The Boaz Plastic Guitar: How Much Does It Cost?

The Boaz One is a plastic modular electric guitar designed by Israeli-American luthier Boaz Elkayam. It is one of the most innovative guitar designs ever made. The guitar is made using injection-molded plastic, which can support up to 50 different combinations. The build quality of the guitar has received mixed reviews, with some people criticising its cheap feel and rushed production. The current pricing for backers is $1,680, but the official pricing for non-backers has not yet been released.

The cost of the Boaz One plastic guitar for backers

Backers of the Boaz One guitar have expressed mixed reactions to the product. Some backers became increasingly hostile due to the lengthy development process, while others acknowledged the challenges posed by the pandemic and the complexity of creating a new product. The guitar's build quality has been criticized as disappointing and feeling rushed, with some describing it as a "cool gimmick" that may not gain traction among guitarists due to its unconventional appearance.

Despite the criticisms, the Boaz One guitar offers several advantages over traditional wooden guitars. The injection-molded plastic construction makes it more durable, resistant to temperature changes, and less susceptible to dents, scuffs, and scratches. Additionally, the modular design allows for easy customization, with options for a bare-bones top wing design or a more full-bodied guitar.

The cost of the Boaz One guitar for backers is likely influenced by the unique design and materials used. The use of injection-molded plastic and the modular system with interchangeable cassettes loaded with different pickup combinations contribute to the overall price. Backers who invested in the Kickstarter campaign may have received discounts or special pricing as early supporters of the product.

It is important to note that the cost of the Boaz One guitar for backers may vary depending on the specific configuration and options chosen. The guitar offers a high level of customization, and the price may increase with additional features or upgrades. Backers who provided financial support during the early stages of the project may have received incentives or discounts, making their final cost different from the market price.

The retail price of the Boaz One plastic guitar

However, one source speculates that the retail price of the Boaz One guitar would be significantly higher than that of a standard electric guitar. The source states that the price of the Boaz One would need to be ten times higher than its current cost to be worth purchasing. This would place the retail price of the Boaz One at around $15,000 to $20,000.

Another source, a review of the Boaz One, provides a potential price point for the guitar. The review states that the guitar would cost $1,680 at the current backer pricing. It is important to note that this price is based on speculation and may not reflect the final retail price. The same review also mentions that the guitar feels "half-ready" and "cheaply made", which could impact its retail price.

The Boaz One guitar is unique in that it is made of plastic and can be customized in 50 different combinations. The guitar was designed by Israeli-American luthier Boaz Elkayam and features a modular design that allows guitarists to swap out components as they please. While the guitar's durability and resistance to temperature changes and scratches are touted as positive features, it is unclear if these will be enough to justify a higher price point for consumers.

Overall, the retail price of the Boaz One plastic guitar remains unknown, and it is uncertain if the guitar will ever be released to the public. Speculation places the price at around $1,680, but this is based on backer pricing and may not be accurate. The guitar's durability and customization options may influence its retail price, but it is difficult to determine without an official release.

The pros and cons of the Boaz One plastic guitar

The Boaz One is a plastic modular electric guitar designed by Israeli-American luthier Boaz Elkayam. It is a unique design that uses injection-moulded plastic to give users up to 50 different guitar combinations. The main body shape can be changed by adding modular wings to the central structure, and it also has a built-in kickstand-style stand. The Boaz One is meant to be highly durable, with the ability to withstand extreme temperature changes and humidity and resist dents and scuffs that a wooden guitar can suffer from.

Pros:

• Durability: The Boaz One is made of injection-moulded plastic, which makes it highly durable. It can withstand extreme temperature changes, humidity, and is resistant to dents and scuffs. This is especially beneficial when compared to traditional wooden guitars, which can be more susceptible to these issues.
• Modularity: The guitar's modular design allows for a high level of customisation. Users can replace pickups, the bridge, and parts of the body to create different sounds and feels. The interchangeable pickups, known as cassettes, can be swapped out in less than 10 seconds, offering a quick and easy way to experiment with different guitar tones.
• Innovation: The Boaz One is designed to push the boundaries of guitar design. Its unique approach to modularity and use of plastic could potentially influence future guitar designs, especially as traditional woods become scarcer.

Cons:

• Build Quality: Some reviewers have criticised the build quality of the Boaz One, describing it as disappointing and feeling half-ready and cheaply made. The body, in particular, has been described as feeling cheap and made of thin, rigid plastic.
• Design: The utilitarian design of the Boaz One has been met with mixed reactions. Some people find it intriguing, while others think it looks weird and ugly. This may deter guitarists from trying it out, despite its potential benefits.
• Execution: Despite a strong concept, some backers have expressed disappointment in the execution of the Boaz One. There have been mentions of mismanagement of funds, power struggles, and production delays. The project almost didn't come to fruition, and the final product may not have met the expectations of its backers.

The Boaz One plastic guitar appears to be a polarising product. While it offers interesting modular capabilities and durability, it has faced criticism for its build quality, design aesthetics, and execution. The cost of the Boaz One, estimated at $1,680 for backers, has also been mentioned as a potential drawback, as it is significantly more expensive than some other guitars.

The design and functionality of the Boaz One plastic guitar

The Boaz One is a plastic modular electric guitar designed by Israeli-American luthier Boaz Elkayam. It is unique in its design and functionality, offering up to 50 different guitar combinations. The guitar features a modular system that includes cassettes loaded with various pickup combinations, allowing for customisation and versatility. The main body shape can be modified by attaching modular wings to the central structure, and it also has a built-in kickstand-style stand and a plectrum holder.

The Boaz One's core structure is made of injection-moulded plastic, which offers advantages over traditional wooden guitars. It is more resistant to extreme temperature changes, humidity, and dents and scuffs that can occur with a nitro or poly finish. This construction method also helps to address the issue of scarce traditional woods used in guitar manufacturing. However, some reviewers have criticised the build quality, describing it as disappointing and feeling rushed. They also noted that the body felt cheap, made of a thin sheet of rigid plastic.

The neck of the Boaz One is made from a different type of plastic than the body, chosen for its ability to resist the tension from the strings without cracking. The switches are well-made and strategically placed to prevent accidental triggering, a common issue with traditional designs. The guitar also features a plectrum holder, keeping picks easily accessible.

The Boaz One offers a truly innovative design and functionality, providing a high level of customisation with its interchangeable cassettes and modular wings. However, it has faced some criticism regarding the build quality and choice of materials, particularly the use of plastic, which may take time to gain acceptance among guitarists. The retail price of the Boaz One is currently unknown, but it is estimated to be around $1,680 based on backer pricing. Early backers of the project were able to secure deals such as the super early bird basic package, which included the Half Winger body and one set of pickups for $249.

The challenges faced by Boaz Elkayam in developing the Boaz One plastic guitar

The Boaz One, a plastic modular guitar, was designed by Israeli-American luthier Boaz Elkayam. It is a unique design that uses injection-moulded plastic as its core structure, allowing for up to 50 different guitar combinations. The neck, body, and frets are made of a unique polycarbonate plastic, with the neck being solid but flexible to resist string tension without cracking.

However, the development of the Boaz One faced several challenges. Firstly, there were issues with mismanagement of funds, power struggles, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the project. Despite raising over $450,000, backers experienced significant delays in receiving their guitars, and some never received their orders at all. This led to increasing frustration and hostility among backers, who felt that the project was poorly executed and that communication from Elkayam was lacking.

Another challenge arose when Gordon Roberts, who wrote most of the Kickstarter updates and managed the original Facebook group for backers, was removed from the project by Elkayam. Roberts claimed that he had co-designed the guitar and introduced the modular concept, alleging that Elkayam took full credit for the design. Roberts also accused Elkayam of financial mismanagement, including transferring Kickstarter funds out of the country without paying US taxes, which may have impacted the project's future.

In addition, there were concerns about the quality of the Boaz One guitars. Some reviews noted that the build quality was disappointing, with the body feeling cheap and the overall construction feeling rushed. There were also mixed reactions to the guitar's unconventional appearance, which may have made it challenging to convince guitarists to try it out.

Despite the challenges, the Boaz One represented an ambitious undertaking to develop an innovative product in the guitar space. While it faced setbacks and criticism, it also garnered attention and funding due to its unique design and the reputation of its creator, Boaz Elkayam.

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