Can a tuner start "going bad"?

dubmon · #1 05-13-2009, 01:02 AM

I've always relied on the trusty Boss TU-2. It fits on my 'board, and has always done the trick. When I record, I configure my setup so it's out of my signal path (cause I've noticed it IS a tone sucker).
Lately, it seems like it's just not reading/tracking well--it really jumps around alot, like it's "searching" kind of like when it's not getting a strong signal. This is with AC power or a fresh battery BTW. Nothing else has changed----cables, basses, etc. I've tried different cables too. Is it possible it's just dying? It's only 2 years old. I'm thinking of springing for a Peterson Strobo Stomp if it'll give me better, more dependable performance. Plus since I'm starting to attempt my own setups now, I figure maybe I need a better tuner. Any thoughts on the glamorous topic of tuners?

Gordon of Eden · #2 05-13-2009, 01:07 AM

My Boss tuner is doing the same thing. it's about 5 years old now, i was going to try to contact them about getting it repaired. I don't know what their warranty is but i just had a good experience with an 8 year old Planet Waves cable that I sent in and they sent me a new one no question no money so it's worth a shot anyway.
I love that tuner for outdoor daytime gigs. The ones with just lights or LCD's can be difficult to read in the sunlight.

dubmon · #3 05-13-2009, 01:27 AM

On second thought, the SR is looking VERY interesting . . .

http://www.turbo-tuner.com/

fightthepower · #4 05-13-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubmon

On second thought, the SR is looking VERY interesting . . .

http://www.turbo-tuner.com/

I was going to recommend this when reading your first post. I have no personal experience with it, but I have only heard great things about it on it's own, and in comparison to the (giant)Strobo-stomp.

dubmon · #5 05-13-2009, 01:43 AM

Then again, as I research here more, the Korg Pitchblack is lookin' good too!
I like the simplicity of that one in particular, and I gather the ST can be hard to see outdoors . . .

Kevin_BlueBASS · #6 05-13-2009, 04:43 AM

Maybe try running the tuner through the tuner-out in your amp?
I have a handheld Korg tuner and when I plug in directly it jumps around
("searching" for the note) but when it's pluged in the tuner out it's rectified.
And also- one quick question lol (sorry for the hijack...)
Seeing as how tuning stompboxes are tone suckers and I want to get one for better, accurate tuning,
would plugging it in the tuner out (taking it out of my signal path) rectify the tone suck?
Sorry for the ramble...
Peace

NorCal Dog · #7 05-13-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fightthepower

I was going to recommend this when reading your first post. I have no personal experience with it, but I have only heard great things about it on it's own, and in comparison to the (giant)Strobo-stomp.

the ST-200 pretty much makes ALL other tuners obsolete, it's THE BEST out there

dubmon · #8 05-13-2009, 08:40 AM

Yeah as for the tone suck, it's never in my signal path anymore. It's either coming out of the "thru" jack on my DI, or if I'm using my pedalboard, I have a passive Radial Bigshot switcher so it's on it's own mute-able send. It's behaving sketchy any-which-way I try it.

The ST-200 looks like the deal----but is it hard to see outdoors in sunlight? I read that somewhere researching it. I do a fair amount of outdoor gigs lately. Sometimes the darn sun is blasting right on the stage.

MonetBass · #9 05-13-2009, 09:45 AM

Can those tuners not be calibrated? My hand-held Korg can, and I do that occasionally when it starts jumping around.

Jimbob Jones · #10 05-13-2009, 10:34 AM

My guitard's TU-2 broke, then he dropped it off a floor in frustration and it started working again.

Those Turbo tuners look ace. any oppinions on the korg pitchblack? I've heard it's great too.

Vic Winters · #11 05-13-2009, 10:49 AM

Pitchblack is very nice. Simpler, cheaper, quicker and more accurate than most pedal tuners out there. I have the Pitchblack and I would highly recommend it. The Turbo Tuner is even more accurate and quicker. If you're doing setups get the Turbo Tuner.

Jimbob Jones · #12 05-13-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

Pitchblack is very nice. Simpler, cheaper, quicker and more accurate than most pedal tuners out there. I have the Pitchblack and I would highly recommend it. The Turbo Tuner is even more accurate and quicker. If you're doing setups get the Turbo Tuner.

Good to know, thanks man!

dubmon · #13 05-13-2009, 11:58 AM

Just pulled the trigger on the ST-200. Not really much more--$40 or so--than the Korg (or a TU-2) and looks like something I can trust more as I get into setting up my instruments (including my geetars

wildhorse · #14 08-15-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_BlueBASS

Seeing as how tuning stompboxes are tone suckers and I want to get one for better, accurate tuning,
would plugging it in the tuner out (taking it out of my signal path) rectify the tone suck?
Sorry for the ramble...
Peace

If it doesn't then something else is sucking your tone.

merlinaz · #15 08-16-2009, 07:55 AM

you need a tuner to tune your tuner

Darkmeteor · #16 08-16-2009, 09:25 AM

but what if the tuner to tune the other tuner is out of tune ?