Unsupported Browser
The web browser that you are currently using is no longer supported, and as such features of this website may not work as expected. We advise you to update to a currently supported browser (such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) to improve your security, speed, and overall experience.
The Robot Guitar invasion continues! Gibson's 12-7-07 launch of the Limited Edition Robot Guitar redefined the power and possibility of a guitar to capture the imagination of players all around the world. Gibson is now proud to answer the demands of thousands who wanted another chance at owning the ground-breaking technology with the introduction of the Robot SG, which combines with classic styling, performance, and power of the legendary SG with the revolutionary Robot Tuning System.
Applying a nitrocellulose finish to any Gibson guitar, including the SG, is one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process. A properly applied nitro finish requires extensive man hours, several evenly applied coats, and an exorbitant amount of drying time. But this fact has never swayed Gibson into changing this time-tested method, employed ever since the first guitar was swathed with lacquer back in 1894. Why? For starters, a nitro finish dries to a much thinner coat than a polyurethane finish, which means there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone. A nitro finish is also a softer finish, which makes it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can?t do the same on a poly finish. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous in nature, and actually gets thinner over time. It does not seal wood in an airtight shell as a poly finish does and allows the wood to breathe and age properly.
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.
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.
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.
Gibson Robot SG Special Ltd. Electric Guitar Features
Mahogany body
Gibson hardshell case.
(Power Adaptor for charging unit sold separately)