The guitar that tunes itself

The guitar that tunes itself - with the aid of robotic technology

As any amateur knows, learning to tune a guitar can seem as tricky and time-consuming as learning to play like Eric Clapton. Now guitar manufacturers Gibson are removing that hurdle by launching the world's first self-tuning instrument.
Using robotic technology, the £1,400 Gibson Les Paul can detect when a string has fallen out of pitch and correct it immediately. The manufacturer says it will reduce tuning problems for novices and professional performers.
Scores of famous musicians are already Gibson fans including Slash from Guns N'Roses, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Lenny Kravitz and Sir Paul McCartney.
The company expects its latest model to find a ready market.
Gibson Guitar's chairman and chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, said: "We expect the Gibson Robot Guitar to sell out within hours and have been taking reservations for orders as fast as we can answer the phone lines."
Mike Peters from The Alarm demonstrates the guitar today at its launch in London but it will not go on sale to the public until Friday at 400 Gibson dealers worldwide. A maximum of 10 will be available in each store.
The guitar uses a device in the bridge that monitors the pitch of the strings. Motorised tuners automatically adjust the strings.
The guitar is the first of its kind to have tuning presets which musicians can switch to by pushing a button as they play. If successful, it is thought other guitar manufacturers will follow.
The company, which is based in Nashville, Tennessee, was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson, who originally made mandolins.
A giant replica Gibson guitar owned by McCartney fetched £60,000 at auction last month. At the same charity sale Ronnie Wood's guitar sold for £11,000, while Paul Weller's, designed by Sir Peter Blake, reached £8,000.
Source: guardian.co.uk