I see flashes of brilliance in this thread. "A self-playing guitar" Since it's close to Halloween let us peruse the not so distant future......(Weird ethereal music please) Hmmmn. Lemmee see, we got computers, SD cards for cameras, software, the iPhone. wait a minute. That's IT!!. The iGuitar!
The neck is a long version of what you see on an iPhone. A menu offers you the genre of your choice. Click on your song. Chords are played by touching the appropriate icon. A scroll bar flashes the words to your favorite song downloaded from iTunes. Flashing dots need only be pressed to obtain the appropriate lead line...Wiggle your fingers and you're a ROCK STAR! (Or FOLK Artist,etc.)
Ah, wacky bananas you might say. You better hope Steve Jobs and his boys don't get wind of this thread, or "The iGuitar" will be in your local Apple store by Christmas...

:>) bob

p.s. the clubowner's credit card is read by the handy built-in swiper on the guitar's body, and your bank account is filled with cash by Direct Deposit. Sorta takes the charm out of passing the hat, but, oh well...