Robot Guitar Questions and Answers

[Astynax]

I bought two Robot Guitars on Dec. 7 when they were released. I'm saving one and I play the other (RG3822).

 

I've learned a lot of thigns by experimenting with this guitar, but my standards are very high, and there are certain questions I have for anyone who can help.

 

-When/how should I adjust the truss rod?

-Why does intonation mode virtually always say my strings are set-up properly when I can tell they're wrong by ear?

-Has anyone tried using thicker strings, and what were the results? (I use Ernie Ball Power Slinky/11e)

 

If anyone knows the answers or has any questions that I might be able to answer, reply to this post.

[Raptor]

I don't know if you have the manual or not, if not, it was available as a PDF on the Gibson website. It explains about using heavier guage strings and tells you what to do and how the guitar will adjust. I am not going to dig mine out tonight, but the guitar will adjust to heavier strings eventually.

Why do you feel you need to adjust the truss rod? My simple answer to you is if you are asking that question, then you should never adjust the truss rod. The truss rod is mostly used to counteract the pull of the strings on the neck, but it can also be used to adjust a few other things. The environment the guitar is kept in can cause the neck to shift, using really heavy guage strings, or really light ones can cause it to need an adjustment, time, long periods without strings, lots of things might cause the neck to be tweaked, but if you do not know what you are doing you can ruin your guitar pretty quickly. I don't normally adjust them on my own guitars, I prefer to have a tech do it. A lot of people do it themselves, after learning how to do it properly. I am one who just doesn't feel comfortable with the truss rod. If you want to learn how to do it, you can usually find a shop with a tech who will show you how to do it, or there are several good books out there like "How to Make You Electric Guitar Play Great" by Dan Ehrlwine (I am 100% sure of the title or his last name spelling). I do recommend also that if you really want to learn how to do it that you practice on some cheap guitars first.

For the intonation you say it "virtually always says they are set up.." what does it say the rest of the time? It is a dispute between your ear and the guitar's computer, so I would suggest an impartial judge take a look at it. Maybe a good strobe tuner or a tech. We can't tell you about your intonation or accuracy of your ear without seeing you and the guitar in person, but if it bugs you have it looked at and confirmed. If the guitar is wrong they can fix it.

If you don't have a manual or can't find it online, I think I have the PDF I could send you. Good luck with it.