Gibsons Mini Tune seems really dumb to me.....is it as much trouble or hassle as im thinking it is??

[Tom Schuster]

Ever since I first started seeing this mini tune system of gibsons i really have to wonder what the hell they were thinking. I see something like that and it just reeks of problems of one kind another, especially with age and use. I was just wondering what any of you that have this tuning system on your guitar feel about it..its pro's and cons. In theory I guess it isnt really that bad an idea but theres so many tuning uptions out there now that dont have be hard built into your guitar like this that are just as good or much better......thanks......

 

[donepearce]

Ever since I first started seeing this mini tune system of gibsons i really have to wonder what the hell they were thinking. I see something like that and it just reeks of problems of one kind another, especially with age and use. I was just wondering what any of you that have this tuning system on your guitar feel about it..its pro's and cons. In theory I guess it isnt really that bad an idea but theres so many tuning uptions out there now that dont have be hard built into your guitar like this that are just as good or much better......thanks......

Next time you see the band obliged to stop playing while the guitarist calls for hush while he tunes up, think of the Etune. As a corollary, next time you are forced to listen to a band playing out of tune because they don't want to stop and hush while the guitarist tunes up, think Etune again. In the couple of seconds between songs, a guitarist can hit the mute switch and bring his instrument back into perfect tune. Hell, he can even do it mid song if he has a couple of bars rest.

I know we all take pride in the way we can tune our guitars, but we have to think about practicalities during a performance. As for being hard built into the guitar - how else would you do it? Maybe some contraption you clamp over the headstock? And of course you do know that you can operate the thing manually just like a standard tuner any time you want. What other systems did you have in mind?

 

[ricardo_vicente]

I had it on my new 2014 SG Standard for a day. It works and works quickly and efficiently. I found it annoying having to switch on and tune up all 6 strings again instead of just being able to quickly tweak that one string that was a shade off. (The gears aren't really suited to manual tuning).
Mostly though I find it ugly and it also adds noticeable weight to the neck (especially on an SG), so I took it off.
I can see it has its use and its fans but I feel it should be an option.
Luckily it is very easy to remove and replace and it leaves no extra holes or other "scars".
This is what I did with it: http://www.everythingsg.com/index.p...anual-tuners-machine-heads.26065/#post-362328
I currently have the system on eBay and it seems it will be bringing quite good money. I just see it as an extra discount off my guitar.

 

[LeadFinger]

It's a great tool for practice, that's for sure. You can change tunings without losing your train of thought. We're talking about a dozen pre-set tunings changed with a couple pushes of the buttons.

Dialing the unit in to the guitar takes some work. At first there'd be two strings sharp, and the manual tuning is "backward" -- not intuitive. However, perfect intonation, the right strings, nut has to be perfect, and it gets much better. They're certainly not perfect, but for what it does it is useful. Not everyone's cup of tea, tho.

 

[Dave_Death]

Next time you see the band obliged to stop playing while the guitarist calls for hush while he tunes up, think of the Etune.

I use a TC Electronics Polytune ... no need to hush and nobody has to listen to me tune.

I use Grover self-locking rotomatics ... and I'm sure the guys with Etune will think of them the next time they break a string on stage!

 

[Metal89]

I always preferred clip on tuners myself, works just fine for me. With min etune I'm finding its a love it or hate it deal for most people. I'm not a fan of it. I've had a lot of people tell me they thought they where breaking it if they manually tweaked it. If it was smooth and easy to tune manually in case the electronics started to act up I'd be more for it, but that's not the case it would appear.

 

[Hammer]

Personally, I let out a big, huge yawn whenever these threads pop up. If you don't like it, change it. It is seriously about as difficult as swapping out the knobs, and you can sell the thing to make some extra coin. The circuit board guts get less complaining than the tuners. What's next..."zOMG, mine toggle ring is crooked!!! The guitar is ruined!!!" Fix the problem, if you see it as one, and put your energy toward more productive things...like playing. Just my $.02...feel free to leave change in the need a penny/take a penny cup by the register.

 

[JCarno]

Next time you see the band obliged to stop playing while the guitarist calls for hush while he tunes up, think of the Etune.

I'm 51, probably been to 100 concerts or more, and never, ever, have I seen that done.

 

[donepearce]

I'm 51, probably been to 100 concerts or more, and never, ever, have I seen that done.

So carry on out of tune it is then. Very few guitars could manage an entire concert in tune. Most can barely make one number.

 

[Biddlin]

I use a TC Electronics Polytune ... no need to hush and nobody has to listen to me tune.

I use Grover self-locking rotomatics ... and I'm sure the guys with Etune will think of them the next time they break a string on stage!

Haven't broken a string on stage in decades, but it takes less than a minute to change one, with the Tronical. In a flat out time trial, I think I could do all six in 4 minutes or so. Only takes about 10, if I'm sipping a single malt.
;>)/

 

[Dave_Death]

As the rest of my band is quite socially inward they would rely on me to make banter while changing strings and tuning up ... but I don't think I could do that and get the string changed quickly ... also our average song length is 1 minute 20 seconds or so

 

[Biddlin]

The min-Etune is less complicated than most cars' audio systems. A sixty year-old computer phobic manages them, quite nicely. If your digital clocks are still all flashing 12:00, it may be too complex for you. If you read the manual and use it for a few days, it is as easy as a digital watch.

;>)/

 

[Biddlin]

By "hard built into", you mean 6 retainer nuts, that are essentially the same as the six on your manual tuners and no screws in the headstock? That sounds like less hardware, to me. They weigh 9.5 oz., or exactly the same as Rotomatics
;>)/

 

[ricardo_vicente]

I'm not a fan of it. I've had a lot of people tell me they thought they where breaking it if they manually tweaked it. If it was smooth and easy to tune manually in case the electronics started to act up I'd be more for it, but that's not the case it would appear.

Yeah, it really feels like you're doing something wrong when you try to tune manually. It just turns and turns with very little reaction.
I didn't really hate it - it is useful - but I prefer the guitar without it. And let's face it: much of what we like about a guitar is based on looks. This unit is pretty compact and I like that they've made it easy to install/remove without hurting the guitar but I think until it's pretty near invisible - or at least the tuners don't ave to have such chunky casings - it's not going to be for me.

 

[JCarno]

So carry on out of tune it is then. Very few guitars could manage an entire concert in tune. Most can barely make one number.

Oh come on now. Don't be silly. Of course they tune up. I've just never seen "the band obliged to stop playing while the guitarist calls for hush while he tunes up."
Seriously, Have you?

 

[Paul G.]

I'm thinking of getting a set for my LPMM so I can pick it up and do open "G" for Stones and open "E" for Allman's slide work without carrying 3 or 4 guitars to a gig. Just the SG and the LPMM could do everything. People sell used ones pretty cheap these days.

P.

 

[Biddlin]

My LP goes between standard, open G and Double Drop D, a lot. That's the one in the video. For the first couple of days, I tuned single strings and as it "learns" the headstock vibrations, it gets quicker and quicker. Now I strum and usually pick one string to finish, 20 to 30 seconds, between tuning changes.
;>)/

 

[donepearce]

Oh come on now. Don't be silly. Of course they tune up. I've just never seen "the band obliged to stop playing while the guitarist calls for hush while he tunes up."
Seriously, Have you?

Absolutely. Back in the seventies in local clubs, virtually every song was preceded by a tuneup. Often the bass would be trying to do it at the same time as the guitar. As you know, when the bass plays, the snare drum does too. The cacophony made accurate tuning virtually impossible. They just had to stop when they had made enough effort. Out of tune was the order of the day.

Of course now the electronic tuning meter makes life easier, but it is still a time-consuming business, particularly for a guitar with a trem. Etune fixes all of that.

 

[JCarno]

Etune fixes all of that.

So does my Planet Waves True Strobe.

I guess what it came down to for me was that the etune just didn't work on my SG.
Believe me, I really wanted it to. I think they are kinda cool and really looked forward to all the different tunings you could do on the fly. However, it insisted on tuning the low e sharp. No matter what I tried.
And YES, I read the manual. In fact, I still have the pdf saved just in case I decide to give it another try.
Glad you like it and that it works for you.

 

[donepearce]

So does my Planet Waves True Strobe.

I guess what it came down to for me was that the etune just didn't work on my SG.
Believe me, I really wanted it to. I think they are kinda cool and really looked forward to all the different tunings you could do on the fly. However, it insisted on tuning the low e sharp. No matter what I tried.
And YES, I read the manual. In fact, I still have the pdf saved just in case I decide to give it another try.
Glad you like it and that it works for you.

The problem is not with the Etune, but the guitar. You have a binding nut, and an Etune can't deal with that. You should get it fixed because it is also compromising your manual tuning. Don't give up on it just yet.