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Robot Future or Taken to Pasture?

DuaLeaD

By DuaLeaD
in Gibson USA

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DuaLeaD

DuaLeaD

Posted
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I remember around the time I bought my Les Paul Supreme back in 2007, the Robot Les Paul was being promoted HARD and they were all the rage. A few other robot models have come out since then and Darkfire has been added. I would like your opinions on:

 

What may have initially drawn people to this product line?

 

Was it really as innovative as it seemed?

 

Has the prevailing opinion been "Why fix something that isn't broken? You buy Gibsons for the classic, iconic, legendary tone"?

 

Do the robot products have a future?

 

I know I would never buy one. I can be pretty shallow when it comes to my LP's and they just don't look sexy like a good ol' fashioned "Heritage Cherry Sunburst" that looks like it's ready to catch on fire with a face-meltin', classic rock solo....

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BigKahune

BigKahune

Posted
Posted

.

Initially what drew people in was the robotic tuning and it's ability to change to alternate tunings quickly without having to keep extra guitars around. Then Gibson came with the Dark Fire featuring robotic tuning, a bucker, a 90 and a piezo bridge pup and what they called their Chameleon sound technology which allowed you to go with digital. The next step was the Firebird X that added all kinds of onboard switching, blending and effects.

 

As far as innovation goes, robotic tuning had been around for years, but it was very expensive. Gibson's robot tech was/is affordable. There were also other manufacturers that featured onboard instrument selection where the signal was altered produce the sound other instruments, midi control and electronic tuning (altering the signals to produce alternative tunings).

 

Opinions vary and some traditionalist are outraged. There are plenty of users that love the technology Gibson is providing, while still producing traditional instruments to satisfy ludites (as Henry put it).

 

As long as they are making a profit, the robot products have a future. It's been five years since the original robot went retail and Gibson is still moving the technology forward.

 

I bought in with a 2008 Robot SG Ltd - love it - works great, plays great, sounds great. I'm looking to get into the newer models and sound tech, maybe this Xmas. . B)

 

2008-SGside-md.jpg

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  • 11 months later...
RSmith

RSmith

Posted
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I have 4 Robots among 65 guitars and yes they are fine for the purpose.

Explorer and V with Robot technology are great variants of that guitars even without system, so I decided to try and do not regret it.

LP Studio set me back less than 800 bucks what is again great purchase for indeed good sounding guitar with robotic tuning as bonus.

The top one is Dusk Tiger which is different than any of four LP I have in feel, sound and appearance, os it is very distinctive axe on it own.

I don't like Firebird X, designwise and I don't feel it right. Other than that no complains with robots, I bought them at nice price point (actually I've never paid more than what would used guitar of same sort cost me without robot tuning system) and after swapping PUs with Bare Knuckles they are killer sounding guitars as any of non-robotic guitar I play.

Bottom line -robot tuning works and I see no real reason not to like it, I even consider to migrate the system to some of my more expensive axes.

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Guest Farnsbarns

Guest Farnsbarns

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I know I would have a lot more alternate tuning know how and practice under my belt if I had a robot guitar so yes, there is definitely a good reason to have it. That said, I'm lazy and I know it, if I really was inclined to learn I would just retune my guitar. I can definitely see a use for a working musician who uses various tunings.

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rct

rct

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The name 'Justin Bieber' should never appear on a Les Paul forum... or any forum pertaining to music. You have been warned...

 

There are some pretty serious people writing, recording, and producing music, which is what we all are here for, right? I, for one, would really enjoy being on one of those teams crankin 'em out for Biebs. Or Miley. Or any of them. Not liking it is just fine, but man, some of them people could buy and sell all of us with the songs they've written. It's a shame they get no cred, no props, because of the tool out front that fits the suit.

 

rct

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Bryan Sutherland

Bryan Sutherland

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There are some pretty serious people writing, recording, and producing music, which is what we all are here for, right? I, for one, would really enjoy being on one of those teams crankin 'em out for Biebs. Or Miley. Or any of them. Not liking it is just fine, but man, some of them people could buy and sell all of us with the songs they've written. It's a shame they get no cred, no props, because of the tool out front that fits the suit.

 

rct

 

Point taken... just because it ain't my cup of tea doesn't mean it's not music

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Sambonator

Sambonator

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I retrofitted my Les Paul Standard 1976 vintage with a TronicalTune unit. This is sold on some Gibson models as Min-ETune.

I had to order it from Germany and took a while to arrive, but its worth it.

I love the ability to quickly tune to any tuning, including custom tunings.

I'm seriously thinking of getting this for all of my guitars.

 

http://www.tronical.com/tronicaltune/

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Sambonator

Sambonator

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$3000 for what's essentially a Les Paul Jr/Special with on-board multieffects and Min-ETune is way too much...

 

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