tuners - handheld or pedal

docbaker

I had a TU-3 which I let go on here last year, possibly a mistake, having found it a bit bulky, and went for a fender clip-on, but that does not always work well on different guitars, it's a bit too sensitive to clip-on position.

So I'm looking for advice on whether there is a better clip on, or is it that pedals are simply the better product?

But then I would really like something smaller than the TU-3.

Just seen the sonic research ST-300 mini strobe - a compact size, but how usable is the strobe? Or going back to BOSS, how about the TU3S?

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

simonk

Is this for gigging or just home use? The TC PolyTune clip on is good, and I never had a problem with any of their pedal tuners either. There’s also a PolyTune app for your smart phone... which might suffice for home use.

docbaker

it's for home use, i'll have a look at polytune, thanks

Gagaryn

Another vote for the Polytune clip on. I've had mixed results with all phone apps - very much depends on the environment they are being used in and how receptive others are to being told to STFU.

digitalscream

I'd always go with a pedal - two reasons:

1 - It's not susceptible to vibrations from the environment (eg a bass player who won't STFU).
2 - It's also a handy kill-switch.

Lestratcaster

The Polytune mini is quite small and deadly accurate. 

Also as I'm quite a thrasher on stage I hit my headstock against people alot so don't want to break a clip on. Also the mute function is very handy too.

Guitar_Slinger

If playing electric (usually with others), then what @digitalscream said for interference and muting reasons. If playing unplugged or an acoustic at home, a clip on.

flying_pie

digitalscream said:

I'd always go with a pedal - two reasons:

1 - It's not susceptible to vibrations from the environment (eg a bass player who won't STFU).
2 - It's also a handy kill-switch.

I always set tuners not to mute the sound. The audience can handle you tuning briefly whereas I've had several instances of either myself or someone else accidentally step on the tuner and cut the sound.

EricTheWeary

For gigging definitely a pedal, the Boss in particular. For home use a clip on, there have been deals on the TC polytune clip if you look around. I wouldn't gig with one though ( not just for the reasons already mentioned but given an accidental knock a clip on can go flying across the room). 

slacker

I've got the polytune mini on the main board, an old boss tu with an ab foot switch on the small board, a boss head stock tuner in my acoustic cases and the fender app on my phone.

Not that I'm obsessed.

The polymini is excellent, the others do the intended job.

ICBM

I use the Polytune app on my phone, and it's remarkably resistant to background noise - up to a point. It's fine in my workshop with music playing, and fine at band practice as long as not everyone is making a racket at the same time. But it does fail to track properly if there's a really high ambient noise level - like you get at a gig when the jukebox is on between sets... so I use a Boss pedal tuner for that, and it's also better because it mutes the signal.

NorthernStomps

I can’t really fault my TU3. Never been a huge fan of clip ons, but too temperamental in a noisy environment. 

Roland

For gigging it has to be a floor tuner for the reasons above, and I always tune muted. The Boss is nice because it’s heavy, and anchors your cable to thecpedal board. Around the house I prefer a clip on polytune because any other type of tuner is too much trouble.

english_bob

I find pedal tuners work better for me for the reasons everyone else has given. I have a Polytune mini on my pedalboard and a big Polytune with my acoustic stuff and for home use if I don't have the pedalboard out.

FWIW, those Sonic Research tuners were very popular on Harmonycentral way back when- all the cool kids had them, and the general consensus was that they were very usable and accurate. Other stuff has come along since then- current Boss and TC tuners both have a strobe mode and similar on-paper accuracy if that's what honks your horn.

stickyfiddle

I'm a fan of Polytune stuff. Clip for home (though tbh it's "ears" for home most of the time), and a pedal when gigging. 

As I'm not gigging atm I don't have one on my board, but absolutely wouldn't gig without a pedal tuner in general

docbaker

thanks very much everyone, i will try a polytune clip-on (with strobe mode, thanks for pointing that out), i'll also give the iphone app a go too, for when i manage to leave the tuner at home.

there seems to be a real shortage of units right now, my local, hotrox, says that since behringer took polytune over last year, it has been a struggle, especially for the small guys, to get a supply.

Musicman20

I use a TU-3W or if at home, I just use the Boss/TC phone app. I do have a TC clip on but I've barely used it.

CaptainBb

The D'Addario NS clip-on & Polytune pedal takes care of all my needs.

Guitar_Slinger

My 6 year-old son's ukulele has the £2 Reverb tuner on (http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/178806). He likes tuning up more than learning chords.

viz

Try the n-track tuner app. 

crunchman

Have a TC Mini on my pedalboard for my electrics.

I tend to use clip-ons on the acoustics a lot of the time.  On vibration mode they aren't too sensitive to background noise.  Some are better than others though.  The old Intellitouch one I got when they first came out is nowhere near as good as some of the more recent ones.