***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

[Empty Pockets]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

yeah but you actually have to use a switch to turn on the robot.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

i just looked it up on gibson's website....
lamesauce.
they start talking about chameleon tone and how it's supposed to sound like anything you want because it's got carbon fiber covers.....




is carbon fiber supposed to be magic or sumthin'? i understand that there's digital technology involved, but just read their description:http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Dark-Fire/Features.aspx

 

[McThatcher]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

i just looked it up on gibson's website....
lamesauce.
they start talking about chameleon tone and how it's supposed to sound like anything you want because it's got carbon fiber covers.....




is carbon fiber supposed to be magic or sumthin'? i understand that there's digital technology involved, but just read their description:http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Dark-Fire/Features.aspx

I believe gibson's exact wording is 'carbon fiber-like'. There is no magic in simulated carbon fiber.

 

[Rod Turtle]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

Kind of hard to comment on the review. I mean, it was so in-depth and descriptive that there's nothing left to be said.

I will make one comment on the robot guitar. Only a company like Gibson or Fender could pull this off... maybe an ESP or Ibanez. The reason is because the guitar community is afraid of change... afraid of anything "new" that wasn't around during the golden age of guitars. No technology is perfect when it first comes out, and I highly doubt a small outfit would have the cash flow to develop the technology, especially amidst the criticism of a traditionally skeptical market. Gibson may not have gotten right... they may never get it right... but at least they aren't stuck in 1963.

I don't think you know this,but it wasn't gibson who developed the self-tuning system.It was developed by a company called tronical (search in the web for tronical powertuning),gibson just bought the whole thing and that's it.

 

[MikeS]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

But they are responsible for its ongoing development (or lack thereof). Anyway, I should have known better than to not so much defend, but rather try to understand, Gibson in a thread that was yet another blatant jab at the company. I won't make the mistake again.

 

[sosomething]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

But they are responsible for its ongoing development (or lack thereof). Anyway, I should have known better than to not so much defend, but rather try to understand, Gibson in a thread that was yet another blatant jab at the company. I won't make the mistake again.

Don't take it personally, Mike.

There are a lot of things I like about Gibson. Many of their GOTM models have been really cool-looking and refreshing, and their Historic and VOS models are great.

But let's call a spade a spade - Dark Fire is a lame duck. New technology is cool, but I fail to understand why so many companies continue to invest in products that do little more than clumsily ape sounds of the past or attempt to be everything to everyone. You're never going to make the new classic if you're stuck reinventing digital amalgamations of all the old ones.

I'll walk right past something that acts as a passable facsimile of every vintage guitar ever created and spend the same money on one that does its own thing with authority and authenticity.

I can't help but feel like all the "uber-versatile" stuff saturating the market these days is intended more for the bedroom hobbyist wanting to cop all the tones of their heroes, rather than the artist who is more intent on finding their own voice.

 

[phil_104]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

I can't help but feel like all the "uber-versatile" stuff saturating the market these days is intended more for the bedroom hobbyist wanting to cop all the tones of their heroes, rather than the artist who is more intent on finding their own voice.

You just voiced very well my feeling towards this instrument. When I checked out the description of the dark fire my first reaction was '' Man, that sounds like it will cater to the ''guitar hero'' market very well.''

I could see it's use in a cover band, but I also have to question the reliability of such technology. As an active musician, I cannot quiet my instinct that taking such a piece of new technology into a gig environment would be a recipe for disaster. I think most gigging musicians will agree that they would take their proven reliable guitar over these new toys.

 

[Fikealox]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

+1

It seems far too complicated and unreliable (and as far as I'm concerned too expensive) for any sane person to gig with it. It looks like a bedroom toy to me. I do quite like the colour, though

 

[phil_104]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

+1

It seems far too complicated and unreliable (and as far as I'm concerned too expensive) for any sane person to gig with it. It looks like a bedroom toy to me. I do quite like the colour, though

I must admit, that even though I am in no way interested in owning another gibson, that a standard in that finish would be gas inducing.

If there is one thing that gibson is doing right it's image I guess.:cool2:

 

[sosomething]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

I am admittedly a bit of a luddite when it comes to guitars, though, so take my perspective with a grain of salt.

My ideal guitar is a good thick slab of mahogany with a dog-ear P-90 screwed onto the top.

 

[jmh151]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

IMO- it just looks like a Les Paul Studio in Wine Red, with some aftermarket fake carbon fiber parts.

IMO, the biggest innovation in guitar technology in a while has been the Line 6 Variax- though I'd wish they'd improve it faster.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

Gigging musicians would never use this guitar if they had a brain in their skull -- it comes in a bright white case that says GIBSON DARK FIRE LIMITED EDITION FIRST RUN.

They could have saved on text by just inscribing STEAL ME.

It would be great in a studio that produces music that isn't necessarily guitar-driven...

 

[phil_104]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

Gigging musicians would never use this guitar if they had a brain in their skull -- it comes in a bright white case that says GIBSON DARK FIRE LIMITED EDITION FIRST RUN.

They could have saved on text by just inscribing STEAL ME.

It would be great in a studio that produces music that isn't necessarily guitar-driven...

LMAO! Are you serious??

That's even more ridiculous than the custom shop cases that advertise '' Gibson Custom Shop'' in gold on it! I always laugh at my rhythm guitarist, because his case has it. I laugh because I tell him my plain case won't get stolen if ever someone has bad intentions.

 

[sosomething]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

...which reminds me that I need to get a nondescript case for my R8 Jr...

 

[SchecMan]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

...which reminds me that I need to get a nondescript case for my R8 Jr...

If you want to be really sure no one steals it why not just get a gig bag..

 

[BloodRose]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

I must admit, that even though I am in no way interested in owning another gibson, that a standard in that finish would be gas inducing.

If there is one thing that gibson is doing right it's image I guess.:cool2:

I agree.. I thought the finish was gorgeous!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

But let's call a spade a spade - Dark Fire is a lame duck. New technology is cool, but I fail to understand why so many companies continue to invest in products that do little more than clumsily ape sounds of the past or attempt to be everything to everyone. You're never going to make the new classic if you're stuck reinventing digital amalgamations of all the old ones.

I'll walk right past something that acts as a passable facsimile of every vintage guitar ever created and spend the same money on one that does its own thing with authority and authenticity.

I can't help but feel like all the "uber-versatile" stuff saturating the market these days is intended more for the bedroom hobbyist wanting to cop all the tones of their heroes, rather than the artist who is more intent on finding their own voice.

Its for this very reason I really find myself drawn to both my old US Washburns and my Taylor solidbody..
Both function extremely well. No real gimmicks, just made 2 B played.
With the Taylor, it sounds and plays great, but also, I think I play and sound better with it and I also feel more inspired. I'm sure its mental.. Its new so there is no one for me to live up to. When I play my LP, I feel like Im supposed to sound like slash, sykes, moore, green, page and all the greats who have slung a LP. Same with the strats.. With the taylor, my voice is the first voice Ive heard with that guitar and even the US washburn MGs. they are fantastic, but I dont recall ever hearing anyone play them..
Its very freeing to me, as Im struggling to learn and find my voice.

so, having said all that, at first the dark fire looked like a good tool to get diff tones, but I dont think it will prove that useful...

 

[MikeS]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

Don't take it personally, Mike.

There are a lot of things I like about Gibson. Many of their GOTM models have been really cool-looking and refreshing, and their Historic and VOS models are great.

But let's call a spade a spade - Dark Fire is a lame duck. New technology is cool, but I fail to understand why so many companies continue to invest in products that do little more than clumsily ape sounds of the past or attempt to be everything to everyone. You're never going to make the new classic if you're stuck reinventing digital amalgamations of all the old ones.

I'll walk right past something that acts as a passable facsimile of every vintage guitar ever created and spend the same money on one that does its own thing with authority and authenticity.

I can't help but feel like all the "uber-versatile" stuff saturating the market these days is intended more for the bedroom hobbyist wanting to cop all the tones of their heroes, rather than the artist who is more intent on finding their own voice.

It's refreshing to read a well formulated and thoughtful opinion. That's extremely rare when dealing with criticism of a brand that it so trendy, and admittedly easy, to bash. I agree that Gibson is deserving of a fair amount of criticism. However, I get the impression that in most forums and occasionally here (not necessarily in this thread) the ridicule is spread by those who wouldn't know what a guitar that costs more than a single paycheck plays like if it fell in his or her lap.

I'm still willing to give the Robot Guitars the benefit of the doubt. I don't doubt that the Dark Fire falls short of this community's expectations (we are a finicky bunch, after all). Personally, I'm not so quick to shun its future incarnations. I certainly think a gigging musician could benefit from such a system. It's looking like I might be getting a few gigs this year, and I sure would love to not have to lug around more than one electric guitar. Not that I'm in line to buy one of these (because I'm not) but there's a lot of allure in getting maximum versatility out of as little equipment as possible.

 

[infrared72]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

While I haven't played the dark fire, I find the whole thing very gimmicky. Some silly computerized thing to tune your guitar for you? Come on - something like this is sure to give out at (or just before) a gig. I wonder what the net effect of all that metal and junk on the back of the headstock is?

It would seem to me that Gibson is really reaching on this (as well as the Robot Guitar). Between the Dark fire, the robot guitar, and that god awful reverse flying V it kinda makes you wonder what these guys are thinking.
I do like the quilted look to the red finish, but that's about it. The pickups look kinda weird with all that carbon fiber junk on there.

I think it would be cool if they got into some different combinations of woods to use with their instruments, and maybe some newer finishes. Even some hybridization of their designs would be cool - I always thought that ESP came up with a really cool design with their Hybrid 300 and 400 guitars. Why can't Gibson do some of that? I really like the VOS stuff, and I think some of the chambered bodies on the Les Paul Standard Ultra-II's was pretty cool. Anything but this silly Dark Fire.

just my 2 cents worth..

-Peter

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: ***gibson dark fire in-depth hands-on review***

and just to get disspell accusations of gibson-bashing, this is my current worst GAS problem:

which i could get along with a Telecaster and new pickups for both for the price of the Dark Fire.

that's all i'm sayin.