Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 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.

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.

Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir performs at Tons Of Rock 2025
Dimmu Borgir’s Silenoz on playing a guitar inspired by a shark – and why you can be black metal and still love the blues
 
 
Lamb of God's Mark Morton performs live on a stage lit in yellow and orange. He plays his new Les Paul Modern Quilt
Mark Morton and Gibson unveil a signature Les Paul that brings the fire with a “flamethrower” bridge humbucker
 
 
Vernon Reid of Living Colour [left] smiles as he plays his Reverend signature model live onstage. On the right, Jack White, bathed in blue stage lights, plays his Fender Triplecaster.
Vernon Reid says he hopes he and Jack White have started a trend for pro guitarists swapping signature models
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre Tube Pre Amp
"The EF86 tube is often described as hi-fi, and honestly, that's the perfect way to describe what's coming out of this thing": EarthQuaker Devices EQD ZEQD-Pre review
 
 
Mooer Audio F40i / F40i Li Intelligent Amp
Mooer Audio’s flagship Intelligent Amp lets you find guitar tones using AI prompts
 
 
Latest in News
Nina Persson of The Cardigans performs on day 2 of Slot Festival 2024
“Ozzy said it was the creepiest thing he’d ever heard”: Nina Persson on the Cardigans’ Sabbath covers
 
 
Skid Row poster on a brick wall
"This is not a contest or a gimmick": Could YOU be the next Skid Row frontman?
 
 
Janet Jackson on a French TV broadcast in 1986 . (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
How Janet Jackson and Jam & Lewis made Control, the classic album that's just turned 40
 
 
behringer
Behringer unleashes the BMX, its $459 clone of the Oberheim DMX
 
 
2manydjs, aka Soulwax outside the Abbey Road entrance
“We have a perverse or healthy attraction to crazy ideas”: Soulwax are throwing a rave – at Abbey Road Studios
 
 
Harry Styles performs onstage
Not The Same As It Was: Harry Styles announces special one off Manchester show with cut price £20 tickets
 
 

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
  • 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...