What tuner to use?

[Mistydawn]

My husband is learning the upright bass. He's never played any instrument, nor can he read SMN. But he's already able to accompany my hammered dulcimer playing. We've been playing mostly folk & traditional (old-timey) music. He wants his own tuner for Christmas. The first time he used my CA-30, he accidentally reset it to 460 and I never noticed. Couldn't figure out why my 64 strings had gone flat on my instrument!

Should I get him a "dedicated" bass/guitar tuner, like the Korg GA-30? Or a clip-on model? The old Intellitune I have wouldn't register the low notes on the bass. He might want a chromatic tuner so he can use it to find other notes besides the open strings. I don't want to spend a lot and I also need one quick. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

And before anyone "yells" at me, I did try looking through some of the old threads for info on tuners, but didn't see any. I also couldn't find a way to do a search. And to complicate matters further, I have a dial-up connection (no other options where I live other than expensive satellite), so it takes a long time to research things... and with my deadline quickly approaching, time is of the essence.

I hope eventually my husband will start using the forum himself. I think he's doing pretty well on his instrument so far. He needs at least one new string, but that's another issue. Thanks for any tuner help.

[drurb]

I've used a Korg CA 30 with no problem at all. Works great and can be had for less than $15! Other than setting yours at 460 Hz, did it not work out well?

[Bass Barrister]

I use several "tunahs"

The Korg TM-40, a tuner/metronome combo works very well and is reasonable in price. My only gripe is that it can be hard to read at a distance. Like the CA-30, it also will sound A and Bb tuning notes.

The Korg DT-4 tuner is very easy to read, consisting of green LEDs. It does not, however, have a metronome and drone tones. You see the actual note value and then tune with one of three options, including rotating green lights.

Both seem to pick up the "basement" notes well and both can be used with a clip mike.

Good luck.

[cavemusic]

I had a Korg AW-1 clip on for a while. It worked pretty well on my u/r bass, but it's a bit small and flimsy. The display is a little small and hard to read, especially with low light, but its small size means it's quite easy and discreet to use. It stopped working after about 3 years of use (and some abuse). I have tried an Intelli IMT-500, and its response seems really slow - it's not really usable for u/r bass I have found. I know a few people with Intellitouch PT1 tuners - they seem to like them. It's got a nice big display, but the few times I have borrowed one, it seemed a little finicky especially with the E.

Finally, I bought a Korg CA-30 with a piezo clip-on pickup. It works great - picks up the E the best of all tuners I have tried so far. I also use it with my 5 string electric basses and it picks up the low B string too. The only catch is, it's kind of big. I got used to the convenience of the little clip-on tuners.

[Dr Rod]

for orchestra, a clip mic is super helpful (and obviously a tuner that has a mic input).

[jrlynch]

the meisel clip on tuner just plain works. simple, quick and cheap.

jeff.

[UnkaRick]

This is fast, as long as you don't have to travel with it...tune right from your computer,

http://www.get-tuned.com/old_bass_guitar_tuner.php

[Jsn]

Originally Posted by jrlynch

the meisel clip on tuner just plain works. simple, quick and cheap.

jeff.

Ditto the Meisel. I've had a lot of frustration with the low notes on other tuners, but not that one. Extremely affordable, and clips nicely to the bridge.

I bought two of those Korg AW-1s, which have similar configurations. I like their aesthetics but found them unreliable. The first one quit mysteriously with the first year (and zero abuse), and I returned the second after tiring of coaxing meaningful information out of it. The Meisel does it all, and at a fraction of the price.

That said, I'm even happier with the Cleartune application on my iPhone. If that's an option with you, check it out.

[Tejano Bass]

Misty - check your PM

[fdeck]

I am happy with my Korg CA-30, and a metronome would be a nice add-on.

[brake]

I use my TU-2 for everything. Works great....but only if you've got a pickup.

[CamMcIntyre]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I am happy with my Korg CA-30, and a metronome would be a nice add-on.

Korg CA-30 Tuner and I use the MA-30 metronome. The metronome looks identical to the tuner except it's blue.

[PocketGroove82]

Peterson Stroboflip.

It comes with a clip on device to attach to the bridge and it's one of the most accurate tuners in the world. For getting your intonation together and learning the subtle tendencies of your particular bass, it's a big help. Expensive though, but worth it.

Matt

[Gufenov]

eNote clip on tuner. $25-30. Works with both vibration or microphone.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by brake

I use my TU-2 for everything. Works great....but only if you've got a pickup.

+1 Boss TU-2 for basses with pickups. Sort of expensive but well worth it.

[BigSpikeBass]

intellitouch, (the rectangular kind)
good tuner, just don't drop it

tough if other loud instruments tuning causing your top to vibrate

i have the intelli (the square kind) for my guitar because it will not wok on my bass

[thomasholley]

Peterson stroboflip is the most accurate tuner I have ever used. It's just great.

[akmusicfreak]

+1 with the Korg CA-30

[Whit Townsend]

I keep an Intelletouch clamped to the bridge. Its worked well for years.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by BigSpikeBass

i have the intelli (the square kind) for my guitar because it will not wok on my bass

That's different. I find the square clip-ons to be terrific at picking up the bass.

What I don't like about them is its 'close enough for bluegrass' attitude to pitch. Its okay for a night-time jam but otherwise I'll just tune one string and take it from there myself on both bass and guitar.