Description
This Gibson Robot Guitar First Run Blue Silverburst from 2007 is from the first production run of four thousand self tuning guitars. It is pristine, all original, complete and excellent condition.
This guitar has its serial number RG 1390 in paint on the back of the head, rather than inked (as on many 1950's models) or impressed prior to applying the finish. This serial does not map to any of Gibson's usual serial number schemes, because this entire production run was regarded as 'Prototype' models.
While the Robot Guitar line did not prove as commercially successful as Gibson hoped, they mark an important point in the history of the guitar and Gibson itself. This example is in pristine condition; most of the wear is to the included blister packaging for the AC to 12v power adapter.
The self-tuning Gibson Robot Guitar First Run dated to December 7, 2007 and consisted of 4,000 Les Paul style guitars with a unique Blue Silverburst finish and comes with Certificates of Authenticity (COA).
The cases had a grey/black fabric covering, marked Gibson USA above the body and ROBOT GUITAR LIMITED EDITION 1st PRODUCTION RUN on the neck section. The case is included, is also in excellent condition, and contains the manual, COA, 1/4 inch power adapter, 12v center hot AC adapter and warranty card. The QC check card specifying the model as LPRGBSCHD - Les Paul Robot Guitar Blue Silverburst Chrome Hardware, with the trailing D possibly meaning 'Deluxe'.
Gibson sourced the self-tuning mechanism from TronicalTune, a German company manufacturing a proprietary microprocessor controlled system powered by an onboard rechargeable battery.
Materials and Construction
Based on the standard Les Paul pattern, the Gibson Robot Guitar paired a Maple capped, 'Studio' style unbound Mahogany body and 50's profile Mahogany neck with a bound Ebony fingerboard. The headstock was also bound and used Mother of Pearl for the Gibson logo and Holly inlays. The fingerboard's position marker inlays were Acrylic trapezoids. These guitars did not have pickguards.
The Blue Silverburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish was specific to this guitar, with the burst effect on the top and the rest of the guitar a very deep, dark blue.
Electronics and Hardware
The pickups were a standard 490R/490T pair with pickup selector, two volume controls, and one master tone control and a fourth Master Control Knob. The stop tailpiece and synthetic 'Corian' nut were also standard, but past that everything is different.
The truss rod cover is nickel plated and engraved with 'ROBOT GUITAR LIMITED EDITION'. The bridge is based on a standard tune-o-matic but the saddles have conductive metal-plated piezo elements. The conductive saddles are key to the tuning system's communication and power transmission between the motorized tuning heads and the body components including the Master Control Knob, its microprocessor, and the rechargeable NiMH battery pack. Later models used Lithium batteries.
The manual can be viewed here, with the Robot Guitar specific instructions starting on page 24 (26 in the overall document pages) and ending on page 53 (55 in overall document pages).
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DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Robot Guitar First Production
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 2007
- Instrument Finish: Blue Silverburst Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Instrument Class: Solidbody Electric Guitar
- Instrument serial number: RG1390 COA date 12.07.07 at Nashville TN
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Excellent
- Playing Condition: Excellent
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 9.284 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 4.22 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.606 in
- Scale Length Metric: 625 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.684 in
- Nut Width Metric: 42.77 mm
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Case Type: Hard Shell Arched Top Specific to this model and production run
- Items in Case: Power Adapter and AC Adapter, Manual, COA, QC and Warranty Cards
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190649
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |