Favorite Tuner Pedal

[misterwhizzy]

This should be an easy one. What tuner do you use, and why?

I was a Boss TU-2 guy until my eyes started going and I discovered the Korg Pitchblack. Seems to work just as well, but I can see it much more easily.

 

[Mincer]

My favorite is a Guyatone MT-3. It is accurate and you can see the display in super bright Florida sunlight.

 

[Securb]

I love the tuner in the H9. The H90 also has a tuner but the H9 is easier to access and easier to read.

 

[jeremy]

you guys tune?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I've had 3.

TC Electronic Polytune 3 - fantastic-sounding buffer that can be turned off. Tunes OK. No complaints.
Planet Waves Tru Strobe - true bypass and easy to read... but can be finicky if you're trying to tune fast. Also, the finish looks fantastic when it's new, but it ages horribly and super fast.
Boss TU-3 - I actually like how this tunes the best. It's super easy to use, and it's sturdy. Nothing fiddly about it. However, the buffer fucking blows balls. It clips with anything from PAF-output pickups and up when you strum hard.

Nowadays, I just tune with my HX Stomp. It's alright.

 

[Chistopher]

I use my H90 or the thing between my ears. It depends on which one is closer to my feet at the time and if I'm just playing alone.

 

[ehdwuld]

I have a cheap $20 micro Koogo on the floor here in the office
in the living room I have another cheapo mini tuner
at the moment I use the built in tuner on the mutifx pedal I run through
or if straight in , one of the mini's

I have the headstock tuners laying around randomly
but I play the headless a lot and have to clip it to the upper strap horn
and thats kinda awkward

if i am out of pocket and someone hands me an acoustic
I use the fender app on my phone

but thats just what I have done this month
next month may be different

 

[GuitarStv]

I use a Korg Pitchblack Custom on my pedalboard and am pretty happy with it. It tracks well, is easy to see, pretty accurate, and wasn't too expensive. For acoustic I use a TC Electronics polytune headstock tuner, which also works great (might be slightly more accurate and also a tiny bit more fiddly to use).

 

[Seashore]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner. It's responsive, accurate enough to set intonation very well, works on bass, simple to recalibrate. My only complaint (possibly a deal breaker for some people) is tone suck. It needs to go after a buffer, and even then I think I can hear some high end loss. I have a couple pedals with dry outs so I usually just keep it out of the signal path. Worth it to me.

#2 would be the tuner on my HX Effects. It's accurate, but it's not as quick/responsive (which makes it easier to overshoot) and it's easier to spoof.

 

[jeremy]

i use a boss tu3, but i dont keep it inline. it lives on top of the amp, its also a pita to see on an sunny day on an outdoor stage, ive gotten really good at standing on one foot using the other to cast a shadow over the tuner so i can see the display

 

[Mincer]

i use a boss tu3, but i dont keep it inline. it lives on top of the amp, its also a pita to see on an sunny day on an outdoor stage, ive gotten really good at standing on one foot using the other to cast a shadow over the tuner so i can see the display

That's the thing...I have no idea how anyone would design a tuner that couldn't be seen in bright light. I know not everyone plays in sunlight, but stage lights can get super bright, too.

 

[beaubrummels]

BOSS TU-3 on the board, not inline but Y-out to it either via volume pedal or NS-2 gate thing so I can silent tune (I always silent tune). Also use a little D'Addario clip on behind the headstock when I'm not using my board. Used to use Snark clip ons. All of them tune slightly different. I never bothered to figure out the 'tweak' settings to get them all on the same style of tuning.

 

[beaubrummels]

That's the thing...I have no idea how anyone would design a tuner that couldn't be seen in bright light. I know not everyone plays in sunlight, but stage lights can get super bright, too.

The TUs were designed back when we had stage wedges, so you could put your board in the shadow of the wedge, or if it's on your amp, you just turn around and block the light with your body, IME.

 

[RanchManSandy]

Polytune 3 or my Snark clip on

 

[Mincer]

The TUs were designed back when we had stage wedges, so you could put your board in the shadow of the wedge, or if it's on your amp, you just turn around and block the light with your body, IME.

Oh I get that, but they have re-designed that tuner a few times in the last 20 years, which is at least as long as IEMs have become popular. No real excuse for this oversight.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think the TU-3W is brighter. Also has an improved buffer, whatever that means. That buffer is really easy to improve on, honestly. But it also has a true bypass mode.

I kinda want one, honestly.

 

[Mincer]

Well, it isn't just about being brighter...it is about the kind of plastic or glass over the LEDs.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Well, it isn't just about being brighter...it is about the kind of plastic or glass over the LEDs.

Ah, too reflective?

 

[marcello252]

TC Polytune forever

 

[Mincer]

Ah, too reflective?

Seems to be one of the issues.