Gibson Guitars 1550-07 GUS manual

OWNER’S MANUAL[...]

1550-07 GUS[...]

© 2007 Gibson Guitar Corp.[...]

T o 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,” care, maintenance, and more about your g[...]

The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar 4 Gibson Innovations 6 The History of Gibson Electric Guitars 8 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Body 13 Neck and Headstock 13 Pickups 14 Controls 15 Bridge 17 T ailpiece 18 CARE AND MAINTENANCE Finish 19 Y our Guitar on the Road 19 Things to A void 20 Strings 21 Install Y our Strings Correctly 22 String Gauge[...]

6 Strap Button Stopbar T ailpiece T une-o-matic Bridge The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar Featuring a Les Paul Standard in Heritage Cherry Sunburst 12th Fret Marker/Inlay Neck Fret Nut Headstock Fingerboard T uning Keys Machine Heads T russ Rod Cover Single Cutaway Pickups Body T one Controls Input Jack Three-way T oggle Switch Binding[...]

7 Strap Button Stopbar T ailpiece T une-o-matic Bridge The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar Featuring a V-Factor Faded in Worn Cherry 12th Fret Marker/Inlay Neck Fret Nut Headstock Fingerboard T uning Keys Machine Heads T russ Rod Cover Pickups T one Control Input Jack Volume Controls Pickguard Body Three-way T oggle Switch 5[...]

6 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 – First three-pickup electric, th[...]

7 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 – First solidbody acoustic, the Chet[...]

8 A BRIEF HISTORY OF GIBSON ELECTRIC GUIT ARS 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 ag[...]

9 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. Although the advantages of a solid[...]

10 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 W onder . On the more affordable end, the Les Paul Jr . featured a flat “slab” top and [...]

11 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 [...]

12 In response to the rising demand for 1950s-style Les Pauls, the carved-top models were rein- troduced in 1968. A new model, the Les Paul Deluxe, featuring mini-humbucking pickups appeared in 1969. The Special was revived in the 1970s and the Jr . reappeared in the 1980s. The Flying V , Explorer , and Firebird were also brought back into regular [...]

13 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, an[...]

14 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" on the C[...]

15 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 San[...]

16 V olume 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. T one controls: The knob or knobs farthest away from the fingerboard control tone. The tone kno[...]

17 The T une-o-matic Bridge. The T une-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 . Action adjustment (up and down) is set at t[...]

18 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. Adjustable Stopbar T ailpiece. The stopbar tailpiece may be [...]

19 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[...]

20 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 e[...]

21 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. Should major adjustments be[...]

22 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. The most obvious action you can take to maximize the life and per- forman[...]

23 2. Be certain the string is wrapped around the tuner post an adequate number of times. For unwound strings, at least five turns around the machine head stem are necessary . For wound strings, two or three turns are adequate. What gauge strings should be used? Y our Gibson guitar comes strung with “10s”—which means the high-E string is .010[...]

24 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. Y our Gibson Robot Guitar will be pre-calibrated for a standar[...]

25 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 h[...]

26 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 T uning Operations: string not tuned = solid red measuring frequency = red flashing Powerheads turning = yellow fl[...]

27 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 . • Do not ‘fret’ a string while attempting to tune[...]

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30 GUIDE TO FUNCTIONS AND DISPLA Y MODES DURING TUNING OPERATIONS Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Instantly Activated T uning (440Hz, EADGBE is factory default) Regular T uning 440Hz, EADGBE E major T uning 440Hz, EBEG#BE Pull MCK out MCK out and turned all the way down to “0” (counter -clockwise) Pull MCK out and turn to E LE[...]

31 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks DADGAD T uning 440Hz, DADGAD Dropped D T uning 440Hz, DADGBE Delta Blues T uning 440Hz, DGDGBD Pull MCK out and turn to A LED Pull MCK out and turn to D LED Pull MCK out and turn to G LED A LED shining blue D LED shining blue G LED shining blue Enter by pressing the display once— b, #, and all [...]

32 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks E Flat T uning 440Hz, EbAbDbGbBbeb Double Dropped D T uning DADGBD Pull MCK out and turn to B LED Pull MCK out and turn to e LED B LED shining blue e LED shining blue Enter by pressing the display once— b, #, and all string LEDs will shine red See above While you strum, Powerheads start turning[...]

33 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Reference T uning (T une to selected reference pitch) Pull MCK out and turn to I LED I LED shining red Pull out (disengage) the peg of the Powerhead you choose to tune to a reference pitch. Now tune this string to match your chosen ref- erence. Push peg back into engaged position. Begin tuning your guitar by [...]

34 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Custom Altered T uning Pull MCK out and turn to Peg LED T o create your own ”Custom Altered T uning,” disengage each Powerhead of the string required and tune it manually to the pitch you want. Then press the display once, and the Peg LED will shine green and the string LEDs will shine red. Now strum all [...]

35 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks String Up Mode String Down Mode Pull MCK out and turn to Revolving Arrow LED Pull MCK out and turn to Revolving Arrow LED Revolving Arrow and # LED shine green Revolving Arrow and # LED shine green Activate String Up Mode by pressing the display for 3 seconds. Press the display once and it will t[...]

36 TO RESTRING YOUR ROBOT GUITAR First ensure that all Powerheads are disengaged by pulling the pegs away from the peghead. This is very important! T urn 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 e[...]

37 TO ACTIV A TE 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. Press the[...]

38 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Intonation Mode Activate Intonation Mode by pressing the display for 3 seconds. Strum one of the strings until the according LED shines green. For example, D. After 2 seconds b LED turns off and # LED shines green Pick the same string now in the 12th fret and strum it. I LED shining blue INTONA T[...]

39 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Intonation Mode For each green LED turn the screw half turn clockwise For each red LED turn the screw half turn counter - clockwise Now a colored blink code displays the appropriate correction for the intonation screw . For example: = 5 half turns clockwise For example: = 6 half turns counter - c[...]

40 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Calibration Mode Pull MCK out and turn to C LED C LED shines red Access Calibration Mode by pressing the display for 3 seconds. The C LED will shine blue. Now turn the MCK to select your funda- mental frequency from the following list. (Note: while selecting your fundamental, pressing the display will toggle [...]

41 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. T o check the selected Global Calibration Offset, pull MCK out and press LED C for three seconds. Now a colored blink code displays th[...]

42 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Enter Setup Mode Pull MCK out and turn all the way down to “0” (counter -clockwise) b and # shine red Pr ess display for 3 seconds. When the display turns blue, release the display button. Now press the display again for 3 seconds. It will flash 3 times and stop. Now the Peg LED will be solid[...]

43 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Exit Setup Mode without saving changes Exit Setup Mode; saving changes Push MCK back in Dependent on Setup Mode function last utilized Setup Mode switches off Setup Mode function applied Y ou can exit Setup Mode at any time Y our Setup Mode function is now stored # All outer LEDs will flash blue-[...]

44 Restore Factory Defaults Display Software Release Enter Setup Mode and turn to LED D Enter Setup Mode and turn to E LED and press Enter LED D shining blue, Peg LED shines white Peg LED flashing sequence indicates software release edition Restoring Factory Defaults will do the following: • Preset positions set to default tunings • Runtime Cor[...]

45 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Global Calibration Offset On / Off Enter Setup Mode turn to LED C and press display once LED C shining blue, Peg LED shines white T urn MCK left (Counterclockwise) to switch off Global Calibration red B LED indicates OFF T urn MCK left (clockwise) to switch on Global Calibration green LED indicat[...]

46 Function MCK Position Display LEDs Action Remarks Instantly Activated Last T uning Instantly Activated Preset T uning Enter Setup Mode and turn to LED and press Enter Enter Setup Mode and turn to LED and press Enter T urn MCK to I and press Enter T urn MCK to one of the Presets and press Enter Last T uning is activated on startup Select Preset T[...]

47 Function Display LEDs Action Remarks Speed / Accuracy Settings Enter Setup Mode and turn to A LED Pegs shines white, A shines blue Press display once. Current Speed / Accuracy setting will be indicated by flashing green LEDs (as described below) The Powertune system is adjustable to a pitch accuracy of .2 Cent. However , this will cause tuning f[...]

48 Dynamic Runtime Control On / Off eFunction Correction On / Off Enter Setup Mode turn to G LED and press Enter Enter Setup Mode and turn to B LED, press display # will be shining green or b will be shining red, G LED shines blue, Peg LED shines white # will be shining green or b will be shining red, B LED shines blue, Peg LED shines white # shine[...]

49 CALIBRA TING 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 . Remember though, each Powerhead is[...]

50 CHARGING AND BA TTERY INFORMA TION 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 . Y ou may expect more than 200 tunings between charges. There is no need to open you[...]

51 Charge Mode Pull MCK out, turn to C LED and press display Y our current charge level will be displayed for about 3 seconds. The level of charge will be indicated by how many green LEDs you see (betweeen 1 and 10). For optimum performance, you will want a charge level of 8-10 green flashing LEDs. A fully charged battery pack will show a solid blu[...]

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 . The charger will blink with a red LED (seeking a[...]

53 SHORT CIRCUIT W ARNING 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 . Check to make sure no strings touch one another .[...]

A LIFETIME OF MUSIC Y our 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. Y our investment in the world’ s finest electric guitar is supported by the No. 1 Customer Service team in the musical[...]

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