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Strobo Tuner Question

Jim C

Jim C

I believe in the trilogy; Fender, Stingray, + G&L
Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2008
15,870
14,109
Bethesda, MD
#1
It's a lock that my original Peterson spinning tuna fish can tuner needs to stay on a shelf and retire from road work and the Sabine DT100 I've used for the last 20 years is OK but not great.

Thought I'd get back to a strobo tuner and was thinking about staying loyal to Peterson and was considering the Strobo Stomp or V-SAM; both of which are accurate to .1 cent.

I am basing this on my theory that a strobe type display is more accurate, fast, and easier than two red LED's with a green "in tune" in the middle and a swinging meter.

Do they react quickly or do they "hunt" like some of the earlier electronic strobes did?

Am assuming that the Korg DT-4 can't be great due to price and is only accurate to 1 cent (am also assuming that humans can hear the difference between .1 and 1 cent).

Any other brands to consider?
Main focus is fast tracking and accurate; perhaps I'm wrong in thinking a strobo is the best way to accomplish this goal; thanks in advance.
 
#2
I like the peterson stuff too..I have the strobostomp..actually a couple of them
a flip top, a VS1 and a VS2

the VS2 is my go to tuner...it's the best one by far for me. better display, fast and reliable. both strobostomps have failed and they are not as bright as the VS2

the flip is nice for a portable!
 
#3
My Stroboflip seeks wicked fast, and is hella stable when you set the note you are tuning to instead of using the detect function. i have been experimenting with different temperaments lately, and if you don't get everything tuned up really tight, it sounds like mush. I love the peterson, but in my opinion the strobe tuners don't provide a huge benefit to guys who tune eadg in TET and go... they would be just as fine with a led unit.

in short. tracks extremely well (if you ever have an issu, roll off your highs/roll the tone knob off and isolate the bridge pickup. fewer overtones equals better tuning
 
#5
ehque said:
4 words. Sonic Research Turbo Tuner.
Click to expand...

+10000.... the best tuner ever. It allowed me to retire my Strobostomp.

It's half the size and price of the Strobostomp, identical 'true strobe' accuracy, higher quality (i.e., more road worthy), and it tracks faster than any tuner I've ever experienced (even on the open B string). And... it is really, truly, 'true bypass'.

Absolutely wonderful 'industry changing' design and execution regarding tuners.
 
#6
I used a Conn Strob-O-Tuner for 11 years when I managed a guitar store. I was never happy (for set up work) with any other tuner I got after that. That includes Seiko, Boss, Bannana, Korg, Qwik-Tune, Sabine, etc. I finally got to the point where I used my Sabine and my Boss TU-2 in series so I could average the readings and then tweak it by ear. I bought a Peterson VS-I shortly after they came out and the first test was a particular guitar I had that was very touchy about intonation on the G string. In five minutes I hada that guitar playing more in-tune than any instrument I'd ever owned.

They read quickly and very accurately. I don't know if the accuracy is a valid point for tuning up on stage, but it's critical for setting up instruments. I use my Peterson at home, but still use and am satisfied with the Boss TU-2 for stage use.

jte
 
#7
JTE said:
I used a Conn Strob-O-Tuner for 11 years when I managed a guitar store. I was never happy (for set up work) with any other tuner I got after that. That includes Seiko, Boss, Bannana, Korg, Qwik-Tune, Sabine, etc. I finally got to the point where I used my Sabine and my Boss TU-2 in series so I could average the readings and then tweak it by ear. I bought a Peterson VS-I shortly after they came out and the first test was a particular guitar I had that was very touchy about intonation on the G string. In five minutes I hada that guitar playing more in-tune than any instrument I'd ever owned.

They read quickly and very accurately. I don't know if the accuracy is a valid point for tuning up on stage, but it's critical for setting up instruments. I use my Peterson at home, but still use and am satisfied with the Boss TU-2 for stage use.

jte
Click to expand...


You really owe it to yourself to check out the Sonic Research stomp box tuner Simply amazing strobe accuracy and true bypass in a very small format (and literally instantaneous tracking... amazing). . To me, it's the product of the decade (smalle, MUCH more accurate, and much more transparent in bypass than the TU-2).
 
#9
bobunit said:
A friend of mine purchased one of these recently and is very happy with it.
http://www.turbo-tuner.com/pages/manual-st2.htm
Click to expand...

That's the model I'm raving about.

I have one of each of their executions. The pedal format is great for those who put the tuner in their signal chain, given it's true bypass design and 'mute when tuning' function.

The more traditional tuner format (the tilt back plastic tuner model) is great for those who run a tuner from the tuner out of their amp, or play acoustic instruments and can benefit from the internal mic. Both are 'strobe accurate' and are the same price.

K
 
#11
I really hated the Peterson Stroboflip. The trouble is that anyone who has experience with a real strobe tuner (and its associated delights) will be massively disappointed with (a) the response time, (b) the digital display, (c) the price, which is unjustified given (a) and (b). It's not all about accuracy, after all; ease, convenience and pleasure of use all go into the prices we're willing to pay for stuff.

I've already returned the Peterson, and am going to try the Sonic Research. I've only read great things about them, and, as some YouTube videos have shown, the response time is AMAZINGLY quick, and the LED display is efficient and wicked in comparison with the terrible Peterson one.

All of this is IMHO, of course.

: )
 
#12
I have a CONN strobotuner. I use it mostly for setting up may bass, and check the harmonics evertime I change strings! It's the best tuner I have ever had! I had one I bought in 1980, and traded for a Fender amp. A couple of years ago I bought this one from a friend for $100. I have a
peterson stomp that I don't hardley use, on stage I use a Korg pocket tuner pluged into the tuner out on my Trace Elliot amp!
 
#13
Thanks boys; sounds like modern strobos are a good way to go assuming you want fast and accuracy to .1 cent
BTW, meant to say my ancient strobo was made by Conn (not Peterson).
Still have the original manual and mic; just need to find a cover.
 
#14
the ST-200 pretty much makes all other tuners obsolete


DSCF0006-7.jpg
 
#16
You'll love this.
I sent an email to Sonic Research at 10:31 PM east coast time asking what the cases were made of. Received and email back from Ralf 2 minutes later (7:33 PM their time) telling me ST 122 is polycarbonate and ST 200 is cast aluminum.
To get customer service any better, they'd have to call you before you thought of the question.
 
#19
The only thing that is lacking on the Turbo Tuner is the 9v out. I really like/need that feature, so when I was looking to replace my Peterson, I ended up going with the Korg Pitch Black. It has a fake strobe mode, which is good enough for quick stage tuning. I would rather set intonation with a real strobe tuner, but the Pitch Black is better for stage.
 
#20
Smallequestrian said:
The only thing that is lacking on the Turbo Tuner is the 9v out. I really like/need that feature, so when I was looking to replace my Peterson, I ended up going with the Korg Pitch Black. It has a fake strobe mode, which is good enough for quick stage tuning. I would rather set intonation with a real strobe tuner, but the Pitch Black is better for stage.
Click to expand...

That Pitch Black looks like a nice unit also, if you don't need strobe accuracy. I have no need for the 9 volt out (I HATE putting anything between my bass and amp). I understand the Pitch Black is also a legitimate true bypass, but have not heard it.

I could actually hear that slight treble drop-off with my Strobostomp (I HATE that), but with the Turbo stompbox in line, the bypass mode sounds exactly like the direct signal chain. So, this is the first time in 30 years of playing I have a pedal in my signal chain!
 

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