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Gibson Dark Fire Guitar Revealed

by Premier Guitar
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Nashville, TN (November 11, 2008) - After a bit of media titilation, Gibson has revealed photos and details about its new Dark Fire guitar.

The company's website introduces the Dark Fire guitar--a Les Paul-based, PLEK'ed multi-pickup beast--with the following statement:

"Tone meets innovation in this incredible marriage of Chameleon Tone Technology and second generation Robot Guitar technology."

Chameleon Tone Technology

So, what in the world is Chameleon Tone Technology? According to the Gibson website, Chameleon Tone Technology involves infinite tonal possibilities. The guitar comes equipped with a P90h black soapbar in the neck, a PAF-minded Burstbucker 3 in the bridge and a piezo, too. Technically, the piezo is actually 6 little piezos (one for each saddle.) The wiring of these pickups harnesses 20 different base tonal combinations. The pickup switch has a pot built into it that allows you to blend the piezo variably.

 

Gibson Roots
 
The guitar itself is basically a mahogany chambered Les Paul with a fire red nitro finish and dual black binding. The back of the guitar and neck have a satin finish. The guitar is set up with a PLEK machine and features a flowerpot inlay on the peghead that was once used on the headstock of the 1911 F4 mandolin and later on L5s.

The Dark Fire also features classic block inlays that are familiar from early 60s 335s and Custom Flying Vs, but are made out of acrylic.

Mr. Roboto

When the first rumblings of this guitar hit the internet, many people, ourselves included, wondered if the company's hints about groundbreaking technological advancements had something to do with digital modeling. We now know that Gibson was refering to a combination of things: the Chameleon Tone Technology, the newest version of the Robot Guitar automatic tuning system and a buffet of connection options.

The self-tuning system has apparently been upgraded so that it is faster and lighter. Gibson's website states that the Dark Fire's smaller powerhead tuners can access any preset tuning in less than one second and can also be operated by hand. The company is offering Dark Fire upgrade kits for players who bought original Robot Guitars and would like their tuning systems to be upgraded to Dark Fire quality specs.

Ins and Outs

As for the ins and outs, the Dark Fire comes equipped with a 1/4" stereo input, a 1/8" headphone out with a level control and a pilot light, two balanced 1/4" line outs, a FireWire connector for your computer and a hex connector that can isolate individual outputs from each saddle's piezo.

As if that isn't enough, Gibson alludes to the guitar's ability to adapt to future advancements, such as BlueTooth compatibility for your computer or even the next generation of Robot technology.

Contest

No new product promotion is complete without a contest. Gibson's contest for the new Dark Fire guitar involves a big press conference and performance at Times Square on December 15th. One lucky contest participant will win a trip to the event and another will win a Dark Fire Limited Edition First Run guitar. Winners will be chosen from a song they write about (...wait for it...) the Dark Fire guitar. To enter, cut your song on video, upload it to Gibson's YouTube page and fill out the online form found here.

For more info:
Gibson Dark Fire Guitar

     


Commentary

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Anthony
on 12/16/2008 		If Gibson made it with true-temperament fretboard, it would be better. Now it's a slightly over-equiped instrument, and always slightly out of tune :) Dark Fire would cost about 1000 bucks more, though.
Adam Grath
on 11/29/2008 		Sorry Clay- you're right. The main point I was trying to make is that the final shaping and sanding of the body as well as forming the neck profile and fretboard radius is done by hand at Gibson.
Clay
on 11/28/2008 		In regards to Adam's comment, I just did a quick google search of "gibson guitar cnc operations" and the very first hit shows this; http://www.designnews.com/article/242-Gi bson_Guitar_s_Newest_CNC_Machine_Strikes _A_Productive_Chord.php more CNC machinery
Adam Grath
on 11/27/2008 		In regards to Clay's comment regarding Gibson's CNC machines: You should tour the plant. The only CNC operation is the rough shaping of the top carve of the Les Paul.
Michael Smith
on 11/17/2008 		For those of us who use alternate tunings during a show, this could be great. (Those of us who were inspired by Michael Hedges but do not have a roadie to help tune guitars between songs....) The Transperformance company has been doing the re-tuning thing for years with great success, but the surgery on the guitar will make most people who covet their Les Pauls (like I do) shudder in horror and pain, not to mention the cost is rather extreme. (Klein Guitars tried to make one with an acoustic guitar, but the price was ....just go to the website and find out.) Time will tell with this one. This very well could be an amazing piece of gear for those that need it, but it will never be as beautiful or soulful as 50's or 60's Les Paul.
Mark All
on 11/17/2008 		I agree with Sturmund Drang. I just want a gold top LP with robo-tuning. I'm going to put DiMarzios in it anyway. I don't want to pay a premium price for all those ridiculous input features when I'm just going to plug it into my Marshall and stick a mic in front of it.
BISHOP DAVE
on 11/16/2008 		R&D Is no replacement for a fine system of quality control that is what Gibson needs now. The company needs to put out a quality instrument equal to the price that they are demanding!
BISHOP DAVE
on 11/16/2008 		R&D Is no replacement for a fine system of quality control that is what Gibson needs now. The company needs to put out a quality instrument equal to the price that they are demanding!
David in Ohio
on 11/16/2008 		Seems to soon to say what will be the market response (in a extremely poor economy no less) I agree with the multiple posts to get back to quality control and make a excellent Gibson Line of Electrics (Les Pauls, ES-335's , the VOS are so costly but seem to actually reproduce the quality of the 1950's early 60's Gibson's The Digital Guitar came and went,the Robot Guitars are deeply discounted, this seems interesting (but do it without the robot tuning, put a PAF in the neck position a HB in the bridge and the piezo is fine, all the inputs and outputs just ask for trouble. Godin has done well with their niche guitars with synth guitars but it it is a niche market (and add a Roland Synth or other unit to the cost as well) Line 6 with their hexaphonic pickups in The Variax line have not taken off as they planned but I hang on to my Variax 500, I love my Gibson Blueshawk, I had a 2001 Gibson LP Standard and sold it, I bought (last year) a Epiphone 57" re-issue Elist model and compared to the Gibson the sound, tone, sustain were better(IMO) and far less costly, sad to say the Elist Epiphone line is discontinued. Will have to see how this one pans out, any one heard of a price for the "Dark Fire" ? Peace
clay
on 11/15/2008 		The Gibson company of yesteryear(in Kalamazoo) that invented all those innovations (see Bill's comment below) that exist today were true craftsmen & musicians. The Gibson company of today is nothing more than a few Businessmen (non-musicians too) who put all their money together to buy the "name" so they could make MORE money by sticking that "name" on top of whatever comes out the other end of their CNC machines and calling it a guitar in the tradition of the original company---which they are FAR from. I won't even start with the first issue...which is the (lack of) quality of their Fret work.



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