Accurate Tuner for a 5-string

[Bassmaster55]

Looking for an accurate tuner that ACTUALLY works! These headstock tuners are okay for my guitars, but terrible for bass. I tried using some plugins in my DAW and the only one that would actually tune the darn thing and not have the needle going haywire for the B string, was the Line6 Podfarm standalone tuner.

So, what physical tuner would you guys recommended? Preferably, something that doesn't break the bank would be nice.

 

[scottfeldstein]

what physical tuner would you guys recommended? Preferably, something that doesn't break the bank would be nice.

If there's an inexpensive tuner out there that tracks a B string as well as a G string, I'm unaware of it. Still, my PolyTune Mini does pretty well. I always hit the 12th fret harmonic in addition to the open string just to make sure it's tracking accurately.

I think the real problem is that the tuning machine for a low B should be re-geared. It needs more fine control.

 

[ddnidd1]

Check out Turbo Tuner. There isn't a more accurate tuner and it tracks all strings flawlessly.

I vastly prefer this to my Peterson Virtual Strobe.

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

 

[Bassmaster55]

Check out Turbo Tuner. There isn't a more accurate tuner and it tracks all strings flawlessly.

I vastly prefer this to my Peterson Virtual Strobe.

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

Crazy that you mention this one. I was just watching a video where Brian Wampler was using one in his most recent video. Will check it out.

 

[ddnidd1]

Without a doubt - best pedal tuner you can buy.

Plus at one point, I 'thought' I might have a problem with mine (there was no problem). I called their phone number on a weekend expecting to leave a message for support. The phone was answered by the owner who took the time to discuss my perceived issue and explain things.

 

[scottfeldstein]

Dang it, you guys. I have had my PolyTune Mini for probably 8 years. I've seen everything else on my board come and go once or even twice. Now you get me Googling stuff and now I will soon be in possession of a brand new Peterson StroboStomp HD. I saw a great deal and couldn't resist. $100 and $12 shipping. So thanks a lot guys!

 

[Silthis89]

I have the peterson Strobostomp HD and haven't had any issues tracking on my 5 string Dingwall. Really nice bright display on it and different tuning modes. Can reccomend

 

[Real Soon]

I mean I've had good luck with my Korg Pitchblack Mini, though on the low E & B strings it tends to be sensitive to the pluck; if I tune while playing softly, then it'll register sharp for several seconds while playing normally. So that's my only issue: it makes me use common sense.

That Turbo Tuner looks very cool, though. ...but they don't come in green

 

[KaseOfBass]

Check out Turbo Tuner. There isn't a more accurate tuner and it tracks all strings flawlessly.

I vastly prefer this to my Peterson Virtual Strobe.

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

Yep, no doubt the best tuner you can get IMO.

 

[Rojd]

I use a Korg Pitchblack Custom for my 6 string and it seems to work well.

 

[clockworkcorpse]

i've had a few tuners, but for five string I found even the TU2 was a little slow and sloppy for the B string. really good enough, and I wouldn't have gone looking for anything else, but when I needed a second tuner that was reliable for five string, I asked a friend who plays bass and works at a music store and he suggested the TC polytune 3. works instantly and flawlessly, and the poly mode works better than I could imagine possible.

edit: actually I think I have the TU3

 

[scottfeldstein]

...he suggested the TC polytune 3. works instantly and flawlessly, and the poly mode works better than I could imagine possible.

edit: actually I think I have the TU3

Interesting. I've never found the "poly" thing to work on any of my basses. I even gave my original (non mini) Polytune to my guitar playing friend and he never could use it either. Then again, these might be old versions.

 

[clockworkcorpse]

Interesting. I've never found the "poly" thing to work on any of my basses. I even gave my original (non mini) Polytune to my guitar playing friend and he never could use it either. Then again, these might be old versions.

if it helps, I had to set it to bass before it worked well as it was set to guitar from factory.

 

[scottfeldstein]

if it helps, I had to set it to bass before it worked well as it was set to guitar from factory.

I'm sure I did that the minute I powered it on. But, uh... Now that you say that it makes me want to check it. It's been a long time!

 

[Guild B301]

Peterson Strobo Tuners: The very best there is. They make all kinds of tuners. Here is the pedal type.
Extremely accurate.
StroboStompHD
Definitely works for a 5 string bass.
Link Removed

 

[roller]

+1 on the Korg Pitchblack. I have the regular size... picked it up used on the cheap... absolutely love it.

I had an old-school Korg tuner in the past before it and it's always been fantastic... still have it actually. LOVE the built-in mic on that one. Korg needs to work that into future designs (think: acoustic instruments).

 

[speedball3]

Poly Tune 2 Mini works fine for me. Set to strobe mode for highest accuracy, never had a problem getting low B to register. I think setting to bass mode only changes the functionality in the “poly” mode.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

TC electronics works,even the clip on,tested in a noisy room.
If you are getting the clip on get the unitune,the poly tune mod is not for bass anyway.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I've been using a Peterson Strobostomp 2 for over 12 years with fantastic results. I also use a Boss TU-3 with absolutely no problems on the B-string. Even my Polytune clip-on works just fine on a B-string.

 

[Londo Molari]

If it's got to be correct I use this.