Inexpensive tuner that works for bass

bigcardinal · #1 01-28-2008, 03:25 PM

You're probably thinking this is a stupid question, but I have borrowed many tuners from guitarists thinking that "a tuner is a tuner, it shouldn't matter whether its a guitar or a bass". Well it does, apparently, as my band's guitarists' tuning pedals will not register the open E or A on my bass, and I have to tune at the 12th fret....which isn't that big a deal, provided the intonation is correct. But, considering the extreme changes in temperature and humidity around here, that is not something I can always count on. Any thoughts? Thanks.

rhs1856 · #2 01-28-2008, 03:36 PM

I have a Korg pedal. When its battery is low, it's not happy w/low frequencies. If the battery in my onboard Bart preamp is low, it's not happy. 3 recommendations: crank the volume on the bass; if you're running an onboard preamp, keep its battery current (pun noted); tune using the octave harmonics @ the 12th fret, not stopped notes.
Best wishes!

John127 · #3 01-28-2008, 04:11 PM

Korg CA-30 - under $20 and gets the low B with no problem. Make sure your volume is all the way UP with any tuner though.

This tuner can't be used in-line but I think there is a model that can for just a few $ more.

thesteve · #4 01-28-2008, 04:16 PM

what's your guitarist's tuner that doesn't work?

I know a few guys who are very happy with the Fender PT-100. It's a stompbox tuner around $50.

Low D. · #5 01-28-2008, 04:18 PM

Matrix SR3000 Auto Chromatic Tuner Pedal. Got one for 10 euros the other day!! Works excellent and looks like a Boss or something hehe...

JanusZarate · #6 01-28-2008, 05:21 PM

With some tuners, you need to let the open note ring out for it to register.

But yeah, I'm curious about what you were using. All the big pedal tuners - the Korg DT-10, Planet Waves CT-04, Boss TU-2, and Peterson Strobostomp - work fine on bass (But some don't work that well on an open B).

bigcardinal · #7 01-28-2008, 06:14 PM

To be honest, I don't remember the make of the tuners that wouldn't work for me. My bass is a MIM Precision and I always have the volume on full. Maybe the tuner(s) were low on batteries, or maybe they're just cheap garbage. Rest assured I will be trying before buying. Thanks for all your help...I will go check out some of your suggestions at my local shops!

JanusZarate · #8 01-28-2008, 06:16 PM

If you're going to go home with one, go with the Strobostomp or Korg DT-10. You won't regret either - they're the most accurate and best quality tuner pedals on the market (the Strobostomp being the most accurate, but also expensive).

Any of the ones I mentioned will do the job, though.

CraigG · #9 01-28-2008, 06:26 PM

Not all tuners are advertised specifically to tune bass - that's not to say some won't handle the low E or low B. However some specifically have a bass setting and those would undoubtedly be the best to consider.

JanusZarate · #10 01-28-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigG

Not all tuners are advertised specifically to tune bass - that's not to say some won't handle the low E or low B. However some specifically have a bass setting and those would undoubtedly be the best to consider.

Korg's best tuners don't have such a setting, and they're awesome on bass (and other instruments, for that matter).