JS 4
Ibanez JS4 Story
The Ibanez JS4 was sold between 1992 and 1993. It’s basically a JS1 with a special custom graphic Electric Rainbow designed by one of Joe’s sister, Joan Satriani. Just like the JS3 which was painted by Donnie Hunt and the JS5 by another of Joe’s sisters, Carol Satriani.
The only differences with the JS1 was the Lo Pro Edge tremolo that replaced the Edge and the graphic finish (the new JS1 from 1992 also had this feature). The body is still in American basswood featuring a 22 fret maple JS neck with 6105 frets inlaid with pearly dots.
The JS4 is now a collection guitar due to its rarity.
This artwork hangs at the top of the stairs outside my office, so I tend to take it for granted. I must have walked past this thousands of times over the years — usually in a hurry so rarely taking notice. It’s the original “Electric Rainbow” painting Joe Satriani’s older sister, Joan, did as a sample for the JS4, the first of a very limited series of hand painted JS guitars issued back in 1992. It’s signed on the mat in the lower left corner. There was a companion piece to this —“The Rain Forest”— painted by Joe’s second sister, Carol, which unfortunately, someone liberated from our possession back when the paintings, along with the guitars were shown at the NAMM show.
Bill Reim, Chief Executive Officer from Ibanez.
About Joan’s painting (see pictures)
Specifications
Name: JS4
Years: 1992-1993
Areas: Worldwide
Made in: Japan
Finishes: “Electric Rainbow”
Custom graphic by Joan Satriani
Models: 22 (including 2 destroyed in shipping)
Body
Body material: American Basswood
Neck joint: Tilt Joint
Bridge: Lo Pro Edge
Hardware color: Chrome
Neck
Neck type: JS
Material: 1-Piece Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Pearl dots
Frets: 22 / 6105
Electronics
PU Config: HH
Neck PU: DiMarzio PAF Joe
Bridge PU: DiMarzio FRED
Controls: 1 Volume (with High pass filter)
1 Tone (with Coil Tap) / 3-Way toggle
Neck dimensions
Scale length: 648mm/25.5″
a: Width at nut: 42mm
b: Width at last fret: 57mm
c: Thickness at 1st fret: 20mm
d: Thickness at 12th fret: 21.8mm
Radius: 250mm
Photos
