The Epiphone Zenith Robot is another affordable, technology laden Epiphone. Well, it is a robot…
The Epiphone Zenith Robot follows in the footsteps of the AJ-220 SCE Robot, mentioned recently in this blog. Equipped with the Robot self-tuning technology featured in several of Gibson ‘s cutting edge, limited edition guitars (most recently the Firebird X), the Zenith robot and AC-220 robot represent something of a ‘watershed moment’; what was once the preserve of some of Gibson ‘s most costly guitars has now made its way into the affordable Epiphone range of instruments. The Zenith Robot is a striking example of this. Slimline and distinctive, the guitar resurrects the Zenith name for a six string guitar (rather than a bass) in some style.
Chambered mahogany body
The exact specifications of the Epiphone Zenith Robot have yet to be confirmed, but it appears to be only very loosely based on the original 1930s Zenith archtop model. However, the original was a small, slim guitar, as is this, and the original was designed to be a student instrument, as this would appear to be. The Zenith Robot is (we are led to believe) constructed with a chambered mahogany body and spruce top. Perhaps the guitar’s most distinctive cosmetic feature is the pinwheel soundhole, adding to its electric/ acoustic hybrid appearance. Unusually, for a guitar from the Gibson family at least, the neck is maple with a rosewood fingerboard, and is finished with block inlays.
The Zenith Robot is designed to be played through some form of amplification, rather than be played acoustically. In this regard, it has been equipped with two Shadow pickups: a Nanomag humbucker at the neck, and a Nanoflex undersaddle pickup. These are wired with controls mounted on the Zenith ‘s top.
The aspect of the Epiphone Zenith Robot ‘s design that will attract most attention no doubt, will be the Robot tuning technology. If you haven’t seen this before, when activated, this will tune all of the strings, via motorised tuners, simply by strumming the open strings. In addition, up to 18 preset tunings can be stored, enabling the player to switch between, standard tuning and, say, DADGAD in a matter of seconds.
Here’s a little summary of the Epiphone Zenith Robot ‘s main features.
- Robot technology – self-tuning machine heads, with up 18 preset tunings
- Small, slimline body – chambered mahogany with spruce top and pinwheel soundhole
- Bolt-on maple neck – with rosewood fingerboard and block inlays
- Two on-board pickups – Shadow Nanomag neck pickup and Shadow Nanoflex under saddle pickup
- Top-mounted controls
- Rosewood bridge
The Epiphone Zenith Robot promises to be a very intriguing and versatile guitar, as well as an affordable means of obtaining a guitar with Robot tuning on-board. Arriving soon- call our stores or customer service team (01925 582420) for availability.
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