Steve Vai “Evo” Jem Guitar Tee

The Heart of a Guitar Legend. On a Tee.

“I wanted to design a Jem that had a classic look to it,” Steve Vai said when envisioning what would become the iconic Evo Jem. After experimenting with color combinations, he landed on a sleek white guitar with gold hardware—a design that felt timeless and elegant.

Of the four production models Ibanez sent him in 1992, Steve played each to see which would become the one. At the same time, he was working with DiMarzio to develop a new pickup. One of the prototypes—eventually named the Evolution—was installed into one of the four guitars. To keep track, he scribbled “Evo” on it.

What happened next was pure magic.

“There was something about Evo that I responded to,” Steve recalls. “Even though she was technically just like the others, her touch and sound moved me.” That connection ran deep—so deep, in fact, that Evo became his main guitar, first used before recording Sex and Religion, and still his go-to Jem to this day.

Describing his bond with the instrument, Steve says: “Evo has been the voice of my heart. She’s seen me through my lowest lows and highest highs. I’ve cried, screamed, prayed, and bled through that guitar. Though she’s only wire and wood, the emotional investment is real.”

Now you can wear a piece of that history.

The Steve Vai “Evo” Jem Tee captures the soul of this legendary instrument—worn, loved, and still screaming with life. Exclusively from Guitar Nut Tees. Ships worldwide.

This t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US

Size guide