Is Tuner out needed?

pgbassman · #1 01-20-2011, 05:01 AM

Does anyone other than me think that manufactures should eliminate the tuner out on their heads? I've always plugged directly into my tuner and never use the tuner out. If so would you prefer to save a little on the purchase of the head because of the elimination of the output and the expenses associated with it or add a different option to replace it?

Nino Valenti · #2 01-20-2011, 05:12 AM

I use the tuner out on every gig.

Oopsdabassist · #3 01-20-2011, 05:17 AM

So whats the difference between the 2 methods? I have always stuck my tuner in the signal chain

dmrogers · #4 01-20-2011, 05:22 AM

Actually, I like the tuner out. However, with my TF heads, if you mute the head, it stops the signal to the tuner. That's not a huge deal but I kinda like the way the tuner output works on the SVT 3Pro. When you mute the head, you can still tune.

I would be better off with the tuner in-line from the guitar to the instrument input (with the mute function built in to the tuner). Then I could just tap it, and tune.

That is a small tradeoff for such a great head. I'll live with it.

pbd · #5 01-20-2011, 05:27 AM

tuner outs can be useful. Some tuners have a buffer built into them. This buffer can help your signal if you have a long string of effects pedals. Sometimes you pedals can bleed off a bit of your signal heading to your amp (even true bypass pedals) and a buffer can help with that.

Also, a tuner with and output can be used as a mute switch, again depending on the tuner. The players at my church use them as mute switches as well as tuners.

My tuner is placed outside my signal chain with looper pedal but I use an A/B/Y pedal with a buffer at the front of my pedal chain to serve that puprose.

Hope this helps,
Todd

AtomicPunk · #6 01-20-2011, 05:30 AM

I like having it. I only turn on the tuner when I am tuning and then off again, don't like having it in my path from the guitar to the amp. I use mine every gig.

NKUSigEp · #7 01-20-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgbassman

Does anyone other than me think that manufactures should eliminate the tuner out on their heads? I've always plugged directly into my tuner and never use the tuner out. If so would you prefer to save a little on the purchase of the head because of the elimination of the output and the expenses associated with it or add a different option to replace it?

Hell no! Anytime I can eliminate a cord dangling around, I'm for it! It's convenient plus, for the purists out there who think less is more, it gets rid of unneccessary stuff in the signal path.

It is an extremely cheap option so a consumer isn't going to see much if anything taken off the cost. We're talking a dollar or two if that.

KJung · #8 01-20-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oopsdabassist

So whats the difference between the 2 methods? I have always stuck my tuner in the signal chain

A couple of things. First, until somewhat recently, there really weren't any true bypass pedal tuners with high accuracy. So, quite a few of us would never put a tuner in our signal path, which could cut the top end of your frequency response. The tuner out allowed you to put a crappy tuner 'in line but side chained' so that it didn't mess with your signal.

This, of course, has become a thing of the past, and with the Strobostomp, the pitchblack, the TC Poly tune, and the 'best of the bunch' Sonic, you basically can now have a very high quality foot controlled mute switch that is totally transparent and that happens to have a very good tuner attached to it

The tuner out is still useful for those using rack tuners though, and also serves as a nice buffered but pre everything line out. No reason to not have it, and the cost saving would be minimal.

However, very little reason to use one as a tuner out at this point, given these amazing units that have recently been put on the market.

jnewmark · #9 01-20-2011, 06:25 AM

I have never used a tuner out on an amp. Inbetween sets, I turn the Master all the way down, unplug my bass, plug into my tuner, tune, then plug back in. Never takes more than a minute. Kinda like a contour control, never use it, but, that's just me .

KJung · #10 01-20-2011, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

I have never used a tuner out on an amp. Inbetween sets, I turn the Master all the way down, unplug my bass, plug into my tuner, tune, then plug back in. Never takes more than a minute. Kinda like a contour control, never use it, but, that's just me .

FYI, if you are unplugging the bass, no reason to mess with the master volume. Of course, if you don't want to put your tuner in line, and have an amp with a mute switch, just use a short cable (6") and run your tuner out of the tuner out jack. The problem with this is that you still need to turn the tuner on and off if you don't want to drain the battery for no reason.

Or, get a true bypass tuner and never unplug your bass again on the gig

The cool thing about the true bypass tuners is that with the mute not engaged (i.e., with the unit bypassed while you are playing), the unit does not draw any energy from the battery... it is truly 'off'. VERY cool.

waveman · #11 01-20-2011, 06:42 AM

No, they should include the tuner in the amp instead. It really wouldn't add much cost to building an amp to put simple tuner on an amp. If someone wants a super accurate or expensive one, they always do that as they are now.

Personally I run my tuner in front so I can cut the signal to the amp while tuning.

Wes Whitmore · #12 01-20-2011, 06:55 AM

I think it all depends on what you grew up using. I have always used GK amps with tuner outs and tuner mutes, and I find it the cleanest way to do it for me. You can use any tuner. Tuner out doesn't mean a thing to me if there isn't a mute function built into the amp though.
For example, my only issue with the GK MB200 is no dedicated tuner out or tuner mute. I can feed the tuner with the line out on that amp, but I can't turn the master down (to mute) or it kills the line out and DI. I don't want to turn down the master anyhow because my DI level is set based on the master volume knob (post EQ setting). It has forced me to spend $100+ on a mutable stop tuner to use this awesome amp. I'm sure this was intended as a practice amp and they didn't see a need to keep the feature, but it's a feature that is missed.
Wes

lbwdog · #13 01-20-2011, 07:29 AM

The only bass I have that stays in tune once it's tuned, is my '64 P Bass. I've literally gone weeks and weeks without turning a key, and that was playing at least three nights a week, plus recording sessions in the daytime!

Now most of my other basses could be influenced by temperature changes, etc., and can need tweaking several times a night. Therefore, I like to be able to tune on the fly (during a song), as well as before and between sets. This is where a tuner out is beneficial to me, as I can keep the tuner on full time and mute the amp between songs or sets for silent tuning.
I only wish my MarkBass Tube800 had something other than the "pull to mute" on the Master. If it wouldn't void the warranty, I'd have a separate mute switch installed so as not to disturb my volume setting.
I wonder if MB could be coaxed into performing this mod at a service facility............prolly not!

treekiller · #14 01-20-2011, 07:35 AM

I use mine as a mute switch. My Precisions have no problem staying in tune, I tweak them once before a gig and then leave them be.

Phalex · #15 01-20-2011, 07:38 AM

I find the tuner out to be handy. If you hear something funky when you're playing, you can stomp your tuner (I don't have rack mount stuff) and check your tuning while you play.

I also put my tuner in the signal chain sometimes, because the jury is still out as far as whether I like the tuner to mute the signal when I turn it on (I had a negative experience with this a few weeks ago, as I had an issue mid song).

Now that I've written it out, I'm going back to using the tuner out exclusively.

SteveC · #16 01-20-2011, 07:41 AM

I use the tuner out. I have a Korg CA-30 that I to my combo amp and I use a short cord from the tuner out so I always have it available and never have to think about it. I mute the amp, tune, and un-mute and play. I just leave the tuner on as it doesn't seem to use batteries very quickly.

Tuner Out only makes sens if you have a mute switch that mutes everything - like the DI - so you can tune silently.

I suppose with the better tuner pedals available a guy could just use one of those, but this way is one less thing, one less cord, and my $30 tuner does the same thing as the more expensive above mentioned pedal tuners.

lbwdog · #17 01-20-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I also put my tuner in the signal chain sometimes, because the jury is still out as far as whether I like the tuner to mute the signal when I turn it on (I had a negative experience with this a few weeks ago, as I had an issue mid song).

Now that I've written it out, I'm going back to using the tuner out exclusively.

That's what I mean. Last week, there were several temp changes in the room where I played, and I found myself needing to tweak a couple of strings mid-song, but couldn't as I had the tuner in line. While I have no complaints about my MIM Jazz, it's just not as rock solid as my 47 year old P Bass regarding holding perfect tuning!

jnewmark · #18 01-20-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

That's what I mean. Last week, there were several temp changes in the room where I played, and I found myself needing to tweak a couple of strings mid-song, but couldn't as I had the tuner in line. While I have no complaints about my MIM Jazz, it's just not as rock solid as my 47 year old P Bass regarding holding perfect tuning!

I know what you mean, Eric. I must have a freak of a Jazz bass. It's a '95 MIA, and it never goes out of tune, or needs a bridge or neck adjustment. My tech guy says I should contact Fender and let them study it as he's never seen anything like it in 30 years ! Sounds good, too !

prd004 · #19 01-20-2011, 07:57 AM

I love the tuner out and would miss if it was not there. This way I just leave the tuner on and can monitor my tuning (even though my basses generally stay in tune), tune on the fly while playing, whatever. Plus, it's not in my signal chain.

I can still mute and tune in between songs, it leaves every option on the board.

Jim Nazium · #20 01-20-2011, 07:58 AM

I never use it. I tune once at the beginning of a gig, and maybe once between sets. With that said, I agree with the earlier post that said it's a very cheap feature to include; it's just a 1/4" jack and a patch point to the signal. I'd just as soon have it there in case I ever decide I want it, or if I decide to sell the amp and the next owner wants it. Same goes for effects loops.