Best Handheld tuner!

[walterw]

Originally Posted by walterw

+1

grownups bring their own tuners.

now if you aren't dealing with "grownups" and really do have to routinely pass around a tuner, i recommend the cheap korg CAs; they'll do OK, and you won't be out so much when they get lost, stolen or broken.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by walterw

now if you aren't dealing with "grownups" and really do have to routinely pass around a tuner, i recommend the cheap korg CAs; they'll do OK, and you won't be out so much when they get lost, stolen or broken.

I have 2 cause like many said they can get lost. Except I have them for years now. But a hand held isnt as accurate as say a peterson. To me they are the most accurate and easiest to see in the dark or light. The new ones have many features and you can download updates.

[JustDavid]

Some really nice tuners recommended, but they might be 'too nice' for this application & user.

OP, a Chromatic Tuner is what you want; they let you tune any note. Tuners labelled Guitar/Bass tuners IME only tune to the open strings (disclaimer; current models might permit shifting the Opens to different tunings, & might let a user easily do that; I don't know as I long ago gave up on non-Chromatic tuners).

I don't know who you will be sharing this tool with so I don't know if you want a clip-on type, one with only a 1/4" input, or if you need one with a mic included. But the people you are sharing with REALLY should have their own tuner.

Given you MUST share this with others, I recommend you get the cheapest one you can find. If not for that factor, I'd recommend one that also has a metronome or a tuner/mute pedal. Or you could do both; a nice one for yourself & a cheap POS you can loan to musicians not responsible enough to have their own tools.

[Billy K]

Pedersen app for IPhone cheap,awesome,handheld,amen

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Billy K

Pedersen app for IPhone cheap,awesome,handheld,amen

Yea..........................

[M.R. Ogle]

Snark.

I "introduced" Snarks to a local open-mic night, and they got passed around so much I finally had to Sharpie my name an them, as they kept going home attached to OTHER guys guitars!

[grass132456]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Some really nice tuners recommended, but they might be 'too nice' for this application & user.

OP, a Chromatic Tuner is what you want; they let you tune any note. Tuners labelled Guitar/Bass tuners IME only tune to the open strings (disclaimer; current models might permit shifting the Opens to different tunings, & might let a user easily do that; I don't know as I long ago gave up on non-Chromatic tuners).

I don't know who you will be sharing this tool with so I don't know if you want a clip-on type, one with only a 1/4" input, or if you need one with a mic included. But the people you are sharing with REALLY should have their own tuner.

Given you MUST share this with others, I recommend you get the cheapest one you can find. If not for that factor, I'd recommend one that also has a metronome or a tuner/mute pedal. Or you could do both; a nice one for yourself & a cheap POS you can loan to musicians not responsible enough to have their own tools.

Background:
I'm only 17 and this isn't your typical "adult" gigging band. I'm playing with other kids from middle school to high school that are just starting out with their instruments so they don't have much, including a tuner.
I'm totally fine with a more expensive tuner (not too expensive :P) that would work better than a cheap one because I do tell them to be careful with everything they borrow and all.

@Snark tuner peeps: Are you guys talking about the clip on the head stock ones? Because that is what comes to my mind when you say SNARK. How do those even work, lets say on a bass, if it's not a 1/4" plugin?
I prefer the 1/4" plugin ones because sometimes there is a loud environment and it can't pick up on the notes of a guitar.

Thanks guys for your suggestions~

[brianerwin]

Originally Posted by brianerwin

Snark!!! All the way. You can tune ALL your notes.



Attachment 304248

Snark Tuner

This one has a 1/4 plug in on the side.

[rfslick]

I go to a blues jam almost every Wednesday night and besides myself, 8 out of 10 of the guitar players have Snarks. They work two ways: vibration through the headstock and with a piezio mike.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

But a hand held isnt as accurate as say a peterson.

The Peterson line is accurate to 1/10 of a cent; the ST-122 is accurate to 1/50 of a cent.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by esa372

The Peterson line is accurate to 1/10 of a cent; the ST-122 is accurate to 1/200 of a cent.

And neither is hand held, and i rather have a peterson...still.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

And neither is hand held, and i rather have a peterson...still.

The ST-122 is indeed "hand-held" (4.75" (H) x 2.7" (W) x 1.4" (D) - 6.2 oz (including battery)).

...and I wasn't trying to change your loyalty to Peterson; just pointing out that the ST-122 is rated with greater accuracy.

[tjh]

Originally Posted by walterw

now if you aren't dealing with "grownups" and really do have to routinely pass around a tuner, i recommend the cheap korg CAs; they'll do OK, and you won't be out so much when they get lost, stolen or broken.

... given your explanation (OP'ers) regarding who will be using them ... walters suggestion here makes the most sense ... you can get a couple Korg CA's for $25-30 and be set just fine, with a back up ... I have had several CA-30's for a long time with no issue and I dont baby them, just leave them in cases and have no concerns passing them around when others need one...

... not sure if its still on sale, but as I mentioned in another post here, that Boss TU-80 with the metronome for $20 is a very good buy .. maybe not the 'best' hand held tuner as your title indicates, but certainly one of 'best buys' ...

... there are better (more expensive) tuners out there, but all these are simple, cheap, chromatic (as requested), and accurate ... perfect for your secenario .. every tuner I have I measure for accuracy against my $250 Peterson Strobe Tuner, and all read just fine ... for junior high and high school age people just starting, I can't imagine needing anything more .. besides, when they see the less expensive ones work just fine, they are more likely to opt for their own sooner .. which is to be encouraged ... they should be made aware that each person having their own tuner (or the ability to tune by ear, etc) is a fundamental of learning to play the instrument ... JMHO

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by esa372

The ST-122 is indeed "hand-held" (4.75" (H) x 2.7" (W) x 1.4" (D) - 6.2 oz (including battery)).

...and I wasn't trying to change your loyalty to Peterson; just pointing out that the ST-122 is rated with greater accuracy.

Wasn't my point. My point is companies can almost say anything about accuracy as with power with amplifiers.
One amp at 500 watts can sound way louder than another amp at 800 watts. Another thing about strobes is that its accuracy can change even if a company Say's it doesn't. My point is Peterson has been around for a very long time and has basically been a standard with all professionals as well are guitar techs. IMO sure your tuner is very good but to say one is more accurate than another even with a companies specs is misleading. Also, specs which are minor you may never possibly hear or see. The way Peterson has been made for all these years one can't deny its accuracy, durability and the people who still have its first ones and still using them. The first ones made were in 1952. Again if your happy with your tuner that's fine. I'm not saying Peterson is better or worse. But saying its more accurate cause they say there specs are better isn't always correct. Or even means a human can tell the difference.As far of a tuner all can share which is based on this thread and hand held I guess the 122 is fine. Personally sharing a tuner can take a long time. Therefore the cheap CA is the way to go. If it goes through many hands there is a greater chance of it being lost. So a peterson or the 122 is way to expensive for that.

[esa372]

Originally Posted by Bassist30

...neither is hand held...

Originally Posted by esa372

The ST-122 is indeed "hand-held"...

Originally Posted by Bassist30

Wasn't my point.

Originally Posted by Bassist30

...to say one is more accurate than another even with a companies specs is misleading.

Originally Posted by Bassist30

...a hand held isnt as accurate as say a peterson.

I understand what you are saying, Bassist30, and I happen to agree - Peterson has a great history of accuracy. But the OP asked for "the best handheld tuner", and I don't think there is a better one than the ST-122 - that's all.