TUNER

bleeding · #1 04-30-2008, 10:07 PM

What would be my best buy for a tuner? I dont have a rack so I have to go with a stomp.

Im just browsin around GC and I see several. Boss and Korg seem to be highly recommended on this site, but there is also a Fender for half the price.

Is there a real difference in these tuners? I am not sure if frequency really matters, but I play a 4 string.

Thanks for the help.

Oh - and are some of these not really used as bass tuners (guitars only?)

Nyarlathotep · #2 04-30-2008, 10:23 PM

Most stand alone (read: not on a multifx) tuners will read way lower than anyone will ever tune to (exept maybe Jauqo III-X...)

I have the Boss. Its my 2nd only cus I sold the 1st. Its good enough for me: quick tuning (even my low A [downtuned from the low B on a 5er]), and no tone suckage when its off.

Others will recomend the Korg cus its true bypass (iirc), but I dont think it really makes that much difference.

There was one by planetwaves that had some issues (I owned one). You couldn't use the bypass (nonmuteing) output when the thing was on cus it would make your signal into chiptune sounds. I feel it was a little wierd to read the circular screen, but (iirc) the bybass issue has been fixed.

Not familliar with the Fender model, but im sure its just as good as the above.

There are also the strobostomp tuners, which IMO are just really expensive....

mozarwasagenius · #3 04-30-2008, 10:33 PM

I have a Peterson StroboStomp2. It is awesome
It is expensive
But I won't buy another tuner ever again (I hope)

The thing is incredibly accurate, very fast and doesn't touch the tone of my instruments.

I do my own setups on my instruments with this thing

Yes, it hurt when I bought it, but now I'm very happy I did

Their customer service is very good too

JFace · #4 04-30-2008, 10:39 PM

I recently picked up the Korg Pitchblack. I would recommend this pedal. It's simple, tough, and accurate. The display is big and bright. I believe it is more accurate than the Boss, but not as accurate as the Peterson (at these levels of accuracy, I don't think the differences really matter). I have noticed no tone sucking. What's cool about it is you play an open string, and it reads the note forever. It doesn't constantly lose the signal or pick up harmonics. Just hit the string once and adjust until it's in tune.

debassr · #5 04-30-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFace

I recently picked up the Korg Pitchblack. I would recommend this pedal. It's simple, tough, and accurate. The display is big and bright. I believe it is more accurate than the Boss, but not as accurate as the Peterson (at these levels of accuracy, I don't think the differences really matter). I have noticed no tone sucking. What's cool about it is you play an open string, and it reads the note forever. It doesn't constantly lose the signal or pick up harmonics. Just hit the string once and adjust until it's in tune.

Does the pitchblack come with a power cable?
Do you just stomp then tune?
Is there a silent mode and a normal mode?
Do you have to be plugged in or is there also an open mic?

EricF · #6 04-30-2008, 11:47 PM

Korg Pitchblack is the current front-runner for pedalboard/performance tuners (IMO)

Marill · #7 05-01-2008, 12:14 AM

waiting for the pitchblack plus.... the pitchblack avail right now doesn't have the flat tuning function that I find useful.

LowBSix · #8 05-01-2008, 12:17 AM

Dean Markley PT-13 stomp tuner $39

Sean S · #9 05-01-2008, 12:41 AM

I've had good experiences with both the Boss TU-2 and the Planet Waves pedal tuner. I found the "strobe" mode of the PW tuner interesting, although I was a little thrown off by the direction of the strobe as it seemed "backwards" to me.

dannybuoy · #10 05-01-2008, 12:57 AM

I got the Ibanez LU-20 as it's half the price of the korg/boss models, has a big bright display with a blue LED and claims (some people have expressed doubt and reckon Ibanez are lying but AFAIK nobody's opened it up to check yet) it's true bypass.

Vic Winters · #11 05-01-2008, 01:23 AM

Korg Pitch Back is awesome.

-Does not come with power cable, but uses standard 9V Boss style plug or a 9V battery (included).
-Yes, stomp and tune.
-Just silent.
-Has to be plugged in.

The display is great and easy to read. The note response is incredibly fast at just about any volume level and holds quite well even on the low B. $10 cheaper than the Boss, more accurate, true bypass and in my opinion easier to read/use.

I doubt the Ibanez is true bypass. Nothing against them, but I don't recall Ibanez ever releasing a true bypass pedal. Also the manual for the Weeping Demon stated true bypass, but it isn't.

Pitch Black FTW.

manicbassman · #12 05-01-2008, 01:43 AM

from personal experience: Don't buy the Behringer tuners... they claim to be fine for Bass, but they have big problems trying to lock onto the E string and can't do a B string at all... the bypass is a bit dodgy as well...

sk8 · #13 05-01-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marill

waiting for the pitchblack plus.... the pitchblack avail right now doesn't have the flat tuning function that I find useful.

i wasn't too worried about that until last night i found myself having to tune flat! Pitchblack plus it is then!

RickenBoogie · #14 05-01-2008, 08:02 AM

If I wasn't already satisfied with the Boss TU-2, I'd haves me some Pitch Black.

Nikoubis · #15 05-01-2008, 09:12 AM

I like my Planet Waves pedal tuner.

fishtx · #16 05-01-2008, 09:20 AM

Question about the Pitch Black - Is there a way to have the tuner "ON" and not mute the signal??

I asked this because I had someone tell me it only functions in "mute" mode...in other words, while the tuner is "ON", it mutes the signal. I found this odd but I have no first hand experience with the pitch black.

Thanks..

Oh BTW...The Peterson StroboStomp is my choice...

JFace · #17 05-01-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

Question about the Pitch Black - Is there a way to have the tuner "ON" and not mute the signal??

I asked this because I had someone tell me it only functions in "mute" mode...in other words, while the tuner is "ON", it mutes the signal. I found this odd but I have no first hand experience with the pitch black.

Thanks..

Oh BTW...The Peterson StroboStomp is my choice...

This is true. It mutes the signal when tuning.

I prefer this so that people don't hear me tuning. If something else is going on while I'm tuning, I would be a distraction.

fishtx · #18 05-01-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFace

This is true. It mutes the signal when tuning.

I prefer this so that people don't hear me tuning. If something else is going on while I'm tuning, I would be a distraction.

Hmm...well thanks for the response. I would actually prefer to have the option (which most other pedal tuners give you)...

debassr · #19 05-01-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

Hmm...well thanks for the response. I would actually prefer to have the option (which most other pedal tuners give you)...

Me too - ever since I tuned up one day - tuner said everything was fine. Started playing - the A string sounded way off. Check it again, tuner says fine. Play it again - sounds off. It wasn't until I cranked the string about a half turn up, then down that the string sounded fine - tuner still said it was fine.

I know this makes zero logical sense but it spooked me and now I always do my first tuning so I can hear it. Subsequent mid performance tunings I do silent.

rzpooch · #20 05-01-2008, 10:47 AM

I have a planet waves tuner. It has worked great, except for outdoor gigs. It is tough to see it in the sun. I keep it as my back up.
I am using a zoom b2 as my tuner now. It has worked well so far (had it for about a month). I can also toss in an effect or two if the mood strikes me.