Gibson Robot SG

[ndk]

I have just uploaded some photos of the Gibson Robot SG that arrived in our warehouse today. Its a lovely looking bit of kit!!

Go to the Gibson Robot SG page and click the gallery button to see the photos.

I'm not a guitarist but this technology really impressed me when i first saw it.. I know that there are some very mixed opinions here at DV towers about this range of guitars. What do you think?

If you dont know about the Gibson Robot guitars take a look at this:

[JAYDMF]

Originally Posted by ndk

I have just uploaded some photos of the Gibson Robot SG that arrived in our warehouse today. Its a lovely looking bit of kit!!

Go to the Gibson Robot SG page and click the gallery button to see the photos.

I'm not a guitarist but this technology really impressed me when i first saw it.. I know that there are some very mixed opinions here at DV towers about this range of guitars. What do you think?

If you dont know about the Gibson Robot guitars take a look at this youtube video.

How many people are gonna test that neutric jack by wurling the guitar around by the lead i wonder?

[krykos]

Originally Posted by ndk

I'm not a guitarist but this technology really impressed me when i first saw it.. I know that there are some very mixed opinions here at DV towers about this range of guitars. What do you think?

When you tune a guitar manually, over time your ear gets accustomed to the tone you're aiming for, which is great for ear training. I have no idea whether the same would be true using the robot guitar, but I think the main criticism of it is that it would take that skill away from guitarists.

Personally, I think that the majority of first-time guitar players are more likely to grab a Squier, and probably wouldn't dream of spending this much on a guitar accessory unless they were dedicated to it. In which case, they'd develop their ear anyway.

I also think it'll be great for gigs as you can do a quick retune every couple of songs, and changing the strings would be far easier as well. I spent three hours doing it once because the intonation kept going wrong...

[emitime]

Having looked at the page in the shop I'm really surprised at how cheap this is compared to a standard SG and also just how unobtrusive the machine heads are. I've tried both the "clever" Strat and the Line 6 guitars and been specifically interested in the quick change to alternative tunings. How long does it take to retune and does it mute while it's doing it?

[Steve]

Looks great for quickly setting alternative tunings. I'd love one but too expensive for just yet.

[krykos]

Originally Posted by emitime

How long does it take to retune and does it mute while it's doing it?

Watch the video in post #1, mate. It shows you that it retunes in seconds.

[ndk]

we have just got in another Gibson Robot, this time a Les Paul.

check out the photos : Gibson ROBOT LES PAUL STUDIO, RED MET at DV247.COM

[belezabaub]

I agree with what Krykos says, technology like this would really benifit a beginner and if your spending that amount of cash on a guitar and have issues tuning it, you either have too much cash or your stupid. Having said that it would be handy when gigging. It is a great idea, long over due, hopefully the technology comes down in prices so those who really need it can afford it.

[krykos]

Yeh, I'm hoping to get a custom guitar in a couple of years, and this is one of the things that I'm looking to have installed on it. For new technology, it's not that bad a price, but it's still damn expensive, and a custom guitar will cost enough as it is.

Standalone Product (Tronical Powertune):
Tronical Powertune at DV247.COM

[whitecat]

I've got the original Robot, the blue silverburt 1st production run version.

It's a nice guitar with or without the tuning system - basically just a Les Paul Studio - mahogany, ebony fretboard, nitro finish.

The tuning system is a bit 'chunky' - I'm not sure if it's affecting the perceived 'weight' of the neck (basically, how much my left arm is having to work) - they're still well-hidden and from the front it doesn't look any different.

Anyway, the tuners make it very easy to work in the studio, which is one of the main reasons I bought it. While the alternate tunings available are cool, it's an easy thing between takes to just pull the MCK knob out, give 'er a strum and you're good to go.

I also would NOT recommend this guitar to a new guitar player! As easy at it seems, tuning a guitar is an important ear-training exercise in itself, and I've paid my dues over the past 15 years of playing or so with instruments that were hard to tune/hard to keep in tune, and I own many other guitars that do not feature this system. I also intonate my own guitars, with the aid of a Boss TU-2 of course, which is always a fun experience by hand/ear. The Gibson makes this even easier by telling you how many quarter turns the bridge screw needs to fix the intonation - no trial & error, but also no learnin'!

Anyway, for the gigging and/or studio musician who does know what they're doing, it's a timesaver.

The biggest downside to this axe, other than the price premium you're paying for the Tronical system, is the fact that switching between very different tunings too frequently does have a tendency to break the E string, so I have to keep a bunch of spares on-hand if I'm going to be messing around a lot.

I find it interesting as well that Gibson are only making this guitar (so far) in "futuristic" finishes - lots of crazy metallic shades (purple, green) - other than the original blue silverburst mine has, I'm likin' the red finish - but it would be nice to see some more classic Gibson colours - new meets old.

Overall, a nice guitar which compares to very little on the market due to the self-tuning ability, but which has to be compared strictly as a guitar to the LP Studio, which is a lot less money!

[RedDavid]

Originally Posted by ndk

I have just uploaded some photos of the Gibson Robot SG that arrived in our warehouse today. Its a lovely looking bit of kit!!

Go to the Gibson Robot SG page and click the gallery button to see the photos.

I'm not a guitarist but this technology really impressed me when i first saw it.. I know that there are some very mixed opinions here at DV towers about this range of guitars. What do you think?

If you dont know about the Gibson Robot guitars take a look at this youtube video.

I can't tell you the feelings of hate this thing gives me - I developed the same thing myself a touch over a year ago, but didn't have the time or the money to put the patent application in. And now, gah.