Upon buying a 1940s home in Los Angeles back in 1996, Steve Vai discovered it had an 11-foot-by-27-foot shack in the backyard that was previously occupied by a gardener who had perished in the space. Despite its unfortunate past, the guitarist immediately saw its potential as a recording studio. He went on to stuff the little hut with all his gear, initially planning to name it The Dead Gardener. He then thought of designing it like an old English pub and calling it The Fiddling Cock. Ultimately, he opted for The Harmony Hut.

Soon after moving in, he went on tour and, during that time, had some renovations done—a small room was added, the front was bumped out, and a huge window was installed so he could look out and see his kids and the sunshine while he was working. He later decorated it with varied wall fabrics, Tiffany-type lamps emitting a soft glow, and an extensive collection of guitars gifted to him by the likes of Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Mick Mars, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

RELATED: Meghan Trainor Has Slashed $5 Million Off the Price of Her Former L.A. Mansion

After 30 years spent recording a large portion of his modern discography and video performances there, including The Story of Light album and Modern Primitive release, the Grammy-winning musician and his wife, Pia, are now parting with their sprawling two-acre spread. The couple, who relocated to San Diego’s Rancho Santa Fe area in early 2025, has stuck a nearly $11.8 million price tag on the residence, which is tucked away in what’s known as the Music Row neighborhood of Encino. Jane Kellard of Sotheby’s International Realty, Malibu Brokerage holds the listing.

In addition to a studio, the highly customized and upgraded main house offers five en-suite bedrooms and six bathrooms across 10,000 square feet showcasing nine-foot ceilings and the original poured-in-place terrazzo floors complemented with rich acacia wood floors. Standing out is a step-down family room anchored by a Pennsylvania gray-blue stone fireplace, along with a formal dining room beneath a floating tapestry ceiling and a fluted Gonzala wood and labradorite bar with climatized wine storage.

RELATED: Musician Blackbear Is Putting His Moody L.A. Home Up for Sale at $10 Million

Other highlights include a skylit, steel-beamed kitchen featuring cherry wood cabinetry, Carrara marble countertops, an eat-in island, a high-end Wolf range, and a breakfast nook, plus a secluded primary suite opening to a serene fountain-clad patio and an upstairs media room with a bath and kitchenette. The amenities don’t stop outdoors, where there’s a pool and an accompanying pool house, as well as a fire pit conversation area, an open-air pavilion, a gym, and a tennis court.

Ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the “250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Vai started taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani when he was 12 years old and began his professional music career transcribing for, and then playing with, the legendary Frank Zappa, at age 18. He released his first solo album, Flex-Able, in 1984 and has toured with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake and collaborated with artists from Mary J. Blige to Alice Cooper. He’s also sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and won three Grammys out of 15 nominations.

Click here for more photos of the Encino residence.