Gibson Electric guitar Owner's Manual
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Gibson Electric guitar Owner's Manual

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OWNER'S MANUAL

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  • Page 1 OWNER’S MANUAL...
  • Page 2 1550-07 GUS...
  • Page 3 © 2007 Gibson Guitar Corp.
  • Page 4 To the new Gibson owner: Congratulations on the purchase of your new Gibson electric guitar—the world’s most famous electric guitar from the leader of fretted instruments. Please take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with the information in this booklet regarding materials, electronics, “how to,”...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar Gibson Innovations The History of Gibson Electric Guitars DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Body Neck and Headstock Pickups Controls Bridge Tailpiece CARE AND MAINTENANCE Finish Your Guitar on the Road Things to Avoid Strings Install Your Strings Correctly...

  • Page 6: The Components Of The Solidbody Electric Guitar

    Three-way 12th Fret Tailpiece Button Bridge Pickups Toggle Switch Marker/Inlay Neck Fret Fingerboard Headstock The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar Featuring a Les Paul Standard in Heritage Cherry Sunburst Input Jack Tone Binding Volume Body Single Truss Machine Tuning...
  • Page 7 Button Body Tailpiece Bridge Pickups Neck Marker/Inlay Fret Fingerboard Headstock Three-way Toggle Switch The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar Featuring a V-Factor Faded in Worn Cherry Input Jack Tone Volume Pickguard Truss Machine Tuning Control Controls Heads Keys Cover...

  • Page 8: Gibson Innovations

    Here are just a few of the Gibson innovations that have reshaped the guitar world: 1894 – First archtop guitar 1922 – First ƒ-hole archtop, the L-5 1936 – First professional quality electric guitar, the ES-150 1947 – P-90 single-coil pickup introduced 1948 – First dual-pickup Gibson, the ES-300 1949 –...
  • Page 9 1958 – First semi-hollowbody guitar, the ES-335 1961 – SG body style introduced in the Les Paul line 1963 – Firebird guitars and Thunderbird basses introduced 1969 – Les Paul Personal and Professional with low-impedance pickups introduced 1979 – L.P. Artist with active electronics introduced 1982 –...
  • Page 10 A BRIEF HISTORY OF GIBSON ELECTRIC GUITARS Gibson’s legendary acoustic engineer, Lloyd Loar, was experimenting with electric instruments in 1924, at the dawn of electronic amplification. However, Gibson’s struggle to dominate the banjo market took precedence through the 1920s, and it wasn’t until the mid-1930s that the company once again turned its attention to electric guitars.
  • Page 11 The first postwar Gibson electrics followed the prewar concept of an electric guitar as a conventional acoustic archtop with a pickup installed on the top. Gibson added a second pickup to the ES-300 in 1948 and then became the first company to offer a three-pickup model with the introduction of the ES-5 in 1949.
  • Page 12 In 1954 the growing popularity of the Les Paul Model prompted Gibson to expand the line. On the high end, the Les Paul Custom sported an Ebony finish and low frets for fast action, and it immediately gained two nicknames: the Black Beauty and the Fretless Wonder. On the more affordable end, the Les Paul Jr.
  • Page 13 The body of the Les Paul Jr. received a pair of rounded horns to become Gibson’s first double- cutaway solidbody. And the finish color on the Les Paul Model was changed to Cherry Sunburst, which let the grain of the maple top show through. The model name was changed to Les Paul Standard, and the sunburst Standards from 1958-60 would become some of the most valuable collectibles in the guitar world.
  • Page 14 As Gibson celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Les Paul in 2002, the company rocked the guitar world once again by introducing the first digital electric guitar. It represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design since the instrument was invented, and moreover, it serves notice that Gibson electric guitars will continue to epitomize the highest levels of Quality, Prestige and Innovation.

  • Page 15: Body

    DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Body. The solidbody guitar was invented to increase sustain, produce a brilliant tone, and eliminate feedback caused by a vibrating top. These qualities are enhanced by wood with high density, such as maple. Les Paul would have preferred for his model to have had a solid maple body, but density translates to weight, and a solid maple Les Paul Model would have been exceed- ingly heavy.

  • Page 16: Pickups

    Neck Specifications. Gibson designs its guitar necks to complement and enhance the unique characteristics of each model. Neck profiles can be “rounded ’50s” or “slim ’60s” (or a slight V-shape available only on the BluesHawk). Scale length (string length) is 24 3/4" on the Les Paul, X-Factor and SG models, 25 1/2"...

  • Page 17: Controls

    without the “dog ears” are nicknamed “soapbar” because the original cream-colored plastic covers on the 1952 Les Paul Model resembled bars of soap. When the P-90 was introduced in 1946, it was the most powerful pickup of its kind. And it still is. Among the many exam- ples of the P-90 sound are Carlos Santana’s Les Paul Special on Santana’s classic recordings, Leslie West’s Les Paul Jr.
  • Page 18 Volume controls: The two knobs closest to the fingerboard control the volume of the pickups. The volume knob nearest the bridge controls the “front” or neck pickup; the knob nearest the edge of the guitar controls the “back” or bridge pickup. Tone controls: The knob or knobs farthest away from the fingerboard control tone.

  • Page 19: Bridge

    The Tune-o-matic Bridge. The Tune-o-matic bridge allows for adjustment in overall bridge height and individual string length. Height is adjustable up and down by means of thumb wheels under the bridge at either end. Each string saddle is adjustable forward and back with a small standard screwdriver.

  • Page 20: Tailpiece

    The tune-o-matic bridge was designed to adjust for string changes (gauge or type) and other physical changes but not for problems with intonation due to string wear. Should a string lose its intonation due to wear, we strongly recommend changing the string and not the bridge setting.

  • Page 21: Finish

    CARE AND MAINTENANCE Finish. A Gibson instrument always attracts attention, whether it is on a concert stage before thousands or on a guitar stand in a home studio. After the classic body lines of a Gibson, the finish makes the strongest impression. Perspiration acids, heavy fingerprinting, dust, and grime from on-the-job usage are unavoid- able.

  • Page 22: Things To Avoid

    Heat and cold: Gibson’s nitrocellulose finish can expand or contract to adjust to extreme tem- peratures and humidities—but not to sudden changes in temperature or humidity. Just as a hot drink will crack a chilled glass, the finish of a Les Paul will crack if a guitar that has been sitting in the trunk of a car in wintertime is suddenly exposed to the warm air of a heated room.

  • Page 23: Strings

    Avoid sharp blows to any part of your instrument. Be particularly alert to possible blows to the back of the headstock, machine heads (tuners), and in the neck heel area. Many headstock breaks are the result of a guitar being knocked over or dropped while it’s still in the case, so do not stand the case on its end.

  • Page 24: Install Your Strings Correctly

    When changing strings, we recommend changing one string at a time in order to maintain ten- sion on the neck and bridge. The pressure of the strings holds the bridge and saddles in place, and removing all the strings could necessitate a new setup. Use high quality strings.

  • Page 25: Brand Of Strings

    Gibson has been offering its own strings since 1907, and Gibson has more experience than any other string maker when it comes to matching strings to Gibson guitars. Gibson strings are manufactured to exacting standards to achieve the highest level of quality and performance.

  • Page 26: String Gauge

    NEW TECHNOLOGY - THE GIBSON ROBOT GUITAR The Impossible is Now Possible. Introducing the Gibson Robot Guitar, the world’s first guitar with robot technology. Gibson’s Robot Guitar is the only guitar available with the auto-tuning system described herein as original equipment. Your Gibson Robot Guitar will be pre-calibrated for a standard .010-.046 set of strings.
  • Page 27 THE MASTER CONTROL KNOB (MCK) The Master Control Knob not only serves as the master control for all aspects of this amazing, self-tuning system, but it will communicate with you as you learn its “language.” The MCK is quite powerful and has many uses, and we believe you will find that MCK functions will become second nature to you once you have tried them a few times.
  • Page 28 The MCK’s LED display will show various symbols and colors and these will be explained in the various modes of operation available to you. During the tuning process, they will behave as follows: String LEDs Display Actions During Tuning Operations: string not tuned = solid red measuring frequency = red flashing Powerheads turning = yellow flashing...
  • Page 29 PRECAUTIONS: • Never try to manually turn the tuning pegs on the Powerheads unless they are in the disengaged position (pulled out and away from the peghead). • Do not attempt to open the cover of the peghead electronics, the Powerheads, or the body CPU as this will void your warranty.
  • Page 32 GUIDE TO FUNCTIONS AND DISPLAY MODES DURING TUNING OPERATIONS Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Instantly Pull MCK out All string LEDs Strum all strings While you strum, Powerheads start turning, individual Activated Tuning shining red gently strings will shine green (440Hz, EADGBE when in tune, all LEDs will is factory default)
  • Page 33 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks DADGAD Tuning Pull MCK out and turn A LED shining blue Enter by pressing While you strum, Powerheads start turning, individual 440Hz, DADGAD to A LED the display once— strings will shine green b, #, and all string when in tune, all LEDs will LEDs will shine red...
  • Page 34 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks E Flat Tuning Pull MCK out and turn B LED shining blue Enter by pressing While you strum, Powerheads start turning, individual 440Hz, to B LED the display once— strings will shine green EbAbDbGbBbeb b, #, and all string when in tune, all LEDs will...
  • Page 35 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Reference Tuning I LED shining red Pull out (disengage) the Strum the SAME string you have just tuned to your reference pitch. When this string’s LED shines solid peg of the Powerhead (Tune to selected green its frequency has been measured and stored.
  • Page 36 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Custom Altered To create your own When all strings of your Custom Altered ”Custom Altered Tuning Tuning have been registered, the string LEDs Tuning,” disengage will flash blue 3 times. You may now store each Powerhead of the your Custom Altered Tuning to one of the string required and tune factory preset positions.
  • Page 37 STRING UP / STRING DOWN MODES Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks String Up Mode Pull MCK out and turn Revolving Arrow and Activate String Up Powerheads will begin to Revolving Arrow LED # LED shine green Mode by pressing winding strings up the display for 3 close to normal tuning.
  • Page 38 TO RESTRING YOUR ROBOT GUITAR First ensure that all Powerheads are disengaged by pulling the pegs away from the peghead. This is very important! Turn each peg so that the post-hole is roughly in line with each corresponding string as it leaves the nut of your guitar. Guide each string through your tailpiece, over the saddle (where contact is essential), through the nut slot and then the post-hole as you would with any other guitar, but place a slight amount of tension by hand before screwing each locking nut down tight.
  • Page 39 TO ACTIVATE STRING UP MODE FOR A SINGLE STRING (as in the case of replacing a string broken while playing) Install the string in the manner described above (remember saddle contact is crucial!). Simply select the LED for the string you are replacing, turn to the green revolving arrow and toggle it from green to red and back to green.
  • Page 40 INTONATION MODE (ONLY GIBSON MODELS) Before starting the Intonation Mode we recommend to perform Normal tuning 440Hz Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks I LED shining blue Pull MCK out and turn Intonation Mode Activate Intonation to | LED Mode by pressing the display for 3 seconds.
  • Page 41 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Now a colored blink MCK is now in the Intonation Mode I LED shining blue code displays the position of the string appropriate correction you are intonating. For each green LED for the intonation screw. turn the screw half For example: turn clockwise...
  • Page 42 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Access Calibration Calibration C LED shines red 435Hz = C and E LED blue Mode by pressing the Mode 436Hz = C and E LED blue, # LED red display for 3 seconds. 437Hz = C and A LED blue The C LED will shine 438Hz = C and A LED blue, # LED red blue.
  • Page 43 PLEASE NOTE: Once you have selected your desired fundamental, press the display down for three seconds. Now choose a tuning and strum the strings. The Global Calibration Offset is applied to each selected tuning. To check the selected Global Calibration Offset, pull MCK out and press LED C for three seconds.
  • Page 44 SETUP MODE The various important functions in Setup Mode can be accessed individually once Setup Mode is activated. We will now describe how to enter and exit Setup Mode, and we’ll list the various functions it contains afterward. Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks...
  • Page 45 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Exit Setup Push MCK back in Setup Mode You can exit Setup Mode without switches off Mode at any time saving changes All outer LEDs will Exit Setup Mode; Dependent on Setup Setup Mode Your Setup Mode flash blue-green 3 saving changes...
  • Page 46 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Press display once Restoring Factory Defaults will LED D shining blue, Restore Enter Setup Mode and do the following: and Factory Peg LED shines white Factory Defaults turn to LED D Preset positions set to default •...
  • Page 47 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Global Enter Setup Mode LED C shining blue, Turn MCK left When a Calibration Calibration turn to LED C and Peg LED shines white (Counterclockwise) Mode is in effect, Offset press display once to switch off your selected On / Off...
  • Page 48 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Instantly Enter Setup Mode Turn MCK to I and Last Tuning is Activated and turn to LED press Enter activated on startup Last Tuning and press Enter Instantly Activated Enter Setup Mode Turn MCK to one Select Preset Tuning is...
  • Page 49 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Press display once. Speed / Pegs shines white, The Powertune system is adjustable to a pitch Current Speed / Accuracy A shines blue accuracy of .2 Cent. However, this will cause Accuracy setting will Settings tuning functions to take slightly longer, and in be indicated by live applications a relaxed accuracy is advisable.
  • Page 50 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Turn MCK left to # shines green when DRC # will be shining green Enter Setup Mode Dynamic Runtime switch off DRC, is on, b shines red when or b will be shining red, turn to G LED and Control On / Off...
  • Page 51 CALIBRATING POWERHEADS The Robot Guitar will be pre-calibrated for a standard .010-.046 set of strings. If you change string gauges, restore factory defaults, or are installing the system yourself, you may first want to calibrate the Powerheads individually using the Motor Calibration Mode as described below.
  • Page 52 CHARGING AND BATTERY INFORMATION The Robot Guitar comes with a battery pack containing two rechargeable batteries. A special charger is also included with the system. The battery charge level is indicated each time you activate your system, as indicated below. You may expect more than 200 tunings between charges.
  • Page 53 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Now you will see a For optimum performance, Your current charge Pull MCK out, turn to Charge Mode flashing red battery you will want a charge level will be displayed C LED and press symbol on the MCK, level of 8-10 green flashing for about 3 seconds.
  • Page 54 EMERGENCY CHARGE MODE The system now has an Emergency Charge Mode (ECM) if its internal rechargeable battery goes completely dead or too low in charge to run the normal Charge Function. Put MCK in the C position. Plug your patch cable into the charging device and connect and plug in the transformer.
  • Page 55 SHORT CIRCUIT WARNING In the event of a short circuit from negative to ground (Strings E or A to D or G) the white peg symbol will flash. This can be caused if strings are not trimmed properly at the headstock.If the short circuit runs from B or hi E to D, A or low E, the peg will flash yellow.
  • Page 56 A LIFETIME OF MUSIC Your Gibson electric guitar is a lifetime investment. With proper care, it will not only maintain its value as a top quality instrument, it will also continue to pay musical dividends for generations to come. Your investment in the world’s finest electric guitar is supported by the No. 1 Customer Service team in the musical instrument industry.
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