Tech: Gibson Self Tuning Guitar

Subject: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From:
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 11:15 AM

Found this at uk.music.folk

Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2007 13:54:42 +0100
From: Stephen Kellett [e-mail]
Newsgroups: uk.music.folk
Subject: Self Tuning Guitar
 
It appears that Gibson have created a self tuning guitar. OK so its going to be electric, but it must be some joy to those of us that hate hearing an instrument that is not in tune with itself (I always wonder why someone would play their guitar like that when it so obviously sounds awful when they play a chord).
 
Seems like this idea pleases some people and upsets others.
 
Original article here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19462/
 
Found it on Slashdot: Various commentary ranging from flame bait to interesting observations
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/03/2020254
 
Stephen
--
Stephen Kellett

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From:
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 11:18 AM

After posting, located this BS thread from a few years back Handy Guitar which covers the same concept

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: BTMP
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 12:25 PM

I liken the Gibson self-tuning feature on the guitar to the self-parking option on the luxury car (Lexus, I think?). It's an expensive option that few will need or benefit from. If you can't tune your instrument with today's available technology, tuners, etc., maybe you shouldn't be playing guitar? Playing with others whose instruments are out of tune is frustrating, but if you deal with the situation tactfully, like loaning your tuner, you can work around this. We don't need a bunch of self-tuning instruments - good instruments are already very expensive. -btmp

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: deadfrett
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 12:40 PM

This could be the same kind of technology used in Gnashville studios to make non-singers warble on key. Anyone you know?
I recall years ago when some company came out with a device that enable one singer to sound like a group. Doing all the parts, with a little practise, it didn't sound half bad or good. The high parts were kind of like Mickey Mouse on steriods. Not quite the Jordanairs.
They've improved it since. Cheers- Dave

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:43 PM

Back in 1992-93 I was Director of Marketing at a local music distributor here in Montreal. At that time we found a product called "The StringMaster" which looked like your typical 1/4" electric drill. The thing was battery operated and actually TURNED the guitar's tuning pegs until the string got in tune. On the handle was a series of yellow and green lights that flashed telling you when the string was in tune.
Seeing The StringMaster in operation at a trade show was impressive and your first thought might be, "Hey, this will be great for a kid who is just learning to play," In practice, the device never really took off...
I think players realize that tuning is as much a part of working with a guitar as is playing. It will be interesting to see what Gibson has come up with.
On the subject of studio tricks you can check out "Melodyne" software by Celemony. The product checks to see if your vocal is on key and corrects it in the recording. Ah Technology, but as I see it. You still need some skill/talent and a good song...
bob

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From:
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:48 PM

Celemony Software - Makers of Melodyne

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 04:53 PM

The technology has been around for some time - I suppose the clever bit was bringing it all together, and it sounds like a very neat piece of engineering. Now, can anyone tell me why we might actually need the thing, or are we just piddling up a ladder?

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: Stringsinger
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 04:56 PM

Now if they could only invent a self-playing guitar,.

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 07:34 PM

On this particular thread,I can only add a line from an old banjo player of my acquaintance: "Once I get it tuned, I'm having it welded!" Of course, nylon string players need not apply.

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 08:10 PM

"...a self-playing guitar" A guitar version of the player piano...

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 09:41 PM

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...

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 04:47 AM

Do you remember I spy books? I recall with particular affection the picture of the policemen with a walkie talkie on his back, about the size of single matress.

self tuning guitar - that's one for the I spy books. I bet its a while before anyone ticks one of them off.

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: Peace
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:50 PM

"RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar"

Will it be anything like the self-basting turkey?

Problem I see would be with relative tuning--if I'm using the phrase correctly.

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 01:01 PM

Peace: The "self-basting turkey" is in the White House. Relative Tuning? With the iGuitar, you click on the key you'd like to sing in. It tunes YOU!
I just read some schpokora sold a lock of Che Guevara's hair for $100,000+...

bob

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: Peace
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 01:02 PM

Thanks, Bob.

Subject: RE: Tech: Self Tuning Guitar
From: Brendy
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 07:03 PM

Here's the all purpose, alternate tunings, an' all, one....Line 6 - Variax Acoustic 700

B.

Subject: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: Amos
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 05:36 PM

Here's the latest in sheer geekery in the electric guitar world. Not for me, but I can sympathize with the drool of others.


A

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:54 PM

Scary !!!

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:57 PM

Of course, this was pre-obsoleted by the stringless all-electronic guitar.

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 07:06 PM

LOL, Dick!

Good lord...pretty soon no one will have to have ears to play by!

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: redsnapper
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 07:07 PM

Why?

RS

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 07:12 PM

now all they need is paper rolls and a crank, so it can play itself.

Subject: RE: The Amazing Gibson Robotic Self-Tune Axe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 03:16 AM

Surely it's the crank who buys it?
What happens when the master control knob gets accidentally knocked during a screaming heavy metal solo and the guitar goes apoplexic trying to catch up with retuning the notes?
Quack!
GtD.

---

Threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Self - tuning guitar
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 08:01 PM

Just read that Gibson is introducing a self-tuning guitar this week. Well,there goes the old excuse, 'close enough for folk music.'!
Now if only they had a self-playing guitar, I might become a star. Naah.

Subject: RE: Self - tuning guitar
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 10:16 PM

Ah, those on the Cold Northeastern Coast beat you to it, John: CLick Here for previous thread.:-)

Subject: RE: Self - tuning guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 10:25 PM

Actually kat and John, this is the third. Here's another one!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Self - tuning guitar
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 10:32 PM

Oi! I just PMd Joe about combining the other two. The one I linked to was the earliest though, Spaw! Nan-er, nan-er, nan-er!:-)

Subject: RE: Self - tuning guitar
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 05:06 AM

...if only they'd invent a self-tuning voice....

RtS
(sigh)

Subject: RE: Self - tuning guitar
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 03:37 PM

When they come out with a guitar that tunes itself AND changes its own strings - I'm first on line.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson Self Tuning Guitar
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 02:26 AM

A self-playing guitar shouldn't be too hard. A walkman with an amp built into the box, and a karaoke program to burn the CDs, and away you go, Dwayne. The ultimate air guitar.

When I first saw the cartoon, it was a tape that you slid into the guitar.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson Self Tuning Guitar
From: theleveller
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 06:36 AM

I've got a self-tuning guitar. Well, I tune it myself.