This Transperformance 6 string tuner is made in my town. I've visited the factory. It's a cool idea. They do excellent work to retrofit the guitars btw. It's fun to play. However the cost is huge for the benefit. It needs an external power supply. But, it changes how you think about guitar. They've sold some to high profile players like Led Zepplin's Jimmy Page. It opens new creative possibilities for the 6 string in the same way pedals changed and evolved lap steel playing. I understand that new cheaper versions and a contract with a un-named famous guitar mfg. are in the works.
To add another perspective to this converstaion - I recently built a lap steel with hipshot multi-tuning bridge to see if I could have a single neck guitar replace my multi-neck 8 strings. It works.(www.berkleyguitars.com) SO I considered using one of their 6 string auto tuners for a lap steel to provide a similar function. I've done a little talking with them. The possibilities are fun to think about - but I found out a few things along the way that make me think this stuff is a real niche product with limited use and appeal. 1) Even though a computer auto tunner can give you 6**n combinations (whatever the system limit is), you're physically limited by string guage as to how many of those tuning options are really going to work musically, give pleasing tone and be playable! 2)most lap steelers use at most 2-3 tunings - so the pareto principle is at work here. You get most benefit from a critical few things. There is limited benefit in having 1000's of tunings preloaded. Most people don't use 100% of the capability of their instruments anyway - we stick with what works and what we know. (ex. how many presets do you use for your profex vs. how many are avail.? very few I wager) 3) these facts combined with high cost makes this a very expensive option with little real return for the average player. 4) many steel players I meet seem stuck in the past and I think would have a hard time figuring out new musical possibilities. There is no musical innovation to go along with the technology innovation. 5) People fuss now about how expensive steels are - ain't gonna pay an extra few grand for that fancy stuff. 6) Plus I can't afford the r&d expense.
Apply this to pedal steel... I suppose it could eventually allow (as discussed) servo motor replacement for mechanical pedal function, and all the extra features and function that can come with a computer based systems - but if just applied to the task of tuning to E9 or C6 - I don't think it's practical. Just learn how to tune your instruments. However, if used for pedal steels levers, and foot pedal function, it would redefine the instrument - and how it could be played. (and make them lighter!) I'm sure at some point this technology will be employed by a few creative players.
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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.seldomfed.com