Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

[CCG30]

Ok so I'm in the market for a SG or SG style guitar and I played the HP version of the SG this weekend and it feels great. I definitely prefer what ever the slight difference in neck shape and strap button placement but definitely love the way they tapered the neck joint but I HATE the auto tuner, are these available without that or can those easily be removed/swapped out?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/2017-SG-Special-HP-Electric-Guitar.gc

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

I don't know how easily they are removed but yes, they come off and you can put regular tuners in.

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Is there any internal wiring I would have to worry about? I'm no luthier but can change normal tuning pegs. Just sucks buying a new guitar and having to mod it out of the box but the feel is better imho than the standard

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

I have changed the auto tuners to regular tuners a few times. It is easy there are no extra holes or anything the electronic box sits flush on the headstock and is held on by the tunning keys. You will have to drill screw holes for the tuners but that's it.

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

cool thanks! That is what I was hoping. Any additional wires that will need to be removed or anything with the pick ups or is it tuned through vibration?

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Maybe I'm missing something but why not just look at the Special T instead of the Special HP. Or, to answer the question, yes, they are available without the robot tuners ... for two or three hundred le$$.

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

They didn't have a special t there to try. But my understanding is that the HP has a different neck taper and they shave the heel of the neck so it's not as abrupt. Basically they change the neck shape to make it more high performance then the standard Gibson SG neck. And I like that next shape better. I could be wrong though and maybe the special t has the same neck

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Yep, I think you're right. Forgot about that. Sorry.

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

I wish it wasn't the case because I really like their HP feel but just not sure I want to spend the extra money then stick more in it to mod it.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

It's a piece of cake as long as they are not tied into the control knobs

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

See if you can do a deal with where you buy it from so the tuners are swapped from new. Saves buying separately then selling the g-force.

 

[ChAoZ]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Can I have the robot if ya rip it off?

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

I wish it wasn't the case because I really like their HP feel but just not sure I want to spend the extra money then stick more in it to mod it.

Well, depending on what machines you go with, selling the stock electronic tuner will offset the cost. I got a quick 50 bucks for selling the pcb, jack with harness and switch harness out of a Tribute LP when I replaced the board with individual pots. Point being, there is a market for those Gibson "extras". You're still paying more for a titanium adjustable nut that you may or may not like and that neck profile and heel that you do like. But, at least you can recoup a few bucks by selling the robot tuner.

To answer the other question ... I'm pretty sure it works like a clip on tuner, just automated. It isn't wired in to the pickups or other controls. You just pull it and replace with regular tuning machines.

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Well, depending on what machines you go with, selling the stock electronic tuner will offset the cost. I got a quick 50 bucks for selling the pcb, jack with harness and switch harness out of a Tribute LP when I replaced the board with individual pots. Point being, there is a market for those Gibson "extras". You're still paying more for a titanium adjustable nut that you may or may not like and that neck profile and heel that you do like. But, at least you can recoup a few bucks by selling the robot tuner.

To answer the other question ... I'm pretty sure it works like a clip on tuner, just automated. It isn't wired in to the pickups or other controls. You just pull it and replace with regular tuning machines.

Thanks man! good to know. If I go that route I'll probably see if I can work a deal/swap with the shop if not I'll try to sell them to get back some money for the new tuning pegs

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

As someone who has never used the robot system, what are the things you don't like about it?

 

[CCG30]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

As someone who has never used the robot system, what are the things you don't like about it?

for me its mostly the added weight to the head stock and i don't really care for the added complication. I don't have first hand experience but have heard them go haywire when the battery is dying and change tuning.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

for me its mostly the added weight to the head stock and i don't really care for the added complication. I don't have first hand experience but have heard them go haywire when the battery is dying and change tuning.

I'll add that it get a bit hinky at times. It doesn't always do a very good job tuning.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

As someone who has never used the robot system, what are the things you don't like about it?

IME it doesn't work very well, it is intrusive more than anything

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

Mine has been fine so far, I could see how it could break though.

It was kind of wild just strumming it to tune up from the slack shipping state.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Gibson HP- auto tuner removal/swap

G-Force was just a bad idea, like flipping Disco bad!!!

IMHO it gets marginally better with the Titanium nut over the Brass but unless you use a lot of alternative tunings &/or don't mind constantly playing a slightly out of tune guitar you should probably just go ahead & replace them. It's quick and easy to do, they come off easily & it's been my experience with all four of the G-Force Gibson's that I own that they are remarkably better instruments afterwards!!!!


If you want to avoid having to drill any holes in the headstock I highly recommend these!!!


I just replaced a G-Force unit on my 2015 Jr with these guys & I'm definitely really happy with them!!! They are locking so it makes for quick string changes, they were reasonably priced, & it may be silly but for me the one of the biggest draws to them was the fact that the keys look right! I've always thought that round Grover's made a Gibson's open book headstock look kinda cheap?

Instead of drilling holes they utilize these two very tiny teeth on the backs of them to work as a catch. Tightening the bushing nut pulls them into the back & they are solid as any screwed tuner afterwards! Plus their build quality is fantastic & you can remove them in a lot of cases hardly leaving any marks at all on the back of the guitar's headstock....