Gibson kicks out the Dark Fire second-gen Robot Guitar

Gibson's limited-edition Robot Guitar was undeniably cool when we played with it last year, and it looks like the sequel's going to be even hotter -- say hello to Dark Fire. The flame-red axe features a second-generation Robot tuning system can get up to pitch in less than a second -- and not only is it smaller and lighter than the weighty original, battery life has been significantly extended to 500 tunings on a single charge. Once you're in tune, you'll be able to make almost any noise you want with the Chameleon Tone system: in addition to a P90 and a bridge-mounted humbucker, there's a third piezo pickup in the bridge that can be blended with the standard units for what Gibson called an "incredible array of tonal possibilities." In case that's not enough for you, the Dark Fire also ships with the Robot Interface Pack, a powered breakout box that lets you integrate your axe into almost any digital audio workflow you can dream up: there's two quarter-inch balanced line outs, headphone out, FireWire (sorry, MacBook owners), and a special hex connector that carries the output of each string from the piezo pickup -- these can either be broken out into individual quarter-inch outputs or used to control MIDI guitar controllers with an adapter. Original Robot owners aren't being left out: Gibson says it'll upgrade them for "close to cost," after the Dark Fire launches on December 15th. Pretty wild, all in all, but we'll wait for pricing information to hit before we consider trading in our battered old Tele.

[Via Music Radar]

[Joshua S. @ Nov 11th 2008 6:13PM]

I like everything about this guitar except for the self-tuning. I guess I'm old fashioned but I like to tune a guitar before I play it, and I'm not really sure I trust a computer to tune it the way I want it.

[Taylor @ Nov 11th 2008 6:54PM]

Really? What do you use as a master tuner? I know you can tune the strings to themselves, but unless one of them is tuned to a standard, they could all be off. If you don't trust a computer, do you use a tuning fork? Or do you use an electronic tuner? Because that's a computer...

Face it, computers do some things way better than humans. Simple frequency analysis is one of those things.
-Taylor

[Joshua S. @ Nov 11th 2008 7:31PM]

Tuning fork, like I said I'm just old fashioned... But the thing that bothers me about automatic tuning is that it must convert analogue to digital back to analogue in order to tune, and there's no way to know how accurate it is with that in mind.

[Rboyett @ Nov 11th 2008 7:41PM]

If you're into gigging at all, then these Robot Guitars are for you and worth the price.

During a concert you don't spend time re-tuning your guitars. You usually don't spend the time setting up for alternate tuning like Dropped D. Instead professionals will have multiple guitars for this. The only other reason to have multiple guitars is for a different sound (such as the difference between a Les Paul and an ES-335 or a Fender Jag).

With a Robot Guitar, you don't have to have multiple guitars for different tunings. Instead you can just let the guitar adjust the tuning between songs and not keep your audience waiting.

That makes it a bargain.

[Lazvision @ Dec 20th 2008 3:24AM]

Between these Dark Fire/Robot guitars that tune themselves, the Ovation Idea Acoustic/Electric guitar that records itself, the new Fender Amps that play Drums and bass while you play...

I think the upcoming war between man and machines has found it first battle ground...

in Rock and roll!!!

Rappers have to worry about shooting each other, but us musicians... the instruments might kill us... or at least take all the gigs.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 6:13PM]

in soviet russia robot guitar play you

[dandaman @ Nov 11th 2008 7:31PM]

yeah it does...

[Pete @ Nov 12th 2008 11:12AM]

Tell me your avatar is the guy from the FLight of the Concords tv show. :D Cause that would be awesome.

[skeptic @ Nov 11th 2008 6:21PM]

Wow!! I had a Gibson Robot, but I sent it back.

It was ok, but not really worth the price.


BTW, the self-tuning was excellent, far better than a human could ever do.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 6:22PM]

"the self-tuning was excellent, far better than a human could ever do."

that's what the robots made you think

[StalematE @ Nov 11th 2008 6:25PM]

can you calibrate the lag?

[iEye @ Nov 11th 2008 6:28PM]

Orba Squara - Perfect Timing...

good song to play on the Guitar!

[iEye @ Nov 11th 2008 6:36PM]

Ah, I found the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgNaNLY_Xt0

you are all welcome!

[James @ Nov 12th 2008 12:38AM]

Go to hell iEye

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 11th 2008 6:34PM]

Does it always tune to standard or can you select what you want to tune to?

Also, I don't think it would be hard to add a foam padded magnetic automatic Capo as an extra feature.

[Rob Conway @ Nov 11th 2008 6:42PM]

i'm sure it will tune to whichever tuning you want it too. it'd be kinda ridiculous if it forced you into EADGBE!

[bandigolo @ Nov 11th 2008 6:42PM]

it can tune to any number of tunings, and I believe it can tune strings individually too. Of course the strings aren't indestructible, check yo' self during the process.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 6:45PM]

it only plays "Stairway". badly.

[CraigJ @ Nov 11th 2008 7:00PM]

I'd get one of these if I has a clue how to play guitar. Maybe I could hack it and use it for Guitar Hero.

[Nick @ Nov 11th 2008 7:16PM]

Next Step: Built in Hard Drive to automatically record all your playing... ala TIvo!

You Heard it here First!

[Pretol @ Nov 11th 2008 7:22PM]

Classical guitarists, tune their guitars for every song (and I don't mean TRANSPOSE THE WHOLE GUITAR UP OR DOWN), but minute 1/64 of a tone up/down variations that suit the particular song and chord variations. I've had this demonstrated to me: guitar was tuned to the mathematical perfection, and a particular piece was played, then the guitar was re-tuned to a more suitable tune, and it did sound better slightly "de-tuned". Of course, what I'm talking about is partially a case of snobbism (like the wino-freaks, that'll tell ya that you should taste leather, blueberries and sunflowers, all the while you're drinking rotten grape juice).

But what everyone should agree with is this:

If you can't tune your guitar, you probably shouldn't play it.

[dandaman @ Nov 11th 2008 7:40PM]

agreed, you should be able to tune your guitar before you play it. But, once you get good enough to justify buying this, it's a convenience thing. I saw this same argument on the original post a little less than a year ago, but what beginner is spending more than $500 on a guitar? Just because I can tune, doesn't mean I want to.

[RAYZAP @ Nov 12th 2008 5:58PM]

Pretol you are absolutely right about tuning variations in relation to progressions and various chord placements during a song. I am a serious guitarist 54 yrs old. I have played guitar 43 yrs. Guitars are all different in various degrees. You could tune any given guitar perfectly with its open strings-- E A D G B E, and play a certain chord, say a basic open C, it may or may not be in tune collectively; due to how the guitar is made and its neck in relation to its intonation. I am a hard core Gibson man. The reason Gibson can make guitars with this tuning technology is because they make the finest playing guitars in the world.

[gonintendo @ Nov 11th 2008 7:26PM]

I'll only play it if slash approves. GNR FTW!!!!!!

[gonintendo @ Nov 11th 2008 7:28PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNdrncdarBo

[Frankfurter @ Nov 11th 2008 7:31PM]

Yes, Slash - the standard by which others are measured.

Oh wait - I meant, Slash - wanna-be hack that doesn't hold up unless he has a good song behind him.

You kids really need to put Guitar Hero down for just a day and go experience rock and roll. Just keep in mind, fame doesn't necessarily equate to talent. Look at Madonna. Or Engadget.

[gonintendo @ Nov 11th 2008 7:34PM]

never said he was the best, robin and bumblefoot seem to be doing fine with axl and the new gnr. I don't love GNR because of guitar hero, i love them because they make great music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk0FeRpbK-c

[Kris @ Nov 12th 2008 12:28AM]

lol @ tuning (no pun intended) Engadget, while you are reading ENGADGET and replying on ENGADGET.

[silverblackvoid @ Nov 12th 2008 3:41AM]

you've got to be kidding. i will only but one if Iommi approves.

[silverblackvoid @ Nov 12th 2008 3:42AM]

shit, damn typo- i mean buy.
eeepc's keyboard sucks btw

[Stiv @ Nov 11th 2008 7:32PM]

This is interesting and I've watched some demo clips, but I really don't see the need. I have a moderately priced Jackson sitting behind me and I have to tune it maybe once a month.

[bolezhinkov @ Nov 11th 2008 8:33PM]

maybe you do need this more than you think.

[dandaman @ Nov 11th 2008 7:44PM]

They've got a contest where you need to write a song for the Dark Fire and if they like it, they'll send you one. I wonder how many people will purposely de-tune there guitar for the song so that the gibson people are like "wow, we need to get this guy in tune before he gets back on the youtubes?"

[Foogooo @ Nov 11th 2008 8:00PM]

Gibson have a section on their website just for this guitar. The videos are interesting to watch. I wasn't to sure with the last one as it was heavy and yes it had lag but the new one seems to have changed all that.

[JJ @ Nov 11th 2008 8:22PM]

Are you guys serious?
This guitar is a gross waste of money and R&D.

A guitar that TUNES itself!?!?!

THAT is all you could come up with Gibson? No thanks. The Variax does this and more for half the price and more. I could not imagine anyone being impressed by Robotic tuners. It takes all of 30secs with a good tuner to tune your guitar. You honestly will tell me that this is technology? No, no, no.

At least the Variax (not to harp on it since I don't even own one..) makes use of interesting and worthwhile concepts. Like Strat and LP sounds in one guitar with some Rickenbacker for good measure. And you can program alternate tunings to go along with the guitar as well.

Robot Guitar. Not good.

[bolezhinkov @ Nov 11th 2008 8:35PM]

ok while you chill in your bedroom with 30 seconds of time to waste every time a string goes out of tune I will be happy to be playing with less downtime.

[JJ @ Nov 11th 2008 8:49PM]

But this is what I don't understand..
I'm a gigging musician. I'm also a big fan of live music. While the singer or drummer or whoever turns the cap on their bottle of water, put it to their mouths and sip, you can tune your guitar.

You simply tune before you get on stage, and I assuming anyone who has $3,000 to spend on a guitar also has good tuners... You tune quickly and get back to business.

Do you REALLY need 30secs? And are you willing to save 3 minutes of stage time for $3,000?

This is fake technology. It's just a gimmick pretending to be revolutionary.

[BB @ Nov 11th 2008 9:10PM]

Gibson, apple style with sharp corners.

[Max @ Nov 12th 2008 2:52AM]

lol wtf did they just steal apples website

[Josh @ Nov 12th 2008 10:54AM]

haha wow, that is a blatant rip off

[killjoy @ Nov 13th 2008 9:55PM]

This only impresses non-professionals.

You usually only have one string go slightly out of tune after a few songs.
A quick harmonic on a couple of strings are you're back in tune. 3 or 4 seconds, no problem.

How often do you hear a guitarist quietly strumming chords between songs? They're checking tuning.
Rarely does someone go walking over to their tuner and check every string.

This thing is overpriced overkill.

[DBrim @ Nov 11th 2008 10:59PM]

I'm not exactly made of money, but I'd rather have a Les Paul studio and play with the tuning myself.

[Hotrod @ Nov 12th 2008 1:15AM]

Oh my god, I want this guitar. They should make a non-auto tuning, non-wallet raping version. The fret board inlays are so subtle but sweet!

[Hotrod @ Nov 12th 2008 1:15AM]

Oh my god, I want this guitar. They should make a non-auto tuning, non-wallet raping version. The fret board inlays are so subtle but sweet!

[kanonochina @ Nov 12th 2008 9:19AM]

I found the MSRP of dark fire! It's freakin' $3,600!
Found it on their website's contest policy or something

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 12th 2008 12:20PM]

I would hope that this guitar is smaller and lighter than the original. This seems pretty cool, but the whole auto-tune thing would suck the life out of playing it for me.

[brooksybrooksy @ Nov 12th 2008 1:09PM]

I really hate the direction Gibson is goin in. Just looking at the 08 les paul, robot guitar, and now this makes me think they're going to abandom their AWESOME old school models, and that would be bad

[jay @ Nov 13th 2008 1:49PM]

As a long time player, if I haven't learned to tune on the fly by now, an overpriced and gimmicky guitar from the kings of overprice is not going to make it any better. It seems that Fender and Gibson are on a one up manship crusade, the robot yeilds the VG strat yeilds the Dark Fire. Lights on guitars are cheesy. Fretboard markers that are "Subtle" are useless on a darkened stage, and you should know your positions well enough to hit them as it is.

If you have at anytime in your life been on stage you know the sometimes frantic pace, I am sure this can help some, but at $3,000 dollars, I personally will not purchase a prototype guitar that may or may not pan out, both in sales interest and in longterm mechanical usage.

[Foogooo @ Nov 12th 2008 11:54PM]

It's the way a lot of instruments are going to go. James Morrison, an Australian trumpet play has developed a digital trumpet.

http://www.morrisondigitaltrumpet.com/

All they are really doing is taking away the amount of work us humans have to do to get the same sound.

[Pretol @ Nov 13th 2008 3:14AM]

This guitar just screams "I have no talent, but I have money to burn"