The geniuses over at MIT are now putting technology to work for us Guitarists. The invention, dubbed ‘The Chameleon Guitar’ as its centre section can be replaced with various different woods, looks set to take the emulated guitar sound to the next level by using real wood to characterise the outputted sound. This is coupled with an onboard computer that uses 5 piezo pickups to record the characteristics of the wood and to emulate different shapes and sizes of the resonating chamber. The video demonstrates using a Martin style centre and classical style centre.
The creator, Amit Zoran, says that because the actual wood used for the sound board is small and inexpensive so it provides a freedom of experimentation not afforded by a guitar entirely crafted from expensive woods. Helped by Marco Coppiardi, an experienced instrument builder, and under the direction of Media Lab Associate Professor Pattie Maes the team has produced a second proof of concept instrument which has a quick change mechanism for the wooden centre sections.
I loved the old Yamaha silent guitars and the more recent Line 6 Variax acoustics, so this has really got my guitar buds salivating. That said, there may be a bit of a wait on this particular item as it is still a thesis project and the creator is intending to complete his degree before it becomes a commercial project.
Still, I want one! Check out the article over at the MIT site:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/chameleon-guitar-0203.html
