1 / 5
ts-revsmartguitars5-f
These axes house digital guts that not only keep that finicky B string in tune but also put a full arsenal of effects at your fingertips.
The Basics
What is a smart guitar?
It's a guitar that takes those pedals and effects gizmos—distortion, chorus, delay—off the floor and puts them in the instrument. The guitars look the same, but inside they have advanced digital tools that can tune while you play, alter the tone, and simulate different instruments.
So they're better?
Not exactly. If you want a Les Paul or an acoustic, buy one. An electric guitar that's been programmed to mimic others can't replace the real thing. But smart guitars unleash new possibilities. Switch between tunings mid-song, morph the tone from a ripping Stratocaster to a gentle nylon string during a solo. The idea is that you're buying a rockable musical laboratory.
Does that mean customization?
You bet. USB ports are showing up next to quarter-inch jacks, and manufacturers are providing software that lets players build new effects and tunings. No more modding your hardware in the basement, either. Transform one pickup into a gritty humbucker and another into a twangy sitar with a few clicks of the mouse.
Buying Advice
If all you want is a couple new effects, you're better off with pedals. But if you want a quick way to experiment with lots of sounds—and especially if you have limited time or space—these make sense. As always, though, pay attention to how the guitar reacts to your own style. Sounds die or turn screechy more easily on these instruments.
Photo: Greg Broom
