Clip on tuners- any good ones?

emblymouse · #1 10-24-2010, 06:34 PM

I don't use pedals and am in need of a reliable tuner to carry to the gig. I have a clip on thingie that works pretty well, but was wondering if someone makes a good one or if the concept itself is flawed.

jschwalls · #2 10-24-2010, 06:36 PM

planet waves makes a nice one.. and korg has a new one thats supposed to be better..

mccartneyman · #3 10-24-2010, 06:53 PM

The new Petersen Stroboclip is very nice.and has street price of less than $70. Works off vibrations, not signal, so it will work on any instrument, not just electric. It has a lot of specialized presets and is specially effective on instruments with short decay times, like a banjo. See my review here: http://www.musicgearreview.com/artic...play/3684.html

osd · #4 10-24-2010, 07:32 PM

I use a Korg AW2 (http://www.korg.com/aw2) for bass and acoustic guitars. Works well, even in noisy environments. Backlit, with piezo and mic, often I just keep it clipped on the headstock.

Feral Feline · #5 10-25-2010, 10:45 AM

I just picked up a Korg AW-1 (a bargoon on sale 'cause it's discontinued to make way for the AW-2). No light, but it works far better than my old first-gen Intellitouch.

NB* The clip-ons don't work so well when your guitarist is tuning up or playing that lick he always plays to warm up. Clip ons don't work when the drummer is tuning his snare and para-diddling his/her bass drum. Clip-ons don't work so well when the keyboard player is blasting a Slighter Whiter Shade of Palor... well, you get the idea. The durned thangs pick up ALL vibrations afterall...

blastjv · #6 10-25-2010, 11:34 AM

I have an Intelli that I use for my acoustic guitar that I've been happy with. Never tried it with bass. I don't leave it on while I'm playing because it does rattle a tiny bit, but I leave it clipped to the headstock in the case so I can tune up when I first pull it out.

Depending on the amp you have, you might be able to use any tuner plugged into a line out or tuner out...

-John

stratovani · #7 10-25-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

I have an Intelli that I use for my acoustic guitar that I've been happy with. Never tried it with bass. I don't leave it on while I'm playing because it does rattle a tiny bit, but I leave it clipped to the headstock in the case so I can tune up when I first pull it out.

Depending on the amp you have, you might be able to use any tuner plugged into a line out or tuner out...

-John

I've got one of those Intelli clip-on tuners, and it sucks big time for bass. I have to repeatedly slam the E string for it to pick up the vibrations, and when it finally does, the display reads B instead of E. It works a bit better on the other strings, but overall it's no great shakes. I use a Boss TU-80 tuner when I want to tune my basses. However, the clip-ons work well on my acoustic and electric guitars. I like the concept, I just with they'd make one exclusively for bass.

**Staccato** · #8 10-25-2010, 12:06 PM

Somebody forgot photos, or links to Internet stores...

Korg AW-2

Planet Waves Headstock Tuner

isthimus · #9 10-25-2010, 07:12 PM

all but the best clip ons are flawed in some way... they just dont pick up the sound as well. really its worth carrying a proper pedal tuner to a gig for the better tuning.

emblymouse · #10 10-27-2010, 08:44 AM

Thanks for the views. I'm going to try the StroboClip. It has a bass specific setting. I will report back as to how well it picks up E and B strings, and if it can deal with my EUB.

johndough247 · #11 11-21-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emblymouse

Thanks for the views. I'm going to try the StroboClip. It has a bass specific setting. I will report back as to how well it picks up E and B strings, and if it can deal with my EUB.

Hey did u try out that stroboclip yet on the 5/6 string bass? Curious to know how it performs...

(or anyone that has used a stroboclip on bass before, seeking opinions)

faceinbass · #12 11-21-2010, 12:57 PM

KORG.

emblymouse · #13 11-22-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndough247

Hey did u try out that stroboclip yet on the 5/6 string bass? Curious to know how it performs...

(or anyone that has used a stroboclip on bass before, seeking opinions)

I have! Mixed results. I was initially disappointed and thought I might return it. It does track well on my EUB when clipped on the bridge. It still freaks out a bit on E and B strings on the 5er though. It is very sensitive to how you pluck and a very light soft touch seems to work best. But I still have to fuss with it.
I will say that the strobe visual enables you to be MORE in tune than a meter or needle. This may make it worth the price if a pedal tuner is not what you need. I haven't tried any of the 'sweetened' tunings of which there are many.

emblymouse · #14 11-22-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faceinbass

KORG.

My Korg flip led tuner quickly lost it's meter illumination and is now useless in the dark.