Looking For A New Tuner

[Kam]

Yes, I used the search function and read a bit before posting this thread. I know it's been done before. But I wanna do it again and you guys love talking about this ****, right?

So, I'm looking for a pedal tuner. I'm mainly looking at the obvious choices like the TU-2, TU-3 and Pitchblack, but that Planet Waves Tru Strobe thing looks pretty decent too. So a couple of questions...

• First off, obviously, which do you use, which do you recommend and why? From my wee list or otherwise.
  
  
• If I go for a Boss unit, is the TU-3 really much better than the TU-2? The earlier one is much easier to find for cheap on the used market, but I don't mind paying a little extra if it's really worth it.
  
  
• Are these pedals accurate enough to do setup work, such as setting the intonation on my guitars?
  

As usual, any and all input is appreciated. Cheers, fellas.

By the way, if any of you guys are selling one, hit me up with a PM. :beerchug:

EDIT: I don't know if it's important or not, but I do a lot of playing in drop D and occasionally like to experiment with open tunings.

 

[Kam]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

APTuner seems cool! Thanks for that, dude. I'd never heard of it.

And don't worry about sunlight. We don't have that here.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I used the TU2 for years, until I recently acquired a Korg pitchblack.

Both are awesome units....the pitchblack has a huge meter that someone like me, who has aging eyes, can see easily.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Boss TU-3 - not much differ than Boss TU-2 but gives you an led pitch arrow thing which helps it to be more accurate.

Otherwise TU-2. It's the industry standard for a reason.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

More over for stability and consistency, if everyone in your band has a TU-2 shouldn't you????????????

 

[Bludave]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I own 2 of the Boss TU2's & I also own a TU3. The TU3 has a much brighter LED so if you play outside in the sun this can help. The reality the difference is minimal. The TU3 has a brighter LED & it pulses slightly when you reach proper pitch. Both of these units are fine for stage work but I would look elsewhere if you are looking to do more detailed setup work. For setups I have a TU12 on my bench. The needle is much more accurate & it really does a much better job. I don't like using a pedal tuner for intonating a guitar. The needle on the TU 12 is so much more precise it just works better.

 

[Strat111]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I own a TU-2, and it does everything I need it to do for stage work. It does not have a true bypass, but you do not notice a big tone difference. Other than that, I have no complaints. I was looking at the TU-3, but didn't notice enough upgrades to change from something I am very familiar with. I did hit a button on my TU-2 that threw it into a different mode than I use, so there are many other modes that someone else may like in this thing. It did confuse me for a bit, until I figured out how to get it back to my original mode.

 

[wahwah]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200.

Genuine strobe tuner, actual true bypass, multiple modes, programmable, accurate to .02 cents, roadworthy.


http://www.turbo-tuner.com/




Cheers.......................................... wahwah

 

[Kam]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200.

Genuine strobe tuner, actual true bypass, multiple modes, programmable, accurate to .02 cents, roadworthy.


http://www.turbo-tuner.com/




Cheers.......................................... wahwah

Very tempting, but also twice the price of all the other pedals I was thinking of. I don't really feel like spending £130 for a couple more decimals of a cent. Thanks for the recommendation, though. Seems like a great bit of kit.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I've got a couple of TU-2's as part of my pedal board set-ups, but on the bench I've got something by Korg, but couldn't tell you the model at the moment - I can't even find a picture of it on Google Images right now - I just know it's more than good enough for doing setup work.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Are you gigging Kam???

If so then you want something possibly in the signal chain that you can do quickly and easily b/w songs without much effort.

If not, then something like a Snark clip-on tuner is great. Cheap, easy to use and small. Plus you can turn it on/off and tune standing/seated, on your head etc.

 

[wahwah]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Very tempting, but also twice the price of all the other pedals I was thinking of. I don't really feel like spending £130 for a couple more decimals of a cent. Thanks for the recommendation, though. Seems like a great bit of kit.

It's US$130, surely that doesn't convert to £130, does it? Wouldn't it be more like £83?



Cheers..................................... wahwah

 

[Kam]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

No, I'm not gigging at the minute but I'm planning to be, as soon as I can get a few things worked out. I'm definitely looking for a pedal.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I've been gigging with a TU-2 on my board for years and it is an excellent solid tuner for live use. I bought a Snark chromatic clip-on tuner (the red one) about a year ago and it is fantastic. More accurate than the TU-2 and so easy to use.

For quick tuning in a gig situation I love the TU-2. For adjusting intonation (like I did a couple of days ago when I put the Wilkinson bridge on my Tele) the Snark is much better.

Come to think of it I could probably live without the TU-2 if I always had the Snark to hand. I do take comfort in the dependability of the trusty TU-2 though.

 

[Kam]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

It's US$130, surely that doesn't convert to £130, does it? Wouldn't it be more like £83?



Cheers..................................... wahwah

Oh derp, you're right. I totally spaced that you could buy directly from that site you linked to. I just googled it and I only found one UK distributor, selling for £129, which is about 200usd, I think. There's also a used one on Ebay priced at £105.

That's not such a bad price, after all. Pricier than the others, but if it's worth it then I could be tempted...

 

[Kam]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I've been gigging with a TU-2 on my board for years and it is an excellent solid tuner for live use. I bought a Snark chromatic clip-on tuner (the red one) about a year ago and it is fantastic. More accurate than the TU-2 and so easy to use.

For quick tuning in a gig situation I love the TU-2. For adjusting intonation (like I did a couple of days ago when I put the Wilkinson bridge on my Tele) the Snark is much better.

Come to think of it I could probably live without the TU-2 if I always had the Snark to hand. I do take comfort in the dependability of the trusty TU-2 though.

That's not a bad idea, actually. Those Snarks are super cheap, so if they're really accurate enough for doing a good setup then I could easily grab one of those and a cheap used TU-2 and cover all my bases while saving a bit of cash too... :scratchch

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I just bought the PW Tru strobe for intonating guitars. Supposedly has very good accuracy. The thing seems to be built like a tank. I haven't used it much yet, but it seems to work really well...at least on the bench. Not sure if I'd like it in gig situation simply because you have watch which way the strobe bars are turning to see if you are sharp or flat...I just think there might be a little too much thinking to do when you're supposed to be concentrating on playing.

I'll keep the strobe tuner for the bench, but personally I'll be checking out the pitch black for the pedal board.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

that snark is good. I did a full setup and intonation on my friend's MIM strat using that tuner and everything came out spot on.

Personally, I like tuners with analog needles, either that or get a tuner that has a metronome out/headphones. Seriously, all in one tuning and flexible metronome makes practice/tune up/setups/drills so easy and convenient, also leads to becoming a much better player.

About strobe tuners, you might as well get this program called pitch perfect. It takes tuning down to an outrageously precise decimal that makes intonating extremely precise and perfect. I don't see a practical use for an expensive strobe tuner outside of intonating.

 

[Hamstein]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

I'm voting for the Korg Pitchblack, easy to use and easy to see! - and everybody will compliment you on how cool it looks - which always annoys me, - it's just a tuner ffs! nder:

 

[wahwah]

Re: Looking For A New Tuner

Oh derp, you're right. I totally spaced that you could buy directly from that site you linked to. I just googled it and I only found one UK distributor, selling for £129, which is about 200usd, I think. There's also a used one on Ebay priced at £105.

That's not such a bad price, after all. Pricier than the others, but if it's worth it then I could be tempted...

Well that's one more distributor than we've got here! I just bought it direct and paid for the shipping. It will probably come in cheaper than the used eBay price, and definitely cheaper than the UK distributor's price (cheeky buggers). Super fast response and note recognition on this thing, which comes in handy for the quick check in between songs live. I've been touring with it for the last couple of months and it's rock solid. I programmed in the sweetened tuning from the Peterson strobes and it sits nicely with the keyboard player's reference. Definitely one to keep in mind.




Cheers..................................... wahwah