Guitar players can amass quite a collection of instruments, each one offering something that the others don't. Modular systems like those from Somnium and others let guitarists switch components in and out as they please, but most are still made using wood. Luthier Boaz Elkayam has opted to make his modular guitar in plastic for durability, and it can be set up in 50 different ways.
The Boaz One system will come in two main configuration options. The first is a bare-bones top wing design with strap pegs at the back and the front horn, and an integrated pick holder in the middle. The idea with this flavor is that the player can just attach a bridge module, pickup cassette and neck, then tune up and rock out with minimal fuss.
If you're looking for a more full-bodied guitar, the One setup has an option for that too. The full body design has spaces for a pickup cassette and bridge module, and a gap for the neck to be attached. Interestingly, there's also a built-in stand around back so there's no need to bulk out the gig back with a dedicated stand.
Either way, the main build material is reinforced plastic.
Three different pickup cassettes have been developed so far, which include all of the electronics, plus pickup selector and volume/tone knobs. There's a single coil bridge pickup cassette, another sporting three single coil pickups and the third with a humbucking pickup. Different bridge modules are also available, which currently cater for action and intonation tweaks or precise tuning specs.
Elkayam says that, unlike its wood-based cousins, his guitar can brush off bumps and scratches, and can laugh in the face of heat, cold, humidity and moisture. He's also promising an authentic guitar feel thanks to added weight in the neck, though we're not sure how this will affect overall balance.
The One was first teased in April 2018, and subsequently put in the hands of guitarists to try out. An Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise production funds is due to launch later this month. The video below has more.
Source: Boaz One
