Credit: Zivix/GuitarPlayer
That’s most of the story above: it’s lots of fun, & jamstik+ with the right apps on your iPhone (or iPad or Mac) can make real music.
The detail
● still available on Kickstarter for $US229, as of this writing
● as with all portable devices, there is a tension between the competing requirements of portability & usability — a longer neck would be good when you’re playing, but not when trying to stuff it into your luggage
● only 5 frets, but via the D-pad, it has settings that give access to more than twice the range of a 21 fret guitar
● jamTutor is just what it says — a tutor program
● connects to iOS & OSX devices via Bluetooth LE
● overcomes the latency some users complained of in the original jamstik
● charges via supplied micro USB cable — no power adapter supplied, but you can use the adapter for your iOS device, or a USB port on your OSX device
Kickstarter page
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/80789521/jamstik-the-smartguitar
TechCrunch is enthusastic
http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/22/the-new-jamstik-is-a-musicians-best-friend/
http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/22/fly-or-die-the-jamstik/
Other reviews are generally positive
http://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/1012/jamstik-gets-serious-with-hexaphonic-pickup-and-bluetooth-capability--video/51477
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/introducing_jamstik_smartguitar_the_possible_future_of_guitars.html
An educator’s view
https://techinmusiced.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/jamstik-kickstarter-campaign-begins-today/
On the other hand
This negative review is about the original jamstick, but doesn’t mention the latency some have complained of:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/09/emmy-the-great-tries-jamstik-midi-controller / playing guitar one of the most rewarding experiences you can have listen learn make music jamstik+ jamstik+ works wirelessly iPad iPhone iPod Touch Mac Macintosh iOS OSX app apps get you playing right away so easy to use strumming your first chord included apps guide how to hold a pick correctly creating your own song fingering strum finger fret frets plectrum pick watching listening people play guitar lessons afford the lessons playing chords dream creating music a reality everyone pros YouTube sensations YOU start playing Kickstarter crowd funding funded making the jamstik+ first-time jamstik players jamstik+ senses sensors where your fingers are infrared pluck a string learning incredibly intuitive always in tune connect wirelessly iOS device via Bluetooth LE low energy download launch jamTutor app walked through a series of lessons launch jamMix just start playing everything sounds good in jamMix free companion apps jamstik+ guitar MIDI controller can sound like almost any instrument you can think of drums samples synths banjo create mix entire songs companion apps your favorite music apps like GarageBand Loopy SampleTank Ableton Live build an entire song in GarageBand with the jamstik+ infrared sensors in the fretboard detect precise variations of your fingers instant feedback no delay between what you play and what you hear traditional guitar users hands hexaphonic magnetic pickup more realistic guitar feel higher resolution signal wireless Bluetooth LE connectivity works seamlessly latest BLE MIDI Protocol supported by Apple /
