Tuner question.

Chunk-O-Funk · #1 11-29-2006, 04:27 PM

For those of us who do our own set ups. Is spending the extra cash on a quality strobe tuner worth it?

I was thinking of something in the way of the Peterson StroboFlip.

Anything similar in the $200.00 range?

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 11-30-2006, 03:38 PM

Bumpity.

Anyone have one of the Peterson tuners?

Do you think they are more accurate than your normal needle style tuners?

Are there any other brands I should check out?

Not really looking for a pro-strobe tuner, just something around the $200.00 mark.

Thanks.

lemur821 · #3 11-30-2006, 06:23 PM

I don't personally feel the need for a tuner. If I can't hear a problem when I'm doing a setup in a quiet room, how am I going to hear it on stage (or wherever)?

I do like strobe tuners better than needle tuners, but I'm really a "by ear" guy. I break out the tuner every couple of weeks when I'm not sure whether I'm at all close to standard tuning.

Chunk-O-Funk · #4 11-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

I don't personally feel the need for a tuner. If I can't hear a problem when I'm doing a setup in a quiet room, how am I going to hear it on stage (or wherever)?

I do like strobe tuners better than needle tuners, but I'm really a "by ear" guy. I break out the tuner every couple of weeks when I'm not sure whether I'm at all close to standard tuning.

You can adjust your intonation by ear?

I'm talking about adjusting the intonation at the bridge, not tuning up the bass.

lemur821 · #5 11-30-2006, 08:00 PM

Right, that's what I'm talking about. It's possible that a strobe tuner would allow me to get even more precise, but I'm only interested in making it sound right. If I can't tell it isn't perfect, why should I care?

It's just comparing unisons and octaves, and optionally other intervals if you're trying to get a good compromise. I like to check the 15th fret harmonic vs. the fifteenth fret to make sure I'm in the ballpark, then I tweak it by comparing the 7th fret to the string below (an octave) and the fifth fret unison. Once I get all these sounding in tune, it's good enough for me.

marcray · #6 11-30-2006, 08:03 PM

I use a $15 Hartke tuner... works just fine.

deaf pea · #7 11-30-2006, 09:58 PM

C o F
The Peterson StroboFlip VS-F Virtual Strobe Tuner fits your price range and REALLY WORKS EXCELLENT! $199.99 at musiciansfriend.com

Munjibunga · #8 11-30-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

I don't personally feel the need for a tuner. If I can't hear a problem when I'm doing a setup in a quiet room, how am I going to hear it on stage (or wherever)?

I do like strobe tuners better than needle tuners, but I'm really a "by ear" guy. I break out the tuner every couple of weeks when I'm not sure whether I'm at all close to standard tuning.

Bizarre.

lemur821 · #9 12-01-2006, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Bizarre.

What? That I don't care about problems no one can hear, or that I like strobe tuners?

ddnidd1 · #10 12-03-2006, 05:40 PM

Without a doubt - go with Peterson.

Munjibunga · #11 12-03-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

What? That I don't care about problems no one can hear, or that I like strobe tuners?

Perhaps that you believe you know what people can hear and what they can't. If there's someone with perfect pitch in your audience, believe me, they'll hear it if you're a cent off, and they'll be living in misery. Why would you not want to take advantage of the technology that removes the question? It only takes ten seconds.

Also, at a gig, no one wants to hear you tuning by ear. I tune up between every set, and nobody hears a thing.

Your cavalier attitude reminds me of the ol' "close enough for government work" chestnut.

lemur821 · #12 12-03-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Perhaps that you believe you know what people can hear and what they can't. If there's someone with perfect pitch in your audience, believe me, they'll hear it if you're a cent off, and they'll be living in misery. Why would you not want to take advantage of the technology that removes the question? It only takes ten seconds.

Also, at a gig, no one wants to hear you tuning by ear. I tune up between every set, and nobody hears a thing.

Your cavalier attitude reminds me of the ol' "close enough for government work" chestnut.

If there's a person with perfect pitch in the audience, I'm sure they'll deal with a little inaccuracy. They're used to it. I do have a pretty good idea what the average person can hear (being one of them), and I have no problem deciding when "good enough" is good enough.

Munjibunga · #13 12-03-2006, 10:53 PM

I rest my case.

lemur821 · #14 12-03-2006, 11:02 PM

I should probably add that I'm into the kind of music that isn't always especially tuneful in the first place. Not that being in tune isn't desirable (from an "ease of performance" standpoint), but the odds are good that I'll be coloring outside the lines anyway.

Munjibunga · #15 12-03-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

I should probably add that I'm into the kind of music that isn't always especially tuneful in the first place. Not that being in tune isn't desirable (from an "ease of performance" standpoint), but the odds are good that I'll be coloring outside the lines anyway.

Bizarre.

lemur821 · #16 12-04-2006, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Bizarre.

Can't argue with this one.

In the end, it comes down to how accurate my ear is, doesn't it? It's not possible to tune a plucked string to a definite pitch. It always starts high then goes low, so even with a tuner tuning is an exercise in judgment. I'm more confident making the call when I can hear the pitches in question. It's worth noting that orchestras check their tuning by ear, and that everybody tuned by ear before tuners were invented. There is a precedent.

**BullHorn** · #17 12-04-2006, 08:21 AM

Use your ear. :/

And if not, what's wrong with a cheap tuner? Heck, I use AP Tuner from time to time, lol.

Pruitt · #18 12-04-2006, 01:46 PM

Before I got my Peterson Strobostomp, I always thought my Fender PT-100 did a good enough job and that I was in tune. After getting the Peterson, it quickly became evident that I was not. I'll never go back to an inferior tuner. The difference is audible. Especially when setting up my intonation.

nad · #19 12-04-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

It's not possible to tune a plucked string to a definite pitch. It always starts high then goes low, so even with a tuner tuning is an exercise in judgment.

At one point I had a rack tuner that was very precise in strobe mode, and it annoyed the piss out of me for exactly this reason. Being perfectly in tune is quite fleeting.

I've had the same basic chromatic handheld Sabine tuner for the past 15 years just fine, and I've always done my own setups without anyone ever cringing at my intonation. If/when it breaks, I'll buy another one of similar scope.

69nites · #20 12-04-2006, 03:24 PM

I think a lot of what it comes down to is if you're obsessed with intonation (I am)

the sooner you can come to terms with not being perfectly intonated the better (seriously it drives me nuts). However you would think you would want to be as close as possible

If you're playing with a piano/keyboard anyone is going to be able to hear you are out of tune