Pietro
2-Voice Guitar Junkie and All-Around Awesome Guy
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Expecting musicians to read a manual before tuning a guitar is pretty wacky.
You don't have to read anything to tune the guitar. The tuning keys work just fine manually. In fact, I think the ratio is like 1:40, which is far more precise than standard keys. You'd only need to read the manual to use the system for alternate tunings. Please tell me you've never read manuals for any of your gear. If you just use old amps, which I love too, that may be the case, but to get the most out of lots of modern musical equipment you need to read a bit about how to go about it.Expecting musicians to read a manual before tuning a guitar is pretty wacky.
Mine must be a fluke then. It works exactly as advertised, with none of the problems your friends version has. I can tune my axes quickly myself, and I'd say the current version (G-force) can do it nearly as fast as me. You strum all of the strings once or twice, then one or two individual strings, and BAM, it's in tune. Kinda like manual tuning, eh? I haven't used or seen the previous version in person, but what you describe is nothing like the current version.My friend has one (the one e-tune, pre-branded Gforce). Trying to tune that by hand...with the mechanism off, the thing just crunches and sounds like it's being destroyed. With it on (having read the instructions) you strum it, it tunes two or three strings. Then you strum it again, it un-tunes a string that is "in tune" and tunes a couple of others, strum it again and it tunes 4 or so strings. And on and on and on. The G-force ones do the same thing. This isn't for alternative tuning. Just straight tuning. It takes less than 30 seconds with a snark in a loud store to tune and test. It can take minutes to get the Gforce tuned. Even then, they don't hold tune as well as the locking tuners, IMO. I cannot stand that thing. It needs a lot of work before it should have ever been mainstream production.
I wonder what the chances are that some of the many players before you might have damaged or inadvertently reset the system and didn't recalibrate it? Also, it's possible they may have changed the string gauge/brand and not recalibrated the unit. It could also just be that these things are pieces of crap. Mine just seems to work fine.I've tried them a couple of times in stores and they didn't work very well.
The only thing I will say is that Henry won't be in charge forever. Think of the sales boom when they finally pull them off!
(I can dream, right?)
Mine must be a fluke then. It works exactly as advertised, with none of the problems your friends version has. I can tune my axes quickly myself, and I'd say the current version (G-force) can do it nearly as fast as me. You strum all of the strings once or twice, then one or two individual strings, and BAM, it's in tune. Kinda like manual tuning, eh? I haven't used or seen the previous version in person, but what you describe is nothing like the current version.
Do you have any experience with the current version of the system or are you basing your info off of your "friends" system? Also, has he/she calibrated his/hers ever? The manual says you MUST do that if you change string brands or gauges. I'm assuming most people just slap higher, or lower, gauge strings on it and wonder why it doesn't work right. I've also read about people stripping out the tuners by trying to manually use them when the system if on. Again, this is all in the manual. Knowledge is power.
I hear where you are coming from. Didn't mean to put friend in quotes, just not paying attention there while typing on phone.My only experience with the current system (which I've read is just a renamed, no changes, e-tune) is at the store. My friend (not sure why you put that in quotes) hasn't changed the strings. In fact she doesn't play the guitar much. Which is a shame. I've suggested removing the tuner altogether. And we both read the manual.
I was in the market for a Gibson for myself, recently. I played them extensively, trying to find one I liked. That included many of the 2014/2015 models. I ended up buying a 2005 standard lp faded instead. I didn't like many things that they are doing with the new ones (the thick varnish, the composite fingerboard and the issues with having to change out the quick connect system if you want to make changes...a tech friend said they've been swapping out innards since people started buying these...the brass nut...) too many things to make me spend the money on what, again IMO, are bad design decisions. I'm ambivalent re: the neck width.
If people enjoy these things, then they should buy. It's just frustrating for those of us who don't and might want a GLP. On the other hand, there's always the used market...at least that will be active...
The brass nut is also cool to me. I haven't figured out why people hate those too. Did gibbys ever come with brass nuts in the past?
Regardless, I'm glad you got the axe you wanted. And I do hope Gibson sees the light on making these changes as options for players. For now, I'm digging mine the way it is. Let's hope that continues.
Amazing. This thing is gonna go down like the hindenberg. The very least I expected was that they would work 99.9% of the time.My friend has one (the one e-tune, pre-branded Gforce). Trying to tune that by hand...with the mechanism off, the thing just crunches and sounds like it's being destroyed. With it on (having read the instructions) you strum it, it tunes two or three strings. Then you strum it again, it un-tunes a string that is "in tune" and tunes a couple of others, strum it again and it tunes 4 or so strings. And on and on and on. The G-force ones do the same thing. This isn't for alternative tuning. Just straight tuning. It takes less than 30 seconds with a snark in a loud store to tune and test. It can take minutes to get the Gforce tuned. Even then, they don't hold tune as well as the locking tuners, IMO. I cannot stand that thing. It needs a lot of work before it should have ever been mainstream production.
Did you read the entire thread? There are some important facts you may be missing. Just saying.Amazing. This thing is gonna go down like the hindenberg. The very least I expected was that they would work 99.9% of the time.
I guess Henry got the word consumer mixed up with beta-tester.
Like I said earlier, if I was a gibby player, I'm sure I'd be in the lynch mob too.
I sure hope mine keeps working. It's a fun little gizmo, but that's because it's doing what they said it would, for now at least. I won't hesitate to ditch it for some aftermarket tuners if it starts to be a hassle.