Tuner Rant

[2.6kHz]

I've had a peterson VS-II for over 10 years now. Still kicking, still the only tuner I will use for any instrument. The tempered tunings for each instrument are very nice to have. I just keep it plugged into the tuner out on my amp and it has it's own stand, goes right on top of the rack case. Expensive and worth it.

 

[kenneffdupriest]

I wud never ever show up at a show without a tuner but generally for rehearsal I ask for an A from another brother

 

[paparoof]

I totally resent my tuner taking up space on my board that I could use for fun stuff....

You're really thinking about that pedal board a lot lately aren't you Jimmy?

 

[Matt Dean]

I tried them all (except the turbo) and stuck with the Polytuner. I can see it on outside stages and it's accurate and quick.

 

[bassfran]

If you can find a used Peterson Strobo stomp 2 get it.
It has a direct out power pass and mute feature.
its is pppppricey but it is boss. Youll never need another.

Yep. Clean, active D.I. and built like a tank, too.

 

[Skasteadyb]

Plus 1 for a boss pedal tuner. Although, I plug in to it, tune, then plug direct into my amp.

 

[John E]

I'm curious as to the quality of the pedal tuner that is built in to the new Shure wireless pedal receiver. Has anyone had any experience with this unit?

 

[seamonkey]

I don't need a tuner, My basses came tuned at the factory.

Tuners today sure make life easy, and it's a snap to adjust your own intonation.
My favorite is IK UltraTuner.
Always carry it. it's fast. The battery is charged, and they solved the all visibility problems

There are many other app tuner choices but I haven't looked lately.

 

[FretNoMore]

Buy cheap, buy twice. Learned that early on and now I buy good stuff or don't buy at all.

The usual suspects that get good reviews here: Boss TU-2/3, Korg Pitchblack, TC Polytune, Peterson, Turbo Tuner ...

 

[JimmyM]

You're really thinking about that pedal board a lot lately aren't you Jimmy?

I am, because I just got 2 new pedals and getting another in April or May when it comes out, and I want to use them all and not have to bounce the rest of the stuff I'd also like to use. Plus I actually broke down and got a real pedalboard last week. I have all these distortion pedals I want to use and I don't want to bounce the OC-2 or clean boost. Might seem a little over the top to do an oldies band with 5 dirt boxes, but they all have such cool sounds that represent different types of 60's and 70's bass tones from mild OD to fuzz, and there's no duplication of sounds between them. The fuzz I don't use much, but when I do, it's quite fun for all and nobody's had a heart attack yet

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

So, you buy a cheap POS and you're ticked that it's a cheap POS;
The only alternative is a Turbo tuner at $130?

There's a Korg Pitchblack here in the TB classifieds - right now - for what - $55? A great tuner - I like mine better than my Turbo Tuner (yes, I have both - one for the board, one for the gig bag)

 

[Jay2U]

I've got several tuners, a cheap Korg and some built into combos and pedals. Low frequency response and accuracy can be a problem. That's why I always use the second harmonic to tune low pitched strings. Doubling the frequency makes tuners more accurate and responsive.

 

[okcrum]

Yah, I see folks here mostly using the PolyTube (II?), PitchBlack or DT-10, Turbo Tuner, or Boss TU-2/3. Personally I like to try out different stuff across the cost spectrum just because I can. Yah, if I had any sense I'da just ordered up the Turbo Tuner as a true strobe would be my weapon of choice. Most any will do the job but where's the fun in that ?

 

[CGremlin]

For paying gigs I use an ancient Korg DT-1 Pro that I bought back in 1988 or so, but for just kicking around at home my little POS Fender clip-on has been more than adequate. Every now and again I think about spending the cash to get a vintage Conn ST-11...

 

[GKon]

Heck, I'm still using the cheaper than cheap Rocktek Son Of A Pitch 2 that I bought for $19 since 2006!

So in my case I bought cheap and bought once

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I use a Snark clip on tuner that I keep on the headstock. It works fine and is always there when I need it. I paid about $25 at GC for it.

 

[Dave W]

Buy once cry once. A good tuner is a necessity that all musicians need to invest in.

 

[iiipopes]

I have always had the best luck with Korg tuners: inexpensive, accurate, stable. I started with a rack mount 20 years ago, which I finally gave to a friend of mine who runs a weekly open mike night at a local watering hole, then went to the hand-held, which I keep with my tuba because of its built in microphone, and now I'm using the headstock clip on model. I have used tuners ever since high school concert band, when my band director had an original Conn Strobo-Tuner. I've tried many different models over the years, including a Snark whch I have clipped to the bridge of my double bass, but I always come back to the Korg. If they cost double the price, I'd still get them.

The aspect that sets Korg apart from the Conns, the Petersons, and all the other great brands is their ability to filter out the overtones and read the true fundamental, which, of course, is especially necessary on bass, so that it actually tunes E1, for example, and doesn't try to tune E2, or B2, or any other overtone instead.

 

[jmlee]

I tried the cheap tuners too, probably spend 30 or 40 bucks before breaking down and buying the Peterson Strobe Clip On. It works great.

Love this one.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

When I used a board I had a JOYO pitchblack copy. That seemed to work just fine. Lately I have been going direct to PA at random open mics and jams so I have been rocking a Korg headstock tuner. I definitely preferred the pedal to the headstock variety (they just don't seem to register as fast or as accurate) but it's good enough for what I need and easy to move around.

If I ever go back to a board I think I'll pick up a polytune, but until then headstock it is.