Bass Tuners That Really Work?

phillips362490 · #1 12-24-2008, 08:47 PM

I'm new to TB so this is my first post. I have not seen anything about the best or most successful clip on type of tuner to use on the DB when in jam sessions or band practice. I have been playing bluegrass for many years and have not found a good reliable tuner except my Boss TU-12H or my Seiko ST 900. The only problem with using them is the ISO cord attached and tuner is not very small and has to be kept up with. I also have the intellitouch PT-2 and intellitouch TT 500 clip-ons that do not always work, especially on the E&A strings. They work well on my guitars but not on my '76 ES-1 bass.

I would like to see some opinions on the clip-ons that seem to work for others in most situations.

mozarwasagenius · #2 12-24-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillips362490

I'm new to TB so this is my first post. I have not seen anything about the best or most successful clip on type of tuner to use on the DB when in jam sessions or band practice. I have been playing bluegrass for many years and have not found a good reliable tuner except my Boss TU-12H or my Seiko ST 900. The only problem with using them is the ISO cord attached and tuner is not very small and has to be kept up with. I also have the intellitouch PT-2 and intellitouch TT 500 clip-ons that do not always work, especially on the E&A strings. They work well on my guitars but not on my '76 ES-1 bass.

I would like to see some opinions on the clip-ons that seem to work for others in most situations.

A Peterson Strobostomp 2 is the tuner to end all tuners imho. It ain't cheap but it is worth it. This version needs a 1/4" cord though. They have a model with a mic if you need that.

simandlesque · #3 12-24-2008, 09:56 PM

I really like the Korg OT-120. It's about $100, but it's a very good tuner. It's designed to be a full orchestral tuner, so it hears everything pretty well. Every once in a while, it'll hear an overtone more prominently than my E string, but that is rare. I suppose that may be different from instrument to instrument.

Anyway, it's got 1/4 input and output jacks, and it has a bunch of transpositions and older tunings, like mean tone and other stuff.

Hope this helps. I love mine, I definitely recommend it, especially for the price.

It's also really helped me with my bow speed and pressure, along with my changes, making everything more consistent. Just a thought.

Tejano Bass · #4 12-25-2008, 08:56 AM

Clip-on - Small - $30 - set it on "c" for chromatic - so sensitive that you really don't even have to clip-it (set it down next to the bass) - works great on any stringed instument - ideal for bg jams/practice - tried & proven - never failed me on any string to include the reluctant E . . . why pay more?

http://www.fretwellbass.com/accessory.htm

Gufenov · #5 12-26-2008, 12:02 PM

I'll second the eNote. Cheap, works great. Works by vibration or by the built-in mic.

phillips362490 · #6 12-26-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the recommendations and opinions. I'll check out the eNote Tuner. My Boss TU-12 tuner works very well on my bass and guitar everytime but it is somewhat of a bother at jam sessions to clip the iso chord on, tune up and then place it in some place that will keep it from getting stepped on or me forgetting to get it when I pack up and leave. The clip on will be a lot easier to keep up with and not lose. My intellitouch clip-on tuners(tt 500 & intellitouch 2) do not work well on the E&A strings most of the time. One of my band mates has a nice Peterson Strobe tuner that works very well at practice but it is expensive and to big to carry around all the time.

It sounds like the eNote tuner just might be the thing I'm looking for if it will work on all 4 strings most of the time on stage and at jam sessions indoors and outdoors. Thanks

zeytoun · #7 12-28-2008, 11:16 PM

I really like the Meisel (just below in the link). It gives you a little digital tuning meter arm that is really quick to respond, giving you feedback even as you're turning the peg...

RD · #8 12-28-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeytoun

I really like the Meisel (just below in the link). It gives you a little digital tuning meter arm that is really quick to respond, giving you feedback even as you're turning the peg...

+1 The clip-on version works great for me. I tried the Intellitouch clip-on, and it produces an annoying rattle that I just couldn't abide.
RD

phillips362490 · #9 12-29-2008, 06:29 AM

The Meisel tuner seems to be the same tuner as the intellitouch imt-500 that I have. It does not work very well on the bass. It is fine on the guitar, mandolin and banjo, I think due to the higher pitches. I noticed that other bass players that tried using it did not keep using it very long. It may work alright at home when no other instruments are around but not at practice or any jam session. Maybe it just does not work well in this area for us bass players for some reason.

I have ordered the eNote tuner. I have a friend that uses one and he is pleased with it. So at 19.95 I'll give it a try. If it does not work well I'll keep using my dependable Boss TU-12 with iso chord and try not to lose it or step on it after tunning up.

zeytoun · #10 12-29-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillips362490

The Meisel tuner seems to be the same tuner as the intellitouch imt-500 that I have. It does not work very well on the bass. It is fine on the guitar, mandolin and banjo, I think due to the higher pitches. I noticed that other bass players that tried using it did not keep using it very long. It may work alright at home when no other instruments are around but not at practice or any jam session. Maybe it just does not work well in this area for us bass players for some reason.

I have ordered the eNote tuner. I have a friend that uses one and he is pleased with it. So at 19.95 I'll give it a try. If it does not work well I'll keep using my dependable Boss TU-12 with iso chord and try not to lose it or step on it after tunning up.

No, not the intellitouch, the diamond-shaped one directly above it with the green screen.

I can't stand the intellitouch either. Not only does it have a hard time with the lower notes, but it's also slow to respond and the feedback tool is not very easy to work with, making it hard to tune anything (bass, guitar, mando) accurately for me.

EDIT: Sorry, I conflated the Intellitouch imt-500 that you mentioned, with the Intellitouch PT1, which I don't care for. Yes, the Meisel appears to be the same (or at least superficially identical) to the Intellitouch imt-500. I wonder whether it's different internals or external aspects that are causing the difference of experience that you and I have had.

phillips362490 · #11 12-29-2008, 11:51 AM

You may be on to something there. The difference between the two could be the difference that one company requires of their product from another. Thanks

zeytoun · #12 12-29-2008, 12:26 PM

I snooped around, and it seems that they are identical internally.

Tejano Bass · #13 12-29-2008, 04:04 PM

Just for whatever it may or may not be worth . . . but . . .

based on my own personal experience, I feel obliged to strongly disagree

- I've owned & tried both the Meisel & the eNote.

No comparison whatsover in practical applicaton - the Meisel was at best a hit and/or miss proposition most of the time, especially on the E string . . . whereas, the eNote has never (yet) let me down; however, it's more sensitive/effective for all notes when it's set on "C" for chromatic.

zeytoun · #14 12-29-2008, 04:20 PM

Hey, I haven't tried the eNote, so you have more experience than me. I've been borrowing my bandmates' tuners.

One has the Intellitouch PT1, which I loathe.

The other has the Meisel, which I like very much.

Maybe the eNote is even better, in which case I will be ordering one.

All I know is that I can't tune with the Intellitouch. (I have very rough, untrained perfect pitch, and my bass strings don't sound in tune after the Intellitouch, but I don't have enough skill to know how to tune them purely by ear, I just know it's off. When I use the Meisel, my ear goes "ahhh" when I'm done. But I believe you if you say the eNote is better.)

phillips362490 · #15 01-27-2009, 04:56 PM

Thanks everybody for your comments on your experience with the clip-on tuners. I did order and receive on of the e-note tuners and although I've only used it a few times so far, it did work very well. It did work better than any of the other tuners I've tried. If I find it to be more trouble than it's worth later on like the rest of them I'll let you know. Thanks,

Jim Memphis, TN

Tejano Bass · #16 01-27-2009, 06:36 PM

Jim - just make sure that you have it set on "C" for chromatic . . . much more sensitive on that setting.

phillips362490 · #17 01-28-2009, 08:45 PM

Yes Tejano, I found that to be true. Thanks,

Jim Memphis,TN

Hammertime3 · #18 02-23-2009, 01:45 PM

I just bought a "Pitch Pocket HST" clip on very similar to the E note(triangular). It works very well for my bass. Shows red when out of tune, then goes to green when in tune. Very easy to see. Listed for $24.95 at our local music store, but I got it for $20. My wife used to own the store. Never heard of this tuner until I inquired at the store, but I really like it so far.

phillips362490 · #19 02-23-2009, 05:49 PM

Hammer3,

After using the e-note tuner now for the last couple months, I am very pleased with it. It works in jam sessions as well as band practice. It is very accurate when you give it a second to settle down, which all tuners need to do when around other instruments. I recommend it to anyone needing a quick clip on tuner for ease of caring around and one that is dependable so far. I found it at MusicStudio Direct for 19.95 plus 5.00 shipping.If it proves to not last very long, I'll let everybody know.
I hope your "pitch-pocket HST" proves to be as satisfactory for you as the e-note has for me. Thanks for the reply.

Jim Memphis,Tn

martinc · #20 02-27-2009, 04:46 PM

I ordered the e note tuner.
It is excellent. Perfect for the upright bass. Nails all the strings the first time unlike the Intellitouch, Meisel and Profile 2700 I have.
I will probably order a second e note and chuck the rest. No comparison.