Need a Tuner that can register a Low G

[Supercollide]

I'm looking to update my pedal tuner to one with a strobe option (and bass polytune if possible) and I've been looking at a Polytune 2 but after trying a few TC Electronics polytune models (but not the polytune 2) I've found they only go down to A on the 5th String. In one project I play a 5 sting tuned GCGCF and, while I'm coping just about ok tuning to the octave, any new tuner I buy would need to go down to G.

So it'd need to be pedal rather than rackmount
Register a low G
Have a strobe tuning option
Be available in the UK
(and if it had a bass poly mode that'd be great! yeah want the moon on the stick me!)

Any suggestions, recommendations (especially from any of you 7 stringers who go down to F#) or can anyone who uses a polytune 2 test it for low G for me?

 

[Oneirogenic]

Why don't you just use the 12th fret harmonic? Tuners can usually read harmonics better anyways.

 

[hifibass]

For a low G you may need a Basset Hound.

 

[Bassgeer]

I use a Korg Pitchblack standard for a low E, the trick is to keep your treble and mids flat and boost your bass on your preamp if you are using an active bass. Try playing with your pickup balance, you will likely find that one will track better than the other. I find it takes a bit longer to track the low E, but it hasn't failed me yet!

 

[Supercollide]

Why don't you just use the 12th fret harmonic? Tuners can usually read harmonics better anyways.

Already doing

For a low G you may need a Basset Hound.

heheheh that or whatever submarines use for sonar! ;-)

I use a Korg Pitchblack standard for a low E, the trick is to keep your treble and mids flat and boost your bass on your preamp if you are using an active bass. Try playing with your pickup balance, you will likely find that one will track better than the other. I find it takes a bit longer to track the low E, but it hasn't failed me yet!

I'll give that a try, cheers.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I'm looking to update my pedal tuner to one with a strobe option (and bass polytune if possible) and I've been looking at a Polytune 2 but after trying a few TC Electronics polytune models (but not the polytune 2) I've found they only go down to A on the 5th String. In one project I play a 5 sting tuned GCGCF and, while I'm coping just about ok tuning to the octave, any new tuner I buy would need to go down to G.

So it'd need to be pedal rather than rackmount
Register a low G
Have a strobe tuning option
Be available in the UK
(and if it had a bass poly mode that'd be great! yeah want the moon on the stick me!)

Any suggestions, recommendations (especially from any of you 7 stringers who go down to F#) or can anyone who uses a polytune 2 test it for low G for me?

The Shure glxd wirelesses built in tuner works all the way down to at least F natural nearly an octave below a standard 4 string. It does have a strobe setting that I don't use. This is what I've been using lately.

The older korg rack tuners I want to say it was a dtr 1000 or 2000 I had tracked down to E an octave down. But I don't know if their pedal tuners have the same guts. And I will say it sucked tone so to fix the tone suck issue I ran a cable from the pre amp tuner out to the rack tuner meaning I had no way to mute and tune.

 

[Amplified]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner T-300 Mini. Tried the low G on my 5-string bass and it tracks like any other string on the bass. Very fast.

 

[Supercollide]

Ty for all the replies guys, I'm suspecting the turbo tuners the best way to go really but I'm gonna want to see how much UK customs are gonna tax me for for importing one before I really consider biting.
in the meantime, I'll carry one with harmonics & octaves and Bassgeers advice.

 

[Dave W]

I tested the Polytune 2 down to low G, but I don't tune that low on a regular basis to say how well it works in practice. It recognized the note right away

 

[MobileHolmes]

My turbo tuner tracks a low B better than anything I've ever used, but I've never gone lower than that

 

[Josh Pelican]

If you can find a Turbo Tuner over there, go for it. I bought one 'cause I used to tune to F# (and lower), but no tuner seemed to work for me except that one. I don't normally tune that low anymore, but I still won't use another tuner.

 

[walterw]

yep, the turbo will track down to like C0, 16Hz!

 

[Supercollide]

If you can find a Turbo Tuner over there, go for it. I bought one 'cause I used to tune to F# (and lower), but no tuner seemed to work for me except that one. I don't normally tune that low anymore, but I still won't use another tuner.

Looking into it it'll cost me at least £140.00, probably more like £160.00 and a fair wait to receive it...
Whereas £55.00 will get me a Polytune 2 in my hand.

Thank you everyone for your input, I'm gonna pickup a Polytune 2 now and look at importing a turbo in a few months.
The polytune can then be moved to my guitar pedal board.

 

[ProfFrink]

Thank you everyone for your input, I'm gonna pickup a Polytune 2 now and look at importing a turbo in a few months.
The polytune can then be moved to my guitar pedal board.

The Polytune 2 is great BUT, I was a bit disappointed by the polyphonic mode (where you strum all the strings at once and it shows you an indication for all of them), because it turns out it is much less accurate than the normal one-string-at-a-time tuning. I guess that if you're not too OCD and really need to check your tuning in a hurry, it will do just fine, but I find that after I've seen that it's less accurate I always do the one-at-a-time procedure.

Given that AFAICS, for bass, the only advantage to the non-mini Polytune is the "bass polyphonic mode" and given that I don't use it, I now regret not having just ordered the mini.

Just something to consider.

 

[The Ryantist]

You can also try plucking the string with your thumb above the neck pickup or even higher so you're getting more of the fundamental and fewer harmonics.

Oh, and if you use a compressor you could put the tuner after the compressor.

 

[anavar]

i have a polytune 2 and i am able to get to low G no problems.

you play in a Djent band or something?

if so, link me up to a facebook for bandcamp.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I was going to respond with "good luck", and am surprised that there are tuners that do this. I have a rough time with drop D. I'm subscribing for updates, I may need to get me a new tuner.

 

[Icemanaroonie]

With my Korg box tuner I can register an Ab on my 5-string if I boost the bass on the preamp, and turn my gain up high.

 

[Supercollide]

The Polytune 2 is great BUT, I was a bit disappointed by the polyphonic mode (where you strum all the strings at once and it shows you an indication for all of them), because it turns out it is much less accurate than the normal one-string-at-a-time tuning. I guess that if you're not too OCD and really need to check your tuning in a hurry, it will do just fine, but I find that after I've seen that it's less accurate I always do the one-at-a-time procedure.

Given that AFAICS, for bass, the only advantage to the non-mini Polytune is the "bass polyphonic mode" and given that I don't use it, I now regret not having just ordered the mini.

Just something to consider.

Cheers - good to consider.
I've gone for the polytune 2. I'm already aware that the poly mode isn't as accurate but it's a handy tool I don't have anywhere else, I like having lots of options for stuff like that and I've got the space on the board.
Gonna save the Turbo Tuner for the next round of upgrades (flight case for pedal board, Source Audio Graphic EQ)

i have a polytune 2 and i am able to get to low G no problems.

you play in a Djent band or something?

if so, link me up to a facebook for bandcamp.

Cheers! hit the buy botton on the poly after hearing that.

Stoner/Doom and it's pretty much one song the G gets 'properly' used, usually I don't need to go lower than the Bb.

 

[anavar]

Stoner/Doom and it's pretty much one song the G gets 'properly' used, usually I don't need to go lower than the Bb.

yeah i leave my poly on the standard setting. works a treat.

dropped a like on the FB page. cool stuff man, love your guitarists flying V.

you should check out a band called stone lotus. Stone Lotus | Stone Lotus they got a real cool electric wizard sorta vibe.