Double Bass Clip on tuner ?

[Papageno]

A trick I learned from the old-timers when tuning pizzicato is to pluck the string above the left hand(between the hand and the nut) while touching the harmonic A- a nice clear note comes out, the same note as below the left hand but clearer and easier to hear- goes great with the tuning fork.

I confirm this. This works best when the left hand plays the harmonics in the first octave (rather than in thumb position).

Hein van de Geyn recommends to play harmonics in this way in his book on jazz double bass.

I do it frequently harmonics (not only for tuning), unless it is really inconvenient. As a bonus, it looks like bass wizzardry to the puzzled audience.

 

[Quinn Roberts]

Most frequently however, I use the tuner only to tune the D string, and then tune the other strings relative to each other by using the harmonics at "frets" 5 and 7. The "error" with respect to equal temperament for the open G (2 cents flat), A (2 cents sharp) and E (4 cents sharp) is minimal, and for the fingered notes, it is irrelevant.

Tuner questions aside; absolutely, 110% this! ^
Your ears don't need batteries, don't need to be visible outdoors, and can't be forgotten at home.

As a bit of an ear training exercise I'll set a drone to an open string and try to match pitch before tuning the other three strings with harmonics. Then I check myself by playing octaves across sets of strings (I.E. comparing the open D string to the D on the G string as well as comparing the G on the D string to the open G).

 

[Stewie]

The TC Unitune / Polytune are the best clip on tuners I’ve tried for bass. Only ones to reliably track low E /B strings consistently. I’d save the $ and just get the unitune as the Polytune feature is pretty useless on bass.

I had no idea that the Unitune existed. $20 cheaper and does it all. I always thought that "strumming your open guitar" tuning was silly and never tried that mode. I'll be sure to mention the Unitune to the next person who tries mine and wants one of their own. Thanks

 

[B String]

I DID lose my Polytune. And I cried.

... And when gigs return will buy another.

Lots of luck finding one. I have friends who've been waiting for a Uni tune for months with none coming on the horizon from any stores.

 

[Selim]

This is a tuner I bought recently from one our dependable online bass shops:

It is billed by D’Addario specifically as a “cello/double bass” tuner. Works fine on all strings, just sensitive enough.

 

[Les Fret]

For the E string, use the 12th fret harmonic. As long as your profession intonation is set, that will be fine for the clip on tuner

Even if your intonation is set wrong you still can use the 12th fret harmonic to tune. The harmonic is always tuned exactly an octave higher, no matter what. If your have a faulty intonation set up it will also be there if you tune with a open string. So there is no difference.

 

[CayGee]

Sometimes on my upright the E and A don't register with my clip-on tuners, I'll then go to the open E and A string harmonic and that works for me.

 

[Drucifer]

The thing wouldn't work on any thick string.

The bad ones have trouble with low notes, you can use harmonics to get around that, but good ones are cheap so no reason to suffer.

 

[B String]

Sometimes on my upright the E and A don't register with my clip-on tuners, I'll then go to the open E and A string harmonic and that works for me.

This is why the TC Uni tune is so good. Fast and accurate on all strings. Nothing is perfect, but these are as close as it gets.... for me. Still have a number of friends waiting.

 

[adarvas]

Do yourself a favor and get a Peterson Strobo HD clip on tuner. I have used the Boss TU-12H and I thought I will never buy a new tuner. The Peterson has a sweet spot setting that sort of tempers the tuning. I use it for both electric and bowed double bass and I have never been surer about my tuning. It is a bit of an adjustment visually but once you get used to it.......my TU 12H is collecting dust. Nuff said.

 

[grimjim]

Peterson, no problems ever. Except when I accidentally switched it to capo mode and tuned 1/2 step up. That was all me learning to use it though. Luckily it was not at a gig.

 

[vin*tone]

Lots of luck finding one. I have friends who've been waiting for a Uni tune for months with none coming on the horizon from any stores.

I found one! Finally.

 

[B String]

I found one! Finally.

Great! I think you're really gonna like it. I just posted yesterday that Sweetwater got a shipment in. I grabbed one. No price increase. Its already been shipped. Thank you Sweetwater!

 

[AxtoOx]

I've used a Snark since I found them, the goose necked versions, some instruments are harder to find a sweet spot on than others and a B is a problem sometimes, temperamental.

 

[John Le Guyader]

This is a tuner I bought recently from one our dependable online bass shops:
View attachment 4029107

It is billed by D’Addario specifically as a “cello/double bass” tuner. Works fine on all strings, just sensitive enough.

I have one...works great! Better than my Intellitouch PT-10 clip on that was the best working tuner for me on upright.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Does anyone use a clip on tuner live? They just seem so... uncool.

I have a TC Unitune that works great on the headstock but sticks out like a sore thumb if playing a gig.

 

[Up and Away]

I use a D'addario micro tuner clipped on the bridge. It's small, light and easy to use and virtually invisible from the audience. Works fine for me, even low E, maybe because it's on the bridge.

 

[devnulljp]

$9?!?!?
My Peterson clip on tuner cost me $75. Mind you, it works, so I guess I have that going for me.

 

[Stan_da_man]

$9?!?!?
My Peterson clip on tuner cost me $75. Mind you, it works, so I guess I have that going for me.

That's a bit much for a clip on tuner...

 

[mexicant]

Does anyone use a clip on tuner live? They just seem so... uncool.

I have a TC Unitune that works great on the headstock but sticks out like a sore thumb if playing a gig.

I use mine live. I've been in several bands and most guitar players use them also. I see them everywhere.