– Press Release

Gibson recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Tronical Gmbh of Hamburg, Germany for the exclusive worldwide sale and distribution of Tronical’s revolutionary PowerTune System in both new guitars and upgrade kits. With Tronical’s PowerTune System, a guitar can literally tune itself precisely and automatically to a user-desired tuning within seconds. With the Tronical PowerTune System, the ITM (Individual Tune Memory) stores a number of the personal tuning preferences that most musicians have and makes these tunings available for easy implementation at the push of a button.

With the PowerTune System, Gibson brings a real innovation to the marketplace which promises to banish, once and for all, the problems guitarists and bass players have with strings out of tune. The system consists of three components and can automatically tune all strings according to prescribed settings in less than five seconds. Major modification of the instrument is no longer required. A tune control knob which enables the tuning to be programmed replaces the volume control. The player can choose from normal tuning patterns right up to the most diverse range of open tunings. The programmed instructions are implemented by tuners equipped with tiny electric motors. The pitch of the string is monitored by means of the tune control bridge. Electrical power for the tuning mechanism is supplied via the guitar strings.

Gibson plans on making this exciting new technology available on several models of Gibson guitars starting in the Spring of 2007.

The PowerTune System is a modular system that can be also retrofitted to virtually any available guitar-make or model. As part of its agreement with Tronical, Gibson will also be the exclusive distributor of upgrade kits available for a range of Gibson models and other guitar brands.

The product components of the PowerTune System include the TuneControl – MultiKnob. This newly developed multi-functional pot is available in various finishes and styles to complement any design. The TuneControl-MultiKnob has all operating and control functionality contained and adjused with 11 different positions. The PowerHead- Locking Tuners are contained in standard housing and are a revolution in guitar technology. Each unit consists of motorized high- performance gears along with intelligent servo electronics. The “learn” capability on the motor control allows it to optimize different tuning requirements. The Tune-Control Bridge and TuneCore- Controller is the command center of entire PowerTune System. It is from here that the current tuning of the guitar is monitored and controlled. The strings carry the control signal and the power supply for the PowerHead-Locking Tuner. By using highly compact electronics, the TuneCore-Controller requires a minimum of space for optimal placement.

“We are very excited about our making Tronical’s PowerTune System available to our customers and its ability to offer our customers a remarkable musical experience,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “Gibson has always been known for innovation and from the HD.6X-Pro Guitar System to this innovation for the marketplace we will continue to produce unique and affordable systems for all Gibson guitar enthusiasts worldwide.”

Visit Gibson at http://www.gibson.com