This new smart guitar we've come across uses LEDs on the fretboard along with a full-featured app to make it easy to visually learn the instrument.
By following the lights – and putting in the time to practice – you can start playing without having to sign up for lessons.
The Litejam Neo is a proper acoustic guitar with LEDs for each of its 21 frets. The RGB lights sync up with lessons and songs from a companion mobile app, both for your fretting hand and your picking hand. The lights are also color-coded for each finger on both hands.
These glowing lights indicate where your fingers should land on the fretboard to nail chords and scales. Lights closer to the body highlight which strings to play for fingerpicking sequences.
You can even learn to play alternating bass notes to accompany your fingerstyle playing. That's a proper step up from the way beginners usually learn to pick chords and arpeggios.
The comprehensive learning app is packed with a range of lessons, and of course, covers chords, scales, and fingerpicking patterns. You can build patterns and chord progressions that you want to practice using the light-guided system, and practice your favorite songs.
It can even import song tabs in Guitar Pro's file format, and slow down or loop sections that you want to master at your own pace.
The guitar itself looks like one you'll want to pick up and play outside of your learning sessions. It's got a light one-piece molded carbon fiber body that's ergonomically contoured for comfort.
The 21 nickel-silver-alloy medium jumbo frets are set up with a low action for playability. And since it's equipped with an acoustic-electric system, you can plug it in and perform live, or even connect to an audio interface to record your playing. The Neo's rechargeable battery will run for up to 8 hours of guided practice.
If you're not keen on an acoustic but want the learning features and LEDs, Litejam has more options to choose from. There's the Neo Electric, which is made from American Alder in a unique body shape. It features two custom Alnico V humbucker pickups, 24 stainless frets, and a Wilkinson 2-point tremolo.
If you're more about the rhythm section, there's the Neo Bass – a full-scale 34-incher with a basswood body with two active pickups.
Litejam is currently crowdfunding the Neo lineup on Kickstarter, where all three models and their various colorways can be had at a discount.
The acoustic-electric Neo can be had for US$329, down from its $499 expected MSRP. That includes a guitar Bag, instrument cable, a strap, picks, and more. The electric model starts at $499 for the black version, and the bass comes in at $499 too. Select colors come in a bit higher.
All crowdfunding campaigns carry an element of risk, so you'll want to keep that in mind if you choose to back this campaign. For what it's worth, Litejam previously launched and shipped an LED-equipped guitar on Kickstarter with over $1 million in funding this year.
If all goes to plan, orders are slated to ship worldwide starting in September 2026, with some variants going out in November. Delivery costs will be calculated once the campaign ends, and will vary based on whether you go with air or sea shipping (starts at $40 per unit for North America).
If you like the idea of light-guided learning but simply can't wait to dive in, there are similar systems already available from the likes of Fretlight and Fret Zealot.
Source: Kickstarter
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