Alternative to clip on tuner?

[WestyBassBob]

I have one of those Daddario micro clip on tuners. I really like it but it has this weird habit sometimes of just turning off. I’ll try putting in a new battery but nothing works. I’ll come back to it the next day and it works fine.

This is the third time this has happened now so I’m curious if anyone else has encountered this amd if so what you recommend as a replacement.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I think that almost every clip on tuner has an automatic turn off to save battery life in case it gets bumped or left on.

A few years back I remember seeing a knob/potentiometer that had a tuner built in to it. It was somewhat low profile. It was made by N-Tune, but I am not sure if they still exist.

The TC Polytune is an excellent clip on tuner. My Snarks nearly ate batteries, but the TC seems to use the battery more sparingly.

 

[WestyBassBob]

I think that almost every clip on tuner has an automatic turn off to save battery life in case it gets bumped or left on.

A few years back I remember seeing a knob/potentiometer that had a tuner built in to it. It was somewhat low profile. It was made by N-Tune, but I am not sure if they still exist.

The TC Polytune is an excellent clip on tuner. My Snarks nearly ate batteries, but the TC seems to use the battery more sparingly.

I don’t mean it will shut off after a time. I mean it will not turn on at all. The other day I was trying to use it and it shut down. So I put a new battery in and it would not start. Left it for a few hours and it still wouldn’t start. Today it started no problem. I like the product so I’m trying to decide if I want to just get a new one or try a different one. The other ones all look so big.

 

[JakobT]

I don’t mean it will shut off after a time. I mean it will not turn on at all. The other day I was trying to use it and it shut down. So I put a new battery in and it would not start. Left it for a few hours and it still wouldn’t start. Today it started no problem. I like the product so I’m trying to decide if I want to just get a new one or try a different one. The other ones all look so big.

They’re cheap enough that a new one won’t break the bank. If it were me, though, I’d go for a TC Electronic Polytune or Unitune clip-on.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Never had luck with those cheap daddario clip ons. For me they seem useless if there was any room noise.
I am a full blown Unitune bigot for sure. Have 3 of them. 1 in my gig bag and 2 rotating on basses.

 

[hbabels]

Another vote for the TC Unitune/ Polytune. Ive found no other clip on tuner that works as good with bass. Especially 5 string or drop tunings.

 

[WestyBassBob]

Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll check those out.

 

[JimmyM]

They’re cheap enough that a new one won’t break the bank. If it were me, though, I’d go for a TC Electronic Polytune or Unitune clip-on.

I can vouch for the Unitune. Does shut off after 3 minutes, but is balls-on accurate and stingy with batteries.

 

[Clark Westfield]

I’m not a fan of the clip on tuners, especially in the loud studio with 2 guitarists blasting away.

I like my Snark pedal for gigs and rehearsals.

Peterson for my studio.

 

[JakobT]

I can vouch for the Unitune. Does shut off after 3 minutes, but is balls-on accurate and stingy with batteries.

Agreed. And the display is the clearest and most readable of any clip-on, IMO.

 

[JakobT]

I’m not a fan of the clip on tuners, especially in the loud studio with 2 guitarists blasting away.

I like my Snark pedal for gigs and rehearsals.

Peterson for my studio.

I’m certainly not a fan of all clip-ons - some are much better than others.

All designs have their own particular weak spot, and the achilles heel of the clip-on is ambient noise. That said, they’re hard to beat for portability and convenience.

I do have a Polytune pedal for gigs, but for the occasions when I don’t need my pedalboard, my Polytune clip-ons (I have one living permanently in each of my gig bags) perform very well indeed.

 

[Aloe]

I have an old Planet Waves clip-on tuner (10-15 years, don't remember exactly). it developed problem with the power button (not working every time, disassembling and cleaning didn't help), but otherwide kinda works.

I also have a Polytune clip and Unitune clip for several years (oldest is like 5-6, I think), one of them is already disintegrating, chassis looks like it will eventually fall apart (and a rain will likely kill it as well, as it developed large gaps in chassis).

I prefer my pedals, but there're occasions when I don't take my pedalboard and don't want to use a tuner in my phone as well. thinking of new upcoming Link Removed, but seems like it will be heavy, so I think I'll need another clip-on. maybe a StroboClip HD, but not sure.

 

[WestyBassBob]

I have an old Planet Waves clip-on tuner (10-15 years, don't remember exactly). it developed problem with the power button (not working every time, disassembling and cleaning didn't help), but otherwide kinda works.

I also have a Polytune clip and Unitune clip for several years (oldest is like 5-6, I think), one of them is already disintegrating, chassis looks like it will eventually fall apart (and a rain will likely kill it as well, as it developed large gaps in chassis).

I prefer my pedals, but there're occasions when I don't take my pedalboard and don't want to use a tuner in my phone as well. thinking of new upcoming Link Removed, but seems like it will be heavy, so I think I'll need another clip-on. maybe a StroboClip HD, but not sure.

Hmmm. That makes as much sense as anything. For now it’s still working. But I think a tuner pedal may be in my future. Like you I’ll probably keep the clip on but add the tuner pedal.

 

[Bob E]

I'm still waiting for a thumb rest tuner

 

[JRA]

i don't wanna jinx myself for posting this, but: i've never had any problem with any tuner. i've stopped using them because i wanted something else --- but they all seem to have worked. i have enough snarks and daddario micro clips that i'd just replace one if it malfunctioned consistently --- and tuning to a keyboard is just as accurate.

 

[kevin wells]

How about the old tuning fork, lol.

 

[J.Wolf]

Does the unitune work well with lots of room noise? My daddario is utterly worthless the minute there’s ambient noise. Which happens about 100% of the time on a gig

 

[Aloe]

Does the unitune work well with lots of room noise? My daddario is utterly worthless the minute there’s ambient noise. Which happens about 100% of the time on a gig

lots like what? like someone drilling all the walls around you? or like a couple of guitarists push hard their full stacks at you?

I today tuned with a unitune clip while drummer was warming up in 3 ft and had no problems.

 

[Petethebassman]

Another vote for TC Electronic Polytune clip, I have used one for at least five years and it works great even in noisy situations. Low battery draw, sturdy metal clip and a bright easy to read display make it a winner. I have one always in my gig bag.

 

[J.Wolf]

I much prefer

lots like what? like someone drilling all the walls around you? or like a couple of guitarists push hard their full stacks at you?

I today tuned with a unitune clip while drummer was warming up in 3 ft and had no problems.

Thats all I needed to hear! No not at full blast volume, mainly in between songs. My D'addario gets confused even with ambient room noise on a bar gig between songs..