Tuners: the good, the bad, and the ugly

themajorrager · #1 12-08-2005, 01:19 AM

Hi Tbers, just after some advice about tuners... which brands and models would you recommend and why? ie what makes a good tuner...?
thanks.
Themajorrager

Razor · #2 12-08-2005, 01:32 AM

Everyone has opinions on what they like...but hey, I guess that's what you want!!

I prefer Hipshot hardware (tuners/bridges) to all others. I've used quite a few different name brands of hardware and Hipshot seems to suit me best.

I have found them to have the most precise increments of tuning and they are made to hold up very well. I have a pretty hard attack and with all the other brands of bridges/tuners I have used (B'Ass I and II series, Gotoh, Kluson, Spertzel, Schaller, etc...) I could get a good hold with them but nothing comparable to Hipshot.

A good friend of mine once told me that the bridge, and tuners, are structurally probably the most important piece of hardware on a stringed instrument...kinda makes sense to me since it's where the strings start..and end.

I'm not saying I didn't like any of the other brands, I just prefer the Hipshots.

Son of Bovril · #3 12-08-2005, 02:02 AM

I'm confused, is this thread about machine heads on your bass or tuners (ie. the rackmount/pedal type)?

Razor · #4 12-08-2005, 02:07 AM

Well, that's actually a very good question...one that didn't even occur to me.

If the question wasn't about tuning machines, on the headstock...hehehe.....then I totally just wasted a post.

RLT · #5 12-08-2005, 04:58 AM

Tuners question in recording gear and equipment? I'm confused!

Petebass · #6 12-09-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLT

Tuners question in recording gear and equipment? I'm confused!

Good point. I'm moving this to Misc.

themajorrager · #7 12-09-2005, 01:49 AM

sorry about the confusion guys...

i was in fact talking about tuners and not machine heads, ie. the devices you plug your bass into to make sure it is in tune (well if your tone deaf like me anyway!)
hope this clears things up.
thanks

JimmyM · #8 12-09-2005, 04:40 AM

All tuners work. They've got them down so well that they all tune you right up, even the cheap ones Korg sells for $20 (which is what I use). You can pay as little or as much as you want, depending on what your needs are.

**cheezewiz** · #9 12-09-2005, 06:06 AM

Boss TU 2

Philbiker · #10 12-09-2005, 06:33 AM

...Wait I swear there were less replies when I first saw this. Maybe I saw a moved version or something...... My favorite tuner is my cheapo Korg. It recognizes the High C and low B on my 6 string as fast as the main four strings. Some have trouble with B strings. I love it and it was under $20.

SteveC · #11 12-09-2005, 07:27 AM

Boss TU-2. Best pedal tuner. I used one until I went to a PodXT.

steveksux · #12 12-09-2005, 07:44 AM

Anybody have trouble with the Intellitouch tuners? Mine won't tune anymore, can't pick up the signal....

That's the one you clip onto the headstock, feels vibrations, doesn't need a cord.

Randy

ddnidd1 · #13 12-09-2005, 12:42 PM

If you're looking for a superior tuner check out the Petersons. They're more expensive but they blow away everything else. In particular check out the VS-II and the Strobostomp. http://www.petersontuners.com/

jenderfazz · #14 12-09-2005, 12:51 PM

I think the most important part isn't absolute accuracy or precision, but utility. I hate tuners that take long to pick up my bass signal, or that simply can't pick up my lower strings.

Muzique Fann · #15 12-09-2005, 02:52 PM

+1 for the Strobostomp. It's also got a nifty DI on it - blows the Boss away IMO.

OrionManMatt · #16 12-09-2005, 03:11 PM

It may "blow" the Boss away as far as precision but I always found it took me longer to tune using the Peterson. The display is handy for setting up an instrument but not what I ever enjoyed as "practical" for live situations. You're talking about very, very minor differences that the human ear won't generally pick up.

Though this thread was initially confusing to me, I think it's more important that your tuners are of great quality than your tuner.

That said,

For setting up: Peterson
For everything: +1 any Boss tuner

ddnidd1 · #17 12-09-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionManMatt

It may "blow" the Boss away as far as precision but I always found it took me longer to tune using the Peterson. The display is handy for setting up an instrument but not what I ever enjoyed as "practical" for live situations. You're talking about very, very minor differences that the human ear won't generally pick up.

Though this thread was initially confusing to me, I think it's more important that your tuners are of great quality than your tuner.

That said,

For setting up: Peterson
For everything: +1 any Boss tuner

I use the Peterson live all the time with no problems. It doesn't have the 'drift' most other tuners do, where they react slowly and can't decide whether you're a little sharp or a little flat.

A common misconception about the Petersons is that a hot signal from the bass is best. It actually reacts best with the bass volume turned down a bit resulting in a very quick, solid readout.

Also, it does have a proprietary temperment specifically for bass and a selectable frequency range for bass.

I also have a built-in Sabine tuner in my Euphonic Audio iAmp 800. For comparison I can tune with the Sabine and then connect the Peterson to see how far off the Sabine is. The Sabine will be off noticeably every time.

Here's a quote from the Peterson site. "Accuracy to 1/10th of a Cent (30 times more accurate than LED / Needle Tuners)." That accuracy is 1/1000th of a semi-tone.

However, everyone knows what works best for them and what they are comfortable using.

BassGod · #18 12-09-2005, 06:05 PM

Check out the Korg DT-10. I may pick one up soon.

Graeme

**Blackbird** · #19 12-09-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Anybody have trouble with the Intellitouch tuners? Mine won't tune anymore, can't pick up the signal....

That's the one you clip onto the headstock, feels vibrations, doesn't need a cord.

Randy

I thought it was a good idea until mine fell off my headstock and broke in two. Also the CR2032 batteries are not cheap. Replacing them can cost up to $7 a pop.

Plenty of tuner threads here in Miscellaneous. We really don't need one this week.