This CES has been a surprisingly musical. Aside from the usual headphones and speakers, we’ve already seen a number of electronic musical instruments including the Artiphon Instrument 1, a well-made electronic guitar analog with a pressure sensitive fretboard.
Unlike the Jamstik, the Instrument 1 doesn’t have real strings but instead you play on the raised ridges on a pressure sensitive surface. The iPhone receives MIDI input from the device and you can even plug it into a computer.
The Instrument 1 is made of hardwood and can be played like a guitar, banjo, bass (by tapping on the strings), or even a fiddle. It should cost under $1,000 and will be made in and around Nashville by the creator, Mike Butera.
We spent a few moments playing the instrument on stage at CES 2013.