Anatares Auto Tune For Guitar? What do you think?

[Rickwnd]

I have been seeing a lot of press about the Anatares auto tune guitars.
Peavey and Parker will have models available this Summer. I Could really use this for studio recording since my guitar tends to slip out of tune and ruin a take. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I wonder if this product will do well? Any other guitar players care to share their opinion?

- Dave

[cardell]

I use the vibrato bar a lot, even on chords. So I'm constantly re-tuning my guitar in the studio. Sometimes after each take.

I hadn't heard of Auto Tune for Guitar...until now.

Stuart

[mojobone]

Gibson's Robot Guitar has a self-tuning system, but it runs on batteries and and won't tune notes while you play, you have to strum the open strings while activating the system. I don't know how user-friendly the Antares system is, but this is surely better, for any number of reasons, starting with the fact that you needn't worry if the power will go out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbWJagI0nM8 The fact that you can still bend strings is also a major plus.

For a longer look and an in-depth discussion of the technology behind it, go here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17805339

Really, if you learn how to properly attach a string at the tuning peg, (first wrap over the tag end of the string, the rest under) and stretch new strings while tuning them up, you should never have tuning problems, though you may have intonation problems if your setup and fretwork aren't up to snuff. If you find that well-stretched strings are slipping, even after hours of play, you may need to replace the machine heads; an expensive proposition, but cheaper than a new guitar, in most cases.

It's dead easy to set action and intonation on most electric guitars; all you need is the proper radius gauge for your fretboard curvature and an accurate tuner. (plus a few very simple tools that probably came with your guitar; I have a handy device called a GuitTool, there's also one called Roadie Wrench, that covers nearly all the bases) How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great, by Dan Erlewine, tells you everything you need to know, and includes a rather nice set of pop-out plastic radius gauges, though you can easily make your own or buy really nice metal or wooden ones from suppliers like Stewart-McDonald, which carries a full line of guitar finishing and repair products. This inexpensive book can save you a ton o' ca$h; mo'guitars, mo' $aving$!

[Rickwnd]

Mojobones,

Thanks for correctly spelling "Antares". I had put an extra "a" in there.
The EverTune guitar bridge was also something I had been considering. The only downside is that it gets setup for one tuning and is not quick to change once set. I agree with all of your points about guitar setup. A properly setup guitar should hold the tuning for a long time. I have one exception, my old 3 saddle Tele. The intonation wobbles slightly giving it a kinda swampy sound.

- Dave

[orest]

I think this guitar is the best on the market.
No robotic digital crap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PddNTgReVg

[mojobone]

I'm suspicious of software-based tuning solutions; much of what gives a real guitar performance its character is the fact that a guitar's intonation is seldom perfect, and the little idiosyncracies related to finger position and pressure that pull certain notes 'out' of tune, even when the axe is 'in'. I'd expect a perfectly tuned guitar performance to sound pretty much like someone faked it on a keyboard.

[andygabrys]

I would opt for the best setup, real guitar I could get.

You can always use software after the fact to tune things up if they aren't happening: for example I once salvaged a decent take of a tune that has some harp like stuff on a strat where the G string was out by using Melodyne Editor, which although a pain, made it possible to selectively tune the notes played on the open G string.

I would prefer to get the real sound on "tape" to start with though.

[orest]

I still think the VGS guitar is the best out there if you want a perfect pitched guitar that never go out of tune.
Watch the link above, you will be amazed!

Evertune and True tempered fret is the way to go! 100% mechanical, no need for digital autotune or whatever digital thing one can imagine.

[cardell]

I still think the VGS guitar is the best out there if you want a perfect pitched guitar that never go out of tune.
Watch the link above, you will be amazed!

Evertune and True tempered fret is the way to go! 100% mechanical, no need for digital autotune or whatever digital thing one can imagine.

I watched it...WOW!!!

...I want an Evertune!!!!!!! http://www.evertune.com/

Stuart

[BruceBrown]

Mojo is right. Guitars are out of tune instruments. Like tuning a piano using tempered tuning. I owned a Gibson 335 for many years and that guitar played in tune better with the G string a little flat. I have a Martin now that requires that I tune the low E a bit flat. When I play in open G I always tune the B string a little flat.
Getting a guitar in perfect tune with a tuner does not mean that your guitar is playing in tune all over the neck in all positions.
I'll never forget seeing the late Lenny Breau in a club in Nash. he spent 15 min. or more tuning by ear. Using octaves,harmonics, chords,, every possible way you can tune, he did this before ever playing a note of a song. I learned that night the art of tuning a guitar. For years the best bluegrass players used tuning forks. Striking it , then placing it on the top of guitar and tuning a440 on one string, then tuning the rest to that string.
Nothing will ever beat tuning by ear. Sure use a tuner or tuning fork to get a440, but tuning by ear is the most musical way. You'll learn the imperfections of your instrument and learn to compensate for those flaws.
I don't want to see a trend toward machines tuning instruments. Musicians should do that.
I know I'm old fashioned.
My two cents.
Bruce