Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

[Kam]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I'm going to have to be the odd man out here, but I have a Snark and I think it sucks. It's ridiculously inaccurate. On the treble strings especially, I've noticed it telling me that the string is perfectly in tune, when it's clearly almost a semitone high or flat. It's possible that it's user error, but I've tried it on different guitars (multiple acoustics and electrics) in quiet rooms, different ways of clipping it onto different areas of the headstock, taking my hands off the guitar when it's reading the note and a bunch of other things with the same results. Judging by almost everyone else's positive reports, I'd assume that I got a bad one or something.

Maybe I just need them to make a lefty version. :dunno:

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Could be bad, or need calibrating...

Email Marcy and see what she says.

marcy@snarktuners.com

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Big fan of the Planet Waves Mini. The reason is that it's not a big ugly addition to a headstock......a bobble head. And if it's on a main guitar, you can throw it in a case, without the tuner being affected.

As soon as I'd seen the first clip on Snark, I thought to myself how much better they'd get being smaller, and the PW Mini answered the call.

Honestly, most of these small tuners function in an acceptable way, so I'm just looking for ones that are small and invisible on the guitar. Pretty soon, they'll have adhesive strip tuners.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

i have the snark 8
I like it

whatever

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I've been using the red Snark for a couple of years now and I love it. I've only got a TU-2 to compare it with but it tracks faster and is more accurate than the TU-2. Plenty accurate enough for me to use it for adjusting intonation.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Looks like the ORB is on sale with free shipping on ebay:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tune-Tech-Chromatic-ORB-Tuner-NIB-Very-Nice-Tuner-/230880782910?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item35c1912a3e

 

[ErikH]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Big fan of the Planet Waves Mini. The reason is that it's not a big ugly addition to a headstock......a bobble head. And if it's on a main guitar, you can throw it in a case, without the tuner being affected.

As soon as I'd seen the first clip on Snark, I thought to myself how much better they'd get being smaller, and the PW Mini answered the call.

Honestly, most of these small tuners function in an acceptable way, so I'm just looking for ones that are small and invisible on the guitar. Pretty soon, they'll have adhesive strip tuners.

That's the next one I want to try. I see 2-packs going for $25 on Amazon right now.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I will say the Snarks get returned to the store more than any other tuner. The part where the 'head' attaches is what always breaks. I like the NS tuner for the size, and the fact that no one can see it but me.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

SNARK - all the way. Got a few of them and they stay clamped to the headstocks of my favorite guitars. Great onstage too!

Sold both of my Boss TU-2 tuners after I started using the Snark.

I mount them so the dial is visible from the back of the guitar, BTW. Looks a little better onstage.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I got a Korg AW-2. Super fast and accurate tuning with that one. I don't keep it clipped on during play tho.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

What are you guys calling very accurate??

I mean the difference between a Boss TU-2 and a Poly Tune in needle mode is a HUGE difference...

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I'm thinking I'd like a headstock tuner,but I'm pretty clueless as to what to get and I don't want to spend alot of money on one..

Your opinions on what to get...Say $25 or so..

Stratdeluxe, Ala the good karma thread, i have a Planet Waves regular not the mini that i could send you, i dont use it. PM me.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Stratdeluxe, Ala the good karma thread, i have a Planet Waves regular not the mini that i could send you, i dont use it. PM me.

This is super cool to offer this to me forum brother,but not necessary really...I use a Peterson Strobe tuner and if I get a headstock tuner(IF)...I'd opt for the smaller version of whatever I decide...I sure appreciate the great karma though my friend!

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

The snarks are good and accurate.... Using my credit card cashback I got a planet waves ns-2 mini on a recommendation from Cam (gibson175). It is smaller than most and doesn't look bad on the headstock like so many. They clip on really tight and seem to be pretty accurate. I didn't technically spend any money on it but I still would like something good and it seems like it could be great. Just shipped yesterday so hopefully I get it soon.

yeh - they are good - and you can leave it on your axe 24/7 so you dont end up like a well known musician i was supporting a couple weeks back with a missing tuner - hers was in the back of her amp, but went awol at gig time.

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

This is super cool to offer this to me forum brother,but not necessary really...I use a Peterson Strobe tuner and if I get a headstock tuner(IF)...I'd opt for the smaller version of whatever I decide...I sure appreciate the great karma though my friend!

All good, man.

 

[ErikH]

Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Very accurate as in I can tune up just as fast with the snark as I can the polytune. And if I tune up with the snark then check it with the polytune to compare, it's right on. No issues for me.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

All good, man.

Thanks again pal...Much appreciated...Great people on the forums!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

I've been using the red Snark for a couple of years now and I love it. I've only got a TU-2 to compare it with but it tracks faster and is more accurate than the TU-2. Plenty accurate enough for me to use it for adjusting intonation.

I sold both of my TU-2's after owning and using my Snarks. I use the Snarks on all of my guitars - acoustics and electrics.

I even use Snarks to tune my Autoharps and Mandola and National Tricone and lap steels!

They work perfectly.

Best tuner I've ever owned.

 

[BlackNut]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Ive had the $12 red snark for about 6 mo now. I like it a lot.
I can retire the 30 year old brick sized Radio Shack tuner now. I will keep my 440 fork to verify however LOL
The red snark will tune a bit flat if you pluck the string delicately. It reads what you feed it.
You MUST hit the string with the same force you use playing to get an accurate zero.

Breakable? Yes I can see how they could easily fly apart if you are a 12 yr old metal shredder falling off the front porch.
A reasonably sober and coordinated adult should not have that problem.
Having made that pompous pronouncement I will likely slam mine into something and break it this evening.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Best Headstock Tuner For Least Amount Of Cash?

Not at all to derail this thread but since there seems to be a lot of first hand knowledge in this thread...

How accurate are these little headstock tuners??

I mean I haven't seen one yet post specs on line and that alone gives me pause.

I know some guys will say "They are only 12 bucks" or whatever but how good of a deal is it if it sort of sucks?!

They work when you are at a gig. What else do you need?
I like the snark, i have two intellis, but my current fave is the planet waves mini. Just leave it attached and always have easy to read, accurate tuning at your fingertips no matter how loud the bassist, other guitarist, or PA system is.
If you want super accurate you can get a peterson, my duo partner has teh full strobe tuner but that's only really useful tuning pianos. He also has the headstock version. I prefer the faster sinpler readout of the planet waves,