Bass Tuner

[shodan]

For a clip on this thing has more bells and whistles than a first grade band. Peterson StroboClip HD High Definition Clip-on Strobe Tuner | Sweetwater

 

[devnulljp]

For a clip on this thing has more bells and whistles than a first grade band. Peterson StroboClip HD High Definition Clip-on Strobe Tuner | Sweetwater

I have the older version of that one and it's great.
And a Turbo Tuner on the board

 

[Joe Nerve]

I had a Pitchblack, and it wavered all over the place. Especially because we tune down a half step.

Then I bought one of these, which was much cheaper than KORG, plus its more compact, weighs less, and does a ton of other stuff really well....

...and I couldn't be happier!

This has the steadiest tuner I ever used, and I tune WAY faster with it than with anything I ever owned. And I've owned a bunch.

I also play professionally, and average 8-15 shows a month.

I love this thing, and I have no ulterior motive, I don't professionally endorse them or anything. Its the best bang for buck I ever got in anything bass related I ever purchased.

 

[moshibass]

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, something that I find helps when the tuner isn't picking up those low notes very well is to use the harmonic at the 12th fret. My guess is that many tuners get confused by bass notes because the overtones are getting in the way and it can't focus on the fundamental. For instance, when I play the A string, it might say "E" or "C#" even. Using that harmonic removes a lot of those overtones from the equation and also represents the fundamental an octave higher. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. Someone correct me if I've got the physics wrong!

As for what tuner I actually recommend, it's the same as a lot of people here... The Polytune 3 on strobe mode works flawlessly for me with just plain ol' open strings.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Is there a specific bass tuner that will register the lower notes and not waver all over the place?
Im having bass tuning issues with my Boss TU2 tuner or any tuner for that matter. Ive just put up with it for years. E and A wont register correctly with every tuner I use. I wouldnt want to hassle with a rack mount units but I wish there was a good clip on or floor bass tuner out there that would pick up lower register.

My big mini works great.

Tc poly tune also works great

So does a snark.

 

[Eruso]

Hardwire polyphonic tuner ht6, it´s a tank

 

[Ostie]

I’ve always used Kong tuners with no issues, but I don’t play a fiver or drop tuning. Mandolin, however, is another matter. I have one clip-on tuner that won’t register the high E course unless I move it to another location on the headstock. Drives me nuts.

Another issue with LED read outs is readability in bright sunlight at outdoor gigs.

 

[micahwc]

Turbo Tuner

 

[IamGroot]

Snarks are flimsy.

 

[Siggy]

I am very happy with this. Link Removed

 

[SLO Surfer]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner
Peterson Strobostomp

you can’t go wrong with either of these. Also, the Peterson Stroboclip clip on version.

Is there a specific bass tuner that will register the lower notes and not waver all over the place?
Im having bass tuning issues with my Boss TU2 tuner or any tuner for that matter. Ive just put up with it for years. E and A wont register correctly with every tuner I use. I wouldnt want to hassle with a rack mount units but I wish there was a good clip on or floor bass tuner out there that would pick up lower register.

 

[wheelsup247]

Please forgive this silly questions to OP: Are you muting all other strings when you tune the E string and A string? Will the tuners you mention track a harmonic at the 12th fret as opposed to an open E or A string?

 

[KaseOfBass]

I am very happy with this. Link Removed

In addition to my Turbo Tuners, I have one of these and have been extremely happy with it.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

FYI, on other tuners I have had (Korg, built-in in Line 6 Bass Pod or GT-1B), on the low B, I typically had to play the 12th fret harmonic.

 

[fhm555]

TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal with Buffer

Been using the previous version of it for years with NO issues. Treat yourself to something that works!

^same here^

 

[Runlikegregg]

I second the TC electronic Polytune Clip.
It works really well and is far less ugly than the Snark.
But you need to get the Polytune (which is the more expensive one). I've found the Unitune not as good at picking up the lower strings (not terrible, just not as good).

 

[HelpImaRock]

I second the TC electronic Polytune Clip.
It works really well and is far less ugly than the Snark.
But you need to get the Polytune (which is the more expensive one). I've found the Unitune not as good at picking up the lower strings (not terrible, just not as good).

I have not had any issue with the UniTune. That said, I only use it at home. For stage tuners, I use a Strobostomp HD or Turbo Tuner Mini.

 

[Runlikegregg]

I have not had any issue with the UniTune. That said, I only use it at home. For stage tuners, I use a Strobostomp HD or Turbo Tuner Mini.

Yeah, I find it works well...just not as well as the Polytune. That Polytune is fantastic when set in Bass mode. It reads the strings really fast and accurately.
Whereas I find the Uni kind of struggles to find my low E especially - not enough to not use it! (I have a Poly on my SB1 and Uni on my LB100).

 

[Stan_da_man]

Korg Pitchblack Custom handles my 5 string without any trouble.

Polytune should do the trick as well.

Most decent tuners should handle an E or A.

Are you talking the E and A in a standard EADG tuned 4 string?

Might be something else going on if it can’t even register the A…

Got good power/fresh batteries? Same thing happen with a different bass through the same tuner?

Have you compared the Custom with the PB Advance?

 

[gh0st42]

Have you compared the Custom with the PB Advance?

I haven't tried the PB Advanced.