Fletcher Posted December 2, 2000 Share Posted December 2, 2000 Two years ago, at summer NAMM, I saw a system where you could set up different tunings on the same instrument...and change them at the push of a button...like going from a 'straight tuning' to an 'open G', etc. I saw it out of the corner of my eye, was late for an appointment, and never got back to see it further [and "hell no, I won't go" to another NAMM show...what a dumb assed zoo that shit is!!]. Does anyone know about this system? Can you install it in any guitar(s), who makes it?, who can install it? Did it fail miserably because I didn't buy one when it first came out? Any info will be appreciated!! ----- Fletcher Mercenary Audio http://www.mercenary.com Fletcher Mercenary Audio Roscoe Ambel once said: Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted December 2, 2000 Share Posted December 2, 2000 I know that Ry Cooder had some guitars custom made where you could do this, but I thought I recalled reading that he'd patented the device and had no intention of marketing it... I could be remembering totally wrong though. Guess I'm no help! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I'd be interested to hear more as well though. --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudyba Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 The name of the product is "Transperformance". Check out there site at http://www.selftuning.com/index2.htm. Page has been using it for a few years. The bad news: over $3,000 to retrofit a guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 I guess that rules out putting one on my Teisco Del Rey... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 LOL Ted... well I don't exactly think my vintage Les Paul would be happy about getting all drilled up and having computers put in it either, so... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif This is a different thing entirely from what I saw on Ry Cooder's guitars. His were mechanical levers - no computers and no push buttons. That's kind of freaky! Guess I'll stick to keeping my Telecaster in open G and tuning anything else as necessary... there was a time when my Les Paul was my only guitar and I would put it in alternate tunings on stage, within a couple of seconds, with no tuner. I don't think I could do that anymore, I must really be a wuss now. --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphajerk Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 that looks like a pain in the ass to retrofit. hel for $3k, just buy another guitar and keep its tuning different. OR get a VG88 and you can tune your geetar to WHATEVER tuning you like for a hella lot less. alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 There are two auto-tuning systems I know of - one is a computerized system and the other is a mechanical bridge (not computerized). The computerized one is Transperformance, as was mentioned in the post above from Kudyba (thanks, Rob!). As he said, that's the one Page uses, as does Joe Perry. Those are the two players I know of who use it and both guys have been extremely happy with it, as have their techs. Yes, it is somewhat expensive and you do have to cut up your guitar to install it, but if that's what you're looking for, it's well worth it. It really depends on your gig and how frequently you need to change tunings - as well as how much you get paid for your work, that is, if you're getting paid to play. You could be spending the money on several guitars to have on hand and paying a tech for the work, too, so the cost is relative. The other bridge is the Hipshot Trilogy bridge (I believe that's the correct model name...). That bridge had little levers that were used to change the tuning. I've seen some country and slide players using it on a Tele and it was very impressive. The marvels of modern technology! I'll keep you posted if I learn of anything else. Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphajerk Posted December 3, 2000 Share Posted December 3, 2000 imagine sonic youths guitar techs [not to mention the headache when all their equipment was stolen http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/frown.gif] in the long run an unaltered guitar is worth far more than one cut up with a tuning system installed so multiple guitars is a better investment. guitar techs always have to have several guitars set up at a moments notice so that isnt really an issue. not to mention they dont get paid by the guitar anyways. i still think the VG88 is the most viable solution for alternate tunings on one guitar. its sounds good too and you dont have to worry about the tuning going out on the guitar like the machanical systems [computer controlled or mechanical] alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletcher Posted December 8, 2000 Author Share Posted December 8, 2000 Thanks to everyone!! The URL is bookmarked, and it looks like a Tele-Custom is being selected for 'dismemberment'...I'm pretty damn psyched as it looks like I'm about to get saddled producing a record where the guitar player comes up with some damn interesting parts, but can't execute them worth a shit. I've been working with him a bit here and there and with the help of some alternative tunings, we've been able to make the parts playable for the guy [seriously talented and inventive...just "executionally challenged with the instrument"...the ability to have several tunings at the 'push of a button' is going to help this guy pull off this album live...now...all they need to do is write 3 more songs that don't *suck*...and we can commence to making this damn record... Thanks again for help finding this system!! ----- Fletcher Mercenary Audio http://www.mercenary.com Fletcher Mercenary Audio Roscoe Ambel once said: Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted December 15, 2000 Share Posted December 15, 2000 There's also some company that makes a tuner with a motorized string winder attached to it in a feedback-loop setup... Get six of those, come up with some Rube Goldbergian contraption to secure it to a headstock - Boom, automatic retuning. For that matter, it should be easy enough (easier than dealing with the tension at the bridge) to make an integrated tuning assembly (that would supplant the normal tuners) around that principle/system that used some sort of automated slip mechanism so only one motor would have to be used, and the assembly would be small enough to be "practical". Gee, I wish someone would make that and market it successfully... Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profesrgeo Posted December 16, 2000 Share Posted December 16, 2000 Fletcher, What about a Roland VG-8 with a "Roland Ready" strat? I don't know much about 'em but I hear Joni Mitchell has been using one (at least live) to handle the myriad of tunings she employs. Just a thought. . . geo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman1ovation.net Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 Originally posted by profesrgeo@earthlink.net: Fletcher, What about a Roland VG-8 with a "Roland Ready" strat? I don't know much about 'em but I hear Joni Mitchell has been using one (at least live) to handle the myriad of tunings she employs. Just a thought. . . geo I use the VG8EX (same as VG8 but with an upgrade), and I have it set up on a Telecaster and an SG. The SG can sound like the Tely and vice versa. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif I use both because of the differences in the fretboard widths. Anyway, using it has made me way more ready to experiment with alternate tunings. I can tell you that if (1) I win the Lotto http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif, or (2) the price drops enough to let me in, I would want the TransPerformance system. It's cool for different tunings, but you'd still have to watch out for stress on the neck. Not so with the VG8. However, for when you are just playing a regular guitar and going through your amp, how cool is it to have immediate and perfect tuning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.