CES Unveiled always has a way of surprising you, and this year, one booth kept pulling me back. LiberLive had set up a tiny stage where a performer worked magic on what looked like the lovechild of a guitar and a spaceship: the C1 Stringless Smart Guitar. No fuss, no heavy marketing spieljust music. And you know what? It worked. The musician performed Creep by Radiohead, Too Sweet by Hozier, among other popular songs without so much as playing an actual chord. This basically meant being able to play ANY song without the practice or effort, in mere seconds.The C1 immediately flips your expectations of what a guitar should be. Forget strings; this thing has a smooth, button-laden fretboard that lights up like a runway, guiding your fingers to hit the right spots. Strumming? Replaced by a rocker switch that feels oddly satisfying to use. Its a strange blend of the tactile and the digital, but watching the performer switch effortlessly between chords, it all starts to make sense.Designer: LiberLiveAnd that fretboardits genius. The illuminated markers dont just look cool; they act as a built-in cheat sheet. Whether youre fumbling through your first chords or shredding onstage, those glowing lights are like a trusted friend whispering, You got this. LiberLive has managed to turn something as intimidating as learning guitar into something inviting, even playful.The sound, thoughthats where the C1 really caught me off guard. It doesnt just fake it; it delivers an acoustic richness that feels alive. LiberLives fancy tech (MicroDAW Sampling Synthesis, if youre into the jargon) mimics the warmth and depth of a traditional guitar surprisingly well. The onboard speaker setup20W subwoofer and a 5W tweeterpumps out clear, full-bodied tones that youd swear were coming from an actual hollow body. And when youre playing a larger space, you can plug it into external speakers and go big.But heres where things get wild: the LiberLive app. Its not just some afterthought or glorified tuner. Open it up, and youve got access to chord charts that sync with the guitars LEDs, a drum machine to keep the rhythm going, and even a bassline generator to fill out your sound. Toss in nearly 100 rhythm styles, and youve basically got a band in your back pocket. Its smart, intuitive, and shockingly fun to mess around with.And dont get me started on the portability. The hollow frame doesnt just look sleekit folds down. Let that sink in for a second: you can fold this guitar and toss it into its custom carry bag like its no big deal. At just over 4 pounds, its lighter than the average bowling ball and far easier to carry. Combine that with a battery life of 6 hours on its built-in speakers (or up to 12 if youre using external ones), and youve got an instrument ready for gigs, street performances, or even just long practice sessions.Now, does it replace the feel of a traditional guitar? Not really. Theres something about the tactile feedback of strings and the subtle imperfections of a strum that the C1 doesnt replicate. But heres the thingit doesnt need to. Its carving its own lane, opening up new ways to play and connect with music, especially for those who might find traditional guitars intimidating or impractical.The crowd at LiberLives booth seemed to agree. People werent just listening; they were leaning in, snapping photos, and quietly debating whether this was the next big thing in music tech. Watching the performer, I couldnt shake the thought: this guitar isnt just about innovation for the sake of it. Its practical, portable, and genuinely fun.And as I walked away, I couldnt help but think: weve come a long way from campfire acoustics. But if the future of guitar looks and sounds this good, count me in.The post LiberLives Stringless Guitar Turns Anyone Into An Instant Rockstar Performer at CES Unveiled 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.