Pedal tuner

semolinapilcher · #1 11-26-2014, 05:25 PM

My Boss TU-2 finally broke, after like 15 years of unkind use: 2-3 gigs a month, church weekly, etc.

What'd be the best replacement? The TU-3? Something else? I am not sure I want to go all the way up to the Peterson, but to be honest I always have to do extra little tweaks when I am done, either to this or to the Intellitouch, Snark & other models that I have had. So the strobe thing does interest me.

Oddly enough I really like the Cleartune app I put on my iPhone...

Thanks folks: this forum is always such a great resource.

ljguitar · #2 11-26-2014, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semolinapilcher

My Boss TU-2 finally broke, after like 15 years of unkind use: 2-3 gigs a month, church weekly, etc.

What'd be the best replacement? The TU-3? Something else? I am not sure I want to go all the way up to the Peterson, but to be honest I always have to do extra little tweaks when I am done, either to this or to the Intellitouch, Snark & other models that I have had. So the strobe thing does interest me.

Oddly enough I really like the Cleartune app I put on my iPhone...

Thanks folks: this forum is always such a great resource.

Hi semolinapilcher...

I love my TC-Polytune 2. It will operate on a 9v battery, but in reality needs a power supply (it will eat a battery on a Sunday). Very fast and accurate for both electric and acoustic.

The reason they eat batteries so fast is the high voltage requirement to remain operational. It's worth having a power supply.

Mobilemike · #3 11-26-2014, 08:20 PM

I've been using a Korg Pitchblack for two years or so now and it is great. Easy to see, gets the guitar nicely in tune. Has several modes including I believe a strobe mode.

I run it off 9v batteries no problem.

-Mike

DesolationAngel · #4 11-26-2014, 08:31 PM

I have a TU-something or other and the Pitchblack. Have to say, for as many years as I've loved the Boss tuners, the Pitchblack got the call to go on my main pedalboard. It's just so bright and clear.

(I hear very good things about the TC Polytunes, too. TC make great pedals.

ljguitar · #5 11-26-2014, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesolationAngel

I have a TU-something or other and the Pitchblack. Have to say, for as many years as I've loved the Boss tuners, the Pitchblack got the call to go on my main pedalboard. It's just so bright and clear.

(I hear very good things about the TC Polytunes, too. TC make great pedals.

Hi DA...

I'm thinking it's a good day to want/need a pedal tuner.

The TC-Polytune is fast, accurate, and operated in two modes including one where you just strum all the strings and it shows you all 6 at once and whether they are in tune, sharp or flat individually.

I don't use that mode, but the strobe mode. It's very fast and very accurate. Since I use it for electric guitar, it's no biggie to supply power supply to it via my Brick.

I actually still own a working 19" rack-mount Korg (single space rack mount) which we used with our band. I loved it because it was accurate, and I could tune from 15 feet away from it on a dark stage.

The issue for me is it's a 19" single space rack unit. I don't need or use racks any more.

DesolationAngel · #6 11-26-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljguitar

[size=2]... you just strum all the strings and it shows you all 6 at once and whether they are in tune, sharp or flat individually

Which is alchemy as far as I'm concerned. Actually, I played with a Les Paul, a couple of months ago, that had the min-E-Tune tuners... now THAT is freaky. Like, flying faders freaky. They do seem to have come a long way with that technology.

ljguitar · #7 11-26-2014, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesolationAngel

Which is alchemy as far as I'm concerned. Actually, I played with a Les Paul, a couple of months ago, that had the min-E-Tune tuners... now THAT is freaky. Like, flying faders freaky. They do seem to have come a long way with that technology.

Hi DA...
It's a little magic the first time you see it.

There are so many great choices in floor tuners these days, I'm pretty sure there is not a 'best' we can get a consensus on. Even the old reliable all-metal Fender floor model works just fine.

Actually I don't have a pedal board. I run my 2 pedals from a little tray which is mounted about waist high on a mic stand next to me. I only use the tuner and a chorus pedal (which I'm readjusting all day long).

And on some days, I just go with the chorus and a Snark clipped to the headstock. Full 90 minute or 2 hour gigs, I'll use a more serious tuner, but short ones, the Snark is all I need/want.

pieterh · #8 11-27-2014, 02:51 AM

Another vote for the TC Polytune. I have version one so I can't comment on version 2. Pedal tuners are great too for muting the input if and when changing guitars. I recently used my Pz-pre as a way of equalling levels on the 2 electrics I was using at that concert so the Polytune was connected to the preamp's tuner out and was on all the time - I used the preamp's mute function instead.

I find the Polytune easy to use live and it has settings for drop-D, capo and even 4, 5 and 6-string bass (for the poly-functions). And as Larry says, don't even hesitate over batteries, use a 9v power supply - it will even daisy-chain the supply to the next 9v pedal in the chain.

BTF · #9 11-27-2014, 08:09 AM

One I can certainly not recommend is the Matrix Boss knock-off. I bought one years ago since it seems rugged (it is) and performs well (it does). But in my rack system, cutting it on puts noise into my system through the shared power supply to my pedal board. My Boss TU does not do that.

Not any help, but perhaps it will keep you from purchasing a noisy tuner! Good Luck!

Photojeep · #10 11-27-2014, 11:23 AM

I've owned a TU-2 and loved it. So of course, I sold it...
Then I bought a Poly tune 2 but I got a lemon- it always made a loud Pop when activted, so I returbed it to GC.
Now, I'm back to Boss but now have, and love, a TU3. Great tuner!

Best,
PJ

cloudyafternoon · #11 11-27-2014, 12:08 PM

Another vote for the TU-3. Plus, the buffer helps eliminate "pops" when switching acoustic guitars w/ active preamps that often occur with non-buffered/true bypass tuners.

Hotraman · #12 11-27-2014, 02:46 PM

I would look at Turbo Tuners.
I own the floor model and the hand held model ( which comes with presets, ex. pedal steel guitar)
Once you go strobe, you won't go back.

RockerDuck · #13 11-27-2014, 09:53 PM

I been thru a few tuners. I play outdoors a lot and the Boss Tu-3 is visible in direct sunlight and is accurate. I might try the polytune again now that the 2 is released.

franchelB · #14 11-28-2014, 08:30 AM

If you were happy with the Boss TU-2, consider looking at ebay or craigslist for a used one. There are quite a few in the classifieds.

Slim · #15 11-28-2014, 10:43 PM

I'll add my recommendation for TC's Polytune 2. Very fast, accurate and bright. For some reason, I'm not having the same battery eating experience Larry describes. My original 9v battery is still going strong after at least 25 rehearsals/sets. (No other power source is being used)

In regard to the popping noise when toggling the pedal: I found that putting the Polytune in the effects loop of my Red Eye preamp eliminaes the popping.

Tim