No, this futuristic 6-string is definitely not your dad’s cool old dread. The PG Lava Me Pro review.
Recorded direct into Focusrite Scarlet 2i4 into Garageband.
0:00 - Effects off.
0:18 - Onboard reverb at 50 percent
0:35 - Onboard delay set at 50 percent
0:52 - Onboard chorus at 50 percent
RatingsPros:Smart design. Excellent playability. Onboard effects, even unplugged. Nice gig bag. Cons: Non-traditional design is not for all. Slippery when sitting down. No onboard tuner. Street: $1,399 Lava Music Lava Me Pro lavamusic.com | Tones:  Playability: Build/Design:  Value: |
I love talking tonewoods and the history of traditional lutherie, but I’m also a tech nerd and conservationist who has long followed the evolution of carbon-fiber instruments. And I’m even more enthused with what’s possible today, after some time with the Lava Me Pro. A stand-out feature—beyond its obvious visuals—is the single-piece, injection-molded body/neck design, which utilizes aluminum and Lava Music’s proprietary AirSonic material. The playability is excellent thanks to the Plek’d fretboard and fast (albeit different feeling) neck. With the slick, Ovation-esque back and the pear-ish-like shape of the body, it did take some getting used to in a sitting position, but it was quite comfortable strapped up. According to Lava Music, the guitar is “weatherproof,” and impervious to extreme (or non-extreme) changes in temperature and humidity.
Unplugged, the Lava Me Pro is a cannon. Its rich, deep, and loud lows blend nicely (while still remaining solitary) with the ringing highs and clear mids that hold it all together. The onboard rechargeable L2 Pro preamp—co-designed with L.R. Baggs—provides a menu of effects, including a natural-sounding reverb, chorus, and tap-tempo delay. And they’re all on tap unplugged. The preamp also manages the built-in body mic and piezo system that can be blended to taste via the mix control. When I did plug into an acoustic amp, the electronics were super quiet and feedback was pretty much a non-issue. The Lava Me Pro is a loaded, well-constructed, and easy playing guitar with some fine tones living inside. It isn’t exactly inexpensive, but its price tag is certainly compelling when compared to other carbon-fiber options out there.
Test Gear: Orange Crush Acoustic 30, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4
A guitar made entirely out of AirCarbon, a new material that combines strong layers and aims to create a lighter, more open sound.
Shanghai, China (October 22, 2019) -- Lava Music has unveiled the new Lava Me Pro acoustic/electric guitar at the 2019 Shanghai Music Instruments Exhibition.
The Lava Me Pro is a portable carbon fiber guitar designed for live performers. It provides the elevated acoustic sound quality of a professional performance at a fraction of the size. Earlier, this guitar had won the IDEA design award in the US- AirCarbon is an all-new structural material for the soundboard of the Lava Me Pro. It combines the strong carbon fiber layers and the lightweight honeycomb structure together. The AirCarbon is 30% lighter than the standard carbon fiber that has the same stiffness. With a gentle pluck, you can produce a bright dynamic & open sound.
- L2 Pro is the electronic system which Lava Music collectively worked with L.R. Baggs to maximum the live performance capability of the guitar. The system comes with a build-in preamp, as well as the reverb, delay and chorus. With the Turbo button, player can enhance the volume & tone within a simple push. And of course the L2 Pro comes with the original FreeBoost feature. So artists don’t have to carry the pedals to rehearsal, even go on tour.
- All-new Gravity structural design uses the soundboard as the top of a 3-dimensional object, then adds the volume and gravity with the design of optimization, the body grows into a both strong and thin shape. Which contribute to the reliability and portability for the Lava Me Pro, that allow people can perform and travel to be effortless.
- For the body design, they used a high-density AirSonic material. With the carbon fiber bar & aluminum structure build-in to the neck. So the player can enjoy the playing without worrying about the weather conditions.
Lava Me Pro designed to provide the guitarist a professional stage performance guitar. For the other core components, such as the bridge, nut and saddle, are made with high-stiffness polymer materials, which also play important roles in the transmission of sound vibration. Its portability allows musicians to record and perform anywhere.
For the Lava Me Pro now is available for $1299 on Amazon or directly at their website.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Lava Music
The guitars are shaped after actual physical drops to give tangible ergonomic enhancement.
Lithuania, Vilnius (November 23, 2016) -- Lava Guitars are created by a Lithuanian industrial designer and musician Rapolas Gražys. The Lava trademark was founded by him on the principle of cross pollination between the fields of acoustics and precision craft. The output is innovative and forward-looking high-end gear that subtly amplifies the skill of a capable musician.
Lava Drops are shaped after actual physical drops to give some tangible ergonomic enhancement for a player to benefit from. These guitars are made via an exclusive technological process utilising a choice solid piece of wood. Thus every LAVA instrument is molded as a unique sculptural piece with artistic care and vision that has a value to it and adds to your stage presence. Each guitar has a vivid work of art personality compared to conveyor belt replicas. Combined with avante-garde technological know-how it is capable of advancing instinctive originality of even a seasoned instrumentalist.
Body core patterns of tree growth rings of Mahogany, Maple, Merbau and Ebony lumber are revealed clearly on display – a picture of undisguised naturalism. Just as in music itself that these guitars serve with same clarity of prolonged notes, subtler degrees of tonal character and variable musical harmonies. Elegantly streamlined forms of the slim guitar body provide functional and ergonomic benefits for a musician. Aviation grade aluminum alloy sparkles in contrast to matte volcanic rock inlays on the guitar neck. All that multiplied by master luthier care and craftsmanship transform the instrument into a collector's piece. Lava-drop electric guitars line is the immersive result of lifetime inspiration from nature combined with cutting edge technologies.
Lava Drop X
Lava Drop X The most cutting-edge model in the Lava-drop line and a tour de force technology-wise it is handcrafted from a sturdy block of rare Merbau wood. Master shipwrights do select this timber for vessels that ought to withstand more extreme conditions due to its high degree of natural durability and strength. Tonal character is warm and full. Aircraft grade aluminum alloy contour perfectly balances the guitar body and instills aesthetic elegancy into this unique instrument affirming its premium status. Its fatigue strength is higher and it has particularly good resistance to divots and even marine atmosphere and saltwater corrosion. Also this model features 24 jumbo frets and is incrusted with genuine petrified volcanic lava flow inlays. An integrated laser MIDI controller will captivate your audience with various stage setups while connected to either a computer, pedal or a synthesizer. Included in the package you will find a power suply unit and CV/MIDI LAVA converter which connects to your computer via USB port. Unique feature: You are able to change your fingerboard played chords with laser technology configuration that is in a class of its own. Equipped with 1 bridge "Lace deathbucker” which has a coil split. Has 2 different pickup combinations and tone/volume control. Perfect for rock, electronic music, blues, hard rock tunes.
Lava Drop Plus
Ultra thin and therefore light electric guitar. This fine instrument has been crafted from a single elect piece of American/European Maple tonewood and decked out with upmarket Ebony fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets and Schaller tremolo bridge. The guitar propagates clear, rich and bright tones and has extra long note sustain. Perfect for rock, blues, country, and funk tones. Geared up with 2 Lace Alumitone humbuckers that are splittable - guitar has 6 different pickup tone combinations.
Lava Drop Minus
This deluxe fretless instrument is handcrafted from a solid piece of high quality Sapele wood. The guitar has very slim, attenuate and ergonomic body weighing only 3kg (0.47 stone). It is envisaged to serve as an uninhibited and spontaneous source of innate musical creativity while your fingers slide smoothly and uninterrupted from around one Ebony wood fingerboard side to another exploring those micro tones. With this electric guitar one can sound totally different and recognisable. Perfect for jazz, world-music, slide bluesy tunes or may be even a distinctive style to be invented by yourself. Fitted with 2 Lace alumitone humbuckers that are splittable – the guitar has 6 specific pickup tone combinations.
Every guitar has a truss rod and two carbon-fiber inlays inside a neck.
Orders are available through the Lava website and email: info@lava-drops.com
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Lava Guitars