Visual Explanation Illustration

GD208 Computer Drawing

A Krueger - GD208 - Visual Explanation Illustration - SP ‘13 1

Gibson introduced the Robot Guitar in 2007, a self-tuning limited-edition Les Paul. Currently, there are five different Gibson models available with Robot Guitar features: The Robot Les Paul Studio, Robot SG, Robot Flying V, Robot Explorer, and the Robot Les Paul Junior. Gibson has advertisedthis guitar as a “world first”, but it has yet to receive the full attention that it should. The opportunity this guitar provides so many guitarists is immense, it’s special components must be fully exposed.

Target Audience & ObjectivesEvery inspired musician and guitarist is a target. Rock guitarisists would be the primary target, as Every inspired musician and guitarist is a target. Rock guitarisists would be the primary target, as alternate tunings such as dropped D and Open E, D, G are very commonly used tunings in that genre of music. Being able to change the tuning of your guitar immmediately with the turn of a knob opens endless opportunity. The guitar can store 7 tunings, 6 of which are preset but editable.

Obstacles BUT BenefitsConvincing the consumer that this guitar is not some gimmick or momentary item that will come to pass is the greatest obstacle. Technology is only going to continue expansion into every productthat beckons itthat beckons it’s merit. This is the only guitar in the world to offer a lithium-ion rechargable battery connection at the auxillary jack, as well as a microprocessor to transmit each string’s pitch. Though the price can reach nearly $3000 when fully loaded, a stripped Robot Guitar can be had for $1000.

SolutionI will illustrate the Gibson Robot Guitar and breakdown it’s special components. Each componentwill be explained in detail when rolled over to expose further information and imagery. An attractivedrawing and clear reasoning why this guitar is so unique will be key to the success of this visual interactive illustration. Once one begins to understand the capabilities, the opportunies are endless. interactive illustration. Once one begins to understand the capabilities, the opportunies are endless.

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Background & Client

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A Krueger - GD208 - Visual Explanation Illustration - SP ‘13 All Images from Gibson.com 5

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Neck CPU & Guitar PCBOn the back of the Robot Guitar headstock, tucked discretely between the Robot Tuners, is where you'll find the Neck CPU. This device is responsible for receiving and processing the data signal from each string and feeding it to the corresponding Robot Tuners which then tune the guitar. Small in stature, yes, but big in power and central to the operation of this innovative self-tuning robotic system.

The heart of Gibson's revolutionary Robot Guitar is it’s ground-breaking controls. At first glance, the four knobs seem indistinguishable from those on any other Les Paul. But look again. While the four knobs provide the standard tone and volume controls for each of the two pickups, the Master Control Knob “MCK” (knob with the illuminated top) serves as the master control for all aspects of the Robot Guitar's self-tuning system. The MCK is commonly referred to as a 'push-pull' knob. In the down position, it behaves as a regular volume or tone pot. When pulled out, the Robot Guitar's self-tuning system is activated. It immediately places the Robot Guitar 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.

At the core of the Robot Guitar's pioneering technology is a Lithium Rechargeable Battery System, which takes about 90 minutes to generate a full charge that keeps the innovative self-tuning robotic system going for approximately 200 tunings. Included with the Robot Guitar is a power adaptor that plugs into any standard power outlet. Take any quarter-inch guitar cable and plug one end into the adaptor, and the other end into the Robot Guitar. In approximately 90 minutes, the Robot Guitar is ready to go. Use the shortest guitar cable you can find, because the shorter the cable, the less time it takes. You can always check the status of the system's charge by turning the MCK knob to the C position. The LED display will give you a value between 1-10, with one being the lowest charge, and 10 being the highest.

The pickups in the Robot Guitar are Gibson's 490R and 498T. The 490R's Alnico II magnet provides a warm, full sound with a slight upper mid-range boost. The 498T's Alnico V magnet is hotter, with enhanced mid-range and high frequencies. Both offer singing humbucker tone and both are hand wound at Gibson USA in Nashville, TN.

The Robot Guitar sports a highly specialized Tune Control Bridge which acts as one of the main components of the self-tuning robotic system. The 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 transmitted to the control CPU, which then transfers the signal to the Neck CPU, and lastly the Robot Tuners that tune the strings. Gibson's Data Transmitting Tailpiece is a hub of activity. Each string is separated by ceramic insulators to minimize sound uptake confusion. There are also special isolating inserts that keep the ball ends from making contact and disrupting signal flow.

A Krueger - GD208 - Visual Explanation Illustration - SP ‘13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Robot_Guitar

www.devilfinder.com

www.gibson.com/robotguitar

www.google.com

www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/14/us-robotguitar-idUSN1363116520071114

www.thinkstock.com

wwwww.ultimate-guitar.com/news/entertainment/alternate_tunings_who_uses_what.html

www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Robot-Les-Paul-Studio.aspx

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