Ovation has produced what it claims is the first guitar equipped with an MP3 recorder so you can capture what you play at any time. It will also play back a recording and can vary the speed of playback without changing the pitch.

Vocals can also be recorded at the same time as recording the guitar’s output and tracks can be looped and repeated with pre-recorded music for practicing sessions.

When you’re happy with a recording there is a USB port which allows you to transfer your work to a Mac or PC.

On the side of the instrument is a control panel incorporating the following:

• LCD display
• mic input
• USB connection
• four-way controller for navigating the menus
• basic EQ sliders (bass, mid and treble)

Dimensions and specifications

• Body: Mid-Depth Cutaway
• Top: Spruce
• Top finish: Satin Platinum
• Bracing: Modified X
• SOund holes: iDea Elliptical
• Neck: Eastern Mahogany
• Neck finish: Satin Platinum
• Peghead finish: Gloss Black
• Fingerboard: Dark Rosewood
• Width at nut: 1-11/16” (17.5mm)
• String pinch at nut: 1-3/8” (9.5mm)
• Pitch at bridge: 2-1/8” (54mm)
• F/B inlays: 12th fret ‘i’
• F/B binding: Black
• Scale length: 25” (635mm)
• Bridge: Dark Rosewood
• Tuners: Black Ovation
• Preamp: Ovation iDea OPi-1
• Pickup: Ovation Original; Black Saddles

The iDea has a pleasing minimalist design though some purists may object to the synthetic back and sides rather than more traditional wooden body. The iDea is available online for around $600.

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