Performer developer Skinn originally designed his self-tuning system for his Gibson Les Paul, a solid-body electric guitar that, unmodified, weighs about 8 pounds. A fair amount of the guitar body is routed out to accommodate the electronics and other hardware, shown here on a mahogany Les Paul Special. The weight of a modified guitar is roughly the same as the weight of one without the system. The Performer runs on its own power supply and does not affect the electronics that control the guitar's pickups or tone. The Tronical system used in the Gibson Robot Guitar is powered by a rechargeable battery that allows 200 to 300 tunings.
Skinn said last week that he had just completed service on Les Pauls owned by his first customer, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, in preparation for the band's December 10 reunion performance in England, its first in 19 years. (The band also is rumored to be preparing for a tour in 2008.) On its Web site, Gibson cites praise for the Tronical system from players such as Steve Vai and the Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan.
Photo by TransPerformance
