Auto Tuning Guitars Gibson
- Gibson’s new Powertune System rewrites the laws and frees guitarists from the drudgery of tuning. To play in tune, tell your guitar to tune up for you. The Powertune System, available as original equipment only on Gibson guitars, is a fully functional, performance-ready, and non-obtrusive automated tuning system.
- Dec 07, 2014 So, Im one of the anti G-Force people. Not because of weight or anything, but its the point of it. I can tune my own guitar and I dont like how it looks on the headstock. Im thinking of buying a new SG and this G Force is limiting my selection. Have any of you seen or heard of anyone removing it.
| Gibson Robot Guitar | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Gibson |
| Period | December 7, 2007 (Limited Run) |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Woods | |
| Body | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood ('Production' Les Paul, SG), Ebony (Flying V, Explorer, 'Original' Robot Les Paul) |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Pickup(s) | H-H |
| Colors available | |
| Blue sunburst | |
The Gibson Robot Guitar (a.k.a. GOR) is a limited-edition self-tuning Gibson guitar, typically a Les Paul.[1][2] The first run of limited edition Robot Guitars was exclusively made up of Les Paul bodies.[3] Five different Gibson models were available (2008-2011, Robot X-plorer 2008-2012)) with Robot Guitar features: The Robot Les Paul Studio,[4] Robot SG,[5] Robot Flying V, Robot X-plorer, and a Robot Les Paul Junior. Developed by Chris Adams, its most notable feature is that it uses an onboard computer to automatically tune itself. This is not the first guitar to be able to tune itself,[6] but it is regarded as the most modern, unique, and non-invasive self-tuning model available, because it does not employ cams or cantilevers throughout the body of the guitar.[7] The non-limited edition SG and Les Paul Studio are available in a variety of finishes. The Flying V and Explorer are only available in metallic red. The price can range from about $1,000-$3,000 or more for custom options. In the case of the 'Original 1st Production' Robot guitar the only finish available was Blue Silverburst nitrocellulose, a color which Gibson has stated will never be used on any other Gibson guitar (see photo to the right). The original Robot guitar also featured headstock and neck binding which are not standard on any current Les Paul Robot as well as a chrome truss rod cover with 'Robot Guitar' engraved. The production version featured 22-fret rosewood-bound (standard finishes) or white-bound (metallic finishes) ebony fingerboard with figured acrylic trapezoid inlays, white-bound headstock with MOP Gibson logo and flowerpot inlay (metallic finishes) or unbound headstock with screened logo (standard finishes), three-per-side robotic Powerhead Locking tuners, tune-o-matic Powertune bridge, Powertune stop tailpiece, two chrome covered humbucker pickups (490R, 498T), four knobs (three normal, and one Master Control Knob that controls the robotic actions of the guitar), three-way pickup switch, Neutrik jack on side of guitar, chrome hardware.
Apr 11, 2016 The Gibson G-Force auto tuner, which came with my 2015 Gibson SG But then one day, about a month later, the guitar tuned itself to some kind of obscurity. Suddenly, my A string and low E string were both registering “E” on my regular tuner. Gibson’s ‘G Force’ auto-tuning technology, powered by Tronical. Just months away from an expected bankruptcy, Gibson Guitar is now getting slapped with a $50 million lawsuit from an unpaid. Gibson introduces the Min-ETune, a mechanical tuner that automatically tunes your guitar to a variety of tunings. This new automatic tuner comes pre-installed on selected Gibson guitars and unfortunately, it is not sold separately. The Min-ETune reminds us of the Limited Edition Robot Guitars that Gibson released a few years back.
Technical information[edit]
The tuning system used on the Gibson Robot Guitar is based on the aftermarket Powertune system, which was developed by the Tronical Company of Germany.[2] The Gibson system uses the standard Tune-o-matic style bridge typical on their guitars, but modifications were made to have individual piezo saddles that transmit each string's pitch to the microprocessor.[7] The computer analyzes the signal, and then controls each of the Powerhead Locking Tuners. Each tuner is run by a small servo motor that works in sync with the bridge to bring the string up to pitch by altering the string's tension until it is within a desired tolerance.[2] The entire system is powered by a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery pack housed in the control cavity of the guitar.[8]
Features and functionality[edit]
The Robot Guitar appears to have the standard four knobs for individual pickup volume and tone controls; however, in place of the bridge pickup tone knob, there is the Master Control Knob (MCK).[8] The control functions like a “push-pull” knob: when in the down position, it functions like a standard control. When in the up position, however, the MCK is what coordinates the automatic tuning for the guitar by sending the information and power to the neck PCB through the strings. Then the PCB activates the robot tuners by contact.[8]
Users can choose from seven factory presets for tunings, six of which are editable.[7] Each tuning can be returned to 'standard' tuning of A (440 Hz) by simply pulling up on the MCK knob, and strumming the strings lightly. Traktor dj pro 3 full crack.
Similar systems[edit]
While Gibson advertised the guitar in America as a 'world first,'[9] similar systems developed by Transperformance have been in use for decades. Jimmy Page currently uses a Les Paul Goldtop with the Transperformance system in it. This system is also endorsed by Graham Nash as well as Ed Roland.[10] The drawback to the Transperformance system is that it requires heavy modification to the instrument, including routing and installing multiple cams and cantilevers.[11]
References[edit]
- ^Reader, Ruth (29 January 2008). 'Gibson Guitar Releases New Self-Tuning Guitar'. VOA News. Voice of America. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ abcGibson Robot Guitar
- ^Limited Edition First RunArchived 2009-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^'Robot Les Paul Studio'. Archived from the original on 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
- ^'Robot SG'. Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
- ^Transperformance Archived 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ abcBlackett, Matt. 'Gibson Robot Guitar.' Guitar Player, February 2008
- ^ abcGibson Guitar Corporation
- ^The Gibson Robot Guitar is Coming! - gibson.com 2007-11-07
- ^'Tronical. Tronical Artists (15 March 2008)'. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
- ^Gizmag. The Transperformance self-tuning guitar. (15 March 2008)
Self Tuning Guitar
External links[edit]
Tronical—a German company that produces automatic guitar tuning systems—announced today that it is suing Gibson brands for $50 million dollars over a breach of contract relating to their exclusive development agreement.
While the legal action has been pending before the Hamburg State Court since December 2017, today's motion sets a new amount of damages stemming from the fallout between the companies.
In an article posted by MusicRadar this morning, Tronical founder Chris Adams is quoted as saying, 'Tronical is claiming licensing fees to the amount of 23 million U.S. dollars from the share in the profits agreed in the contract, and a further 27 million U.S. dollars on the grounds of Gibson’s breach of contract of the exclusive research and development agreement with Tronical, which Gibson should have met by 2026.'
First used by Gibson in 2007, Tronical's auto-tuning systems were controversially added to almost all standard Gibson models in 2015. This decision was met by skepticism by many in the guitar community, and reversed in the following model year.
This latest suit adds to a growing list of financial hurdles that Gibson faces in 2018. As widely reported earlier this year, current Gibson ownership faces the maturation of $375 million in senior secured notes this summer, which carries the risk of bankruptcy for the historic company.
Gibson Self Tuning
We understand the importance of online privacy and are committed to complying with the EU General Data Protection Regulation. To reflect our commitment, we updated our terms and conditions. By continuing to use Reverb, you agree to these updates, and to our cookie policy. Learn More