Gibson G-Force

[punchlinechar]

Am I the only one that likes the idea of Gforce? I know it's pretty taboo to like it, but it seems like a really cool innovation that would be oncredibly convenient. For example, you could do different tunings on stage and stuff like that

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[beaubrummels]

Re: Gibson G-Force

Innovative idea. Scary to think my tuning has been given over to a little mechanical device I can't completely control. As long as I can override what it's doing and temper the tuning, and can freely retune by hand with the same action and comfort of rotation as normal tuners, sure why not. If it happens to be on a guitar that's in my hands, I'll try it. But I'll probably never buy something like that and deliberately put it on my guitar.

 

[punchlinechar]

Re: Gibson G-Force

Innovative idea. Scary to think my tuning has been given over to a little mechanical device I can't completely control. As long as I can override what it's doing and temper the tuning, and can freely retune by hand with the same action and comfort of rotation as normal tuners, sure why not. If it happens to be on a guitar that's in my hands, I'll try it. But I'll probably never buy something like that and deliberately put it on my guitar.

You can change it manually after its done turning I believe

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[ledzef]

Re: Gibson G-Force

Good idea but players were force to buy it on all Gibson's for '15. If it would have been optional might have sold better, but the purists will always balk at new changes.

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[punchlinechar]

Re: Gibson G-Force

That was a bit of a bad business idea on Gibson's part. Good thing they've made the separate T and HP variants of each model. I know that a few shops made money off it by offering free removal of the system as long as customers bought the replacement machineheads at the same store.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I think it's a pretty cool idea and I personally find it to be quite intriguing, but would be unlikely to shell out any real dough in order to have one. If I was looking at purchasing a guitar that had it already on, I'd definitely see it as an added benefit. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to use it every time!

 

[plasticscouse]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I want G force. Plain and simple. I'm just a bedroom player, cant tune by ear and always lose my tuner. to have the G force on the guitars would help my immensely. I had the option to get a Gibson late last year when the 16s were new and the 15s were discounted. Ithe Only thing I didn't like was the wide neck.So I chose the 16 faded studio. If they put this on a Traditional guitar I would have easily snapped one up.

I don't actually see why people dont like it. Was it because lack of choice? Scared of new technology, or what.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Gibson G-Force

A guitar player at the church I also play at has one on his SG. He loves it. I just use a Polytune on the floor.

 

[pushedcrayon1]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I had one for a while, I truly loved it. Great idea, but I agree Gibson should have made it an option, not mandatory. I'd love to pick up a second hand set and toss it on my les paul I just bought to be honest!

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[beaubrummels]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I don't actually see why people dont like it. Was it because lack of choice? Scared of new technology, or what.

Some of the concerns were:

1. Extra weight on the headstock producing neck dive
2. Mechanical noise when using it to tune between songs
3. Uncertainly of the speed/tension this thing operated at. Some strings need to be brought to tension slowly, others you can wind with a drill. Partly it depends on the bridge and nut also (e.g. any burrs or defects, which Gibson is famous for shipping with). Is this thing going to break more strings on me by spinning too fast? Unknown. I need to know before I buy, not after.
4. Uncertainty of whether it actually worked as advertised for all situations - for example, after nearly 40 years of playing I've learned depending on string gauge, setup, you may have to deliberately tune certain strings slightly off to accommodate the idiosyncrasies of a guitar that either has a fret wearing down or a problem with one of the nut slots or an issue with a bridge saddle or fret/neck problem. I didn't see any information from Gibson's description giving me confidence I would be able to override/fine tune (what if I need to always tune a particular string slightly sharp or flat to deal with either a problem with that particular bridge saddle or nut or a fret that's wearing out? Can that fine-tuning override be programmed in? Otherwise, if I turn it by hand after auto-tune will it wear out or break the mechanical tuning? For $500 I might consider taking a chance to find out. For > $1000 it is not worth it to be the guy that learns this disappointment. Gibson failed to give me confidence or trust in how it worked and whether it would allow me to work the way I need in advance of buying.)
5. Uncertainty of shelf life - how long until this thing f-s up when I'm in the middle of a gig?
6. Being able to tune my guitar was not a problem that needed fixing in the first place - this device appeared targeted for a minority of people that probably shouldn't be playing an instrument. Maybe it's a convenience for a chosen few who are skilled, but that's quite overkill for the rest of us just for those few folks out there that want it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I like the idea (my Variax does a similar thing, but electronically). I don't know what happens in 7 years when the servo motors break...will they be impossible to find? What will they charge to replace them? As technology gets better, will they keep stocking parts for older models? Like I said, I love the idea, but I am pretty practical with this stuff. I also think the standard method of winding a string around a post is archaic, too.

 

[punchlinechar]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I like the idea (my Variax does a similar thing, but electronically). I don't know what happens in 7 years when the servo motors break...will they be impossible to find? What will they charge to replace them? As technology gets better, will they keep stocking parts for older models? Like I said, I love the idea, but I am pretty practical with this stuff. I also think the standard method of winding a string around a post is archaic, too.

I know that tronical makes the Gforce, as well as the same thing aftermarket for any guitar, so it seems like they would keep stock of things if they want any staying power.

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[jmh151]

Re: Gibson G-Force

I have one and I like it, it saves a lot of time when you want to try different tunings. If in the future they break and replacements aren't available, I'll just put locking tuners on