Tuner for setting intonation

Ball&Chain

Active member
Im looking for recommendations for guitar tuners that are accurate enough for setting intonation. All Standard Plug in, Software or Web Based suggestions are welcome.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

The very best is a strobe type, like the Peterson Strobostomp.

I use a Yamaha chromatic one, I've compared the intonation I've don't with it to a Strobe and I've always been right on.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

i find any tuner of a respectable brand works fine for intonation.

just make sure youre doing the procedure right.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

Is the procedure just tune the string, check the twelfth fret, adjust saddle, repeat?
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

I use the cheap korg ga-30. I have tested it and it will catch if I move it out intentionally. I was taught to tune the 12th harmonic dead on. Then fret the 12th and adjust if required. Repeat. Strum just hard enough for a solid note. Give 4 or 5 tests before you adjust. Make sure it is consistently off or you will be chasing your tail.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

i always check the 12th fret harmonic against the 12th fretted note for accuracy, since they're closer than the 12th vs. open strings.

that's what i do, you'll hear it if it's really out
if my open string and 12th fret harmonic weren't in tune i'd be worried ; ]
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

12th fret is fine and dandy, but not 100% accurate due to the design of the guitar and neck relief. Using the 12th harmonic leaves all that out. There is a better way and I can hear a difference in my guitars since incorporating it on all my guitars.

Read this post: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showpost.php?p=1608816&postcount=12

And read the rest of the thread as well. But for the love of God, do not bump it to the top, mmmk? LOL
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

Ideally, an analog strobe tuner is used. However, I have been using the tuner built into my Vox ToneLab, and when I took my guitar to a pro with an analog strobe tuner, he couldn't make any improvements.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

I have about 12 tuners, LOL! Two TU-2s, a TU-12H, three Korg CA-30s, a Peterson Guitar Tuner from the 70's, three Planet Waves' Strobe Picks, an old Banana guitar tuner, a couple of pitch pipes, and some tuning forks--and probably a couple of others that I can't remember.

Lately, I've been using my original Peterson Strobostomp for intonation work. The Boss tuners simply are not accurate enough--even the little Korgs are better. The old Peterson guitar tuner works well, too.

Good luck!

Bill
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

^^ what the hell

i know i sell a lot of gibsons but at some point it's like...a tool is a tool.
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

i use the tuner in my friends pro tools LE rig...it's very accurate, and a pain in the butt (in a good way)
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

The Turbotuner is worth a look too - I find it much easier to read than the Petersons.

The Peterson tuner is actually very easy to read, but I will say that the first time I looked at it I was confused a bit. I've had two strobo-stomps (the blue one and now the silver one) and the accuracy is unmatched by any other pedalboard tuner.

As for setting intonation, I always check open->12th - then also 3rd->15th, 5th->17th. It's not always perfect but using different points gives you the ability to make very fine adjustments, and it's just as easy to do as using the open->12th, am I obsessive or what?
 
Re: Tuner for setting intonation

The Peterson tuner is actually very easy to read, but I will say that the first time I looked at it I was confused a bit. I've had two strobo-stomps (the blue one and now the silver one) and the accuracy is unmatched by any other pedalboard tuner.

The Turbo Tuner is more accurate - 0.02 cents vs 0.1 cents. And having used both the TT is far, far easier to read - which is why I bought that not the Strobostomp.
 
Back
Top