Gibson Robot SG Special Electric Guitar (Assorted Colors)
Radical, Cutting-edge Technology in a Classic Model.
Robot Guitar technology redefined the power and possibilities of a guitar to capture a player’s imagination. Now you can experience the energy and potential of this revolutionary concept in the Robot SG Special from Gibson USA. Combine the simple styling and performance of Gibson’s most popular model with the advanced Robot Tuning System.
Your mind has never had such a compelling release valve. The possibilities are endless. The sounds are pure Gibson. Experience tomorrow’s cutting-edge technology, today – in a brilliant, celebrated model known for its rebellious tendencies. Don’t wait any longer.
Powerhead Locking Tuners
Gibson’s revolutionary Robot Les Paul Studio Limited is unique in many ways, but the “robot-like” Powerhead Tuners that grace the headstock are extraordinary. Pull out the Robot Les Paul Studio Limited’s Multi-Control Knob (MCK) and watch the Powerhead Tuners spring into action. It takes only a few seconds for the Powerhead Tuners to tune the Robot Les Paul Studio Limited to the desired tuning.
Each tuning peg is equipped with a tiny, but powerful, servo motor that kicks into action once the system is activated. The Powerhead Tuners rely on the strings themselves to send the signals, eliminating any potential for interference. Made of lightweight metal with a satin nickel finish, the Powerhead Tuners weigh only 46.5 grams each. A standard Gotoh tuner weighs in at 49 grams. That means a set of Powerhead Tuners weigh a full 15 grams less than a set of Gotoh tuners, which is another indicator of the Robot Les Paul Studio Limited’s true innovation.
Tune-Control Bridge and Data Transmitting Tailpiece
The revolutionary Robot SG Special Limited sports a new and unique, highly specialized Tune Control Bridge which acts as one of the main components of the self-tuning robotic system. The new Tune-Control Bridge is a modified Tune-o-matic that measures the individual tuning of each string via special saddles. The signal from each string is then transmitted to the control CPU in the control panel, which then transfers the signal to the Neck CPU and the Powerhead Locking Tuners, which, in turn, tune the strings.
At first glance, the tailpiece on Gibson’s ground-breaking Robot SG Special Limited looks like a normal tailpiece. But look a little closer and you’ll see that it’s far from ordinary. Gibson’s new Data Transmitting Tailpiece is a hub of activity. First, each string is separated by ceramic insulators that isolate each individual string signal and avoids confusion as to which string is being processed and tuned. There are also special isolating inserts that keep the ball ends commonly found on electric guitar strings from
making contact and disrupting signal flow.
Underneath the tailpiece is a tiny circuit board that processes each individual signal to the ribbon cable, which is then transmitted to the on-board CPUs, which, in turn, tune the strings. Both pieces work with each other to help balance all the information being transmitted between the various points, and make sure every string is in tune.
Controls
At the heart of Gibson’s revolutionary Robot SG Special Limited are its ground-breaking controls. At first glance, the four control knobs seem to be indistinguishable from those
on any other SG. But look again. While the four knobs do provide the standard tone and volume controls for each of the two pickups, the Multi-Control Knob (MCK)—the one with the
illuminated top—serves as the master control for all aspects of the Robot SG Special Limited’s amazing, self-tuning system.
The MCK is what is commonly referred to as a “push-pull” knob. When in the normal position (down), it behaves as a regular volume or tone pot. When the MCK is pulled out, the Robot SG Special Limited’s radically new self-tuning system is activated and ready for use. It immediately places the Robot SG Special Limited in standard tuning mode (A440). A quick turn of the MCK presents six factory presets, all of which can be customized.
At any time, you can also restore the tunings to the factory presets and start all over again. The LED display on top of the MCK also lets you know when a string is out of tune, or when all strings are in tune, and even when the tuners are turning to get them in tune. It even guides the setting of accurate intonation. At the end of the tuning process, the blue lights on top of the MCK flash. Push the MCK back in and it’s ready to go. The only thing you have to do is play.
Locking Neutrik Jack
Neutrik has been making superior electronic interconnection products since 1975, making them the logical choice to supply the performance safeguarding jack in Gibson’s revolutionary Robot SG Special Limited. Like many Neutrik products, the jack in the Robot SG Special Limited is manufactured from strong, high-grade thermoplastics and housed in a rugged diecast nickel shell. A retention spring inside the jack ensures optimum grip on any guitar cable, thus avoiding the chance of lost connection.
Gibson’s 490R and 498T Pickups
The mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. This new genre’s players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume outputs to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup, and Gibson answered the call with the 490T and 490R pickups (“T” for treble, and “R” for rhythm), humbuckers with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, but with a slight increase in upper mid-range response.
The Gibson 498T bridge pickup is the 490’s ideal complement. Taking the 490 one step further, the 498 swaps the Alnico II magnet to an Alnico V, thus making it slightly hotter with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs. The pole pieces on the 498T are also aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.
!CAUTION!
Do not attempt to manually turn the Powerheads unless they are pulled away from the peghead so they are in the disengaged position! Otherwise the Powerheads can be damaged.
