Gibson Introduces the Powertune Self Tuning Guitar
Oct 2nd, 2007 by Guitar MX Admin
Gibson has recently introduced a self-tuning guitar called the Powertune guitar. The Powertune guitar is able to tune the guitar as it’s being played, and claims to use technology that is far superior to other self-tuning guitars. Some are calling it a crutch for lazy guitar players. But the Powertune guitar, which looks and plays just like a Gibson Les Paul, could change guitar playing forever.
| The technology has been 10 years in the making, and was developed by a German engineer named Chris Adams and his company, Tronical. The Powertune guitar uses a set of piezoelectric pickups which are mounted under the strings. Unlike regular pickups, the piezoelectric pickups are able to focus on a single string. The Powertune processor inside the guitar is able to separately identify the frequency of each string. As the guitar is played, the Powertune system compares the frequencies with the desired notes, and uses tiny servo motors mounted on the headstock to adjust the tuning pegs. These adjustments do not interfere at all with the song being played. |  |
The Powertune system can be turned on or off with a single button called the Master-Control Knob (MCK). The guitar can be tuned in seconds by simply strumming all six strings at once. Need to change tunings in between songs? The MCK can do that too by using preset tunings.
The Powertune guitars cost about $900. If you’re feeling lucky, you might be able to get one for free. Gibson is currently giving a Powertune Les Paul guitar away to one lucky winner. Click here to fill out the entry form.
ABCNews.com has a review of the Powertune guitar in their Technology section. You can also find out more at the Gibson web site.
I’m guessing it doesn’t work with a locked nut and a Floyd Rose?
) I also wonder what it would sound like if you held a chord while it was re-tuning itself. All sorts of “stringato” pitch bending possibilities!
This guitar would definitely be a lot of fun to play with. Speaking of Floyd Rose, I wonder how well the Powertune technology would work using a Floyd Rose with no locking nuts in place? That would be interesting.
This thing has to be sweet for playing live.
However, rich kids will never learn to tune their guitars or develop their ears. Heh…