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Posted by: Mudbone May 3 2014, 07:13 PM

I've been looking for a tuner to replace the Planet Waves Mini Headstock Tuner that I'm using right now. Its actually a very good tuner, but it goes through batteries like Ben Higgins goes through donuts. Those little coin-sized batteries aren't cheap; they cost up to $6 at some stores.

The tuner has to be able to tell me which note is the one I'm closest to. I don't like having to select from a pre-determined list of tunings, it just makes the whole tuning process very aggravating.

These are the tuners currently under consideration: Boss TU-3, Korg Pitchblack, and the Modtone MT-PT1. Also, has anybody tried the TC Electronics Polytune 2?

I heard the Boss has a quality buffer in it, plus it has a legendary reputation, and that's why it's at the top of my list. I'm not completely sold on the whole true bypass fad. The Modtone is true bypass, but it looks like a high quality tuner at an affordable price.

here are the links to said pedals:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/boss-tu-3-chromatic-pedal-tuner

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/korg-pitchblack-chromatic-pedal-tuner/210087

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/modtone-mt-pt1-professional-chromatic-tuner-pedal

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/tc-electronic-polytune-2-pedal-tuner

Posted by: Spock May 3 2014, 07:21 PM

Without a doubt - this one...TC Electronics PolyTune.

This is the 3rd tuner I have purchased (not the third PolyTune) and it is by far the best stand alone tuning pedal I have ever had, and I got it because someone I respect very much told me to switch to this one over the Boss I had (which I never used because it sucked).

Posted by: SeeJay May 3 2014, 10:04 PM

Are you just thinking stomp pedal?

I have the PW mini headstock tuner and have yet to replace the battery. Do you keep it on all the time or only turn it on when you're tuning?

I use mine on my acoustic. I keep it attached and use it for a quick check.

Planet Waves just came out with a Micro Tuner. Which looks rad. I will definitely pick one up.




There's probably better tuners that are pedal tuners, but it really depends on your application. If you're like me and just want something on your acoustic for a quick check, stick with the headstock types. If you want some really detailed tuning or if you have an electric go pedal tuner. Then it just depends on your budget.

But that polytune is pretty pretty cool.

Posted by: dcz702 May 4 2014, 07:01 AM

i like the tu-3, especially the streaming light that make it easy to tell if your a tad sharp or flat wehn setting intonation
but i hear the poly tune is great and takes up very little space on your board.

Posted by: klasaine May 4 2014, 03:41 PM

Of the ones you mention I have and use a Korg Pitchblack all the time. I love it. Works fine and is inexpensive

*My preference for super accurate tuning (and setting intonation if I need to) is the Peterson 'Strobo stomp' http://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm?category=170 - there is nothing better. Also, and this is important for me, you can see the display even in direct sunlight.
Sonic Research 'turbo tune' https://www.turbo-tuner.com/ is also very, very good. It's smaller and slightly less expensive than the Strobo (but you can't see it in the sun).

I use a couple of headstock tuners - Planet Waves and a Snark. They're fine once you figure where they work best on each guitars headstock. Totally cheap and convenient but they eat batteries and will break after a year or two of constant use - at least they break with 'my' constant use.

The Boss is still and has been an industry standard since the 80s. I haven't had one in a while but I have nothing negative to say about them. Great pedal tuners.

Posted by: Mudbone May 6 2014, 03:52 AM

QUOTE (Spock @ May 3 2014, 01:21 PM)

QUOTE (SeeJay @ May 3 2014, 04:04 PM)

QUOTE (klasaine @ May 4 2014, 09:41 AM)

Posted by: SeeJay May 6 2014, 02:05 PM

20 bux sounds like a deal. Good luck

QUOTE (Mudbone @ May 6 2014, 02:52 AM)

This looks like a very good choice. I wasn't sure about it until I seen that video you posted. Thanks for sharing



I have the previous generation of PW headstock tuner, and it's a battery monster. I want something that's on my board that I don't have to switch every time I change guitars. Not having to deal with batteries is another perk



I actually just found a pitchblack on craigslist for $20.... still waiting for the dude to get back to me...