Watch Paul Riario explore the future of guitar design with the “cutting-edge” LAVA ME 3 smart guitar

At Guitar World we regularly come across all manner of instruments that are touted as the future of electric guitar design. But few, if any, come anywhere near the new LAVA ME 3 for sheer next-level functionality, playability and stunning innovation.

LAVA MUSIC’s newest iteration in its range of LAVA ME guitars, the LAVA ME 3 boasts a unibody carbon fiber body equipped with a three-and-a-half-inch multi-touch display that aims to “make guitar tools as intuitive as smartphones.”

As Paul Riario expresses so eloquently at the top of this demo video, it’s “an incredibly impressive and innovative smart guitar that sounds like nothing else.”

Paul goes on to point out that the LAVA ME 3 “engages your creativity in myriad ways without having to plug into any external gear. It turns a musical instrument into an intuitive smart device with an app-based touchscreen interface that allows you to access its many built-in effects, play along and record with its multitude of musical grooves and measure performance and progress with its interactive practice apps.”

What’s more, he continues, the LAVA ME 3 features an onboard tuner, metronome, multitrack looper and recorder and so much more, making it a game-changing all-in-one guitar that allows you to take your creativity anywhere.”

As for the guitar itself, the LAVA ME 3 features key construction upgrades to its carbon fiber body from its predecessors, including the addition of a FreeBoost 2.0 actuator that works together with the internal honeycomb structure to boost vibrations and bass response, as well as 4-MASS technology for greater harmonic resonance in and around the soundbox.

“What’s instantly noticeable,” Paul says, “is that LAVA was able to draw out a much better bass response, increased sustain and a more natural acoustic tone for a lightweight composite material guitar that can certainly be considered as a travel guitar.”

The LAVA ME 3 is available in 36-inch and 38-inch iterations, in a choice of White, Pink, Soft Gold, Blue, Red and Space Gray finishes, and comes equipped with a Plek machine-leveled HPL fretboard. There’s even a super-cool optional space-charging dock cradle that doubles as a guitar stand.

“For aspiring players,” Paul says, “this may be the launchpad instrument that makes playing guitar seem less intimidating to learn. And for certain musicians it becomes a companion guitar that doubles as your sketchpad, practice partner, idea machine or song bank, where you don’t need to pull out your phone or plug into an external device. It’s all baked into the guitar. 

Paul’s final verdict on the LAVA ME 3? “It’s a cutting-edge and vibe-y instrument that you can get lost with for hours of musical creativity. And it’s portable enough to take anywhere when inspiration calls. And that is groundbreakingly valuable.”

To check out the LAVA ME 3 for yourself, head to LAVA MUSIC.