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I use a Yamaha YT-150. I have had it probably 10 years. It is accurate and was cheap when I bought it. It does the job that I bought it to do . No complaints whatsoever. Thinking about buying a clip on, though.
Most definitely for pedal tuners the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300, insanely accurate.
Boss TU3... I use at rehearsal OR
Shure DLX Wireless w/tuner...this is what I'm using now when gigging
Shure DLX Wireless w/tuner...this is what I'm using now when gigging
My Korg Pitchblack pedal works fine on my 6 string.
And the best clip on tuners I tried for the low B were those super small ones that attach to the back of the headstock (D'addario makes one for around 16 bucks, I just bought a Warwick one for less than 4). If they fit really tight, they get more vibrations. The Snark-style ones with the arm between the clamp and the unit all have problems.
With clipon tuners it's best to use the 12th fret harmonic of the B string.
Turnaround
Commercial User
For many folks the Petersons too darned accurate. You can actually measure the difference gravity has in the string's vibration. If you are OCD, the Peterson will drive you nuts as you chase intonation. Having said that, you'd have a hard time getting me to part with mine.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Been using the Boss TU3 tuner pedal for years here with no complaints. Nothing I would use for a setup but live it's my goto.
Hell I even have the app on my phone that I use quite often at home or on the go. Never know when you'll have to tune up.
Boss Tuner in the app store.
Boss TU-3 is the tuner I've used for years (I have 2, one at the rehearsal space, one at home) and the one I see used by many (live) players.
Another vote for the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner. I've used mine happily for years.
Turnaround
Commercial User
Any TC electronic tuner is fine. I have the TC RH 750 amp that has the built-in tuner but also own a polytune pedal and recently purchased a unitune clip on for my acoustics, etc.. All work very well. TC produces great products. Good luck
Update- almost forgot, I also have the polytune iPhone app which also works fine for practice. I was fortunate to get it when it was offered for free but would pay for it if I had to.
Update- almost forgot, I also have the polytune iPhone app which also works fine for practice. I was fortunate to get it when it was offered for free but would pay for it if I had to.
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- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I have a Korg Pitchblack and have no issues with it. If it were to break or if I lost it (actually left it at a gig Friday, and one of my band-mates snatched it up), I think I'd a get a Polytune. Reason being that everyone in my band uses Polytunes, and I know they research their gear to no end, know what they're doing, and only buy the best.
Boss here with no complaints. Easy to use and rock solid construction. Mine has taken a beating and works like new.
I took your statement to mean that the Peterson tuner is so accurate that it will measure the effect of gravity on the string's vibration. (I've no doubt that chasing intonation can drive a person to a teenage nervous breakdown.) Even if that were true - again, which I doubt - how do you ascertain that the effect you are measuring is a result of gravity or a change in the earth's magnetic field (or the bass's orientation to it)? What is the experiment that isolates that effect from a ton of other forces acting on the vibration of the string?
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Petersen strobe tuner has been the best I've ever used, but unless you have a tech off-stage and multiple guitars, it's not practical.
Otherwise, the best tuners I've used are the Boss TU-2 and the TU-12, plus the TC Electronic Polytune 2. I've misplaced the TU-2 and replaced it with Polytune for the only reason of bypass.
I have several headstock tuners and they all don't do as well. First, it's more difficult to tune in a band with others doing it. Second, these things break easily, and go through batteries at the worst time. I only use headstock tuners (original Snark and current one) for individual practice because it's quick.
Honestly, if you have a good smartphone, just get an app and save the money you would have spent on the Snark and batteries. Those coin batteries are expensive... CR2032 or something like that.
I use the TU-12 for acoustic guitars.
If I had to buy another pedal tuner, I would consider the one Scubaduba posted above, or the Polytune mini. I usually stay away from any products that I know are heavily spiffed (giving out for free to endorsers, social media pros, and the like). I cannot afford to subsidize others.
Otherwise, the best tuners I've used are the Boss TU-2 and the TU-12, plus the TC Electronic Polytune 2. I've misplaced the TU-2 and replaced it with Polytune for the only reason of bypass.
I have several headstock tuners and they all don't do as well. First, it's more difficult to tune in a band with others doing it. Second, these things break easily, and go through batteries at the worst time. I only use headstock tuners (original Snark and current one) for individual practice because it's quick.
Honestly, if you have a good smartphone, just get an app and save the money you would have spent on the Snark and batteries. Those coin batteries are expensive... CR2032 or something like that.
I use the TU-12 for acoustic guitars.
If I had to buy another pedal tuner, I would consider the one Scubaduba posted above, or the Polytune mini. I usually stay away from any products that I know are heavily spiffed (giving out for free to endorsers, social media pros, and the like). I cannot afford to subsidize others.
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I have a pedal tuner, a rack-mounted tuner, and clip-on tuners. The rack-mount, obviously, is the best. But my overall favorite - the first one I can find. Even the Snark and Snark-knock-offs work quite well on the low B. I have a $6 clip on that is just as accurate as the rack-mount.
