
What Is The Best Lava Guitar? What Do All The Terms Mean? Freeboost? HiLava?
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Time to read 2 min
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Time to read 2 min
If you are anything like me, you have visited the LAVA website and been amazed by the beautiful pictures, the incredible sleek website design and bought into the concept of LAVA guitars because they are truly awesome!
But....
When it comes to actually digging deep into what LAVA are about - I dont know.... maybe its me? I just couldnt get my head around the terms - the phrases - the jargon - and basically the very scant detail regarding certain aspects I was trying to understand. Anyway - I know I am not always the brightest candle in the room but I figured if I - the owner of a guitar shop (yes I know - I am getting old - and that may be the problem!) .... ok well I am bored of explaining myself - Either you will find this useful or you wont - but I did ok!!! lol
So lets get going...
FreeBoost is LAVA's onboard effects system that allows reverb, delay, and chorus to be played through the body of the guitar without external amplification. It uses the guitar's carbon fiber back as a resonator.
Versions available:
FreeBoost (Original) – Basic effects in early models.
FreeBoost 2.0 – Integrated into HILAVA OS, with touchscreen control.
FreeBoost 3.0 – Enhanced effects powered by a SHARC 32-bit processor.
Models with FreeBoost:
LAVA ME 2 – FreeBoost (basic, no screen)
LAVA ME Pro – Enhanced L2 Pro version
Blue Lava Touch – FreeBoost 2.0
LAVA ME 3 – FreeBoost 2.0
LAVA ME 4 (Carbon & Spruce) – FreeBoost 3.0
HILAVA is LAVA's proprietary operating system powering smart features on touchscreen-equipped guitars. It supports:
Effects control
Looping
Recording
Practice tools
Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
Models with HILAVA OS:
Blue Lava Touch
LAVA ME 3
LAVA ME 4 (Carbon & Spruce)
Yes, only the smart models with HILAVA OS carry internal RAM and storage:
Memory Comparison:
Model | RAM | Storage |
---|---|---|
Blue Lava Touch | 2GB | 16GB |
LAVA ME 3 | 4GB | 32GB |
LAVA ME 4 Carbon | 4GB | 32GB |
LAVA ME 4 Spruce | 4GB | 16GB |
Note: LAVA ME 2 and ME Pro do not have RAM or internal storage.
Model | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | USB-C | Output Jack |
LAVA ME 2 | No | No | Micro USB | Yes |
LAVA ME Pro | No | No | Not specified | Yes |
Blue Lava Touch | Dual-band | 4.2 | Yes | Yes |
LAVA ME 3 | Dual-band | 5.0 | Yes | Yes |
LAVA ME 4 Carbon | Dual-band | 5.0 | Yes | Yes |
LAVA ME 4 Spruce | Dual-band | 5.0 | Yes | Yes |
Standard DSP – Used in Blue Lava and LAVA ME 3 (adequate for live FX and smart features)
SHARC 32-bit DSP – Exclusive to LAVA ME 4 Carbon/Spruce for deeper, more dynamic effects
LAVA ME 2: 36"
LAVA ME Pro: 41"
Blue Lava: 36"
LAVA ME 3: 36", 38"
LAVA ME 4: 36", 38"
AirSonic Carbon Fiber: LAVA ME 2, ME 3, ME 4 Carbon
AirSonic 3 Carbon Fiber: LAVA ME 4 Carbon
High-Pressure Laminate (HPL): Blue Lava
Spruce Top: LAVA ME 4 Spruce
Feature | ME 2 | ME Pro | Blue Lava | ME 3 | ME 4 Carbon | ME 4 Spruce |
FreeBoost | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (3.0) | Yes (3.0) |
HILAVA OS | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Touchscreen | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
RAM/Storage | No | No | 2GB/16GB | 4GB/32GB | 4GB/32GB | 4GB/16GB |
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
USB-C | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |