Designed to break the boundaries of traditional guitar playing, the Circle Guitar allows for new rhythmic possibilities and frees the player’s hands to explore chords and effects in entirely new ways. Created by Anthony Dickens, the Circle Guitar represents a fusion of motion control, musical expression, and cutting-edge design.
A New Kind of Guitar Sound
Unlike conventional guitars that rely on manual strumming or picking, the Circle Guitar uses a spinning wheel embedded with up to 16 magnetic picks to strike strings rhythmically. This enables complex, high-speed patterns and layered textures that would be nearly impossible for a human hand to replicate.
Redefining What a Guitar Can Do
The motorised wheel not only handles rhythm but also allows players to use both hands for chord work, vibrato, and other techniques. The guitar’s pickups can isolate and amplify each individual string, producing a layered, multi-voice effect that creates a sound closer to a full ensemble than a single instrument.
Endorsed by Industry Icons
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien has tested the Circle Guitar and praised it as something that fundamentally shifts how musicians interact with their instruments. “It made me think in a totally different way,” he said, after ordering the first production unit.
Built for Producers, Performers, and Innovators
The Circle Guitar features three control modes:
- Producer Mode: Uses a DAW or hardware sequencer to trigger MIDI patterns
- Pedal Mode: Allows triggering through a MIDI foot pedal
- Player Mode: Functions standalone with tap tempo and onboard control buttons
Each mode enables unique playing experiences tailored to live performance, studio work, or improvisation.
A Versatile Tool Across Musical Genres
With dynamic rhythm capabilities, adjustable wheel speeds, toggle-switch string control, and arpeggiation modes, the Circle Guitar is ideal for styles ranging from punk and techno to ambient and experimental.
Designed to Look Familiar, Perform Uniquely
Despite its futuristic functionality, the Circle Guitar maintains a traditional electric guitar silhouette. It features a body made of alder, a maple neck, and a Richlite fretboard, with internal components housed discreetly within.
Developed in collaboration with maxon, the guitar’s brushless DC motor ensures high-precision rhythm coordination while maintaining a compact form factor. This upgrade from the bulkier prototypes allows the instrument to remain lightweight, reliable, and gig-ready.
From Prototype to Production
After six years of development, the Circle Guitar is entering its production phase. Artists like Lee Kieran of Idles have already road-tested the instrument in live settings, confirming its durability and performance under pressure.
A New Chapter in Musical Expression
As Circle Instruments prepares for wider release, founder Anthony Dickens reflects on the philosophy behind the project:
“Creating a new musical instrument is about letting musicians respond in ways they never could before. That’s what the Circle Guitar is all about—unlocking creativity through motion and sound.”
