IT may look like a toy, but the Lava Me 2 is a serious instrument. The China-made acoustic-electric guitar is a one-piece carbon fibre instrument which promises to always maintain its tone… no matter the climate.
The material and travel size may suggest a small sound. However, a brief test drive revealed it to have pretty decent projection and resonance when not plugged in – facts that may have something to do with the honeycomb-braced soundboard.
The Lava Me 2 also comes with on-board reverb and chorus/delay effects which can be employed without connecting to external amplifiers. It isn’t, of course, gonna give you concert volume, but in a small room, it’s not bad at all.
Meanwhile, the axe’s dual pick-up system – an under-saddle piezo and internal microphone – handle the overall sound when plugged-in.
Comfort-wise, the Plek-ed fretboard makes for smooth, effortless playing although, for me at least, the sleek finish and overall small size did result in a bit of slipping and sliding off the lap.
Distributor Music Connoisseur has brought in the guitar in all five available colours – black, white, blue, pink and orange. And while they say that black, white and blue have been the most popular models in Johor Baru and Singapore (the two places the guitar has been launched so far), Kuala Lumpur might present a different scenario.
The Lava Me 2 retails at RM2,999 (inclusive of unique sculpted case) and is available directly from the distributor. Contact them at +60 17-756 9337 to book an appointment. Alternatively, you can go check out the guitars during the Lava Me 2 roadshow set for April 6, 7 and May 18, 19, from 11am to 9pm, at Publika (Circle A, Level G-1) in Kuala Lumpur.
