Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

Nightburst

Nightburst

New member
Hey guys,
Just need your experience on this. My old TU-2 is doing fine however I always wished it would track notes a little faster. The next gen tuners seem to track faster and are more accurate.
I'm also gassing for a 805.
Basically I dont need either pedal but I feel my pedalboard could use some fresh blood. Right now my chain looks like this:

Guitar -> TU-2 (buffer) -> Wah (buffer?) -> Klon Clone OD (True Bypass) -> Line6 M5 (buffer?) -> amp.

Here comes the catch: I also have a modded TS-9 and Boss OD with buffers.

What should I do lol I'm confused and I want to get the max out of my board with as east tone suck as possible. I find myself dialing in more bass than I should so somethings up but I can' quite figure out what.

Any ideas?
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

the polytune and the tu3 are more accurate than the tu2. the polytune (obviously) offers you the polyphonic tuning mode and is true bypass. the tu3 is a buffered bypass. i've used all of them plus a korg pitchblack. i preferred all of them to the tu2.
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

superpete said:
the polytune and the tu3 are more accurate than the tu2. the polytune (obviously) offers you the polyphonic tuning mode and is true bypass. the tu3 is a buffered bypass. i've used all of them plus a korg pitchblack. i preferred all of them to the tu2.
Click to expand...

Can you please explain why you preferred them over the TU-2?
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

if you already have a tu2 then i dont think id waste money getting a different pedal tuner
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

I'm not aware of the TU-2 having any inaccuracies. If it ain't broke...
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

King IzzO))) said:
I'm not aware of the TU-2 having any inaccuracies. If it ain't broke...
Click to expand...

All animals are accurate, but some are more accurate than others.

TU-2: +/- 3 cents
TU-3: +/- 1 cent
Pitchblack: +/- 1 cent
Polytune 2: +/- .1 cent
Polytune Clip in chromatic mode: +/- .5 cent
Polytune Clip in stobe mode: +/- .02 cent

At some point the tuner either gets the guitar close enough for rock n' roll, or you sweeten by ear. The question is, "Does the tuner do what you want it to do for you? And, how cool does it look doing it?"
 
Last edited:
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

jeremy said:
if you already have a tu2 then i dont think id waste money getting a different pedal tuner
Click to expand...

Put it towards a bench tuner for your tech and beer for your roadies.
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

Little Pigbacon said:
All animals are accurate, but some are more accurate than others.

TU-2: +/- 3 cents
TU-3: +/- 1 cent
Pitchblack: +/- 1 cent
Polytune 2: +/- .1 cent
Polytune Clip in chromatic mode: +/- .5 cent
Polytune Clip in stobe mode: +/- .02 cent

At some point the tuner either gets the guitar close enough for rock n' roll, or you sweeten by ear. The question is, "Does the tuner do what you want it to do for you? And, how cool does it look doing it?"
Click to expand...

Meh, I've never obsessed that much.
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

I went from the TU-2 to the -3.

I was doing a lot of outdoor festivals and the -2's display wasn't bright enough in bright sunlight. The -3 has a bright mode and is better in sunlight. But...because it is more accurate (a plus), it is a little bit "tinkier" to tune.

I think the tuner I would investigate is the Sonic Research Turbo. It is a very accurate, bright, and gets rave reviews.

Bill
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

Do you guys think or maybe even know if a tuner can become less accurate after years of use? I dont know the exact techincal details on how it works but can imagine a tuning device would need some sort of calibration done after a while?
It seems fine tho so there's no real need to get a new tuner but new stuff rocks ya know. :D Basically what I'm saying is: Give me a good excuse to buy it dammit haha
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

so you have a tu2? then dont get another pedal tuner. if you do your own work then maybe its worth getting a good bench tuner. just play? get a little headstock tuner.

if you already have a decent tuner, go buy something else. a new delay or chorus or dirt box or more strings or a milkshake and burger for you and friend
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

The older tube strobes, like the Conn, would drift with time, but I think the new digital circuits are pretty stable.

Th TU-2 is okay for playing live. Like I wrote, I had trouble seeing mine outdoors, so went with the -3. However, IMO, if you are looking for a tuner to use for setting intonation, you should get a more accurate tuner. I have a Peterson Strobo-Stomp for setting the intonation on my guitars. I could use the -3, but would NOT use the -2 to set intonation. I also have a TU-12H and I don't think it's accurate enough, either.

Lots of good tuners on the market. I prefer pedal tuners for my electrics. I think headstock tuners are fine for acoustics. And then something more accurate for my bench. Find the one(s) that fit your needs...don't be surprised if you wind up with several tuners.

BTW, be sure to load the G-String Tuner App onto your smartphone. It is very accurate, and a must-have, especially when guitar shopping!

Bill
 
Re: Is upgrading to a Polytune 2 or TU-3 worth it over TU-2?

Yeah you guys are probably right. I do feel that for intonating the TU-2 is kinda lackluster even in strobe setting. But yeah other than that it gets the job done just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top