Showing off your shred skills to your friends can be less than satisfying using an electric guitar on its own. But lugging amps, effects and cables to the beach or campsite ain't exactly practical. And finding sockets nearby to power your fretboard athletics – forget it. Which is where guitars packing built-in speakers and effects come in handy. The latest to join the likes of the Fusion Guitar in bringing a modern twist to the play anywhere electric six string design is the Model One from ElectroPhonic Innovations, which is said to boast tube-like vintage tone and dial-in effects.
The ElectroPhonic Innovations Model One guitar features patented acoustic technology combined with a FET-based preamp and 8-watt Class D amplifier that can be shaped into American, British or high-gain amp sounds pumped out through two paper cone speakers – one behind the bridge and one in the upper horn. A control panel to the top of the instrument is used to dial in effects like delay, reverb, chorus and flange, and Li-ion batteries make for portable power (though there's no mention of how long you can expect to noodle away between charges).
In addition to the speakers, players can also output to headphones or to an external amp, and there's a line input to feed in backing tracks. Though oddly plastic-looking at first glance, the makers say that traditional hardwood is used throughout. The 22-fret, 24.75-inch scale bolt-on maple neck sports a dual action truss rod for stability.
String action is caught in the act by a humbucker bridge pickup and a choice of P90, mini humbucker or single coil neck pickup, with selection made using a three position toggle switch and volume adjusted using a dedicated knob. The two other knobs under the bridge are for amp gain and master volume.
In development since 2006, the project is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to make the jump into production. Pledges start at US$699 and, if all goes to plan, delivery is estimated to start in February 2017. You can rock the pitch video below.
Sources: ElectroPhonic Innovations, Kickstarter