Has any fellow TB'ers used the type of bass tuner where you clip it on your headstock? Any success or failures? Looking for something compact and easily managed, and well cheap too.
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Help with tuner choice?
- Thread starter shawshank72
- Start date
A good pedal tuner, like the Korg PitchBlack, will be easier to use, and more accurate as well. Less than a hundred bucks, for the win.
I've used the Intellitouch tuner, and it works pretty good. On some basses it doesn't read the E string so well, unless you use the 12th fret harmonic.
There's others out there, too. Sabine and Ibanez make one, and I think Korg makes one now, too.
There's others out there, too. Sabine and Ibanez make one, and I think Korg makes one now, too.
It all depends on what they run for in your area, but a boss TU-2 goes for $99 around here, whereas the korg pitchblack goes for $89. I've heard great things about the Korg, I'll probably go that direction for myself. On the cheaper side of the spectrum, the Planet Waves tuner goes for $59 and the Fender tuner goes for $40-50. You get what you pay for - Reviews of the Planet Waves tuner show it's got some quality issues and both it and the Fender tuner can be noisy.
I've tried a couple of clip ons, including the Intellitouch. They work on bass, but not that great. Low strings don't track that well, yes you can use harmonics, but the bass needs to be perfectly intonated with another tuner first.
I've also found in noisy environments, like a gig, the tracking gets even worse, picking up sympathetic vibrations from other sources. If you plan on using one for gigging, get a decent pedal tuner with big bright lights on instead. Much better performance. My tuner of choice is the Ibanez LU20. Large, clear easy to read display, good performance, even on extended range basses, and very good price of around $40 in the US.
I've also found in noisy environments, like a gig, the tracking gets even worse, picking up sympathetic vibrations from other sources. If you plan on using one for gigging, get a decent pedal tuner with big bright lights on instead. Much better performance. My tuner of choice is the Ibanez LU20. Large, clear easy to read display, good performance, even on extended range basses, and very good price of around $40 in the US.
Boss TU-2 for me, I can't see myself ever needing to buy another tuner. Simple to use, picks up the notes well (including the low B) and built like all Boss pedals so it'll last a lifetime.
As with my fellow bass players, I cast my ballot for the Boss TU-2.... Although, you can get a lot of positive reviews for the Korg pitchblack. Matter of taste and preference, as with all gear!
Try Harmony Central for consumer reviews, I hardly buy any gear anymore without reading consumer reviews. Did it once, ain't going down that road again.
Try Harmony Central for consumer reviews, I hardly buy any gear anymore without reading consumer reviews. Did it once, ain't going down that road again.
