Gibson launching self-tuning guitars, rockers rejoice

Gibson's Powertune system has been in the works for quite awhile, and although there are other axes out there that claim to tune themselves, only a Gibson will do for some. Reportedly, the firm is readying a "new line of instruments" that are equipped with the system, which includes "an additional set of pickups mounted underneath the strings that are used specifically for the tuning process." By using all sorts of digital electronics and fancy algorithms, the equipment is able to automatically tune the strings, but it only activates when users pull out the Master Control Knob. Purportedly, the system can have have all six strings back in tune "within a few seconds," and you can even utilize a number of pre-programmed alternate tunings if that's your bag. 'Course, it's certainly debatable whether the hands-off approach to tuning is worth the extra $899 or so, but it's sure sweet to have the opion. Click on for more pictures.

[Zadillo @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:03AM]

The auto-tuning seems less interesting to me than the ability to quickly change tunings. If it was just a matter of staying in tune, I wish Gibson would make more use of the Steinberger double-ball system.

[J Ozer @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:03AM]

Rockers rejoice?

Most rockers are fine spending the 15 seconds it takes to tune a guitar, especially if it saves them $900. Not to mention a tune-o-matic Gibson stays in tune for decades (my SG gets tuned every 2 weeks whether it needs it or not). Its the newbies who can't tune by ear who will be buying this guitar. Still, its a cool technology. They should really put it on guitars with Floyd Roses where it would actually be useful.

[Mike @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:11AM]

Well, I'd imagine it might be useful for those who change up guitar tunings very frequently... unless you're very experienced and can change all the strings from one chord to another very quickly. But it is pricey.

[McGinley @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:59AM]

The people will be buying this are professional musicians who need to change tunings quickly on the fly during gigs.Want drop C or DADGAD tuning?Just turn the knob and strum the strings lightly and there you go.NOT for newbies.

[elsydeon @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:03PM]

it can change full tunings in 10 seconds, you can use that compositionally

[elsydeon @ Dec 5th 2007 4:49PM]

your verse can be DADGAD and your chorus can be an open tuning, the bridge can be standard etc.
And in a professional performance theres no need to have a tuning break or to change guitars.
it's not for beginners.. beginners wouldn't know what to do with the different tunings.

[Jeff Lorber @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:11AM]

yo, this technology has been around for at least 10 years. no big

[Andrea Pancotti @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:22AM]

this system is called Powertune from Tronical http://www.tronical.com/

[John Doe @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:37AM]

So who will be the first to hack the Gibson?

[pinchies @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:07AM]

Imagine strumming, with the guitar tuning the notes... sweet, but ur strings would snap!

[johnny @ Oct 5th 2007 2:17PM]

Nice!!! "They're trashing our rights! TRASHING!"

[Pete Lacis @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:42AM]

This is great for slide players who utilize a variety of tunings at a gig. Sonny Landreth swears by the Trans Performance system http://transperformance.com/index2.htm

Curious to see the quality of the Gibson system.

[McGinley @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:14AM]

The thing about the gibson one is that its very unobtrusive compared to transperformance.But I dunno...Id want to see both of them in action before making a decision.

[Klaus Burton @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:11AM]

This is awesome! And, J Ozer, although it is very easy to get a guitar more-or-less in-tune, try going into a recording studio with a guitar you tuned in 15 seconds and mixing it with the other instruments and see what happens.
It takes a human at least 2 minutes to get a perfect tuning, assuming they are even skilled enough to ever get one (everyone can notice a note that is flat by a semitone but it is not so common to find people who can accurately hear very small differences in pitch) so if the guitar can do it right in a few seconds that is a huge advantage

[Indra Arifin @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:14AM]

got a typo there.. opion? opium? option? :)

[Ted @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:43PM]

Mmmm, Opion...

[Danny @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:24AM]

It's a great concept, and it's perfect for those just starting out (if they decide to have a Gibson SG as their first guitar). Most experienced guitarists can tune the strings in about 15 seconds, though.

[Justin @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:06AM]

I don't care who you are, a 15-second tuning job will be a sloppy tuning job. That goes for any instrument, but especially guitar, where you have six variables instead of 1-3 or 4 for wind instruments.

[Justin @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:06AM]

Make that "at least" 6 variables, given then intonation adjustments at the bridge available on a lot of guitars.

[Adam @ Oct 5th 2007 3:58PM]

BTW thats not an SG its a Les Paul Studio in wine red...

[Danny @ Oct 5th 2007 6:30PM]

Ah yes, so it is. At first glance, looked like the SG '61.

[Mc Snails @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:03AM]

I for one welcome our self-tuning guitar overlords!!!

[easymac30 @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:22PM]

lewl

[Dave.Punk.Emo @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:28AM]

I think it's a brilliant idea. For those people that play on stage, and want to quickly be able to change to drop d or c, or DADGAD, and don't have multiple guitars waiting to be tuned and handed to us. I think it's more aimed at that kind of purpose. Mind you, the SG's are butt ugly compared to a Les Paul... Bummed I don't have the money for a Gibson, I'll just stick with my Epiphone...

[Vincent @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:06AM]

Thanks, but I'll wait for the Rhys Chatham signature model. I'm sure it'll be worth it.

[supermeerkat @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:28AM]

Does it go up to 11?

[Nick @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:39PM]

that feature is another additional $899

[scandata @ Oct 16th 2007 9:48PM]

No, but it CAN play in the key of H.

[Robert Johnston @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:45AM]

This will be very useful for concert performers, as guitars left out under hot stage lights often have their tuning wander by a not inconsiderable amount.

[popeye @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:41AM]

To quote Jimi Hendrix:

"Only cowboys stay in tune"

Total bullocks...

[Cory @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:41AM]

It's FAKE

[Forrest @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:29AM]

I know the guys at Gibson who are modifying the Les Paul models to integrate the tuning system. You can definitely buy them right now and retrofit your guitar, but there are some exposed wires. Once it's factory installed it'll be perfectly integrated.

I've seen this thing working and it's incredibly cool. Set the tuning, strum, and the little servos start whirring. Almost makes me wish I could play and owned one of these babies.

So, yeah - not sure if you were being serious, but it's definitely not fake.

[AJG @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:45AM]

Where does this thing get its power from? I would assume it has to have a battery source for the processor and servos. This is a cool idea, but would you spend more time replacing batteries or manually tuning?

[troy @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:49AM]

Perhaps Gibson should focus on improving their quality control and hardware, as smaller Asian manufacturers are offering roughly the same quality as a Gibson at 1/4 of the price. And in the higher-end market, boutique companies like Hamer and McInturff blow Gibson Custom Shop out of the water. This auto-tuning thing just seems a bit gimmicky to me.

[Forrest @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:41AM]

It boils down to supply and demand. People want the name. From what I've heard, even after greatly increasing the price of their guitars, Gibson still can't meet demand for some models. The Asian market in particular is in love with the brand.

Quality aside, the name is very popular, and that's what drives the price up. No different from a $200 pair of jeans being made in the same Chinese sweatshop as a $20 pair of jeans. The label dictates the price.

[GuitarBuilder @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:57AM]

nice in theory, but just wait until you have to play with an out of tune piano at the VFW ... this will definitely be in bypass mode then, and you be wishing you had some of the $900 back to buy a beer

as a former pro player, I would not be interested in this product but to each their own

[Replicant @ Dec 7th 2007 2:42AM]

The system allows you to set another instrument as the base source of the tuning and it will adjust the rest of the strings to match so your VFW argument is basically null and void there bobby.

[Brian @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:33AM]

this product is for middle aged men who think they can still be rockstars and have the money to spend on crazy shit. thats it. check out any guitar center, and they are the ones you see playing with the gimmicks. any pro would rather have 2 normal guitars.

[McGinley @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:12AM]

Youre a spokesman for all pro guitarists then?

[Brian @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:42PM]

yes

[Johnny @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:40AM]

Need a quick alternate tuning and then want to jump back up to standard? For about $880 less you can buy a top of the line capo. Cool technology, but I wouldn't use it either.

[simon.nutsy @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:13PM]

I know I would love one. I suck at tuning my dad can do it in way under a minute... But me... I just suck...

And an extra 800 dollors doesnt really seem that much when you consider how much a good Gibson goes for... Several thousand I hear you say?

:)

[David @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:21PM]

How does the price justify this? Hasn't steinberger had a no-tune system for a long time?

[Red Sails @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:25PM]

This makes me a little bit sick. I am a dedicated Gibson player, and can't fault them too far. However, any player who feels this is a good idea clearly doesn't have enough respect for his or her own musicianship and intonation to be able to tune successfully on their own. The guitar is already such a poorly conceived instrument, intonation-wise, considering it's system of equal temperment. You can never, I repeat NEVER get a guitar perfectly in tune for every chord and key. For this reason, one must tune to the playing occasion and perhaps even the key. This $900 gadget is really just keeping your guitar neutrally "in tune" - so that it won't REALLY be in tune in any key. This is worthless and makes me sad.

[christopher @ Nov 12th 2007 2:12PM]

I wholly agree that a guitar can never be perfectly in tune for every chord. Just because the open tuning is very accurate doesn't dissonance won't happen on higher chords. Harmonic complexities of strings under varying tensions and linear bridge / fret placement prevent this.

[pastpastdue @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:36PM]

Can you imagine people that abuse this system and how it will affect the guitars intonation? Switching tunings without the right setup is hell for your neck.

[Parker @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:30PM]

old news

[Electric guitars @ Nov 20th 2007 7:57AM]

Cool, but I don't think that the price justifies it...