Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week '26
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Footloose!
  • Di Meola on Pastorius and more
  • Frank Ocean
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Lava Guitars erupts with "cutting-edge" MIDI laser controller-equipped Drop models

News
By Michael Astley-Brown
Published 24 November 2016

Drop X, Plus and Minus also feature volcanic rock inlays

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Now, here's something a little different from the usual electric fare. Lithuanian co Lava Guitars has unveiled the first models in its line of forward-thinking guitars: the Drop X, Plus and Minus.

Masterminded by industrial designer and musician Rapolas Gražys, the guitars' bodies are shaped after actual physical drops and feature matte volcanic rock inlays along their fretboards.

The Drop X is the most notable among the new guitars, packing an integrated laser MIDI controller, as well as a CV/MIDI converter that connects to computers via USB.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

You can see the guitars in action above and read more over the following pages - if you fancy ordering one, you'll have to email Lava Guitars. We'd wager they don't come cheap…

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Lava Drop X

Lava Drop X

PRESS RELEASE: 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 supply 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.

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Lava Drop Plus

Lava Drop Plus

PRESS RELEASE: 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.

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Lava Drop Minus

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.

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Read more
Harley Benton Guitar Summit 2026 Launch
Guitars Harley Benton’s mega-drop: S-styles with VegaTrems and semis with BB King and Dave Grohl vibes
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear round-up September 26, ft. Matteo Mancuso's signature Revstar and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Sep 2026 edit, featuring fresh drops from Taylor, Yamaha, ESP and more
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Gretsch Electromatic Limited Edition Black Limba Jet and CVT
Guitars Gretsch’s play for hard-riffing rock players continues with the “exotic” black limba Jet and CVT
 
 
Ibanez Axe Design Lab Iceman ICMS721
Guitars Ibanez just weaponised the Iceman for metal and refreshed a bunch of its flagship signature models
 
 
PRS Tekton Series
Guitars PRS goes full-shred with the Tekton series: high-end electrics with pickups voiced for digital rigs
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Gibson 50th Anniversary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Flying V
Artists Gibson celebrates 50 years of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with limited edition Flying V
 
 
PRS Tekton Series
Guitars PRS goes full-shred with the Tekton series: high-end electrics with pickups voiced for digital rigs
 
 
Vox AC Mini
Guitar Amps "Comfortably covers classic rock, blues, and even punk": Vox AC Mini review
 
 
Electro-Harmonix Pico Shimmer
Guitar Pedals “Pairing this with a fuzz pedal is full-on rainbow neon fun”: Electro-Harmonix Pico Shimmer Cosmic Reverb review
 
 
Tim Henson of Polyphia plays his signature Ibanez onstage at Rock AM Ring 2024.
Artists Tim Henson explains why there are no guests on the new Polyphia record
 
 
ep-35
Tech Teenage Engineering is working on a portable, stackable amp for outdoor jams
 
 
Latest in News
Gibson 50th Anniversary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Flying V
Artists Gibson celebrates 50 years of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with limited edition Flying V
 
 
samplab
Tech Apple has made a secret AI acquisition – could this mean generative AI is coming to Logic Pro?
 
 
Zara Larsson performs during All Points East 2026 at Victoria Park on August 22, 2026 in London, England.
Artists Zara Larsson on why she worried about performing her hit single Midnight Sun
 
 
PRS Tekton Series
Guitars PRS goes full-shred with the Tekton series: high-end electrics with pickups voiced for digital rigs
 
 
Paul McCartney
Artists "He was FaceTiming Elton John whilst I was doing this edit": McCartney’s engineer reveals the tape-splicing techniques behind his latest solo album
 
 
James Ellis Ford
Artists We speak to James Ellis Ford about producing Fontaines D.C.’s new album, Dopamine Chamber
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...