You guys are basically the only place on youtube that's actually giving honest feedback. I realize that everyone else is just selling the product, they aren't talking about the shitty things happeneing.
Thank you guys for the transparency. I have been thinking of getting one and to be honest all the UA-cam reviews are super promotional and don't report any of these issues or do any follow-up. Most of them are sponsored content too. A while back I saw a lot of UA-cam influencers peddling Orangewood and got suckered in, bought their top end model. It looked wonderful, had all the appointments etc. But the sound was super muted by being over-finished. Sonically, it was inferior at $1,000 to a $300 Eastman.
Many of the videos on UA-cam I came across for this guitar are boarding on product placement. While it is an interesting product, I feel the number one concern for a product company *should be* to make the best product they can make. If the guitar is this fragile then they need to rethink the material they are using-even if it means the price of the product would have to be $150-250 more. Do a version 2, put up the price and make a stronger product.
So glad i found this review. It seems like the only honest review of this guitar on youtube as everyone else is getting guitars for free. But i was getting small hints about the software issues. It was great to hear you highlight the software issue.
I really like my Lava guitar .. so far, so good anyway. I did find with it's curved edge that it slid easily on my lap - so I added a thin strip of anti slip tape to the bottom edge.
I have the Me 2 Freeboost and I love it. I've only had it for a few weeks... so your experience has me a little nervous. I'm pretty sure Lava says it uses a carbon fiber-based compound, not true carbon fiber, if that helps. At any rate, for me, the ME 2 is the easiest playing acoustic I've every owned, first time I actually reach for an acoustic over an electric in fact. The neck and fretwork are just great. I especially appreciate the smaller form factor. I do use the Freeboost effect sometimes, but it's not really necessary, since I really like the acoustic sound. I tuned the guitar the day it arrived and haven't had to retune it since.
Appreciate the honesty. Curious if the newest LAVA Me 4 with a New truss rod system and the new Spruce top version have improved the quality and build?
0:41 - sorry, Fellas - just the aesthetics... the look... it's the Edsel of acoustic guitars, IMHO. "Just doesn't LOOK right." Sorry - it's just plain ugly... there, I wrote it. Your mileage may vary. I'll still give the episode the reluctant 69th LIKE for this 805th view as a fan of The Chapmans.
Thank you for the great video guys! They launched new models, hopefully fixing this. I have a blue lava and returned it due issues.... As you said, cool concept, but was just a concept
I just shipped my LAVA today on a Warranty Repair to Tennessee because the Truss Rod got stuck and it is because the carbon on the neck makes it way too stiff to adjust, and it just won't flex either way, which I told them, having a truss rod inside a carbon neck that will not adjust defeats the entire purpose of having a truss rod in the first place...
There are different types of Carbon Fiber. As you have discovered, some are better than others for different purposes. At different price points. Your McPherson and Rainsong guitars both use carbon fiber material DIFFERENT than each other and those in your hands. Think of it as a 1950s car's steel and what they use today. Or aluminum foil for baking compared to the aluminum used on military vehicles..
I've recently purchased the hpl freeboost original acoustic as its a simple 3 button chorus reverb and delay so I can go straight into playing off the bat. No over complex touch screens that can crash plus as its hpl there's a truss rod so I have more say over the action. So far so good.
What about Emerald carbon fiber guitars made in Ireland? I own a Thompson all mahogany 12 fret dreadnought that is a fantastic sounding instrument, and I love it and play it everyday. But I still find myself lusting after an Emerald X30 jumbo with some type of exotic wood veneer covering the top and headstock.
I have the Me 3, I travel often for work and it’s nice to have a smaller guitar with some cool options.. when I’m at home it doesn’t get much action because I have nicer acoustics and electrics that I play. I haven’t noticed any movement yet
Maybe the hpl blue original acoustic guitar is the best of the range due to the being wood and a truss rod adjustment. I'd like a hlp frost white airflow but still going through reviews and washing up the odds, great concept lava. Great review. 🏴🏴🇬🇧
Thanks for the video! -Are you guys aware of some other offering int the market that is similar? Is there some great add-in product that can transform my old-trusty guitar into something similar? Is there some other guitar brand, attempting something similar? For me, the Lava ME 3... Love the built-in features, hate guitar origins, construction and life. Solid 2.5.
Good questions, so far we haven't really looked into other options. I will say though, the effects of the Yamaha LL-TA series do sound really incredible and remind me a bit of the Lava's effects.
Looked at them, then the Enya. Couldn't decide on the purpose of a carbon fiber guitar and just opted to get a lower dollar Alvarez for travel, which I love. So who is having their ashes buried in a guitar/mandolin case?
That's good to know.. what prevented me from getting one was that they are just butt-ugly.. Now hearing all the problems it will be a hard pass for me..
It's actually a dumb guitar that will not activate (LAVA+ app not connecting to the device's regional server. Contact customer support), and customer service doesn't answer. There is no "SKIP" option for activating, so now, I just have a fairly ugly guitar that doesn't sound as good as my Martin.
I want a carbon fiber guitar to leave at my wife's apartment overseas, where it will not be in a climate-controlled environment, and not have any issues.
Try a McPherson (my choice in dry Montana extreme conditions) or a Rainsong (that does not fit my voice). I got a carbon fiber during the pandemic to play & sing outside memory care residents' rooms. -10F, (below) 14% rc was cold, but not too bad with a singing mask on.
@mvp019 McPherson uses the high pressure bound & girded construction technique, tougher than Rainsong. My professional work was chemical engineering. I don't know everything, but one of our projects produced the raw material for carbon fiber for bicycles and high torque applications.
I have a RainSong jumbo, that is all woven carbon fiber… no injection molded components. Super strong and durable. I live in Phoenix with humidity often under 10%. Guitar stays in tune, even after sitting in a hot car all day long. Factory installed LR Baggs Stagepro Anthem that sounds great through a PA, or my Loudbox Mini. Great guitar, worth every penny!
Those guitars have obsolescence written all over them. No matter what the build quality eventually the electronics will be incompatible with existing technology rendering it just an another ugly carbon fiber acoustic guitar. If it has quality control and material issues it seems pretty much worthless.
You guys are basically the only place on youtube that's actually giving honest feedback. I realize that everyone else is just selling the product, they aren't talking about the shitty things happeneing.
Thank you guys for the transparency. I have been thinking of getting one and to be honest all the UA-cam reviews are super promotional and don't report any of these issues or do any follow-up. Most of them are sponsored content too.
A while back I saw a lot of UA-cam influencers peddling Orangewood and got suckered in, bought their top end model. It looked wonderful, had all the appointments etc. But the sound was super muted by being over-finished. Sonically, it was inferior at $1,000 to a $300 Eastman.
Many of the videos on UA-cam I came across for this guitar are boarding on product placement. While it is an interesting product, I feel the number one concern for a product company *should be* to make the best product they can make. If the guitar is this fragile then they need to rethink the material they are using-even if it means the price of the product would have to be $150-250 more. Do a version 2, put up the price and make a stronger product.
So glad i found this review. It seems like the only honest review of this guitar on youtube as everyone else is getting guitars for free. But i was getting small hints about the software issues. It was great to hear you highlight the software issue.
You are honorable gentleman. I very much appreciate everyone there. Great folks in front of the camera and the behind the scene.
Semper Fi
I really like my Lava guitar .. so far, so good anyway. I did find with it's curved edge that it slid easily on my lap - so I added a thin strip of anti slip tape to the bottom edge.
You guys are great for admitting the issues with products you sell!!!!!
I have the Me 2 Freeboost and I love it. I've only had it for a few weeks... so your experience has me a little nervous. I'm pretty sure Lava says it uses a carbon fiber-based compound, not true carbon fiber, if that helps. At any rate, for me, the ME 2 is the easiest playing acoustic I've every owned, first time I actually reach for an acoustic over an electric in fact. The neck and fretwork are just great. I especially appreciate the smaller form factor. I do use the Freeboost effect sometimes, but it's not really necessary, since I really like the acoustic sound. I tuned the guitar the day it arrived and haven't had to retune it since.
Appreciate the honesty.
Curious if the newest LAVA Me 4 with a New truss rod system and the new Spruce top version have improved the quality and build?
0:41 - sorry, Fellas - just the aesthetics... the look... it's the Edsel of acoustic guitars, IMHO. "Just doesn't LOOK right." Sorry - it's just plain ugly... there, I wrote it.
Your mileage may vary.
I'll still give the episode the reluctant 69th LIKE for this 805th view as a fan of The Chapmans.
That was great screenplay in the introduction. Really well thought-out camera work! 😂👍
Thank you for the great video guys! They launched new models, hopefully fixing this. I have a blue lava and returned it due issues.... As you said, cool concept, but was just a concept
I just shipped my LAVA today on a Warranty Repair to Tennessee because the Truss Rod got stuck and it is because the carbon on the neck makes it way too stiff to adjust, and it just won't flex either way, which I told them, having a truss rod inside a carbon neck that will not adjust defeats the entire purpose of having a truss rod in the first place...
A guitar case that doubles as a coffin - how fitting?! :0/ oops - "From guitar-hero to guitar zero." ?
After 1 year of use, I can’t get it to activate.
No longer gave access to the software. No body or neck issues yet (never dropped it).
There are different types of Carbon Fiber. As you have discovered, some are better than others for different purposes. At different price points. Your McPherson and Rainsong guitars both use carbon fiber material DIFFERENT than each other and those in your hands. Think of it as a 1950s car's steel and what they use today. Or aluminum foil for baking compared to the aluminum used on military vehicles..
I've recently purchased the hpl freeboost original acoustic as its a simple 3 button chorus reverb and delay so I can go straight into playing off the bat. No over complex touch screens that can crash plus as its hpl there's a truss rod so I have more say over the action. So far so good.
But don't our Lava look natural lying there?
What about Emerald carbon fiber guitars made in Ireland? I own a Thompson all mahogany 12 fret dreadnought that is a fantastic sounding instrument, and I love it and play it everyday. But I still find myself lusting after an Emerald X30 jumbo with some type of exotic wood veneer covering the top and headstock.
I have the Me 3, I travel often for work and it’s nice to have a smaller guitar with some cool options.. when I’m at home it doesn’t get much action because I have nicer acoustics and electrics that I play. I haven’t noticed any movement yet
I have an ENYA X4 Pro and it's quite sturdy and sounds great so not all Chinese carbon fiber guitars are bad.
That guitar is terrible.
@@ShawnRandallWolfe Can you read troll, I just said it sounds great...
How are the McPherson carbon fiber models holding up?
Always fantastic!
@@AcousticShoppe
Thank you!
Maybe the hpl blue original acoustic guitar is the best of the range due to the being wood and a truss rod adjustment. I'd like a hlp frost white airflow but still going through reviews and washing up the odds, great concept lava. Great review. 🏴🏴🇬🇧
Thanks for the video! -Are you guys aware of some other offering int the market that is similar? Is there some great add-in product that can transform my old-trusty guitar into something similar? Is there some other guitar brand, attempting something similar? For me, the Lava ME 3... Love the built-in features, hate guitar origins, construction and life. Solid 2.5.
Good questions, so far we haven't really looked into other options. I will say though, the effects of the Yamaha LL-TA series do sound really incredible and remind me a bit of the Lava's effects.
This video is over a year old. Current guitar has a truss rod.
Thanks for the info, I was tempted to buy one. I'll stick with my cargo carbon fiber travel guitar.
How about the Blue Lava model? Screen issues perhaps but the thing is HPL and has a rod...
Did you get one. I just worry about the technology fails which I hear about
Finally an honest review that’s not just “we got paid to say this guitar is amazing”
Wow. And I was planing on buying one.
Looked at them, then the Enya. Couldn't decide on the purpose of a carbon fiber guitar and just opted to get a lower dollar Alvarez for travel, which I love. So who is having their ashes buried in a guitar/mandolin case?
I’ve got a hyvibe system installed in my GS mini that is pretty similar to this just not as fancy.
oscar’s all around for this one
Thank you! 😂
Lava service is terrible. Mine freezes constantly. No phone contact for service and they don't answer their emails.
Lol that intro was hilarious
Well, that's a fail, then.... Jeremy - I see you gave up on the crumb-catcher!
Well glad I watched this video before taking the plunge. Think I'll pass on a Lava...
That's good to know.. what prevented me from getting one was that they are just butt-ugly.. Now hearing all the problems it will be a hard pass for me..
Mine doesn’t turn on
What about lava me 4?
All guitars have problems eventually. Most guitars are over priced because you paying for a stupid name.
I understand that this is highly subjective; however, that is unquestionably the most remarkably hideously ugly guitar I have ever seen. Abhorrent.
have you seen the mcpherson sable?
I'm guessing you'll hate my Steinberger too...
My touch screen stopped working. Won’t boot up anymore. Giant waste of $.
I will pass on it
I wanted 1 of that but i choosed a Yamaha Transacustic one.I think that is more simple and way much more quality
It's actually a dumb guitar that will not activate (LAVA+ app not connecting to the device's regional server. Contact customer support), and customer service doesn't answer. There is no "SKIP" option for activating, so now, I just have a fairly ugly guitar that doesn't sound as good as my Martin.
I want a carbon fiber guitar to leave at my wife's apartment overseas, where it will not be in a climate-controlled environment, and not have any issues.
Try a McPherson (my choice in dry Montana extreme conditions) or a Rainsong (that does not fit my voice). I got a carbon fiber during the pandemic to play & sing outside memory care residents' rooms. -10F, (below) 14% rc was cold, but not too bad with a singing mask on.
@@texhaines9957 McPherson was on my radar; I will look at the Rainsong also. Thanks!
@mvp019 McPherson uses the high pressure bound & girded construction technique, tougher than Rainsong. My professional work was chemical engineering. I don't know everything, but one of our projects produced the raw material for carbon fiber for bicycles and high torque applications.
@@texhaines9957 Thanks for the info!
I have a RainSong jumbo, that is all woven carbon fiber… no injection molded components. Super strong and durable. I live in Phoenix with humidity often under 10%. Guitar stays in tune, even after sitting in a hot car all day long. Factory installed LR Baggs Stagepro Anthem that sounds great through a PA, or my Loudbox Mini. Great guitar, worth every penny!
Those guitars have obsolescence written all over them. No matter what the build quality eventually the electronics will be incompatible with existing technology rendering it just an another ugly carbon fiber acoustic guitar. If it has quality control and material issues it seems pretty much worthless.
they obviously got a disagreement with the Lava brand. it looks like a revenge.
Don't take this guitar deep sea diving. Just saying.
Inappropriate, insensitive, and neither clever, nor funny.
why don't you play it, instead talking
You can actually hear the tone samples in our original review here: ua-cam.com/video/MAhVexxyPHg/v-deo.html