I tried to get this one out as soon as I could, however health problems have delayed me. I apologize.
As I have been spending most of my time at home this past year, I have discovered home shopping.
In the past I did purchase one guitar and some equipment from Musicians Friend. The guitar was not exactly what I ordered, but I kept it and it has become one of my favorite instruments. However, I digress. Last year I had discovered a really unique guitar under the brand Lava Guitars. These carbon fiber instruments are sold exclusively through Amazon.
Lava Music was founded by two students at the Musician's Institute (formerly The Guitar Institute of Technology) back in 2013.
The ME3 Smartguitar is quite an upgrade from the ME2. It includes the same features, but with a touch screen operating system that syncs to their proprietary app. This is called The HILAVA Operating System.
The ME PRO is very similar, however it includes a built-in L.R. Baggs pre-amp with multiple effects. The ME2 retails for $699 USD, the ME3 retails at $999, while the ME PRO goes for $1399 USD. The most expensive guitar includes a charging dock base.
The company's name is Lava Music. They are offering three guitars, the ME2 , the ME3, and the MEPro.
These guitars are manufactured totally by one piece injection molding with proprietary high pressure laminate carbon mixture they call Airsonic.
 |
| Neck Design of Lava Guitar |
By 2017 they had invented a process by which a guitar could be crafted entirely out of carbon fiber, which they have patented and call AirSonic Carbon Fiber. This includes the L.R. Baggs preamp with reverb.
 |
| Lava ME3 Guitar |
The ME3 Smartguitar is quite an upgrade from the ME2. It includes the same features, but with a touch screen operating system that syncs to their proprietary app. This is called The HILAVA Operating System.
This allows you to tune your guitar, add effects and loops, and even record your songs.
 |
| Lava Guitar ME PRO |
All of their instruments come in multiple colours. Song write Jack Tempchin, who wrote many songs recorded by The Eagles seems to prefer a Lava guitar for his beach concerts.
If Lava Guitars seem too expensive, you may consider an Eyna or Donner Carbon Fiber Acoustic guitar. These are made in China (as most things seem to be manufactured there). The only experience I have with Donner is from last year. I purchased two effects, a compressor, and a reverb-echo unit from them. Both guitar effects work well, so no complaints from me. In my opinion there are only slight difference in both instruments; the headstock, sound hole shape, pick up, case vs. bag, and price.
The Enya Carbon Fiber guitar comes with a 100% Carbon Fiber Soundboard.
As a substitute for tone wood, carbon fiber has the resembling tonal traits. The top of X4 Pro is made of a carbon fiber composite material with a purity of 95%, maximally transferring the string vibration energy into great acoustics performance, loud and balanced. Carbon fiber never warps, cracks, or scratches, staying consistent across different temperature and humidity conditions.
:
The patented AcousticPlus Pickup system works for both acoustic guitars and acoustic-electric hybrid guitars. It gets you reverb, chorus, and delay, with no effects pedals needed..
The Donner Company makes a very similar carbon fiber instrument called The Rising G Pro. There are two models, neither is electric. The neck has a truss rod like most wood guitar necks, it’s for adjusting the bow of the neck to the exact preference of every player. The Fingerboard is made of high density and high stability greatly improves the problem of fret floating and deformation. The crowned fretboard is complete with rounded frets and Elixir strings. This is unlike the Lava instrument in which the neck and frets are molded carbon fiber, the neck and fretboard are made of high pressure laminate.
These guitar includes a travel kit, a set of Elixir strings, a very sturdy protective gig bag, straps, capo, Allen wrench, and tuner. The Donner guitar with black top and colored sides and back sell for $399.99, while the guitar with the black top and black back and sides sells for $599.99 with a hard case, $499.99 with a gig bag.
Unlike the Voyage Air, which have a hinged neck joint, the Journey guitars have a collapsible neck system which allows the player to disassemble the guitar in 20 seconds without removing the strings. The guitar body stores in one padded compartment, while the neck stores in a separate section of the bag. The headstock on the Journey guitars is slightly smaller to accommodate the travel bag.
Journey Guitars also offers a collapsible Carbon Fiber Guitar with similar features and a proprietary TSA approved bag. These sell for $1399.99 for the steel string acoustic model to $149.99 for the red finish or classic guitar model.
Journey also offers a collapsible bass guitar., with or without frets.
 |
| Donner Carbon Fiber Guitar |
The Donner Company makes a very similar carbon fiber instrument called The Rising G Pro. There are two models, neither is electric. The neck has a truss rod like most wood guitar necks, it’s for adjusting the bow of the neck to the exact preference of every player. The Fingerboard is made of high density and high stability greatly improves the problem of fret floating and deformation. The crowned fretboard is complete with rounded frets and Elixir strings. This is unlike the Lava instrument in which the neck and frets are molded carbon fiber, the neck and fretboard are made of high pressure laminate.
 |
| Donner Carbon Fiber Guitar Pack |
These guitar includes a travel kit, a set of Elixir strings, a very sturdy protective gig bag, straps, capo, Allen wrench, and tuner. The Donner guitar with black top and colored sides and back sell for $399.99, while the guitar with the black top and black back and sides sells for $599.99 with a hard case, $499.99 with a gig bag.
A few years ago a company called Voyage Air Guitars came out with the concept of a folding guitar. Their versions which sell from $700 up to $2700 include a hinged neck that folds over the body, The guitar come with a proprietary travel case that can fit in an TSA overhead airline bin.
Now a company called Journey Guitars offers similar portability with a full sized acoustic guitar that breaks down to fit in it’s own airline sized bag at a less expensive price. These guitar come with their own gig bag that includes a compartment for a 14” laptop.
 |
| Journey Guitar in it's bag |
The neck is held on by a recessed stainless steel nut and screw locking mechanism with a lifetime guarantee on the instruments back.
Journey guitars feature a traditional sound-hole that is forward shifted, a solid top, and X-bracing, and of course the gig bag is included. There are several models that range in price from $399.99 for the mini “Puddle Jumper” with a solid Sitka spruce top and sells for $399.99.
 |
| Journey Acacia Model |
While, $849.99 is the price for the full size solid Sitka or Acacia top model. The Journey guitars also are available with a Koa top, and nylon string models.
 |
| Journey Carbon Fiber Collapsible Guitar |
Journey Guitars also offers a collapsible Carbon Fiber Guitar with similar features and a proprietary TSA approved bag. These sell for $1399.99 for the steel string acoustic model to $149.99 for the red finish or classic guitar model.
 |
| Journey Carbon Fiber Collapsible Bass |
Journey also offers a collapsible bass guitar., with or without frets.
Check Amazon for pricing and deals.
Click on links below the pictures for sources and the links in the text for more information.
© UniqueGuitar publication 2023 (text only)