LiberLive C1: Smart guitar without strings
The LiberLive C1 stringless guitar elicits standard chords and strumming patterns with all kinds of smart functions, even for non-musicians.
No strings, but it sounds good. The LiberLive C1 plays chords at the touch of a button and never goes out of key.
At the CES in Las Vegas, a stringless guitar is being presented for all those who can't or don't want to learn to play a real instrument. It is therefore difficult to see the LiberLive C1 as a real guitar. The body is only solid in the lower half. The top is indicated by a curved plastic ring. Overall, the device looks more like a game controller.
No strings are pressed on the neck, but rather three buttons per fret. The large middle one plays a pure major or minor chord. The upper and lower ones can be assigned, for example with a maj7 variant. Strumming or plucking is replaced by two levers that can be moved up or down on the striking surface.
The device weighs just under 1.8 kilograms and is foldable –. After all, the body is not subjected to the tensile force of six steel strings. This means that the LiberLive C1 fits into a rucksack.
There is a rotary control on the head of the device that sets one of seven keys. For all twelve keys, you have to switch to the mobile app. In the C setting, for example, the corresponding chords C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Hm (English Bm) can be played. The frets on the C1 correspond to the chord steps I to VII.
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Strumming and picking patterns via the app
The LiberLive app is available for Android and iOS and provides almost 100 strumming patterns for rhythm guitar. You can also pluck individual simulated strings with your fingers. The tempo can also be set by tapping on the neck.
A kind of karaoke mode displays chord symbols and lyrics. Playing along with these took a little getting used to at the trade fair, but was successful by the end of the first song at the latest. You can enter your own songs to expand the repertoire.
In the app, you can also choose between guitar, bass and piano sound modes. What's more, you can enter up to 72 user-defined chords if you feel called to do more than "Brother Jacob". A simple drum machine is also integrated.
Integrated speakers and battery
A speaker with a diameter of 77 millimeters and a 20-millimeter tweeter produce the sound. The integrated 2000 mAh battery should last for six hours, twice as long if external speakers are connected. A 3.5 mm jack output is provided for this purpose. The battery is charged via USB-C.
Prices and availability
The stringless guitar costs a discounted 499 US dollars (full price 799 US dollars) and is available in four colors: white, black, pink and green. The target group is party musicians who do not have the time or leisure to learn to play a real instrument.
(akr)
