A white electric guitar with a futuristic design, featuring a circular body with a metallic ring around the sound hole and multiple black control knobs, set against a black background.
Abstract 3D blue sphere and rectangular shape on black background.

For explorers


Circle Guitar is a complete electro-mechanical instrument, designed and built to integrate into
a wide range of musical workflows.

It can be played like a standard guitar, or with MIDI pedals, Eurorack, MIDI controllers or DAWs to control the motion of the wheel.

Close-up of an electric guitar's bridge, strings, and pickup pickups.

Circle Guitar’s hexaphonic, multichannel pickup system allows each string to be processed with independent dynamics, envelopes, panning, and effects.

Below is a detailed overview of its construction, components, and connectivity.

Abstract turquoise 3D oval shape on a black background.

The best of all worlds

Despite its boundary-pushing design, Circle Guitar integrates
easily into existing setups using its mono or hexaphonic outputs.

Morningstar MIDI controllers are recommended for tap tempo and expression pedal speed control. Their onboard LFOs create varying speed and swing effects.

MIDI pedal control

Program rhythms with MIDI controllers (Beatstep Pro recommended) while processing audio with Eurorack modules (SynQuaNon recommended) under a shared clock.

Eurorack workflows

Use MPE CC74 for precise, tempo-synced control and full individual-string audio processing (Ableton Live recommended).

DAW Integration

Immediacy and improvisation for guitarists.

Precision and control for producers.

Specification

  • Body
    Solid alder

    Body finish
    Custom finish options available, including a wide range of sprayed colours and finishes

    Neck
    Maple neck reinforced with titanium rods
    Scale length 25.5 inches, 650 mm

    Fretboard
    Sustainable Richlite, black

    Fretwire
    Jescar 47104

    Nut
    Graph Tech

    Bridge
    Gotoh FX6 5 Series, black

    Machineheads
    Gotoh SGL510Z Series, black

    Strings
    D’Addario

  • Pickup system
    Cycfi Nu Multi 6 hexaphonic pickup

    Audio output
    Supports mono or full hexaphonic output
    Designed for multichannel processing and complex signal chains

    Audio cable
    5 m Cycfi multichannel cable
    Summed mono output via standard 1/4 inch cable, not included

    Audio breakout box
    Cycfi Nexus with six individual outputs for each string
    Please note, GK 13-pin compatibility is available as an optional extra

  • At the core of Circle Guitar is a programmable electro-mechanical strumming system built around a rotating wheel.

    Strumming wheel

    • Wheel constructed in two 180-degree sections, allowing it to be removed and replaced while the strings remain in place

    • Different wheel configurations define the number and placement of Magpicks, shaping rhythmic structure and feel

    Available wheel configurations

    • 4 pick positions

    • 12 pick positions

    • 16 pick positions

    • 20 pick positions

    Additional configurations may be introduced over time.

    Magpicks

    • Supplied with 16 magnetically mounted custom-designed Magpicks

    • Additional nylon is included in three thicknesses

    • Players can also experiment with alternative pick materials to adjust timbre

  • Buttons, pots, and faders
    Custom hard black anodised aluminium

  • Power and MIDI cable
    5m custom-spec 6-pin XLR cable carrying 24V power and MIDI I/O

    Power and MIDI breakout box
    Circle Instruments breakout box with 24V power input and MIDI DIN I/O

    MIDI functionality
    MIDI clock determines strumming speed
    Compatible with MIDI foot controllers, expression pedals, and DAW-based control

  • Custom hard case

Note: Final specifications may be subject to refinement during production.