Jamstik, the maker of real electric guitars that also function as MIDI controllers, has launched a brand-new, streamlined model at a lower price point.

The Jamstik Core has been designed for musicians, producers, and educators “who want plug-and-play versatility at a breakthrough price”, allowing musicians to control virtual instruments, synths, notation apps, and hardware gear directly from the instrument.

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Players can record both analogue and MIDI simultaneously with Jamstik Core; use it to control virtual instruments in a DAW, or connect to analogue synths and gear via TRS-MIDI. It hosts onboard processing, USB-C connectivity, a 3.5mm TRS-MIDI output, plus an onboard MIDI mode-switch to toggle between settings.

Diving further into its features, the guitar itself is a 3/4 sized, solid-body electric guitar with 22-frets and a standard 25.5” scale length. It houses a single humbucker, a volume control, and a 1/4” guitar output for connecting with amps, interfaces, and effects pedals.

It’s also fitted with a unique Hexaphonic MIDI pickup that captures each string’s signal and feeds data directly to Jamstik’s onboard processors. Take a closer look in the video below:

The guitar has been launched via a Kickstarter page, which has already surpassed its fundraising goal. Pre-orders are being accepted on the platform now, with early supporters able to secure one for the limited-time price of $479.99.

The Jamstik Core can be shipped globally, and all backers receive access to Jamstik’s cross-platform companion software. Colour options include Midnight Black, Glacier White, Sky Blue, Lilac Purple, Forest Green, and Red Coral. Left-handed models will be available in Midnight Black and Glacier White.

“We’ve always believed that technology should make music more accessible – not more complicated or expensive,” says Ed Cannon, CEO. “With the Jamstik Core, we’re delivering our most affordable MIDI guitar yet, without compromising on performance or playability.”

Jonathan Keller, Senior Embedded Systems Engineer at Jamstik’s parent company, Zivix, adds: “We’ve taken everything musicians love about our higher-end MIDI guitars and streamlined it into a sleek, plug-and-play package. The Jamstik Core offers a level of tracking precision and software integration that simply hasn’t been available in this price range until now.”

To find out more or pre-order now, head over to the Jamstik Core Kickstarter page. You can also find out more about the brand via the official Jamstik website.

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