Claims by world-renowned guitarist Steve Vai that Korean Air damaged his electric guitar have been labeled untrue by netizens.

According to local web users who analyzed the exchangeable image file format data of pictures on Vai’s Facebook in which the guitar’s neck is snapped, the photos seem to have been taken while Vai was still in Korea and before he got on the plane.

The photo taken on an iPhone 5 is dated 3:50 p.m., July 28, with the location listed as the vicinity of the Ansan Rock Festival where Vai had performed, indicating that the guitarist or someone else who had possession of the phone took the photo before Korean Air handled the guitar as Vai claims.

Vai flew to Japan on July 29 on flight KE757 at 10:30 a.m.

On Facebook, Vai claims the guitar broke after Korean Air refused to let him carry it onboard.

He also posted pictures of cargo being thrown around by the staff to support his claims that his guitar had been “man-handled.” But this picture is listed as having being taken at a Beijing airport and not in Korea.

Korean Air declined to comment, but those close to the airliner are questioning Vai’s motives for posting the photos that could so easily be called into question.

Vai could not be reached as of press time.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)