Gibson's new offering uses digital technology to separate the sound from each string and send out a digital signal that can be manipulated with reverb, distortion, coloration and other effects. Output is through an Ethernet cable with multichannel capabilities, which eliminates the sound interference associated with conventional audio cable, Gibson chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz said. "We bring more of what you're actually doing as a player through superior electronics. It makes the Les Paul more of a Les Paul, not something different or enhanced," he said. "If I'm a good player, I will sound better and be able to translate more of my style to the audience, and that's what music is about." The problem is, nothing else works with it, said George Gruhn,  owner of Gruhns Guitars in Nashville. "I don't have an amplifier it would be compatible with. And 99% of guitars people play could be plugged into an amp Leo Fender made in 1944," he said. "Henry's trying to do something that is completely incompatible with the systems currently in use, and that is a big risk." There is no standard yet for digitized music, but Juszkiewicz predicts that within five years, 95% of instruments will be digital, including guitars priced at less than $100. Until then, Gibson's digital guitar will come with a converter to make it compatible with current analog equipment. The microprocessor board also will be sold as a kit so that players can retrofit guitars, Juszkiewicz said. Transferability means players can easily upgrade as Gibson develops new features and protocol.