The first Ibanez Universe models, the UV7 and UV77, appeared on the market in 1990, though Vai had played prototypes in live performances before that.

It has been through some minor changes since its inception, but currently features a 5 piece maple/wenge neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, bound head, 24 large frets, a basswood body, DiMarzio Blaze pickups, "disappearing pyramid" fingerboard inlays, a "Light without Heat" pyramid logo below the bridge and black finish with white binding and mirror pickguard.

The UV777BK also is the first Universe to feature Ibanez's AANJ (All Access Neck Joint), a rounded heel that replaces the old Strat-style plate attachment to the body.

The AANJ makes playing more comfortable and increases the sustain of the upper frets, since they are located over the neck itself, instead of an extension.

In 2014 Ibanez introduced a "Premium" (Indonesian made) tribute to the original UV7 called the UV70P (and later UV71PWH) as the only available Universe models alongside a 7 string version of the JEM.