Gibson Min-ETune Brings Autotune to more models
January 2013 – Following a very busy showing at CES, Gibson brought their new Min-ETune device to the NAMM show for the professional musician audience. Follow in the line of the robot guitar, bringing multi-tuning options to a few seconds from minutes, they have released a new module that sits on the headstock of the guitar.
Gibson Min-ETune autotune system
In addition to being smaller and lighter, the unit no longer requires modifications on the body electronics of the guitar. This allows the device to be available on more models than just the Les Paul USA Custom – which is a beautiful but pricey instrument (MSRP over $3500). The new tuning system fits between the tuning keys on the headstock and still uses the Robot Guitar motorized keys to control the tuning, including new string replacement. The new smaller version of the electronics, is not only easier to use, with a few dedicated button and displays – but much more power efficient. The folks who had tried it said you can get an entire evening (2 sets) or a full day in studio off a single battery.
The new system returns the standard Les Paul 4 knobs to just their standard functions rather than being integrated wih the tuning functions. In the past, this presented some issues during middle of the night creativity periods, on previous models, when the tune gets in your head and you want to just grab a guitar and play, but your brain is not necessarily awake and in sync with the thoughts. The new system, lets the unit be just a guitar when needed with no setup, or if your brain chose to join you, you can get the functionality of auto-tuning.
Gibson Les Paul Standard with Min-ETune @ NAMM 2013
The smaller tuning system also allows for a better balance on the guitar for more comfortable play, as well as a variety of different necks to now accommodate both smaller and larger hands. The unit is offered on several models of guitars and is being considered for expansion in further models in the Gibson product portfolio. Shown is the current design on a 2013 Les Paul Standard (MSRP ~$1599). The Min-ETune system is not visible to the audience in normal view of the player, and it once again allows for a large range of colors and patterns for the guitars rather than the single choice options on the Robot Guitars.
