New tuner time after nearly 20 years..

[pbass2]

My trusty Sonic Research ST-200 is after nearly 20 years of constant use is starting to exhibit some funkiness--the switch I think. Not a bad run.
Was gonna just grab the Peterson Strobostomp ('cause, I mean, Peterson), but I see the Walrus Canvas out there in the world pretty often lately. Both have more features than I need. I just want robust, pop-free switching, and of course as accurate as I can get (I do some of my own setups). Any observations on the reliability of these? Anything with lots of bells and whistles (like the Canvas for example) always makes me nervous.
EDIT: Ooops, just realized the Canvas can't run with a battery, so that's out. I still like to grab and go with just a tuner w/battery for some little gigs w/o my board. C'est la vie, I answered my own question (would delete post but can't ).

 

[Aloe]

I had a Strobostomp HD (actually two) and now own a Turbo Tuner ST-300.

one of my Petersons also had a bad switch that had to be unassembled and cleaned in a while. surprisingly, that was the newest hardware revision, the oldest one was fine. I've bought a Lehle switch btn to replace the switch in this one, but didn't get to it, as liked the Turbo Tuner better.

Turbo Tuner is faster and a tad less finicky to read if you need extreme accuracy. also it doesn't make a loud 'pop' if you plug a cable to it.

Peterson on the other hand can power on in 'tuning and muted' mode, something not possible on the Turbo Tuner. it's big and when using without a pedalboard, you'd accidentally hit the side buttons now and then.

I also didn't like the buffer in the Peterson, for me the Polytune's one sounded much better.

if that's just the switch, maybe just replace it and enjoy your tuner for 20 more years?

 

[Aloe]

p.s. this all said, if I was in the market for a new tuner right now, I’d probably get the Peterson once again. since Turbo Tuner is not an option right now, sadly, it’s the best we have at the moment.

 

[whoismarykelly]

Switches are wear and tear parts that can be replaced

 

[pbass2]

Well, as I say, I "think" it may be the switch, or switch-related. Had a few instances where it didn't engage straight away. Then the other day had a weird phenomenon where when the tuner was switched on, all this crazy static was coming out of the output (but the tuner was functioning, was tuning). Did the usual process of elimination with all the other elements and it was definitely coming from the tuner. But has been fine the last couple uses. Rather than try and chase it down I'll just get something new. Yes, bummed the Turbo Tuner is not available now. I could find one I expect, but figure Peterson is worth a shot.

 

[silky smoove]

I've yet to find a tuner from any brand that's superior to the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner models. I'd recommend either repairing your ST-200, or replacing it with a current model.

 

[sawzalot]

TC Electronic Polytune 3 is my favorite. Super accurate, flexibility of true/buffered bypass and always on or only when button pushed. And, best of all, it's very bright, which is super important for outdoor gigs.

 

[DWA2469]

I've yet to find a tuner from any brand that's superior to the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner models. I'd recommend either repairing your ST-200, or replacing it with a current model.

Their website says they won't be available until September 2026, I also heard they will no longer be made in the USA?

 

[frankie5string]

Seems like the best option may be to just get that switch repaired. Do they offer a repair service directly? Maybe they're like Tech21, when you send something in and they do a full workover to make sure the whole pedal works as part of the repair?

 

[pbass2]

The Turbo has served me well. I'll certainly look into getting a new one when/if they are released again, or maybe get this old workhorse fixed, but in the meantime I just need to be able to work, so Peterson it is.

 

[shirojiro]

I have an ancient Korg handheld at-2 that shockingly still works.
I also have a Korg pitch black that is still going strong.
I use a D’Addario micro clip on the most these days though.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

The Turbo Tuner is not available now

Oh!
They show up in "spurts" on Reverb.

From their website: "Discontinued. A new model is coming September 2026". (I hope that's not a "GK" estimate)


I have all ST-300s.
I just find them the "easiest" to read / best display.

 

[Freight Train]

13 years ago I got a Korg Pitchblack because I have extremely low vision and it was the only pedal tuner I could find that I could see. I've had zero issues with it, not sure what else I'd want a tuner to do other than get me in tune, which it does perfectly well, at least for blues!

 

[SC Bassboy]

My trusty Sonic Research ST-200 is after nearly 20 years of constant use is starting to exhibit some funkiness--the switch I think. Not a bad run.
Was gonna just grab the Peterson Strobostomp ('cause, I mean, Peterson), but I see the Walrus Canvas out there in the world pretty often lately. Both have more features than I need. I just want robust, pop-free switching, and of course as accurate as I can get (I do some of my own setups). Any observations on the reliability of these? Anything with lots of bells and whistles (like the Canvas for example) always makes me nervous.
EDIT: Ooops, just realized the Canvas can't run with a battery, so that's out. I still like to grab and go with just a tuner w/battery for some little gigs w/o my board. C'est la vie, I answered my own question (would delete post but can't ).

I've had the same BOSS TU-2 on my pedalboard for about 25 years. It gets used more than any of my other pedals (in between almost every song), had beer spilled on it, was thrown across a night club several times, and yet it has worked without fail all this time. It may not be sexy, but it is accurate and it always works. What more could you need from a tuner?

 

[Nebadon2000]

Yes I got a Pitchblack 13 years ago also works great fast, easy to use and see and I trust it for intonation

Don't have perfect pitch but have played with a few who do and no one complained

 

[JamesGrant]

I have replaced the switch on my Korg pitch black - cost… £3! The switch is just a mechanical actuator (you push against a spring) which, when pressed, presses a surface mounted (no click) button. Simple. No electronics in the ‘switch’ you step on at all.

 

[pbass2]

I've had the same BOSS TU-2 on my pedalboard for about 25 years. It gets used more than any of my other pedals (in between almost every song), had beer spilled on it, was thrown across a night club several times, and yet it has worked without fail all this time. It may not be sexy, but it is accurate and it always works. What more could you need from a tuner?

That's how my ST-200 has been for nearly two decades. From punk tours to getting rained on at festivals. As I say, a good run!
I have an old Boss somewhere but I want more accuracy for doing setups. For live I agree, it totally does the job.

 

[pbass2]

I have replaced the switch on my Korg pitch black - cost… £3! The switch is just a mechanical actuator (you push against a spring) which, when pressed, presses a surface mounted (no click) button. Simple. No electronics in the ‘switch’ you step on at all.

Yeah, I could try the switch fix on the ST-200, but as I explain it also recently did this really weird noise thing, which I can't risk having happen again (was in a session, and the engineer was like "dude, what is up with your bass?!"). So I think it's just had its day.

 

[rockear]

Whatever you buy, please don't throw away that ST-200. Sell it (Cheap! (To me!)) I need a third for my backup to my backup.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I have the Donner DT Deluxe on my mini-board, very nice and accurate, easy to read. Just bought a Peterson Strobo Stomp Mini for doing set-ups, haven't used it yet. I primarily use a Korg GA-2 for tuning when I take the bass out of its case, or for string changes. It's very accurate and easy to use, but not really accurate enough for doing set-ups.