Jamstik
{{Short description|Brand of portable MIDI guitars}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Orphan|date=December 2021}}
{{Advert|date=March 2019}}
}}
Jamstik™ is a brand of portable, app-connected (MIDI) guitars made by Zivix, a music technology company based in Minneapolis, MN. The guitars are designed in Minneapolis and manufactured by a contract manufacturer based in South Dakota, United States.{{cite news|last1=Grayson|first1=Katharine|title=Apple to sell digital guitar from Minneapolis startup Zivix|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/in_private/2014/08/apple-to-sell-zivix-digital-guitar-jamstik.html|accessdate=19 November 2014|publisher=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal|date=19 August 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Biggs|first1=John|title=For Those About To Rock The Jamstik, We Salute You|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/09/29/for-those-about-to-rock-the-jamstik-we-salute-you/|website=techcrunch.com|date=29 September 2014 |accessdate=18 November 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Lai|first1=Richard|title=Jamstik portable MIDI guitar lets you play and learn on the iPad wirelessly|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/01/11/jamstik-portable-midi-guitar-lets-you-play-and-learn-on-the-ipad/|website=engadget.com|date=11 January 2013 |accessdate=18 November 2014}}{{cite news|last1=St. Anthony|first1=Neil|title=Inventor, investor ready to groove on JamStik guitar|url=http://www.startribune.com/business/274188791.html|accessdate=18 November 2014|publisher=Star Tribune|date=7 September 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Alexander|first1=Steve|title=With the JamStik, you can make your own iPad music|url=http://www.startribune.com/business/264030561.html|accessdate=18 November 2014|publisher=Star Tribune|date=21 June 2014}}
Media coverage & awards
One of the earliest public media demonstrations of the Jamstik was in January 2013 on the TechCrunch stage at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.{{cite AV media| publisher=techcrunch|title=Zivix Jamstik MIDI Guitar Demo at CES 2013|url=https://techcrunch.com/video/zivix-jamstik-midi-guitar-demo-at-ces-2013/517634562/}}
Although it was not released until 2014, Jamstik was recognized by Popular Science as one of the most innovative inventions of 2013.{{cite news|last1=Schupak|first1=Amanda|publisher=Popular Science|title=2013 Invention Awards: Digital AX|url=http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-04/music-digital-ax}}
The original Jamstik received a "Best In Show" award from the North American Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show in 2014.{{cite news|title=Zivix's jamstik Wins "Best In Show" From National Association for Musical Merchants (NAMM)|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140724006001/en/Zivix%E2%80%99s-jamstik%E2%84%A2-Wins-%E2%80%9CBest-Show%E2%80%9D-National-Association#.VXHOmc9VhBc}}
Product variations
Jamstik (Original WiFi edition)
The original Jamstik was launched in 2014 on Indiegogo,{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jamstik-real-strings-real-frets-turn-your-ipad-into-a-real-instrument/x/14377919#/|title=JamStik - Real Strings, Real Frets. Turn your iPad into a Real Instrument.|website=Indiegogo|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-25}} raising over $175,000 from nearly 850 supporters. It connects to an iPad, iPhone, or Mac via WiFi and is primarily used through its compatible apps, Jamstik and JamTutor, although it is also compatible with other music apps like GarageBand, Animoog. The device features 6 strings, 5 frets, weighs 1 lb 9 oz, and includes infrared transmitters that sense the player's finger positions on the fretboard. This feature helps players determine if they are playing the correct notes. Jamstik comes with three free mobile apps, including JamTutor, an instructional app designed to teach the basics of guitar through arcade-like games and challenges.
Jamstik+ (Bluetooth version)
In 2015, Zivix raised over $813,000 on Kickstarter to fund the second generation of the Jamstik, known as the "Jamstik+". This model became the second most successful crowdfunding campaign from Minnesota. The Jamstik+ introduced several upgrades, including Bluetooth LE MIDI support (replacing WiFi), hammer-on/pull-off support, and the ability to connect multiple devices to the same iPad or laptop.{{cite web|title=Kickstarter.com|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/80789521/jamstik-the-smartguitar}}
Jamstik 7
In May 2018, Zivix launched the third-generation "Jamstik 7" on Indiegogo.{{Cite news|url=http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2018/july/music-tech-innovator-zivix-s-latest-crowdfunding-c|title=Music Tech Innovator Zivix's Latest Crowdfunding Campaign Generates Over $500K|work=Twin Cities Business|access-date=2018-07-25}} To celebrate the success of its crowdfunding campaign, Zivix announced that it would donate 2% of the total funds raised during the campaign to The NAMM Foundation's Bill Collings Memorial Fund, which supports education for students and guitar teachers. Additionally, Zivix committed to donating 1% of future retail sales from the new products as an ongoing contribution to support the Foundation.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zivix-surpasses-indiegogo-funding-goal-for-new-jamstiks-announces-new-charitable-partnership-with-the-namm-foundation-300649984.html|title=Zivix Surpasses Indiegogo Funding Goal for New Jamstiks, Announces New Charitable Partnership with The NAMM Foundation|website=prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-24}}