Headstock Tuner

[CTC564]

Hello TB...

I was wondering if any of you are using a headstock tuner and if so, which one?

I recently picked up the Planet Waves model but wasn't too thrilled with it...

Hoping that this could be a useful tool in helping me with my intonation while playing fretless

 

[stratovani]

I use the blue Snark tuner. It's the only headstock tuner I've used which picks up a bass string's vibration, and instantly displays it. Not terribly expensive, I definitely recommend it.

 

[suedehead]

Am using a Korg pitchclip tuner. Think it was about 20bucks but it does the business.

 

[droo46]

A lot of people seem to like the Snark tuners.

 

[CTC564]

Thanks...I'd heard some good things about the Snark but I'm really happy to hear that it locks onto a bass note as quick as it does

 

[metaball]

snark - the black one

 

[KwinS]

Are you using the Planet Waves NS? I really like mine a lot.

 

[CTC564]

Are you using the Planet Waves NS? I really like mine a lot.

Yeah...I wasn't that thrilled with it...battery died in under a week and it seemed kinda slow to me

 

[caeman]

To the OP...

Yes. Snark. The black one.

I no longer use a pedal tuner.

 

[bassbrad]

I use a GoGo Caliber clip on tuner that works great, bought it for my 12 string but it's just as great on bass.

 

[stratovani]

I use the blue Snark tuner. It's the only headstock tuner I've used which picks up a bass string's vibration, and instantly displays it. Not terribly expensive, I definitely recommend it.

Just one thing I'd like to add. If you get the blue Snark (don't know about the red or black ones) there's a tiny hole to one side of the on/off button. That's a microphone for tuning instruments like brass and woodwinds. If you're tuning in a noisy environment it'll pick up the ambient background noise and make it difficult to tune. Just cut a tiny square of tape and cover the hole, and you won't have any problems after that.

 

[scotch]

I use the Planet Waves NS Mini all the time!

I am a D'Addario/Planet Waves endorser, but I would still use this thing even if I wasn't! It's a great product that can tune pretty much anything (including my index finger!?)

Video demo here:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2349627871813

If it vibrates, you can probably tune it with this thing!

 

[pmchenry]

Black snark works fine for me. Response time is good and it has a very visible display. As someone mentioned, you might want to tape the small mic port if your guitar player has a tendency to mess about while you're tuning. Personally I just use it as an opportunity to yell at him.

 

[pmchenry]

I use the Planet Waves NS Mini all the time!

I am a D'Addario/Planet Waves endorser, but I would still use this thing even if I wasn't! It's a great product that can tune pretty much anything (including my index finger!?)

Video demo here:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2349627871813

If it vibrates, you can probably tune it with this thing!

OP already said he doesn't like the Planet Waves tuner...

 

[1954bassman]

I am using the RED Snark. Best luck with a headstock I have had and without naming names, I have tried a lot of headstock tuners. My main band is acoustic Gospel, and the Red (and blue) snarks are all over the place - we have like 96 strings in our band.

My only complaint is they are somewhat flimsy.

 

[scotch]

I own a Snark, too. It also works great! It's just so big! Looks like an added appendage to me. But, it does work, no doubt about it!

The NS mini really latches on quick! Just make sure its clipped tight & not resting against a tuner machine & bingo! I've used it on just about every kind of guitar and bass with no problems. On some instruments, it helps to experiment with where on the headstock to place it, but it still locks on as quickly or more quickly than my Snark & it is barely noticeable from the front & side of the instrument!

 

[dave_bass5]

Ive got the Peterson stroboclip tuner and its very good but feels too flimsy to take to gigs.
I tend to just use this at home for sets up.
Ive had been using a black Snark for the past year or so at gigs, but recently switched to the PW NS Mini Headstock tuner. Ive used both at the same time (just testing) and couldn't really see any difference, other than the PW can live on my bass all the time.
Both were accurate (not as much as the Peterson) and both seemed to latch on to the note at the same time.

If the battery fails after just a week i'd replace it. Its obviously not right and not a "feature" of the tuner.

 

[Tom Spaulding]

OP already said he doesn't like the Planet Waves tuner...
Yes, but both of his issues (as described) are probably due to a weak battery in the first place. The NS is typically quicker to grab a note and hold it longer than other headstock tuners, has a long battery life, and his experience is not at all common. I have PM'd him and will send him a new one, if he wants one.

 

[G.Bisson]

have a Korg Pitchclip and don't like it. Can't position the screen in a way for me to read it while wearing the bass. It also tracks slowly and reads many notes as sharp when my pedal tuners are telling me the string is in tune.

 

[DWBass]

I use the Planet Waves NS Mini Headstock Tuner. Got it last year some time. Battery still good on mine. It uses a lithium battery and I'm quite sure would last a good year!