Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hey all, this may seem like a noob question but let me just preface it with this:
Yes, I've read the thread about tuning. Also:
I've been using a digitech for quite some time now and it has a chromatic tuner built it. I'm redoing everything (going all analog rather than just partially) so I'm getting rid of the digitech. This mean I need to get myself a sep chromatic tuner.
All of my other stompboxes are Boss so the natural choice would be the Boss tuner. I've heard that have a + - of 3%. So if one string is +3 and another is -3, that puts me at 6% off, make sense?

My point is: what are the best chromatic tuners out there?
Thanks all!

I'm happy with my fenders like this. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=215012

personally i wouldnt trust fender to keep me in tune anymore then a tone deaf stagehand.... but thats just me

I use this dean markely on stage because of its super LEDs can cut through any fog machine, also, its super accurate. Ive heard bad reviews on it, but they probably just got lemons, all companys make lemons.

heres my Pt-13
http://www.deanmarkley.com/Tuners/TunerPT13.shtml
says its good for +/- 1%. built like a sherman tank too.

I use the Boss, Dont believe there are many people can tell the diff between 440 434, especially in a live show.
Besides if you really want to be picky you will have to pay for an oscillascope, just to realise your favorite guitar is not that accurate to start with. Guitar strings are dynamic, its all part of the way it works.
I will note that in bright day light I have to place my Boss under a shade to read the LED.

Ive used Boss for the last few years, before that I used a Korg. I still have it.

They both served their purpose for me. Im a raw rock player so if Im 3% off, who really gives a hoot.

Good Luck

I've used Korgs. Never heard any complaints. My Zoom works well, too.

I'd bet that the +/- 3% is universal throughout, meaning if your E is +3%, the rest of your strings will follow suit, & not give you the mixed up stuff you're worried about.

Thanks so much for all of your feedback!!!!!

you should tell us what you get once you get it

I use the Boss pedal, works well for me. To paraphrase the original guitar player of The Farleys, "Anyone can play in tune. It takes a real artist to play an out of tune guitar."

Our bassest shoots me a funny look when I get "artistic". LOL

I use this tuner, and I really like the analog needle vs. digital "indicators", as you get to see the actual natural waver of the string.

My problem with it is that it doesn't tune to true E.. it's base E tuning is a quarter step higher than it should be. All my other tuners and KB tune to perfect E.

Hey guys, thanks again for all your advice.
Kramer,
I actually have two of those tuners (one red one blue lol) They are pretty good for home use, but not what I'm looking for when gigging. Thanks tho! Glad to see someone else uses them.
After much debate, reading the posts on here, and speaking with several other musicians in the area....
I decided to go with the Boss Chromatic Tuner (TU-2). Its does the job and I had a discount coupon lol, cant beat that. so hopefully it works out. I've been setting up the new pedal board for a few hours now, so dont be surprised if I come back on here with more Noob questions as to how to chain them lol
Thanks again all!!! I always get so much enjoyment and education when i visit these boards!!

Post a picture of your board when you get her all dressed up.
Remember what I said about the bright lights though, keep something handy to shade your tuner when playing outdoors.

The main thing with using ANY tuner is to realize that the pitch of a string changes immediately while/during/after it's being picked.
.
One must pick the string, and be PATIENT with the tuner.
.
. . . Any tuner . . .
Pick the string and WAIT, Wait at least a second OR TWO - 2-1/2 seconds for the pitch to settle.
Adjust the same string, pick it and wait and wait - before going on to the next string.
Otherwise the tuner you use won't make much of a difference.
.
Once you have a 'green light:' listen carefully. If you have a really good sense of pitch, you can further adjust the string sharp or flat, still staying with a green light.
I'm talking about turning the tuning key so you can barely feel it move, if at all. But a great ear will hear it . . .
But -
Don't kid yourself . . .
My experience indicates that most musicians don't have a clue when one string is flat or way sharp by 10%, let alone 3%.
I tell them a string is flat.
They say - no it isn't.
I say - check it.
They check it.
The string is indeed flat.
Thay say HOW DID YOU KNOW?
Because I can hear it. And most people cannot
Maybe you can hear it, too, but 3% is no big deal.
If you hear the difference: good.
But - chances are teriffic that nobody else can hear it.
Don't sweat 3%, unless YOU can hear it.