Robot guitar trials... at Guitar Center

[ArchEtech]

Of course when I'm at GC looking at Les Pauls and dreaming they HAVE to show me the robot guitar. I thought the sales guy was going to lay an egg right there on the floor talking about it. He took me back into the "special" room with all of the expensive guitars, including a SRV strat for $20,000 that was all beat up to look real (I still don't get that, but thats another issue).

I think he used it as an excuse just to be able to get it down and play it himself. He played for 5 minutes before he even gave it to me to try.

Anyway... the finish looks very nice. The sound was good. I was playing through a marshal stack - the pickups 490's and 498's I think sounded good. That was he said were in there after he went to check to answer my first question about it. I thought they had 57's. The tuning worked very well and was user friendly. You simply twist and push and you're in open G. Upon closer examination I found finish flaws at the neck joint on the top, as well as a hair stuck under the clear coat. With the light solid color top it really stood out.

The feel was pretty good, the store at least had it set up pretty good. It was really fun I must say to mess around with the tunings. It worked very well and was dead on. It took 10 seconds to change tunings. Pretty fast really.

I'm still surprised they are only $2200 when supposedly I herd it was supposed to cost $800 as an add on system. I will say it would be a really fun toy. I'm sort of half thinking about getting one, but I sort of worry about how reliable the electronics are going to be. Sort of like the problems windows always has the first year of any major new operating system.

They are pretty nice guitars. Don't buy unless you play. I've seen two, they both have had some finish flaws.

[Voodooman]

Awesome to know! I have pre ordered one on the condition that if she doesn't sound amazing or has unecessary finish faults I don't have to take her home! So . . .by this time next week, we'll know whats up. I think it'll be fun. Maybe not my primary player, but a beautiful limited edition Les Paul the same.

[Axeman16]

seems like a pretty good deal.

[Silverburst]

Originally Posted by ArchEtech

Don't buy unless you play. I've seen two, they both have had some finish flaws.

That is the smart thing to do with any guitar but particularly with these as there have been a bunch of comments about the fit and finish flaws.

The one on display at the GC Hollywood, CA has the finish around the bridge post holes chewed a little from the press, you can see it from a foot away.

It's been 2 hours now since Gibson has "unveiled" these things at Guitar Center. Anyone take one home yet? How much did you really pay? What's the experience? Any photos?

[Voodooman]

I own one! Well, almost. She's on Layaway. Yeah, they still do that here in Australia as they don't have credit everywhere you turn. None of the music stores offer financing. But they do offer layaway which I think is cool, because I'm forced to pay it all off rather than pay interest charges for ages. Anyways, she is radical! Totally modern and sexy! A true 2007 Gibson Les Paul work of art! I really like the aesthetics! The nickle plated truss rod cover with the Robocop font saying Robot Guitar Limited Edition, the clear Blue plastic covers that show off her inner workings, and how she's up to scratch with every aspect of an L.P. The tuning changes are not light speed, but I'd venture to say probably faster than you and your TU-12. Her serial # is sequential and unique to the first run only. It starts with a RG (robot guitar). She has a cool sleak silver case that is also silk-screened with Limited Edition First Run, and limited edition silver fur liner. I think I will start a thread on it.

[Silverburst]

I technically own one, but will sell it if the $ is right. Glad you liike yours. I am sure it tunes faster and cleaner than I can with the old boss pedal. Do you have any idea the total made in first run?

[ArchEtech]

If people start buying them and turn over to the ebay mark up junk, there is no way I'm buying one. They are by NO means worth $3000 dollars. They aren't really worth $2200. I think I'd rather put the system on another guitar for that kind of cash, and also just to spite the stupid "buy it for $x, and sell if for $Xx2 on ebay. Just like the stupid Playstation 3, iphone and everything else.

[whattadad]

Originally Posted by ArchEtech

If people start buying them and turn over to the ebay mark up junk, there is no way I'm buying one. They are by NO means worth $3000 dollars. They aren't really worth $2200. I think I'd rather put the system on another guitar for that kind of cash, and also just to spite the stupid "buy it for $x, and sell if for $Xx2 on ebay. Just like the stupid Playstation 3, iphone and everything else.

I have seen lots of people selling the Robots for high prices, but no one is currently buying them at that level. As I am writing this the highest bid I see is $2125. Those selling for $3k or more arn't getting any bids.

[ArchEtech]

Originally Posted by whattadad

I have seen lots of people selling the Robots for high prices, but no one is currently buying them at that level. As I am writing this the highest bid I see is $2125. Those selling for $3k or more arn't getting any bids.

Check completed listings. Severl for $2500, a couple for $2600. Thats just stupid. You could get a historic for that, or a brand new custom. HAHA of course I'm bitter, because I had a deal lined up for a robot guitar at a good price, and the seller backed out to sell on ebay. I was actually going to buy to guitars at one time - a GT and a robot. But now I'm not buying either one of them!

[whattadad]

Originally Posted by ArchEtech

Check completed listings. Severl for $2500, a couple for $2600. Thats just stupid. You could get a historic for that, or a brand new custom. HAHA of course I'm bitter, because I had a deal lined up for a robot guitar at a good price, and the seller backed out to sell on ebay. I was actually going to buy to guitars at one time - a GT and a robot. But now I'm not buying either one of them!

I don't really know diddly about guitars but check out the Carvin CS6
https://www.carvin20.com/catalog/gui....php?model=cs6
Its a handsome guitar at least.
Disclosure: Apparently the spouse of one of the Kiesel brothers is a cousin of mine. Not anyone I ever speak with but hey, its a connection..

[Satch0922]

$2500 for a Studio that has been routed out to hold a bunch of electronics is a little steep.

Yeah it's neat but come on.

[Danelectro]

Is it chambered or typical Les Paul weight?

[Mikeeeeh]

I've given in... I gots to have one... so I've ordered it over here in a shop in Dublin... should be in my hands mid next week... blasted blue

[Mikeeeeh]

Originally Posted by Danelectro

Is it chambered or typical Les Paul weight?

Thats the only thing that pisses me off about it... its chambered...

[singlecut]

ok, let me get this right.we are now too lazy to tune our guitars?
you mean a real LES PAUL and a decent tuner isn't good enuff
i hope you all dig them, but i predict youll see these on ebay by next summer selling for less than a grand.
talk about gimics,is this the best gibson can do?
and when the robot shits the bed ,then what ya got?

[Mikeeeeh]

Originally Posted by singlecut

ok, let me get this right.we are now too lazy to tune our guitars?
you mean a real LES PAUL and a decent tuner isn't good enuff
i hope you all dig them, but i predict youll see these on ebay by next summer selling for less than a grand.
talk about gimics,is this the best gibson can do?
and when the robot shits the bed ,then what ya got?

I guess one messed up bed... but hey shit happens, the sun will still shine next day!

I love the historics and the vintage guitars as much as the next guy, how maticulous they were built, the appreciation of the effort that went into creating them...

BUT I also dig the evolution of musical instruments even if I don't always agree with the direction it sometimes takes like chambering Les Pauls... but what the hey it looks like a spectrum of people want that. Heck this model is chambered which I'm not overly enthused with but I'm willing to give it a try... and as I said above if I don't like it well its not the end of the world.

In general I'm personally in favour of mixing the new with the old... it may not always work out but I find it fascinating to be honest...

It also looks like Gibson will be mainstreaming this technology to all its models to give the consumer this option... so they must think theres a market for it out there in guitar land.

Peace

[tung]

Originally Posted by Satch0922

$2500 for a Studio that has been routed out to hold a bunch of electronics is a little steep.

Yeah it's neat but come on.

That's a good point. A Studio is barely over a grand really. If it's a good guitar, and it has this tuning system, and it's worth the price as far as playabilty and performance, then who cares? BUT if it's a $1000 Studio with an $800 tuning system, then it's not such a great deal.

BTW any reputable luthier/repair men will tell you, if you constantly change tunings on a guitar, you will not get accurate intonation.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by tung

That's a good point. A Studio is barely over a grand really. If it's a good guitar, and it has this tuning system, and it's worth the price as far as playabilty and performance, then who cares? BUT if it's a $1000 Studio with an $800 tuning system, then it's not such a great deal.

BTW any reputable luthier/repair men will tell you, if you constantly change tunings on a guitar, you will not get accurate intonation.

For that kinda money I can find a decent used VOS Les Paul on Ebay, or maybe Two Orville Les Pauls ,
Aside from constant tuning changes having effect on Intonation, they also wear out strings faster and you run the risk of not holding accurate tune thru an entire song

[Silverburst]

I threw mine back, it seemed like a bunch of crappe to me. Maybe if I made my living at it, then it makes perfect sense.

[ArchEtech]

Originally Posted by Silverburst

I threw mine back, it seemed like a bunch of crappe to me. Maybe if I made my living at it, then it makes perfect sense.

What did you throw back?

[Silverburst]

I had a "bot" sitting behind the counter, in sealed box, waiting for my decision to buy or not. I opted not, or if I was fishing, I would be saying I threw it back (coz I am a catch and release kind of angler).
Frankly I didn't like the look of the guitar. It is a studio with a custom classic neck/hdstock The hype outweighed the actual product offering.
I do like the auto-tune equipment, and will explore retrofitting on one of my existing axes. Anxious to hear if anyone else has the system, how much it cost to install, and the experience.