Guitar Dreams

He stops suddenly, as if embarrassed. "You'll hear better music from David [Wessel] and others," he says, tucking the guitar back into its case.

But Freed is shortchanging himself. He may not be an accomplished musician, but unlike many people, he can hear the depth of sonic potential; he's privy to the sounds that exist on the technological fringes. He's not a composer, but the new digital guitar is his masterpiece.

Paolo Vescia

For decades, Adrian Freed has dreamed of using technology to increase the sonic possibilities of the electric guitar. The MaGIC (above left) is the result.

Paolo Vescia

Adrian Freed (left) and David Wessel both worked at Paris' IRCAM, the most influential computer music center in the world.

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"It's just exciting to be surrounded by the possibilities of sound," he says.