Good, Reliable Tuner

TMart99 · #1 12-22-2011, 09:54 AM

I'm looking for two good bass tuners, to use for live shows, rehersal and recording projects.

I like to hook 'em up to the back of my amp and sit them on top of the amp.

Don't do a whole lot of drop tuning, but having the capabilities to do so (even if it's just one or two songs) would be a plus.

Looking to stay in the $150.00 and under range.

There's so many out there, just looking to get an idea of which are good quality and reliable; so I can narrow down the choices.

What do you guys use (brands/models)?

**TRichardsbass** · #2 12-22-2011, 10:05 AM

Boss TU-3 is the only decent one in that price range. Its great on stage. I'm moving to a Peterson only because its better and more precise for recording and seems to be better for doing bass maintenance. If I get the Peterson for Xmas, I'll sell you my very lightly used Boss for a good price.

rogerb · #3 12-22-2011, 11:02 AM

Turbo tuner is great, only one I've tried though. I've got the pedal version. Accurate and quick. You'd just use the chromatic mode there to do a drop tuning. Click, tune, click, done.

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

Floyd Eye · #4 12-22-2011, 11:18 AM

J.Wolf · #5 12-22-2011, 11:21 AM

Sonic research turbo tuner is tough to beat, for size, accuracy, versatility. Plus you can read it in sunlight!

Randall · #6 12-22-2011, 11:28 AM

Peterson stroboflip is a nice tuner. Little above your price range but once you own one it is hard to go back. You will have to re intonate all of your basses after

TMart99 · #7 12-22-2011, 04:30 PM

Thanks so much, guys.

That was very helpful.

I decided on two Sonic Research Turbos.

azureblue · #8 12-22-2011, 04:34 PM

Get a Snark, the black one, like this:

New Snark Chromatic Headstock Tuner Black SN-5 (61182000172) | eBay

TNCreature · #9 12-22-2011, 06:14 PM

Joyo makes a Pitchblack clone that I use- cheap and works well!
look on eBay

ThirstyMonkey · #10 12-22-2011, 06:54 PM

I use TC Electronic's Polytune, under $100. It is a chromatic tuner that allows you to know which strings are sharp/flat by strumming all strings simultaneously. I use it between my guitar and amp and use it as a "mute" pedal when I set my bass off because it has a completely silent bypass function. Anyway, it's what I use.

MatticusMania · #11 12-22-2011, 07:07 PM

I realize you've already made a decision, but have you considered a headstock tuner?
I hear the Planet Waves ND mini is really good, though I can't attest to it myself, atm. (hoping to get one for Xmas) It's a steal at $29, especially if its as good as they say it is.

bucephylus · #12 12-22-2011, 07:18 PM

I believe I used my TU 3 for close to 20 years. They do work. Finally the input jack got wonky on me and the plastic case is long gone.

Anyhow, I recently bought 2 of these to throw in the gig bag:
Amazon.com: Seiko SAT800E Heavy Duty Chromatic Tuner: Musical Instruments
I find they work every bit as well as the TU3. Batteries last forever.

kraigo · #13 12-22-2011, 07:18 PM

What I prefer about stomp box tuners is the mute switch. I'm either tuning or I'm playing. Having that switch right there helps me avoid mistakes - really helpful if you're playing in a theater pit or a church or something like that. I guess my feeling is that if the bass is plugged in anyway, taking the electrical signal is preferable to an acoustic interface.

I think headstock tuners are great for acoustic guitars, but for electric guitars and basses I have a definite preference for the tuner working on the electrical signal.

This is not intended to be the last word on the subject, but it will take a lot to convince me to change.

KO

mmbongo · #14 12-22-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirstyMonkey

I use TC Electronic's Polytune, under $100. It is a chromatic tuner that allows you to know which strings are sharp/flat by strumming all strings simultaneously. I use it between my guitar and amp and use it as a "mute" pedal when I set my bass off because it has a completely silent bypass function. Anyway, it's what I use.

this. everything else is...meh.

georgestrings · #15 12-22-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

Boss TU-3 is the only decent one in that price range.

Totally disagree - TurboTuner, Polytune, and Pitchblack are all better tuners than the TU-3, and all less than $150...

- georgestrings

Stevorebob · #16 12-22-2011, 09:41 PM

Really like the Boss TU-3.

Floyd Eye · #17 12-22-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Totally disagree - TurboTuner, Polytune, and Pitchblack are all better tuners than the TU-3, and all less than $150...

- georgestrings

I disagree. I prefer the TU2/3 over any of those. The Peterson Strobo Stomp can be had used for around $100 too and it is miles above every tuner mentioned in this thread so far.

Stilettoprefer · #18 12-22-2011, 10:05 PM

Korg pitchblack for live

Korg handheld (the black one) for home/practice.

Both are tough as nails. The handheld one does burst into pieces when dropped though, but it always goes back together and keeps on truckin!

Rob22315 · #19 12-22-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I realize you've already made a decision, but have you considered a headstock tuner?
I hear the Planet Waves ND mini is really good, though I can't attest to it myself, atm. (hoping to get one for Xmas) It's a steal at $29, especially if its as good as they say it is.

I got this and love it. It's designed to stay on the bass - the clip design doesn't allow easy removal. It's tiny, accurate and easy to use.

If you want just one headstock tuner to switch between basses, get a snark.

The mini has a little trouble picking up the low B string every now and then. The snark seems to do fine with a low B.

You can buy a lot of headstock tuners for $150. I paid less than $20 for my mini shipped. Check out buy.com and amazon.com for good deals.

jschwalls · #20 12-22-2011, 10:33 PM

A few years ago I went on a tuner frenzy... I worked at a music store and ordered 1 of every tuner I could get..

basically.. ended up with this revelation

Other than the old Peterson Strobe tuners ( best I came across )..

the Turbo Tuner did the most accurate job and was easiest to use as well.

The Korg Pitchblack was good but the footswitch would come loose and fail too often.

The digital Peterson tuners were just weird. Strobotuners.

Boss tuners not very accurate and seemed to alter the sound of bass as well.

I did all my testing against a model 420 Peterson Strobe Tuner.

various headstock tuners were ok, but weren't accurate enough too me.

I had not tested the Polytune or the new Boss TU-3, so I can't say anything about them.

I now own the Planet Waves NS mini headstock tuner and it is quit better than the other headstock tuners I have.

For normal gigging any of the above tuners are fine, considering the normal guitarist is NEVER in tune anyway.. LMAO!!!!