Device keeps guitar in tune forever

**Scotti Adams** · Aug-31-2011, 9:38am

Hopefully banjos are next

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tec...cnn?&hpt=hp_c2

**JeffD** · Aug-31-2011, 10:02am

I am a fairly technical guy and I can't figure out, from that video anyway, how the gizmo works.

**Jim Garber** · Aug-31-2011, 10:11am

The only hint is something like the string tension is maintained. I would also like to see how it would work for a mandolin. I guess it would have to be installed as a tailpiece replacement. Price BTW for std 6 string electric bridge is $330.

I can't see how it would work for acoustic flattop guitars unless it replaced the bridge/saddle/bridgeplate altogether. I think they would have to redesign. And violin would be a challenge, too.

More info here: Evertune

**Randi Gormley** · Aug-31-2011, 10:21am

The designer told me it was just for electric guitars, at least when i interviewed him last May. I specifically asked him about mandolins -- and harps, for that matter -- and he said they weren't on the radar (not enough market to make a profit and they hadn't moved the theory to acoustic instruments). It is all about the string tension, which includes compensation for bending and other string play. It's a pretty ingenious thing. I can see if my notes were more specific on how it works if anybody cares and I still have that notebook hanging around.

**allenhopkins** · Aug-31-2011, 1:44pm

Size and weight would make it problematic to install on an acoustic instrument. On a flat-top guitar, where the strings anchor at the bridge, it would sit on the top and probably significantly inhibit the top's vibration. On an arch-top guitar with floating bridge and tailpiece, it could probably be modified to fasten to the tailpiece or to the guitar rim, less detrimental to top vibration.

Electric solid-bodies, which are basically a board with strings attached, afford many more opportunities for device installation, since vibration of the "board" is not as crucial to the instrument's sound.

**Jim Garber** · Aug-31-2011, 2:14pm

In the video the guy from Evertune (owner? inventor? sales rep?) says that they would be capable of keeping any instrument in tune: violin, piano, etc. maybe that was theoretically.

**michaelpthompson** · Aug-31-2011, 6:38pm

I looked at the Evertune web site. Currently, these are only for electric guitars; presumably they are working on other instruments. It replaces the bridge and saddle with a mechanism that maintains constant string tension, even when other factors change, such as temperature and humidity. Tuning is affected by string length, string mass, and string tension. Since length and mass are pretty much constant, the tension is what you are adjusting to tune it. By keeping the string always at the same tension, Evertune keeps it in tune.

Because it is metal, it does have some mass, but they said it does not weigh all that much. It looks like mounting it to an acoustic instrument would be the challenge. We'll have to see what they come up with on that.

**Charles E.** · Aug-31-2011, 7:33pm

About 5 or more years ago there was an electric guitar being promoted that had a tiny servo motor for each string, programed to a built in electronic tuner to do the same thing. It did not catch on. I guess we will see how this one works out.

**Bill Snyder** · Aug-31-2011, 9:51pm

Charley, you are talking about the Gibson Auto Tune.

**journeybear** · Aug-31-2011, 10:07pm

Not in the market; here's why:

1) Fortunately I don't need one of these. It was in tune when I bought it.
2) Eric Weissberg tuned it twenty years ago. I'll never need to tune it again.
3) OK, I admit it. I tune it once a month, whether it needs it or not.
4) All of the above.

Listen. This won the Popular Science invention of the year award in 2010. It has to be the real deal.

**blueron** · Aug-31-2011, 11:46pm

35 years ago we frowned when Japanese motorcycles shed the kickstart, leaving them totally dependent on the electric starter; about 25 years before that the same changes to cars caused brows to furrow. It's called progress.

The technology to make the Evertune work is plainly available, and for now, the company keeps the price high. In a few years a derivative version of its simple design (the company guys themselves say it is simple) could well be on every electric guitar sold, and by then adding only ten or twenty bucks to the purchase price. And if that is the case, you can bet that versions will appear on acoustic instruments, mandolins included.

ron

**Dave Hanson** · Sep-01-2011, 1:23am

Nothing can keep a banjo in tune.

Dave H

**Ivan Kelsall** · Sep-01-2011, 3:31am

If it works well, it seems like good product to me,
Ivan

**Bertram Henze** · Sep-01-2011, 6:04am

The principles of keeping a constant tension are as old as mechanical clocks and watches - all you need is a force independent of position on a small scale. Clocks often do it with hanging weights (not so cool on a guitar), watches have these long-wound springs. Therefore, I guess it will be some springy gadget, like some elastic Steinberger version.

**Richard Moore** · Sep-01-2011, 8:23am

And it would help exactly how if trying to play in a session or ensemble with out-of-tune accordions, melodeons, oboes or pianos, for example. Or for people who use a variety of tunings? I like the versatility and flexibility my tuners give.

**Kevin Stevens** · Sep-01-2011, 8:57am

It does give you flexibility to tune it anyway you want.

**mandolino maximus** · Sep-01-2011, 9:00am

Banjos are like 1-irons in golf. Not even God will have anything to do with them. But the auto tune could help make the banjo a staple in the weight lifting room.

I don't see bluesmen ever using such a thing.

**Kevin K** · Sep-01-2011, 9:17am

.....the only time there's perfect pitch with banjo..... when tossed into a dumpster

only joking....

**blueron** · Sep-01-2011, 9:27am

Originally Posted by Richard Moore

And it would help exactly how if trying to play in a session or ensemble with out-of-tune accordions, melodeons, oboes or pianos, for example. Or for people who use a variety of tunings? I like the versatility and flexibility my tuners give.

On their website they make a point of the versatility it supposedly delivers, because it maintains the tuning at levels you dictate, not at 'perfect' pitch defined by frequencies and other physics I don't understand. They claim (and it sounds reasonable) that this feature makes their product more useful in the real world than electronic equivalents that keep the pitch at definitively 'correct' levels only.

The testimonials seem to come mainly from session musicians, rather than music 'stars', which suggests to me they are having trouble convincing the market of the product's usefulness.

ron

**JGWoods** · Sep-01-2011, 3:26pm

Wouldn't help me on the fiddle unless it placed my fingers for me. I need a robo-glove.

**resophil** · Sep-01-2011, 3:43pm

My guitar already has 6 devices for keeping it in tune...

Do I really need another?

**michaelpthompson** · Sep-04-2011, 12:20am

Originally Posted by resophil

My guitar already has 6 devices for keeping it in tune...

Do I really need another?

Depends. Has it ever been out of tune?

Then maybe they could use some help.

**Bertram Henze** · Sep-04-2011, 1:09am

Originally Posted by resophil

My guitar already has 6 devices for keeping it in tune...

Do I really need another?

What's more, if you use one of the 6, you'll have to tell the 7th first or else it will try to counter the operation.

**Philphool** · Sep-04-2011, 12:03pm

With all the brow furrowing that goes on here about whether the varnish is too thick and messing up the tone, I'm not gonna hold my breath till all you guys put one of these on your mando.