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New Gadget Strikes a Chord

Tuning electric guitar becomes hands-off job

By Kate Rockwood,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2008 12:24 PM CDT
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(Newser) – One less thing is standing between you and a perfect jam session: tuning your electric guitar. A newly launched battery-powered compact device that mounts on the instrument's body is accurate to within 2% of a note, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "It's just a dream, being able to pick up the guitar and see whether it's in tune or tune it quickly," says a beta user.

The N-Tune, the brainchild of an ex-Microsoft employee, uses red LED lights to show that the string being tuned is sharp or flat, and a green light to indicate it's on pitch. The gizmo costs $80 to $100, and the 2-year-old Seattle-based startup behind it, Zero Crossing, has deals in place for 10,000 units. Getting the neighbors not to squawk when the tunes start flowing is the customer's responsibility.

Plans may be in the works for a tuning device that mounts on acoustic guitars.
Plans may be in the works for a tuning device that mounts on acoustic guitars.   (Zero Crossing, Inc.)
A Seattle startup is marketing a gadget that mounts on an electric guitar and helps keep the instrument in tune.
A Seattle startup is marketing a gadget that mounts on an electric guitar and helps keep the instrument in tune.   ((c) bormang2)
Zero Crossing of Seattle has released its first product, an electric guitar tuning device called N-Tune.
Zero Crossing of Seattle has released its first product, an electric guitar tuning device called N-Tune.   ((c) Gary J. Wood)
More than 10,000 unit orders of the N-Tune have been placed.
More than 10,000 unit orders of the N-Tune have been placed.   (Zero Crossing, Inc.)
The N-Tune doesn't require any permanent modifications to the guitar.
The N-Tune doesn't require any permanent modifications to the guitar.   (Zero Crossing, Inc.)
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The company's website
Zero Crossing

 
music • entrepreneurs • guitar • consumer electronics • invention • N-Tune • Zero Crossing

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