That is possibly the most interesting "new technology" I've seen for guitar yet. All "new technology" has been so digitilized that guys like me that are hell bent on analog stuff can actually have an extremely versatile piece of gear while maintaining a clear analog signal path. And the ability to use our conventional gear.
It is probably not digitized, but it may not be the clear analog signal path that you think it is. If you are the type that compares the audio merits of different resistor and capacitor types (CC, CF, MF, ceramic, polyester, etc...), then you will have to ask yourself whether passing your signal through a transistor, relay, or whatever is impacting your tone. I suspect that, once this thing comes out, some people will say it has a negative tonal impact. Generally, theses types of things usually appear to be better than they really are, IMO.
I am anxious to get my hands on one in a store. The tones I heard on the videos were great. But then they are sitting in a recording studio. I listened to some clips of the HD500 online then tried one live in the store, It didn't sound like it did in the clips, IMO. I am curious to hear the real life reviews once these hit the shelves. I really like the idea and the versatility, if the Analog sound is not affected.
boldaslove6789 wrote:That is possibly the most interesting "new technology" I've seen for guitar yet. All "new technology" has been so digitilized that guys like me that are hell bent on analog stuff can actually have an extremely versatile piece of gear while maintaining a clear analog signal path. And the ability to use our conventional gear.
I have to agree with you here. Most of what is hyped as new tech. is usually just a gimmick anymore. Not much "new" that I have seen. This idea and it's implementation into the guitar (to me) is actually something "new". The idea of re-wiring the pup's is old and has been done in many different ways by many different techs and players. But the ability to do it like this is what I would call a "breakthrough" in old school meets new wave. As you said "without digitizing the sound" (hopefully). I do see this being versatile enough so that the guitarist can bring only one guitar to the job to get all the tones he needs. No more need to drag three or four guitars to get the single coil vs. Humbucker sound. All your Strat/Tele/LP sounds in one axe. Cool idea.
The jury is still out until they hit the shelves and the musicians hands, but I get the feeling these will be met with positive reviews. My biggest concern with this is what happens when one of the chips fry? The more components, the more chance of component failure. I hope they have a fail safe mode that sets the guitar to a hard wired setting should the circuit fail so you don't entirely lose the instrument during a gig if a chip burns up. It would also be nice to see the larger (most likely to fail) chips mounted in (holders) so they can be replaced without soldering. I would also hope they would make a set available for guitars other than a Music Man. Everyone has their favorite axe, and although MM's are great instruments, i'm sure someone along the way would like to have this option in their favorite guitar.
For me, this will not solve the one guitar does everything problem. For instance, there are too many variables between a strat and a Les Paul. Strat sounds from a LP are nice, but will never be good enough for me. There are factors such as scale length, trem vs fixed bridge, etc... that make huge differences.
I have a Nashville Tele with a battery for the piezo pickups. The implementation has switching for the magnetic and piezo pickups which requires a battery. The battery consumption is low, but when the battery dies the whole guitar is dead. It gives no warning. One second you are playing and the next complete silence. Everyone looks around wondering WTF happened? That is something I've been meaning to fix, but haven't gotten to yet. If they did it right at the factory, I wouldn't have to fix it at all. Ok, that was a rant, but the point about the battery is made.
vibratoking wrote:For me, this will not solve the one guitar does everything problem. For instance, there are too many variables between a strat and a Les Paul. Strat sounds from a LP are nice, but will never be good enough for me. There are factors such as scale length, trem vs fixed bridge, etc... that make huge differences.
I have a Nashville Tele with a battery for the piezo pickups. The implementation has switching for the magnetic and piezo pickups which requires a battery. The battery consumption is low, but when the battery dies the whole guitar is dead. It gives no warning. One second you are playing and the next complete silence. Everyone looks around wondering WTF happened? That is something I've been meaning to fix, but haven't gotten to yet. If they did it right at the factory, I wouldn't have to fix it at all. Ok, that was a rant, but the point about the battery is made.
The Battery for my Active Pup's is the same way. It dies with no warning and the guitar is then dead in the water. Which reminds me, I need to get another couple of 9V batteries to throw in my gig bag. LOL