Contents
OWNER’S MANUAL
1550-07 GUS
2007 Gibson Guitar Corp
To the new Gibson owner
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Volume Binding
Tuning
The Components
of the Solidbody
The Components of the Solidbody Electric Guitar
Featuring a V-Factor Faded in Worn Cherry
1894 - First archtop guitar 1922 - First ƒ-hole archtop, the L-5
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
1982 - First solidbody acoustic, the Chet Atkins CE
A BRIEF HISTORY OF GIBSON ELECTRIC GUITARS
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One year after the Les Paul Jr., Gibson offered a two-pickup version of the slab-body model called the Les Paul Special. The Special was further distinguished by its yellow-stained “TV” finish
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DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
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 Chet Atkins, Americana, and Hawk models and 34 on basses
Pickup adjustments. Although the pickups on each Les Paul are set to Gibson standards at the factory, they can be adjusted. The height of the pickup can be adjusted by the two screws found at either end of the pickup, in the mounting ring. Individual string volume can be adjust- ed by turning the polepiece screws. Bringing the pickup or pole screw closer to the strings makes the signal stronger or “hotter.”
Volume 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
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Rain Water wipes off the instrument’s finish easily, but if allowed to remain, it can cause ugly water spots in the lacquer
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
Install your strings correctly. Improperly installed strings can slip, which will cause your Gibson to constantly go out of tune. To correctly install strings
What brand of strings should be used? Gibson has been offering its own strings since 1907, and Gibson has more experience than any other string maker when it comes to matching strings to Gibson guitars. Gibson strings are manufactured to exacting standards to achieve the highest level of quality and performance
NEW TECHNOLOGY - THE GIBSON ROBOT GUITAR
THE MASTER CONTROL KNOB MCK
BASIC OPERATIONS
all strings in tune = all LEDs flash blue 3 times
PRECAUTIONS
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30 GUIDE TO FUNCTIONS AND DISPLAY MODES DURING TUNING OPERATIONS
Regular Tuning
E major Tuning
Function
DADGAD Tuning
Function
MCK Position
Display LEDs
E Flat Tuning
D Tuning
Function
MCK Position
Reference Tuning
Function
Action
Remarks
Custom Altered Tuning
Function
Action
Remarks
String Up Mode
Mode by pressing
switching from
Down Mode by
it could damage its connector
TO RESTRING YOUR ROBOT GUITAR
TO ACTIVATE STRING UP MODE FOR A SINGLE STRING
as in the case of replacing a string broken while playing
38 INTONATION MODE ONLY GIBSON MODELS
Function
MCK Position
Display LEDs
Function
Display LEDs
Action
MCK Position
Function
MCK Position
Action
Remarks
PLEASE NOTE
42 SETUP MODE
Enter Setup
Function
MCK Position
Exit Setup
Mode without
Your Setup Mode
Function
44 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE
Restore
Enter Setup Mode and
Function
Function
MCK Position
Display LEDs
Action
46 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE
Last Tuning
Preset Tuning
Function
Settings
Function
Action
Remarks
48 FUNCTIONS INCLUDED IN SETUP MODE
Function
MCK Position
Display LEDs
CALIBRATING POWERHEADS
MANUAL CALIBRATION OF POWERHEADS
CHARGING AND BATTERY INFORMATION
BATTERY LEVEL
Charge Mode
Function
MCK Position
Display LEDs
EMERGENCY CHARGE MODE
AUTOMATIC SWITCH OFF MODE
SHORT CIRCUIT WARNING
A LIFETIME OF MUSIC
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309 Plus Park Boulevard
Nashville, TN
1.800.4GIBSON