Tuners ??

flyman · #1 12-10-2011, 03:39 PM

Hi guys.

For those of you that use tuners: I'm looking for a new tuner. I don't want a pedal. I might be talked into a clip-on, but I'd rather have one that I can set on the amp head, or on the cab behind the head. That Sonic Research Turbo Tuner looks great, but it's pricey. Thoughts?

Bob

chaosmic · #2 12-10-2011, 04:19 PM

Get a Korg Pitchblack......they work great, are accurate and really easy to see on a dark stage. I have the pedal version on my board. I believe they might have a non-pedal version as well. Worth checking out for sure.

Gard · #3 12-10-2011, 10:21 PM

I've used the headstock tuners (not bad, but don't like stuff on my bass), the rack tuners (sound good in theory, but you have to turn your back on the audience to tune, which is just "bad juju" for me on stage). Don't care for anything but the pedal type - they can be very accurate, the double as a mute pedal for between tunes and switching basses, and you don't have to turn your back on the crowd.

I've used two with great success:

Boss TU-2, pretty accurate, but doesn't work with the open E & B strings - gotta use the 12th fret harmonic. Otherwise, a really good choice.

T.C. Electronics Polytune, my present box. Damn thing is scarily accurate, and has the bonus of being able to hit all your strings at one time and see which ones are out of tune, then you can zero in on any that are and nail 'em. Awesome box.

VroomVroom · #4 12-11-2011, 01:01 AM

I'm a simpleton. (Go ahead...make your jokes and smirk for awhile. I'll wait.)

Korg tuner into the 'tuner' jack of either my Genz Benz or Epifani amps. I turn it on right before each set, tune, and turn it off. Bada boom.

**Bipslapper** · #5 12-11-2011, 07:38 AM

The TC Electronic one is fantastic (so I hear from many), but I use this:

Sabine STX - 1100 - I've had it for years, out of my amp, into the tuner, done. Most decent amps have the tuning mute which I use when tuning up: before the gig and then before each set. Cheap $$ (around $29.00) and very reliable for modern basses. For the money it's a great value.

flyman · #6 12-11-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I'm a simpleton. (Go ahead...make your jokes and smirk for awhile. I'll wait.)

Korg tuner into the 'tuner' jack of either my Genz Benz or Epifani amps. I turn it on right before each set, tune, and turn it off. Bada boom.

Jerry,

Yeah, I like to keep things simple too. Which Korg do you have? I have one of those inexpensive ones with the needle, and it seems like many times it can't decide whether a string is sharp or flat. It drives me nuts.

Bob

Gard · #7 12-11-2011, 09:25 AM

I dig the simplicity concept, and tend toward that way of thought myself. My biggest reason for using the stompbox tuners is that I can instantly mute my signal for several useful reasons without stepping away from my "spot", and if my tuning is suspect, I can quickly and easily check it between tunes.

Last night was a perfect example of needing to check tuning regularly, outside gig, 40F, and strings took a while to "settle in", first set, needed to tweak the tuning between each song. It was quick, painless, and no one knew a thing other than me.

basskidd · #8 12-11-2011, 09:30 AM

I use a Korg TM 40 pretty much all the time. Its great because its a tuner and a metronome, and its got a little kickstand on the back so I can put it on top of my head during a show and be able to see it clearly.

Jeff Moote · #9 12-11-2011, 09:36 AM

Adding to the vote for tc electronics, I like the one built into my tc head. With the footswith I can do as Gard says and mute my sound to tune without turning around to see the tuner on the head, but it's displayed there too in case I'm not using the footswitch (practice at home, etc.)

Of course I know you're not looking to buy a head, so the stompbox version makes sense.

VroomVroom · #10 12-11-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyman

Jerry,

Yeah, I like to keep things simple too. Which Korg do you have? I have one of those inexpensive ones with the needle, and it seems like many times it can't decide whether a string is sharp or flat. It drives me nuts.

Bob

Mine is the CA-20. Trying to guess, I'd say it's seven-or-so years old. It replaced one with a backlight that got tragically stomped-on at a gig. I miss the backlight, but the battery life on this one is incredible. I have found that it likes a max-volume signal to be fully accurate, but otherwise, no complaints. It sits in the gig bag, so I've always got it with me, regardless of bass or venue.

Anything more for me, and it'd get lost, stolen, or damaged due to my clumsiness. I'm almost always close enough to my amp that muting - when needed - isn't an issue. And, false or otherwise, I don't want anything in the signal chain between bass and amp. Yep...simpleton.

JOME77 · #11 12-11-2011, 12:26 PM

I keep it simple. I use the Korg DT-7. I choose it over a couple other models because it supports the Buzz Feiten Tuning System and I do setups on the side (a few MTD's in the area). They cost around $80-90.

ubone · #12 12-11-2011, 01:31 PM

Peterson tuner. Handles six strings no problem.

bassWR · #13 12-12-2011, 07:16 AM

[quote=Gard;11874231
T.C. Electronics Polytune, my present box. Damn thing is scarily accurate, and has the bonus of being able to hit all your strings at one time and see which ones are out of tune, then you can zero in on any that are and nail 'em. Awesome box.[/QUOTE]

+1 on the Polytune. Easy to use and super fast.

LilRay · #14 12-12-2011, 08:24 AM

I HAD a Sabine Rack tuner that I sold. I've gotten to where flashing or strobing light angers me.

Right now I'm tunerless (is that a word

). When I'm blessed to begin building my "Whack a Mole" pedal board, I'll probably choose a Polytune.

God Bless, Ray

Fishheadjoe · #15 12-13-2011, 12:59 PM

Peterson Stomp box as well... and will act as a DI if needed.
Fishheadjoe

**Freddels** · #16 12-13-2011, 01:09 PM

I use a Peterson Stroboflip but it's slow. I would love to get one of these.

Fastest Guitar Tuner Made, the ST-200 Turbo Tuner Strobe Tuner - YouTube

Darkstrike · #17 12-13-2011, 01:31 PM

Stroboflip keeps me happy.

**Ryan L.** · #18 12-13-2011, 07:17 PM

Another vote for the Polytune. Best tuner I have owned/used (and I have had quite a few).

Floyd Eye · #19 12-13-2011, 07:20 PM

Korg rackmount units sell used for about $100. If you will settle for a $29 tuner then it really doesn't matter which one you pick. Just get the one that looks the most compatible with your gear.

bassmahn · #20 12-13-2011, 07:39 PM

I have the ST - 200. The speed and accuracy of the tuner is awesome