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ID my tuner (from vague details)!

Papazita

Papazita

Jun 27, 2008
1,917
2,346
Ohio
#1
So, I owned two of these in the mid to late 1990's. They were great at sitting out of the way on top of your amp and happily tuning away while you played. They sat there and worked quickly and accurately when you needed them. The shop I bought them from is long since gone, so I can't ask them.

Looks like this old Sabine tuner:
otustzibnpncozmlitoy.jpg

Only it wasn't a Sabine; but it may have used the same circuit.

: Wood casing; did not have the metal strips on the top like the Sabine
: 9 volt battery under a removable brass colored aluminum base plate
: Small push buttons on the back for on/off and calibrate
: 1/4" input jack and 1/8" output jack. Came with a 1/8" to dual 1/4" Y-cable for output

Take the wood and front panel used on this Sabine tuner:
211042000421000-00-750x750.jpg

but add the "flat" "in tune" and "sharp" indicators, and shape, from the previous tuner. Buttons for power and calibrate, and the input/output jack on the back panel.

Any ideas? Google has failed me, so have ebay and reverb.
 
#3
Now that I think about it, I"m wrong about the input/output situation. The Y-cable was 1/8 to dual 1/4, but the only input on the tuner was the 1/8. You plugged into one 1/4 jack, then from the other 1/4 to your amp, and the 1/8 led out to the tuner.
 
#7
Papazita said:
This is it! I'm really surprised I found pictures. Still no name though. Anyone?

View attachment 3898662 View attachment 3898663
Click to expand...
KenB said:
I have one...

LockOn, made by Tuners Direct, Gainesville, FL.
Click to expand...
Which, not so conicidentally, was the home of Sabine. From what I've found out, a designer at Sabine quit and started his own company, using what looks like a near-identical design to the Sabine, only not as good. A 1/8" Y cable was needed? Sheesh, no wonder it stiffed! And quite honestly, I was never a fan of the Sabine in the first place. Boss made much better tuners if you ask me.
 
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#9
JimmyM said:
Which, not so conicidentally, was the home of Sabine. From what I've found out, a designer at Sabine quit and started his own company, using what looks like a near-identical design to the Sabine, only not as good. A 1/8" Y cable was needed? Sheesh, no wonder it stiffed! And quite honestly, I was never a fan of the Sabine in the first place. Boss made much better tuners if you ask me.
Click to expand...
I had two of them. Guess what broke on both of them, making them useless? That tiny input jack and cable.
 
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#10
Papazita said:
Now that I think about it, I"m wrong about the input/output situation. The Y-cable was 1/8 to dual 1/4, but the only input on the tuner was the 1/8. You plugged into one 1/4 jack, then from the other 1/4 to your amp, and the 1/8 led out to the tuner.
Click to expand...

I never used the Y-cable with mine (it’s still wrapped up as it was when new).

I always used mine with acoustic instruments, using the the built-in mic. I was originally using it to tune a mountain dulcimer. I put four small clear stick-on bumpers on the bottom, and set it on top of the instrument for tuning.

It also works great to tune my upright bass. I just set it on the front of the bridge. Works great, and fits in my pocket when I’m playing.
 

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