NEW STUFF COMING SOON!
OFMG Guitar Status
It’s now been well over A YEAR since we started work on our Rock Band guitar project, the OFMG (Open Firmware Modular Guitar). Initially I’d hoped to start shipping the new guitar last summer, but we quickly realized that wasn’t realistic simply because it didn’t allow enough time to refine the design, produce prototypes, get them in the hands of testers, and then process and incorporate their feedback. This is a product which we plan to produce, enhance, and support for years to come, so we did not want to cut corners and rush it to market.
I’m happy to report that we in the final steps of getting the OFMG ready to ship and will start taking orders soon. It’s been a long road and I’m excited to see what people do with these guitars — they are designed to be “hackable” and customizable and it will be interesting to see what users do with them.
Pricing and availability will be announced soon (within the next week or so). We expect to start shipping guitars in late April.
Strum Fix Plus FIVE!
What, another version of the Strum Fix Plus?! I really thought the Strum Fix Plus 4 would be the last version, but after working on the new strummer design for the OFMG guitar we realized that some of the concepts we used in that strummer could be applied to Strum Fix Plus to make it even more reliable and improve its action and feel.
Incorporating sealed ball bearings and eliminating the long axle through the strum bar the Strum Fix Plus 5 (SFP5) feels solid, but without any looseness or free play, while using the same switches and PCB as the SFP4. It has more travel than the SFP2, but less than the SFP4, and so is the perfect “middle road”.
We are building up inventory now and they will be available late April.
Learn more about it here: Strum Fix Plus 5
What Else?
A “full sized” version of the OFMG will be available late Spring/early Summer. It features a full-size wood-paneled body (available in different sizes and finishes) as well as full-length neck with 2 sets of fret buttons. Will also be available in unfinished wood so you can paint/stain it however you want.
OFMG Firmware Enhancements - we are working on different firmware options and adding new features. For example, one version will have a built-in “practice mode” where you need to press frets and strum at the right time as the buttons on the guitar light up. Since it is open-source, the community will be able to modify and enhance features.
Fret Fix redesign - a new version of the Fret Fix PCBs is in the works that will be easier to install and work with more guitars. Available early Summer.
As always, keep having fun and try to place nice with others :-)
-Scott P [owner, Byte Arts]
