Clip-on tuners

Jazz Ad · #1 04-08-2010, 05:45 PM

Hi.
I'm looking for a good clip-on tuner, as a way to tune instruments home (electric and acoustic) without hassle.
Small, decently accurate and bettery savvy are the goals.
Any experience with them?
Thanks.

ga_edwards · #2 04-09-2010, 05:58 AM

If it's just for home use I can recommend the Intellitouch PT9 (since superseded I believe). It's about the only one I've tried that has the least problems with the lower bass strings. But I find you still takes a bit of patience to find the right spot to attach it to get the best reading.

However, if you plan on using one at gigs I'd not recommend them. Guitars are fine, but not for bass. Sympathetic vibrations from other sources can play havoc with the already difficult to read lower strings. Stick with a pedal tuner in this case.

dancedad5678 · #3 04-09-2010, 06:17 AM

I found that the Korg AW-1 micro tuner was able to pick up the low B on my 5ers more consistently than the Intellitouch. I'm also able to use it on cello, guitar, mandolin, uke and other instruments

crapusername · #4 04-09-2010, 06:04 PM

i use the intelli tuner imt500.
it tunes basses well (even 5s) really well. If i have any issues with lower strings which can happen when the battery starts to die, i use harmonics until i can change the button battery.
Bearing this gets used pretty much all day every day, the battery lasts for a good 2 or 3 months for me.
as mentioned above, don't rely on it for gigging - a pedal tuner really is best and most reliable.
HTH

ShowKing · #5 04-10-2010, 12:37 AM

korg aw1 will work, i use it for bass sometimes. it picks up low B but seems to have trouble holding it long enough. they have a new korg aw2 which is the upgraded version.

Jazz Ad · #6 05-16-2010, 11:27 AM

I picked up this one second hand.

It's an Intelli IMT-500, obviously a cheap copy of Intellituner.
It tracks very low, even to low A and isn't bothered by ambiant noise.
However it is very slow and not so accurate. The clench tends to vibrate when not properly seated.

It works for me because I mostly use it home. A casual tuner, so to say and you can't beat the price.
Now I wouldn't recommend it for serious tuning.