Interaction with amplifier: some years ago, it seemed to be a design element of high-end amplifiers to have a "tuner out" on the front panel, and you press a mute button or something similar to tune with your choice of tuner. But I don't seem to have seen that particular feature lately. Are there any amps being made with that particular detail?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Electronic Tuners
- Thread starter Steve Freides
- Start date
This is one of the "color-change" tuners. If, indeed, they all use a common chip (highly likely, I'd say-- and as michaeln figured), then it likely has the shortcomings mentioned above with regard to these devices-- chief among them being the indication of a note being in tune when it's actually not.
Some still do. Even if the output isn't labeled "tuner," any line-level output will do (e.g., send effects).
My EA Doubler has a tuner out (doubles as effects send).
I've used it with the StroboFlip, Turbo Tuner, BOSS TU-2, Korg CA-30. etc.
The StroboFlip is more convenient to setup, but I still mute while tuning.
There have been a lot of suggestions for clip-on tuners. I have the NS Design WAV4 EUB, which has a smaller bridge, about 3/4" max from body to string. I don't think that a clip-on tuner would fit given the small size. So I'm considering an electronic tuner with a 1/4" input, unless someone can say whether they have been successful with a clip-on tuner on the pegbox of the WAV4.
So far, I've seen:
KORG GA-30 ~$15
KORG CA-30 ~$20 (replaced by the CA-40?)
KORG TM-40 ~$25
BOSS TU-80 ~$25
Meisel Metro-Tuner ~$32
BOSS TU-2 ~$100
Turbo Tuner ST-200 ~$140
Peterson VS-F StroboFlip ~$200
Peterson StroboStomp2 ~$200
Any good ones I missed? Personally, I'll probably go with one that's <$50, which means used for some of the more expensive ones if available...
So far, I've seen:
KORG GA-30 ~$15
KORG CA-30 ~$20 (replaced by the CA-40?)
KORG TM-40 ~$25
BOSS TU-80 ~$25
Meisel Metro-Tuner ~$32
BOSS TU-2 ~$100
Turbo Tuner ST-200 ~$140
Peterson VS-F StroboFlip ~$200
Peterson StroboStomp2 ~$200
Any good ones I missed? Personally, I'll probably go with one that's <$50, which means used for some of the more expensive ones if available...
Could someone who owns a Peterson Stroboclip post the following measurements?
(1) side-to-side width of clip
(2) distance between two pads on inside of the clip when it is fully open
I can't find any dimensions and want to know if it will fit on my 3/4" bridge or pegbox.
(1) side-to-side width of clip
(2) distance between two pads on inside of the clip when it is fully open
I can't find any dimensions and want to know if it will fit on my 3/4" bridge or pegbox.
I happen to have the StroboClip and calipers right here--
(1) .88"
(2) 1.02-1.2"
I have no problems clipping it on my bridge foot below the adjuster.
(1) .88"
(2) 1.02-1.2"
I have no problems clipping it on my bridge foot below the adjuster.
Thanks Chris!
I have an NS Design WAV4, which has a bridge that is about 3/4" tall (distance from body to strings). So it looks like the Stroboclip wouldn't fit on my bridge. Fortunately, the width of a side of its pegbox is about 1/2 - 3/4" so I can clip it up there.
I'm sure that it's better clipping a tuner on the bridge rather than the pegbox, but for the Stroboclip, maybe it doesn't matter?
I have an NS Design WAV4, which has a bridge that is about 3/4" tall (distance from body to strings). So it looks like the Stroboclip wouldn't fit on my bridge. Fortunately, the width of a side of its pegbox is about 1/2 - 3/4" so I can clip it up there.
I'm sure that it's better clipping a tuner on the bridge rather than the pegbox, but for the Stroboclip, maybe it doesn't matter?
just to throw in my 2 cents. I use a Korg Pitchblack tuner pedal, and when its acoustic, i plug a korg clamp-on tuner microphone and puts in on my bridge. The pitchblack is a really good tuner, locks on to everything from 20,60Hz to 4186Hz, can be calibrated from 436-445Hz, true bypass (no batteries = signal goes through anyways), and Nuclear proof. I don't care if it seems to be designed for metalheads, it's the best tuner i've tried. fast and can show in all kinds of weird display modes if you're that kind of person. clear, coulourful display for live use on dark stages as well.
doc: Spelling error.....it's "Patek-Philippe".
Some of their ladies quartz watches sell for 24 thousand dollars plus .....the same as some of their men's automatic movement watches which are excellent examples of very precise mechanical engineering.
24 grand for a quartz watch? No thanks. I don't care who makes it (Rolex has also made quartz watches which sold for almost as much as their famed mechanical watches), the value for money equation is astronomically out of whack.
I have a 29 dollar Enote tuner for my bass which works well and is as accurate as anything else I have heard or tried. There are others which are just as good for the same price. Sometimes a Timex is the right tool for the right job.
So I don't necessarily agree that "it's the circuitry that counts".
As I mentioned earlier, I tried a Sabine Zoid Z-1000 and it was a disaster. Had trouble finding the A, and never could find the low E at all. Seems to work OK for guitar but not for string bass -- not mine, anyway.
So I recently got one of the new Meisel COM-90 tuners that Bob Gollihur has started carrying. So far I am very impressed. It never seems to have trouble finding any pitch, whether played arco or pizz. Works equally well with harmonics or open strings, and whether clipped on the bridge or the pegbox. The display is on a miniature gooseneck which can be adjusted to just about any viewing angle. My only potential concern is how durable it will be, it's very small and delicate, with tiny buttons. Attached is a pic from the player's point of view.
So I recently got one of the new Meisel COM-90 tuners that Bob Gollihur has started carrying. So far I am very impressed. It never seems to have trouble finding any pitch, whether played arco or pizz. Works equally well with harmonics or open strings, and whether clipped on the bridge or the pegbox. The display is on a miniature gooseneck which can be adjusted to just about any viewing angle. My only potential concern is how durable it will be, it's very small and delicate, with tiny buttons. Attached is a pic from the player's point of view.
Attachments
I tried a friend's Snark Chromatic Tuner, which worked very well with my bass.
Another good option.
Another good option.
Please excuse my spelling error. You did, unfortunately, completely miss my point. Please go back and read this post . The whole point was that it's the performance that counts and that there isn't any advantage to paying for style if all one wants is function. In other words, hello... we agree!
Now, my second post, in response to Chris' claim that the Timex would be more accurate, was to point out that Patek-Phillipe also makes quartz watches and not only astronomically priced ones with mechanical movements. Still, one need not pay those prices for such accuracy because all that counts in a quartz watch when it comes to functionality is the circuitry. Some are clearly better than others. A Patek-Phillipe quartz movement could be just as or more accurate than the Timex. It really depends on the electronics. See here, for example. So, I really don't understand on what basis you disagree with the statement that "it's the circuitry that counts."
As for electronic tuners, you'll see that I did end up with the StroboClip because, although the less-expensive tuner I was considering was, in theory, sufficiently precise, it failed miserably in practice.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
With the switch to gut strings, I was concerned with the usual tuning issues so I broke down and bought a clip-on tuner:
The Intellitouch is very light (under 2oz.) and small enough that I clip it to the bridge, just to the inside of the hole on the E side wing. It is positioned directly over the heart so I leave it on and it is never in the way. I can hear no degradation in sound with it on the bridge.
It locks in quickly and seems to be reasonably accurate. I view a tuner as just another tool to help me to perform my best. If there is a discrepancy between any tuner and my ears I have to go with what sounds right but it is nice to have a reference point.
FWIW, the gut strings are now more stable than the Olive G ever was, so the tuner won't be used as much as I expected.
The Intellitouch is very light (under 2oz.) and small enough that I clip it to the bridge, just to the inside of the hole on the E side wing. It is positioned directly over the heart so I leave it on and it is never in the way. I can hear no degradation in sound with it on the bridge.
It locks in quickly and seems to be reasonably accurate. I view a tuner as just another tool to help me to perform my best. If there is a discrepancy between any tuner and my ears I have to go with what sounds right but it is nice to have a reference point.
FWIW, the gut strings are now more stable than the Olive G ever was, so the tuner won't be used as much as I expected.
1. Moderators, I'd still love this thread to be Sticky.
2. I'm buying another batch of tuners to have around, just thought I'd post what I'm getting. (I keep these so my students don't have to go to the music store and wonder which one to get. I'm getting several of each below.)
=> Planet Waves Headstock Tuner - great for guitar, and that's what I teach the most lessons on.
=> Fishman FT-1 clip-on, a new tuner for me.
=> Sabine Zoid 3000 - been using these, great for French Horn, works well enough on upright (mine lives clipped to my bridge) and also anything else. Transposing feature is nice.
On my list to try down the road - the Snark, and the one the Gollihurs sell, but neither for this go-round.
If any has tried any of the other Sabine's, I'd like to hear about those, e.g., they make one that says it's for band and orchestra instruments - don't know how that might be different from the 3000.
2. I'm buying another batch of tuners to have around, just thought I'd post what I'm getting. (I keep these so my students don't have to go to the music store and wonder which one to get. I'm getting several of each below.)
=> Planet Waves Headstock Tuner - great for guitar, and that's what I teach the most lessons on.
=> Fishman FT-1 clip-on, a new tuner for me.
=> Sabine Zoid 3000 - been using these, great for French Horn, works well enough on upright (mine lives clipped to my bridge) and also anything else. Transposing feature is nice.
On my list to try down the road - the Snark, and the one the Gollihurs sell, but neither for this go-round.
If any has tried any of the other Sabine's, I'd like to hear about those, e.g., they make one that says it's for band and orchestra instruments - don't know how that might be different from the 3000.
Steve:
I am using a Snark on my bass. It was given to me....costs 19.95 here in Canada. It is excellent for a double bass. Reads the E very well. It displays more divisions of the note than other tuners I have tried so it is quite accurate.
It is also very light so you can leave it on your bridge if you want and it does not affect the sound. The Snark also has a nicely ridged rubber grip that holds it well....and a metronome.
Can't beat it for the price.
I actually ordered the Snark, the #2, chromatic, after I posted that message. I order these things in some quantity, typically 3-4 of each, so I ordered 3 of the Snark.
Will report when it gets here - thanks for your report, I appreciate it.
-S-
Will report when it gets here - thanks for your report, I appreciate it.
-S-
