Accurate Tuner for a 5-string

[scottfeldstein]

Another vote for the Strobostomp HD. Great accurate fast tuner even down low. Nice sized screen so its easy to see

Yeah, I gotta say that big display was a consideration in my purchase. I'm blind AF and anything that has a big display is definitely for me.

 

[BurningSkies]

Yeah, I gotta say that big display was a consideration in my purchase. I'm blind AF and anything that has a big display is definitely for me.

I could actually take off my glasses on stage and still see it.

But also, the ability to change the display color totally helps. You can pick a color that gives you the contrast you need to view it best. I also prefer strobe-tuning to 'needle tuning' and the strobe on this is way smoother to use than any of the more recent Polytunes, etc.

 

[mattj1stc]

+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).

I'll second the pitchback - works great for all 5 of my strings

 

[FrenchBassQC]

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.
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I have the same and it works very well with all of my basses.

 

[Sixgunn]

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.

I've had great luck the Korg GA custom, between my wireless unit and amp. I put in on top of my amp (I don't do pedals). It's VERY easy to read, even from a distance and works great on the B string.

 

[micguy]

I have a polytune mini v2 and a couple of polytune mini v3 (multiple pedalboards). They all work just fine on a low B.

 

[Mildew Jones]

Yeah, I use a cheapySnark,12th fret harmonic always works best on the B for me...
MJ

 

[Bassmaster55]

Also, a great way to get the B to track better for tuning is to hit the 12th fret harmonic.

Yeah, I use a cheapySnark,12th fret harmonic always works best on the B for me...
MJ

The only problem with doing it that way is that you have to assume that your intonation is set correctly. And, setting up intonation with a clip on tuner can be dodgy.

 

[brianrost]

For a clip-on, the best I have used for picking up the B string is the Korg AW-LT100B. There's plenty I don't like about this tuner, sadly.

For a poly pedal, I own a DOD Hardwire HT-6 that works fine for bass but it eats batteries like crazy. 2-3 gigs tops.

My favorite tuners, period, are Korg's chromatics...I have at least a half dozen (don't ask). My AT-2 going back to about 1990 is the bomb. Real needle and LEDs, so it's visible in sunlight and it picks up the B string fine. Best of all, it's still working.

 

[Obese Chess]

For those of you who prefer the Sonic Research Turbo Tuners over the Petersons, what do you prefer about them? My original Strobostomp still works fine, it's just taking up a little too much space on my board and I've been thinking about switching it out for the HD. But I am open to other suggestions!

 

[JoshS]

Another for the Peterson Strobostomp.

 

[Bassamatic]

Yes - just tune at the 12th fret harmonic. Easier and more accurate. Works with any tuner.
And if your intonation is off, everything but the open string is off anyway.

Besides - your intonation shouldn't be off to begin with, right??

 

[packhowitzer]

I've been using a Korg Pitchblack+ for about 5 years or so. Not only does it track my 5 string basses excellently, it also has two inputs for easy bass swapping and can power several other pedals with a daisy chain if need be:

 

[S-Bigbottom]

For those new to strobe tuning.

 

[Spects01]

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

I second the Korg tuners

 

[bbh]

I've been using the Peterson iPhone app with great success.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

The very best I've used is Tonal Energy, a $6 app.

I heard about it from David Moore of the LA Phil. You can use it on your phone, or on iPad.

 

[Pings Bass]

Boss TU-3 does it for me. 12th fret harmonic works for most tuners IME.

 

[BurningSkies]

For those new to strobe tuning.

The point in this video that most digital display tuners can't 'display' as finely as the spec on the tuners' accuracy is often overlooked by people. Also, for those who tout Polytunes but use it in needle mode, they're not nearly as precise as when they're running in strobe. I found that the Peterson Strobostomp HD also seems to 'latch' way quicker than the TC's do and there's way less blinky-flashy if you have an always on tuner on your board.

 

[JTE]

The only problem with doing it that way is that you have to assume that your intonation is set correctly. And, setting up intonation with a clip on tuner can be dodgy.

Nope.

The 12th fret harmonic IS the exact octave of the open string (unless your strings are so worn or damaged that tuning is futile anyway). If you intonation is off, the FRETTED notes are wrong, but the harmonic is the standard to which you compare the fretted note.

The 12th fret harmonic is better because it's twice the frequency of the open string. The open A is 55 Hz, so the open B is about 32 Hz. The tuners count the frequency of the string and compares it to the quartz timing circuit. Giving it a 64 hz signal to count means less margin of error than counting 32 Hz.