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.
I Need a Tuner Upgrade
- Thread starter PrecNut
- Start date
TC Polytune 3. Super quick, super accurate, and has the best display of any pedal tuner. You can actually see it outdoors! Also you can choose true bypass, buffered bypass, or always on.
I use a KLIQ tiny tune. It can be slow sometimes but in my experience, most tuners are a bit slow with bass. Other than that, never had a problem. It doesn't take a battery though. You have to plug it in. Not an issue for me but might be for you.
Korg pitch-black advance is what I'm using... seems great
I have GAS for one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-StroboStomp-Guitar-Tuner-403884/dp/B07PW9KBBJ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2PUJ2C3Y9ZAHI&dchild=1&keywords=peterson+tuner&qid=1633165877&sprefix=Peterson+tu,aps,196&sr=8-4
A Peterson StroboStomp HD Guitar Tuner.
A Peterson StroboStomp HD Guitar Tuner.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
If you want to go above and beyond,
there are two options:
Sonic Research ST-300 (mini)
Peterson StroboStomp HD.
If you want 'gold standard', you can go TC Polytune (mini), Korg Pitchblack or Boss TU-3.
These three are very common on pedalboards around the globe for a simple reason: They work.
there are two options:
Sonic Research ST-300 (mini)
Peterson StroboStomp HD.
If you want 'gold standard', you can go TC Polytune (mini), Korg Pitchblack or Boss TU-3.
These three are very common on pedalboards around the globe for a simple reason: They work.
I'm very pleased with the TC Electronic Polytune 2 mini- it reads the pitch very fast and the display is easy to read and adjusts automatically to ambient light level so it's easy to see even in bright sunlight.
I chose the TC Polytune 3 Mini. I got the Noir version over the white one, for aesthetic reasons. I chose this over the Peterson because the TC strobe mode is accurate within 0.02 cents, compared to the Peterson's 0.1 cent. Not honestly that much of an issue in most uses, but I also use this for setting intonation when I do setups, and I wanted the most precision I could get. The Peterson has a well-deserved reputation for being a high quality tuner pedal, though, and I can't recall anyone I've ever seen saying they regret getting one. If TC went under and I needed a new tuner, the Peterson Strobostomp would be my choice.
KLIQs are the greatest value pedal tuners I've come across: Easy to read meter even in sunlight, quality bypass, flat and A4 options, and accurate. I find they're slightly slower than a Pitchblack, but the difference is fairly negligible in real world tuning situations.
I have two KLIQs myself.
Get ready to receive a suggestion for nearly every tuner pedal avaliable. 
Lots of good stuff out there.
+1 on the Korg Pitchblack... built like tanks, great display, multiple modes. I had a Korg in the ol' plastic unit days and it always treated me right... so now, I have a metal-housed Pitchblack and it's fantastic.
Lots of good stuff out there. +1 on the Korg Pitchblack... built like tanks, great display, multiple modes. I had a Korg in the ol' plastic unit days and it always treated me right... so now, I have a metal-housed Pitchblack and it's fantastic.
Yeah I need to get a Polytune 3. I hear it calling me. I bought a Boss Tu-2 and I am kinda happy with it for an older used pedal. I got it dirt cheap. It does work but the annoying pause b4 it registers your signal is bothersome knowing there are instant signal recognition options out there. But a used Boss TU2 is dirt cheap usually and does the job.
Last edited:
I have a Polytune Mini. I find it is fast enough to use for fretless practice, I play and watch my tuner to check my intonation. I use it always on. I have a fancy scope that I’ve used for setup but the TC is indestructible and more than accurate enough for typical use.
Boss TU-3 is my current tuner, works great and built like a tank. I really like the pseudo strobe mode.
if you want highest accuracy possible, get a strobe: Peterson StroboStomp HD or Turbo Tuner. they're both stellar, get the one you like looks the best.
if you don't want to read a strobe display, want the accuracy and don't mind the tuner to be a little finicky to deal with, get the Korg: Pitchblack advance.
get Polytune if you want a user-friendly tuner, but okay with being not-so-accurate.
this said, any of them would be an improvement over the one you have.
if you don't want to read a strobe display, want the accuracy and don't mind the tuner to be a little finicky to deal with, get the Korg: Pitchblack advance.
get Polytune if you want a user-friendly tuner, but okay with being not-so-accurate.
this said, any of them would be an improvement over the one you have.
I’ve used them all, gigging, recording, bedroom practice, you name it.
Love this one for looks, feel and performance.
Love this one for looks, feel and performance.
