Best tuner for techs?

[jbuckley]

Hi all, I'm a tech just kind of starting out and realize -- as I'm sure you do -- what a task it can be to tune a guitar in a loud room. I've been told that a Korg rack tuner is the best to use in this environment by one person, and yet someone else told me a strobe tuner is the way to go. Right now I'm using a Boss TU-2, which is crap in a loud room. I want a tuner that picks up the guitar (mainly acoustic) and not the surrounding noise.

Any suggestions?

 

[Grandor]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

why is the tu-2 crap in the loud room?

When you plug it into your electric it should only pickup its signal right?

 

[68 lost souls]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Well I think he said that it was hard to pickup an acoustic. He put that in in brackets.

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

I am confused........ For what you described, you just need a way to isolate the accoustic guitars from the other noise? How are you amplifying the guitars for performance? The same signal path should suffice to insert the TU-2, you can even mute your signal. If the ambient noise is causing the guitar to resonate while tuning, I would hate to hear what is being amplified while jamming......

If you are mic'ing the guitars directly (not the most practical live technique), then there are mics specifically designed for tuning (small mic with 1/4" mono jack for input directly into a tuner) that you can buy for around $30. A whole lot cheaper than a Peterson Strobe Tuner or a Korg DTR-2000. Now, if you are just tuning the guitar, there is nothing wrong with the TU-2. If you are trying to set intonation, which you should need a more precise display on the tuner to do, then you shouldn't be in a loud room.

 

[jbuckley]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Specifically, my problem is that I'm tuning guitars from offstage between songs at gigs, and during the songs, it's very difficult for me to tune acoustic guitars because the TU-2 I'm using is picking up vibes from elsewhere. For example, I'll pluck the low E string, and the tuner may pick up a totally different note, or none at all sometimes. It's hard to tune an E string when your tuner thinks you're playing an A-flat.

The TU-2 is obviously meant for stage use. I was just wondering if there are tuners out there that would be more suitable for someone like me, who tunes guitars during a gig and doesn't always have desirable sound isolation while tuning.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Specifically, my problem is that I'm tuning guitars from offstage between songs at gigs, and during the songs, it's very difficult for me to tune acoustic guitars because the TU-2 I'm using is picking up vibes from elsewhere. For example, I'll pluck the low E string, and the tuner may pick up a totally different note, or none at all sometimes. It's hard to tune an E string when your tuner thinks you're playing an A-flat.

The TU-2 is obviously meant for stage use. I was just wondering if there are tuners out there that would be more suitable for someone like me, who tunes guitars during a gig and doesn't always have desirable sound isolation while tuning.

You're telling me that the TU-2 has problems with a transducer clip (for acoustic), heck buy another brand of clip as they are only between 15 and 25 USD. Other than that, another great tuner based on a direct clip transducer is the Intellitouch tuner, great for acoustic or solidbody instruments, just clip it on to the headstock or bridge (think cellos and that sort of thing, of course mute all other strings). Plus it's backlit LCD display and pivoting transducer claw make it easy to see in the dark (okay, it could be brighter, but others don't have any back light.
Any tuner will pick up false harmonics though, you let it clear, and then damp all strings except the one being picked ... also makes sure the battery is new, or the power supply is stable. The Korg rack mount series are good, but more costly.

 

[theodie]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Get a peterson VS-II and their clip on attachment and be done with it for good as far as tuners are concerned.

 

[jbuckley]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have been more specific to begin with. The guitars I'm tuning are Taylor acoustic-electrics with the Expression System. The main axes I have to tune are two 814CEs and a jumbo 12-string.

I've tried some of the things you mentioned, such as muting all the strings and waiting for the display to clear. Sometimes it can take several seconds for the display to stop jumping around, and when it does stop I'll usually look at it and say, "Are you done?"

The most frustrating thing, and what I'd like to avoid, is that moment after I swap guitars with the player onstage and see him tuning the guitar after I've tried for five minutes to get it right, and then him telling me later that the guitars were a little off.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

The guitar tech I use tech swears by a Peterson

 

[Lee_M.]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Get a rack mount Korg. I test drove one several months ago and can't imagine ever going back to a BOSS type tuner, which I've been using for 15 years. My heros, Warren Haynes, Mike Houser, Derek Trucks, et al, use them with their lives rigs. They are versatile and are extremely accurate. Plus, in a dark area, the strobe feature works very, very well. I have no doubt that it will work with your Taylors. Unfortunately, the Taylor Expression system is very, very sensitive, so you will need a Tuner (like the Korg) that locks very quickly onto the root tone.

The only reason I haven't bought one is because Musician's Friend can't seem to get my store credit in order. It is my next purchase from a technician standpoint.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/210514/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/210513/

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Best tuner for techs?

Person Tuners are the most accurate I have ever tried. I just got the Strobostomp and I never realized how much MORE in tune you can be.