Good clip-on tuner - does it exist?

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I think it is mostly between the Peterson Stroboclip HD and the TC Electronics Unitune (which also has a strobe option), and perhaps the D'addario mini clip ons, which I've used through their two or three generations.

The Peterson has an incredible number of tuning options and "sweetened" tunings. If you want to get into the minutiea (sp?) of programming it, you can customise the options via their website.

The TC Electronic Unitune (in standard format) got my vote ... BUT - I've been told that it is no longer in production.

Visibility in low and high lighting is important and both of these excel in this aspect.
This might be of interest :

I used to use a tuning fork, too, until the batteries became impossible to find.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

I used to use a tuning fork, too, until the batteries became impossible to find.

Mine was kinetically-powered, like a self-winding watch!

[M Hayden]

D’Addario/Planet Waves soundhole tuner. Accurate and unobtrusive.

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by raysachs

I really like the convenience of the Daddario soundhole tuner a LOT, and it's reasonably accurate, but it often has trouble picking up the low E. Battery life is great on these too....

Same here. I have a micro tuner on each of my guitars. Super convenient. No hunting around for a clip-on.

[FLRon]

Originally Posted by egordon99

Peterson Stroboclip.

Yep. They are pricey, but when taken care of it should last the rest of my life which brings the cost way down in my mind.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

I used to use a tuning fork, too, until the batteries became impossible to find.

Yeah, and did you ever try to eat a salad with one? Useless.

[Sundown52]

TC Polytune. The best I have found. The Peterson strobe tuner is also very good but pricy.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I think it is mostly between the Peterson Stroboclip HD and the TC Electronics Unitune (which also has a strobe option), and perhaps the D'addario mini clip ons, which I've used through their two or three generations.

The Peterson has an incredible number of tuning options and "sweetened" tunings. If you want to get into the minutiea (sp?) of programming it, you can customise the options via their website.

The TC Electronic Unitune (in standard format) got my vote ... BUT - I've been told that it is no longer in production.

Visibility in low and high lighting is important and both of these excel in this aspect.
This might be of interest :

I own a Polytune and love it, but they've been sold out everywhere (although apparently GC just got some stock).

Peterson should pay you for your video, because it was so informative and helpful, I'm ordering a Peterson right now.

[Methos1979]

I'm a big fan of the TC Polytune. What I like best about that one is it's easy to see, especially outdoors in bright light. That said, I've gone over to mostly the Fishman FT-2 headstock clip which gets no love here, ever. I got one of these for free with a pickup order from some online retailer.

What I love about this little tuner is it's small size and the best feature - it turns on and off when it's raised and lowered. So no fumbling for small buttons. They are also very inexpensive at $15 a pop. So I ended up buying two more and keep one on each guitar. Lately the TC has gone back on the little travel guitar as that one I take outside and it's easier to see.

I tried the Peterson and found it to be too big and cumbersome, way too many options, too expensive and in the end did not get my guitar in any better tuning than any other clipon tuner. I do like tuning to a strobe though so when I want to do that I just use my Android phone and the excellent Pitchlab Pro app.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by jazzereh

Nothing wrong with my Snarks. Got a couple that I've had for a number of years and going strong, working great. Got no use for other, more expensive ones.

Something will happen soon. I was a huge a Snark fanboy when they first came on the scene. I had quite a few... different models too. Gave some as Xmas gifts for guitar players. All have broken or become sticky.

I now use Polytunes and they are much better IMO.

[kego]

To add to my comments above...

As much as I prefer the Petersons, I still have a Snark in most of my cases. They are far from perfect, but they'll get you close. I've had several die and a couple of their joints break. I hear that the company is really good about replacing them, but I figure if something I paid 10 bucks for last a year then I've gotten my money's worth, so I've never looked into the warranty.

Still, if I could have only one tuner, at this point it would definitely be the Peterson.

[TBman]

I have a Snark (on my 2nd one) that I use every day while my $70 Peterson sits in the drawer. The Snark is just easier to use for different capo positions.

My tuning fork sits in my gear case. I have the original clear plastic sleeve for it too. I got it back in the mid 70's.

[Monsoon1]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

Mine was kinetically-powered, like a self-winding watch!

Mine too, except mine had an attitude problem. If I plucked the string and it was out of tune, it would give me a dirty look as if to say don't even THINK of playing notes on that string!

[Gordon Currie]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

The TC Electronic Unitune (in standard format) got my vote ... BUT - I've been told that it is no longer in production.

I asked my Sweetwater rep (these are a Sweetwater exclusive) last week and they are still in production.

(Many random items are unavailable due to covid affecting supply chains. I just this week received an iRig Stream device that I ordered back in mid-May.)

[sabatini]

I have a Unitune and like it for many reasons, one being the sturdiness of the clip, having broken several Snarks.

I wanted to buy another Unitune but they were out of stock. I found this on Amazon and think it is very close to being the equivalent, and it is available! I like it a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/MOOER-Electri.../dp/B07VS1Y4KL