Legendary guitarist Joe Satriani has teamed up once again with Colorado-based artist David Bonvillain for their third charity guitar collaboration. Following the success of their previous charity projects — the first in 2023 for Children’s Hospital San Francisco and the second in 2024 for Guitars4Vets — this 2025 guitar may be the most elaborate and visually stunning piece to date.
The guitar in question is a newly refinished Ibanez JS2480, which Satriani and Bonvillain worked on together for several weeks. With more than 40 hours invested in the finish alone, the guitar boasts a striking glow-in-the-dark base, which is topped with a beautiful white galaxy design made from fluorescent acrylics. Joe Satriani personally hand-painted both the front and back, all of which is sealed with a durable urethane clear coat for lasting protection.
Additionally, the original sustainer was replaced with a black driver/neck pickup, and the guitar has been newly set up with Stringjoy 9s for optimal playability. The piece also includes all original Ibanez paperwork and a certificate of authenticity from Bonvillain Design Studio, personally signed by Joe Satriani. Joe even left his signature inside the spring cavity of the guitar, making this piece truly one-of-a-kind.
This unique guitar will be auctioned for charity starting the week of April 14, with the auction concluding on April 18. All funds raised will be donated entirely to Pasadena Humane.
Joe Satriani shared his excitement about the project, stating, “I love making these crazy, beautiful guitars with David. His work is stunning. Each guitar we’ve collaborated on has turned out to be special, unique, and striking. And, all for a good cause!”
David Bonvillain echoed his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s an absolute honor and privilege to create these incredible guitars with Joe. He’s been one of my biggest inspirations since I first picked up a guitar, and now he’s also my favorite collaborator in art! Getting to merge music and visual creativity with him — and then donating these pieces to a great cause — has been an unforgettable experience.”
Bonvillain Design Studio has produced guitars that are now in the hands of some of the most iconic and influential guitarists in the world, including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Kerry King, Bob Weir, John Mayer, Yvette Young, Gary Holt, Mark Morton, and more. Bonvillain works with top-tier manufacturers to create limited runs of custom guitar designs, in addition to producing a select number of their own builds each year. Recently, Bonvillain partnered with Emerald City Guitars to produce an eye-catching spin on previously refinished vintage guitars.
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