Gibson's new Powertune system features advanced electronics that automatically tune the instrument.
The system begins with an additional set of pickups mounted underneath the strings that are used specifically for the tuning process. The pickups are connected to digital signal-processing electronics mounted in the guitar body's cavity. The pickups separately identify the frequency of each string. As the strings are played, the Powertune processor compares their actual frequencies with the desired notes and sends instructions--tighten the string this much, loosen the string by that much--to tuning pegs equipped with strong, tiny servo motors mounted on the back of the guitar's head.
This idea has been around for a long time and has both good and bad points. Great in the respect of keeping the guitar in tune all the way through the gig / session - but in a way it's a form of "de-skilling" (if that's the right way to put it). What happens when it all goes wrong and your state-of-the-art tuning system falls fowl to the Murphy's 1st law of auto-tune calibration screw-ups? I'd feel safer in the knowledge that a musician actually knows how to manually tune their instrument properly. Having said that, on the one hand it's a great technological development with "uses" - but sadly, it will not make us more skillful or talented. I think the Steve Vai video a few blogs earlier shows a demonstration of Murphy's 1st Law in action :)
Wed, Oct 10, 2007 @
08:05 AM CDT
I don't need a self-tuning guitar. What I need is a self-tuning larynx.
Wed, Oct 10, 2007 @
10:28 AM CDT
Tuning is for music industry stooges.
Wed, Oct 10, 2007 @
05:48 PM CDT
well:gibson+new pickups+servos+some kind of batteries(or comes with a dc in to plug to a wall wart?)=the heaviest sixstring thing ever:DDD
Gibson's new Powertune system features advanced electronics that automatically tune the instrument. 
