http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/ Engadget Comments for EverTune challenges Robot Guitar for in-tune supremacy http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
okay that turned into a rant.]]>Jan 10th 2010 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 2:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 4:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 8:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Uhm, all you "guitar hero's", there's this thing call a Floyd Rose bridge. It's a bridge that locks at the neck and bridge. You tune it and your done. It doesn't go out of tune, unless the strings stretch, which is natural.

Once tuned up, you can beat the shit out of it all day and it still stays in tune...all my axes have em.

Rock on!]]>Jan 11th 2010 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
I will never get another trem lock ever again!!!!!]]>Jan 11th 2010 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
At least it isn't somehing made by Gibson!]]>Jan 10th 2010 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 11th 2010 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Not sure you'd want this om a Fender or Tele, since it would cancel all the effects of the whammy and spring loaded bridge. ]]>Jan 10th 2010 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/OK, so you're using what, 10 guaged strings and going from standard tuning and then using the "robot guitar" to drop tune to drop c or B? How's that working out for you? What most people fail to realize is you cannot just go from one tuning to another without accounting for the differential in string tension. Lower tunings NEED thicker strings. This is not something a mechanism can account for, unless it's done via sound modelling.

I think most people accept that it's best to have one guitar stay in one tuning unless you plan on using different strings. If you're a touring musician, it's best to just get another guitar...I think this device in the article is more for keeping your guitar in tune 100% of the time (one tuning..) so you won't have to re-tune during songs -- in which case, I'm all for this..but using one guitar for multiple tunings with the same strings = fail, especially for live shows.]]>Jan 10th 2010 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/It's not just the tunings. Presumably a guitar equipped with this will lose a huge amount of sustain. On the other hand, the resulting sound may be interesting.]]>Jan 10th 2010 1:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 8:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Not worth the sacrifice in tonal characteristics, multiple tunings, and certainly not worth the added expense in my opinion.]]>Jan 10th 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/That's a common misconception of the purpose of locking tuners. The only thing a locking tuner does is eliminate the need to wind the string around the shaft several times. It doesn't actually lock the tuner in place.]]>Jan 10th 2010 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Guitars go out of tune a whole lot more then basses. ]]>Jan 10th 2010 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
I know ;) That's why I mentioned the locking bridges. As a bass guitarist, though, it is my duty to mention bass guitars whenever humanly possible!]]>Jan 10th 2010 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
For one thing, guitars go out of tune for many reasons, not just the bridge. Loose or slightly worn tuners, imprecise tremolo system, binding nut, humidity... I mean the list goes on. I'd have to see how this thing actually works but I would doubt it accounts for everything - the only really foolproof system I could think of would be one that is constantly tuning while you're playing and making micro-adjustments at the source, ie. the tuning peg. But like others have said about this system, that would negate any trem bar use.

You seem to be assuming that a guitar string is of a constant tension and length, so why not just lock it in place and never have to tune again? But that's not the case. Many guitars have tremolo systems, for example, and the whole way they work is by varying the string tension - and in order to do that, they need to "float". How they float varies by guitar, but the point is the bridges on these guitars can't be locked in place without turning them into hard tail guitars.

Even on a hard tail guitar, though, every time you bend a string (and just pressing down is bending a string), you're risking putting your guitar out of tune because that string is going to come back to rest at a slightly different tension than it started out at - it's being pulled over the bridge and nut, and it's not always going to rest exactly the same way. Over a short period of time, that's going to throw your guitar out of tune.

No guitarist has a guitar that they never have to tune. Most guitarists have to re-tune their guitars every few songs during a live set - it's one reason why professionals have a bunch of guitars for each show, so they can rotate them in and out while a roadie re-tunes. (Or if you ever see a singer bantering with the crowd for a long period of time, chances are the guitarist is using that time to tune.)

I'm generally distrustful of new technology when it comes to guitars, so I wouldn't doubt that this system will create more problems than it solves. But going out of tune is a real problem that all guitarists face, regardless of what make or model they play. Some guitars are better at staying in tune than others, but it's only a matter of degree. No guitar stays perfectly in tune forever, and most don't last more than a couple full songs.]]>Jan 10th 2010 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Not to be a jerk, but I'm graduate student in physics and I've played in a couple bands. I know alllll about how easy it is for guitars to go out of tune. Throw a pair of new strings on there and the guitarist will be out of tune in less than one song.

What I was referring to was a locking bridge that actually will keep the guitar in tune for a long time (long enough that you won't care, anyway) provided you don't do something crazy like grab the string and yank on it or bas the guitar around.

And my bass guitar really does stay in tune for absurd amounts of time. As you were mentioning, though, this is due to the very large gauge of strings on bass guitars.

I'm with you, though, on how I don't think this technology will be worth it (specially at whatever price point it's at). ]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 1:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 8:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 11th 2010 9:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
You guys got me all wrong. I'm not talking about the G string that is sandwiched between the D string and the B string as much as I'm talking about that unsightly and non-conforming one that is sandwiched between the left and right butt cheeks of that overweight gal that is bending over trying to tie her shoes but having trouble bending at the waist because she is looking semi-pregnant but hasn't slept with a guy in years. (Take a breath.) Yeah, that G string.]]>Jan 11th 2010 1:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/You can still bend, it makes the bending feel a little more "springy" but is otherwise fine.]]>Jan 10th 2010 8:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 7:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 8:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 9:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
It's more like "if you don't know how to put the car in park, you shouldn't drive."]]>Jan 10th 2010 11:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 6:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC TUNER!!!

You still have to tune your guitar. The bridge then keeps the strings in tune forever (constant tension mechanism). You only have to retune when you put new strings on, but usually it's a just a tiny bit off (due to the small difference between stings).

This doesn't really compete with something like the Robot Guitar. The Robot Guitar goes out of tune just like any other guitar, and you (or the guitar) have to retune periodically.]]>Jan 10th 2010 8:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 10th 2010 11:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
Break a string with a floyd and it'll go out of tune.

I think the idea with this is that since each string has it's own spring... break that one string, ONLY that string goes out of tune.

I just don't understand how this is supposed to compensate for less pressure on the neck if a string breaks... the neck will still bow up a little and pull the other strings sharp (just as with any fixed bridge guitar)...

I dunno, I try not to break strings...

"I asked for water and she gave me gasoline"]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 11th 2010 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/Jan 11th 2010 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
If you can't keep your guitar in tune through a song, your doing it wrong.

If you look to gimicky spring loaded, robot controlled, self-tuning guitars to make you a "better" guitar player... you will never be "better". These devices make playing a guitar more convenient [when they work correctly]. Music should be about emotion; and there is nothing "convenient" about emotion... THAT'S WHY IT IS EMOTION!!!

Put strings on, tune, stretch, tune, and PLAY. As the strings settle-in, re-tune as necessary. PLAY, STRUGGLE, EMOTIVE that sumbitch, MAKE MUSIC DAGNABBIT!]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/evertune-challenges-robot-guitar-for-in-tune-supremacy/
http://www.transperformance.com/

List of musicians that use it:
Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Rich Robinson, Mick Fleetwood, Eddie VanHalen, Peter Frampton, Sonny Landreth, Pete Townshend, Nile Rodgers, Graham Nash, etc...

Tell is to: STANDARD, strum, [3-5 seconds later] tuned. DADGAD, strum, [3-5 seconds later] tuned. 1/2 step down, strum, [3-5 seconds later] tuned.

Viola!]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:55AM