned-1984-hamer-explorer-0731-natural-hamer-standard-w-one-piece-flame-honduras-mahogany-back-flame-maple-top-honduras-mahogany-neck-scimitar-headstock-w-rare-flame-maple-veneer-dimarzio-paf-hamer-slammer-humbuckers-sperzel-tuners?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=92908114

[Steve Haynie]

$142,487.63 + Shipping  

 

Really?  They want a shipping charge on top of that price?  

[velorush]

2 hours ago, Steve Haynie said:

$142,487.63 + Shipping  

 

Really?  They want a shipping charge on top of that price?  

For that kind of scratch I'd buy first class tickets for me and the guitar and hand deliver it to the buyer.

[topekatj]

10 minutes ago, velorush said:

For that kind of scratch I'd buy first class tickets for me and the guitar and hand deliver it to the buyer.

And, blow, AND BOATS. AND HOES..

 

[DarkHammer]

11 hours ago, The_Cali_Kid said:

Hold my beer:

https://reverb.com/item/92908114-gary-moore-owned-1984-hamer-explorer-0731-natural-hamer-standard-w-one-piece-flame-honduras-mahogany-back-flame-maple-top-honduras-mahogany-neck-scimitar-headstock-w-rare-flame-maple-veneer-dimarzio-paf-hamer-slammer-humbuckers-sperzel-tuners?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=92908114

Of course, I completely forgot about this one! I even remember posting about it. 

[Spinaltap]

it's the only one made, prototype...

Lots o $$$ but there isn't another.

I'm sure someone will shed the $ for it

[Dave Scepter]

1 hour ago, Spinaltap said:

it's the only one made, prototype...

Lots o $$$ but there isn't another.

I'm sure someone will shed the $ for it

I believe it sold a few years ago for around $4K-ish

Edited Saturday at 02:28 PM by Dave Scepter

[Jakeboy]

@velorush nailed it! Beware of the Dog!

[DarkHammer]

On 8/22/2026 at 8:44 AM, Dave Scepter said:

I believe it sold a few years ago for around $4K-ish

basically, someone bought this guitar a few years ago and thinks now it's worth 10x what they paid? I want to try what they are smoking! 

[BadgerDave]

What's the nasty mummy tape looking stuff between the grip cutout and bridge?

eeeuuuw!

[velorush]

6 minutes ago, BadgerDave said:

What's the nasty mummy tape looking stuff between the grip cutout and bridge?

eeeuuuw!

Could it be related to the foam looking thingy on the Green Meanie?

I always took that to be him micro adjusting his hand position (height) relative the strings. Could have just been a more complaint surface.