Favorite Pedal Tuner

[Mastermold]

TC Polytune 3 been my go-to for awhile now... no pops.

View attachment 4715613

I will have to try this one.

 

[roller]

After using a Korg Pitchblack for a long while (loved the big display), I picked up a Boss TU-3W online earlier this year and love it!

My experience has proven that Boss pedals are built like tanks and the TU-3W appears to be no different. It reads quickly, has several different tuner and display modes and is true bypass.

I've read a couple of comments on how the TU-3W's display is too bright for some users... but frankly, I don't agree as in all types of light, the display is superb for me = clear, colorful and simple to read. Not sure if the complainers know but there's a brightness adjustment on this unit by holding down the stream/cent (button on the left).

I also love the TU-3W's buffer. See below...

I tried "upgrading" to the Waza Craft TU-3W but the blue LEDs were so blindingly powerful that it was almost impossible to see the green LED in the middle. Totally useless IMO. I couldn't trust the tuner and had to tune by ear. I sold it after one gig.

 

[Hummergeist]

As a bit of an odd duck recommendation, the Source Audio EQ2 has, amongst its many tools, a fast and accurate chromatic tuner. I use mine for that, high pass and lowpass filtering, and noise suppression, all in one handy enclosure (and it still has all its stereo equalization properties on top of that).

Here’s a photo to show how it looks in action. The LEDs for the different EQ bands will move in accordance with sharpness/flatness as an extra visual clue as to how close to being in tune you are, with two centered dots as shown when in tune.
View attachment 4715612

I was going to suggest this also, I have one here. SUCH a useful little box, as you say. I've used it as an EQ, tuner, filter, noise gate, limiter, A/B switch...add an expression pedal and you've got a little wah type thing going on as well.

 

[rashrader]

StroboStomp HD.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

After using a Korg Pitchblack for a long while (loved the big display), I picked up a Boss TU-3W online earlier this year and love it!

My experience has proven that Boss pedals are built like tanks and the TU-3W appears to be no different. It reads quickly, has several different tuner and display modes and is true bypass.

I've read a couple of comments on how the TU-3W's display is too bright for some users... but frankly, I don't agree as in all types of light, the display is superb for me = clear, colorful and simple to read. Not sure if the complainers know but there's a brightness adjustment on this unit by holding down the stream/cent (button on the left).

I also love the TU-3W's buffer. See below...

I'm glad to hear it worked for you. I tried the brightness adjustment but the blue LEDs were always a LOT brighter than the green one and made it almost invisible. Maybe they've adjusted this in later versions/batches. Mine was truly useless. The build quality was excellent of course, as always from Boss.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

TU-3 for me, for years, and I've never thought about it again. Does that mean it's best? No idea! But it tunes me accurately, it's a mute, and it buffers my signal chain for everything beyond.

Whatever you get, this is not worth overthinking.

 

[mapleglo]

My Polytunes (I have all three versions) are my favorites, but I've had good results with the Peterson Strobostomp and Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 as well. Any of these three are quality tuners. The Op's Polytune must be defective. I've experienced perfect silence when turning on and off using all of the versions I own.

 

[freshpots]

My TC polytune mini has been solid since I picked it up. Highly recommend. If you are interested in one that splits your signal, the TU-2 by boss is a workhorse

 

[BioDriver]

I like my Polytune 3. If I had to do it again, I'd get a Sonic Research Turbo Tuner.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

There was something wrong with your PolyTune.

I agree with you, mine works very well and is silent in operation.

 

[icefly]

Favorite?
I have only this Boss TU3

Sample pic from web.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Another for the ST-200.

 

[BucketOfFish]

StroboStomp HD and Old Faithful TU-2

I just came home and was thinking about grabbing the TU-2 for tomorrow morning instead of my small board.
Trying to lighten the load.

 

[johnk_10]

i own several, but once i bought the Strobostomp HD, i never use anything else.

 

[eeyorebass]

i own several, but once i bought the Strobostomp HD, i never use anything else.

Have you used the Turbo Tuner? If so, how do you compare it to the Strobostomp HD?

 

[johnk_10]

Have you used the Turbo Tuner? If so, how do you compare it to the Strobostomp HD?

nope. i've just using petersons & conns (bench versions) for the last 45 years so i love their features.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Have you used the Turbo Tuner? If so, how do you compare it to the Strobostomp HD?

As mentioned earlier in the thread, I have both. While there's no difference in accuracy between the two, I do like the display better on the Peterson. The only exception to that is if you're playing outdoor gigs. Then the bright LEDs of the Sonic Research would be better.

 

[armybass]

WAZA! Love it!

After using a Korg Pitchblack for a long while (loved the big display), I picked up a Boss TU-3W online earlier this year and love it!

My experience has proven that Boss pedals are built like tanks and the TU-3W appears to be no different. It reads quickly, has several different tuner and display modes and is true bypass.

I've read a couple of comments on how the TU-3W's display is too bright for some users... but frankly, I don't agree as in all types of light, the display is superb for me = clear, colorful and simple to read. Not sure if the complainers know but there's a brightness adjustment on this unit by holding down the stream/cent (button on the left).

I also love the TU-3W's buffer. See below...

 

[Bassist30]

Peterson
TC
Boss
in that order. So many tuners will do the job. But Peterson are built to last and on every tech's table.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

great thread

any issues with this pup for a live board?