Are Peterson strobe tuners worth the extra $$?

[drumvsbass]

Yes... and kinda. The Peterson is absolutely the best tuner on the market. (though there are a few strobe tuners that claim to be more accurate so, who knows) I have literally every edition of strobo stomp (Blue, Silver, Classic, HD). The sauce that makes it the best is setting up the intonation on your instrument with it, and using the 'Sweetened Tuning' for tuning. The sweetened thing makes a bit of a difference on bass, more so on guitar because of the B string. But here is the kinda part...
If you are not going to use the sweetened tuning, or other people in your band aren't using it, honestly the Peterson doesn't do anything that any other quality tuner will do. Under shootout conditions, all things being equal, all tuners were pretty much equal. And if you're the only person in the band using it and everyone else is using a Boss TU-2... Get a Boss TU-2. BUT!!! Having played in a band with 3 guitarists using 3 different brands and scale length guitars, that sweetened tuning thing cleaned up a lot of sonic problems and made the overall sound of the band... sweeter...

 

[SS904]

I have a 420 on the bench and a current model strobostomp on the board. Once you get used to them, hard to go back to conventional tuners IMHO.

 

[Lava]

Yes.

 

[theduke1]

I own two, a VSII and StroboStomp. I did my last set-up with the built-in on my Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig. The VSII is at our rehearsal space, the Strobo is stashed in my file cabinet. One of the more highly-regarded TBers ditched his Petersons and is using the app on his phone.

Riis

In a gig setting I’m not sure I would use my phone app
Having my strobe tuner on my pedal board from the tuner out of my volume pedal gives me the silent tuning on the fly between songs
I’m not saying using an app is a bad thing, I’m just not sure it would work for me
Duke

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Another satisfied customer here. I've always had trouble with clip-ons picking up the E string, especially when de-tuned. Had the Snark pedal, it wasn't very fast or stable. Strobostomp HD is both, easy to read, and can serve as a mute on my tiny board. Could have paid for it with what I spent on all the other tuners I've tried over the years. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[Ewo]

I've used both the Sonic Research ST-300 and the Peterson Strobostomp HD. Both are excellent.

OP, if you're wondering whether strobe tuners are better than all the other kinds, the answer is YES.

 

[Zooberwerx]

In a gig setting I’m not sure I would use my phone app
Having my strobe tuner on my pedal board from the tuner out of my volume pedal gives me the silent tuning on the fly between songs
I’m not saying using an app in a bad thing, I’m just not sure it would work for me
Duke

Nah, the aforementioned TBer uses his on his bench for set-ups as I understand it. My StroboStomp was handy as a muted tuner plus it has a DI although I never used it as such. The BFR works just as well with the same features and comes in handy when I don't feel like hauling the "big board" out of the house.

Riis

 

[bikeplate]

Yes

 

[ArtechnikA]

yes

 

[Deleted member 271037]

It will be more accurate to the point where you'll go nuts because you'll never be in tune unless you spend 10 minutes fine tuning each note.

For regular stage use I much prefer a fast&reliable Boss TU-3. For setting intonation at my workshop I prefer a Korg OT120. Strobe tuners are TOO accurate to have any practical purpose for my needs and just a waste of time IMO.

 

[BAG]

I actually preferred the Turbo Tuners (ST-300) to the Peterson (Classic) that I owned (mostly due to visibility). Noting that both are better than most other tuning pedals.

I've not tried the Peterson and, having used their desktop versions in the past, have no doubt that it is very, very good.
I've got the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner and it is by far the best pedal tuner I have ever used. It is easy to see, reacts instantly and makes it very easy to tune up super accurately. It can also be set to be on all the time with the mute switch still operational.

It will be more accurate to the point where you'll go nuts because you'll never be in tune unless you spend 10 minutes fine tuning each note.

I've found the opposite with the Turbo Tuner. It reacts so quickly it is easy to tune up to the note without going over. While I can easily get each string tuned almost perfectly (where the strobe stops moving) you actually don't need to be that close. If the strobe is rotating a tiny bit you are already closer to perfect than with most headstock tuners and even most pedal tuners.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I've not tried the Peterson and, having used their desktop versions in the past, have no doubt that it is very, very good.
I've got the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner and it is by far the best pedal tuner I have ever used. It is easy to see, reacts instantly and makes it very easy to tune up super accurately. It can also be set to be on all the time with the mute switch still operational.


I've found the opposite with the Turbo Tuner. It reacts so quickly it is easy to tune up to the note without going over. While I can easily get each string tuned almost perfectly (where the strobe stops moving) you actually don't need to be that close. If the strobe is rotating a tiny bit you are already closer to perfect than with most headstock tuners and even most pedal tuners.

I used my Turbo Tuner for a couple of weeks and then sold it again. It was far too accurate for fast tuning on stage and mine also made a very loud POP when switching on/off. Maybe it was faulty but I got it brand new, direct from Sonic Research. I also found it extremely inconvenient for setting intonation. I could probably have spent the rest of my life intonating a single bass and the Turbo Tuner would still tell me it was off. Very impressive specs and ultra fast triggering but far too accurate to be useful IMO. I almost never sell a piece of audio related gear but this one had to go.

Of course lots of people love them... but I couldn't get rid of it fast enough!

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Yup

 

[57pbass]

I was watching the set up video Sadowsky posted and he uses the Peterson when setting the intonation on his instruments.

 

[Bassiclees]

Best app around. $10 very well spent.

 

[ZubenElGenubi]

I used a Korg DT-1000 rack tuner for several years and was pretty happy with it (even used the "strobe" option for intonation). When I sold my rig (here on TB, of course), I started my search for a new tuner. And since I changed to a combo amp, I opted for a floor tuner.

Got some Amazon GCs for Christmas and splurged on the Peterson Strobostomp. I love it. Switching is silent. It is incredibly fast, even on the low-B. I even discovered that a couple of my basses needed intonation adjustment. I haven't yet tried the sweetness options but am curious to try. Right now, I'm using it to help train my ear on fretless.

So, if the cost is holding you back.. ask for GCs!

-Glenn

 

[Real Soon]

Once I got acclimated to the StroboStomp HD, my Pitchblack Mini has felt unrefined and poor at communcating info ever since.

The Pitchblack Mini is a fine tuner, mind you, but just not in the same league. And my Snark clip-on is laughable in comparison.

 

[Cutter8]

Yes, they are worth it.

 

[SirMjac28]

Not to me spent way too much time trying to get it perfect my OCD went into overdrive every time I used it.

 

[NOVAX]

Korg $12

But yea I want a strobe.