The Stage Tuner Shootout. Which one will succeed?

[Finbar]

[quote name='topo morto' post='1310678' date='Jul 20 2011, 06:57 PM']Does it come from USA? If so then there's always the question of whether you're going to be charged extra ££££ for customs / handling...[/quote]
It does. That doesn't make it difficult to get hold of though, it just means it costs you a bit more.

[Linus27]

I have noticed something a little odd on my brand new Boss TU-3 tuner and just want to ask you guys here if this is normal. My Korg Pitchblack I can have plugged in for weeks and weeks and the battery does not die. It is connected with a lead from the tuner out on the back of my amp into the input socket of the Korg. However, I have had the Boss TU-3 for a week now and I have gone through three batteries. It is connected up the same way as the Korg with a cable coming from the tuner out on the amp into the input of the pedal. I noticed that it says in the boss instructions that the input socket doubles as the power switch and power is turned on to the unit when the cable is plugged in. If that is the case, then to me that is really crap as you will eat batteries like mad and you can't have the pedal plugged in all the time. This is unless I am missing something here.

[GarethFlatlands]

That's common with most pedals, plugging the jack in completes the circuit and it starts drawing current. Boss pedals aren't true bypass so I assume draw more when not engaged that ones that are.

[Linus27]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' post='1313058' date='Jul 22 2011, 06:27 PM']That's common with most pedals, plugging the jack in completes the circuit and it starts drawing current. Boss pedals aren't true bypass so I assume draw more when not engaged that ones that are.[/quote]

Ah ok, not sure I like that and much prefer the Korg.

[GarethFlatlands]

Apparently the Korg is true bypass which makes sense why the battery lasted so much longer when not switched on so if you use batteries it's probably the better buy.

[Linus27]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' post='1313079' date='Jul 22 2011, 06:45 PM']Apparently the Korg is true bypass which makes sense why the battery lasted so much longer when not switched on so if you use batteries it's probably the better buy.[/quote]

Cool thanks for that. I think tomorrow I will take the Boss back and get a backup for my Korg.

[0175westwood29]

[quote name='Linus27' post='1313086' date='Jul 22 2011, 06:55 PM']Cool thanks for that. I think tomorrow I will take the Boss back and get a backup for my Korg.[/quote]

is it just me, but why dnt you unplug the lead from the tuner? but im used to unplugging stuff as i have active basses so the batteries drain unless i unplug them.

andy

[markstuk]

If the Polytune used the same basic gubbins as the built in tuner in my RH450 then it's pretty good - as quick as my DTR1000... Although I would suggest getting the pedal extension for the RH450 as this indicates how far out you are whereas the amp display does not... Means I can usually tune in one tuner movement..

[mcnach]

[quote name='Bankai' post='1309603' date='Jul 19 2011, 08:35 PM']The advantages of working in a guitar store are certainly wonderful. Today I decided it was time to have a look at Stage Tuners and which one would be the best for bass guitar. In order to really test these pedals I walked passed the Laklands, Fenders and Sadowsky basses, and instead opted to use an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V. A Thunderbird produces one of the deepest responses you'll get from bass and this 5 string would definitely test the tuners with it's Low B.


Pedals are rated on:
Usability (How easy it is to read and use)
Functionality (The function itself, does it tune well!?)
Build Quality (How durable is the thing? If I miss the switch will I take the screen out by mistake?)



So first up; [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/tuners_detail.asp?stock=08062617320138"][b]Korg Pitchblack.[/b][/url]



I wasn't originally going to include this in my test however on the recommendation of a colleague I tested it as well. The first thing that struck me on taking out of the box was the build quality. This thing felt like if I stood on the wrong part of it, it might break on me! Moving on to the display, it was easy to read and shouldn't be too much trouble on a dimly lit stage, however the tuning display steps aren't quite as precise as I would have liked.

But on to the big question, how does it tune? Well, it handled the G, D and A strings alright, but really did struggle with the E and B. It would constantly bounce about the display, change the displayed note as it tried to find which one was being played and sometimes not sense it at all. I wasn't that impressed really and I had definitely hoped for better.


Next, the specialist; [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/pedals_s_detail.asp?stock=10092411143228"][b]Ashdown Bassometer.[/b][/url]



This specialised bass tuner was the pedal I was first interested in and at first glance it was absolutely perfect and it looked very good (for a pedal!) as well. In theory this is the one specifically designed for tuning bass guitar, however that was what let it down the most. The build quality was amazing, absolutely amazing, built like a tank! Out of the all the tuners I tried, this was definitely the easiest to use and the easiest to read as not only do you get an illuminated dial reading of the note cents but also an LED readout of the same PLUS a sizeable display showing the note being tuned.

But this thing just couldn't tune bass. It did the G, D and A strings ok. The B and E strings, well that's another matter. After a minute or so I still didn't have the B tuned! The Bassometer wouldn't sense the B so wouldn't give a readout at all, however it would read the E, but would take about 2 seconds to do so. Definitely not one for the stage.


Finally, the standard; [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/tuners_detail.asp?stock=09112511032028"][b]Boss TU-3[/b][/url]



The world's best selling stage tuner eh? Well for a start the build quality was what I've come to expect from Boss stompboxes, good and sturdy! While not as rugged as the Ashdown, I'd still have a hard time breaking this and I'd be confident that it'd survive the rigors of a tour. The display? Precise, although perhaps not as easy to read on a stage as the other two, although I doubt it'd be hard by any means. Ease of use? Well same as the other pedals, if you want to just tune, it'll just tune. However you can make the thing extremely complicated if you wanted, with several different settings and types of mode.

But the main thing, can it handle the B string that has tripped up so many other tuners? Like the Pitchblack and the Bassometer, it didn't have any trouble with the G, D and A. But when it came to the E and more importantly the B, it jumped straight in and gave a static reading without any trouble at all. No wobble like on the Pitchblack, and no sensing issues like the Ashdown.



The results?
Pitchblack - Usability 4 | Functionality 3 | Build Quality 3
Bassometer - Usability 5 | Functionality 2 | Build Quality 5
TU-3 - Usability 3 | Functionality 5 | Build Quality 4

The winner?
Boss TU-3. I'd buy one, and after completing the test, I did! So if you're thinking of getting a stage tuner, the leg work has just been done for you [/quote]


No experience with the Boss, but I have used a Pitchblack for years. No problems with E/B recognition... except for ONE bass. No idea why!
Did you try on other basses?

[mcnach]

[quote name='markstuk' post='1314699' date='Jul 24 2011, 12:56 PM']If the Polytune used the same basic gubbins as the built in tuner in my RH450 then it's pretty good - as quick as my DTR1000... Although I would suggest getting the pedal extension for the RH450 as this indicates how far out you are whereas the amp display does not... Means I can usually tune in one tuner movement..[/quote]

It does indicate how far you are, if you are in mute mode. And personally, I always tune in mute.

[markstuk]

Cor you learn summat every day... It does - by using the leds around the bass pot... Never noticed before.. :-)

[quote name='mcnach' post='1314772' date='Jul 24 2011, 02:25 PM']It does indicate how far you are, if you are in mute mode. And personally, I always tune in mute.[/quote]

[pn_day]

[quote name='topo morto' post='1310678' date='Jul 20 2011, 06:57 PM']Does it come from USA? If so then there's always the question of whether you're going to be charged extra ££££ for customs / handling...[/quote]

Another happy turbo-tuner user here. Has worked on all 3 5 strings that I've tried it with - I just run in chromatic mode and it auto-magically works!

I did have to pay import duty when I bought mine direct from the USA which added another ~£10 to the cost, but a great tuner.

[topo morto]

[quote name='pn_day' post='1315376' date='Jul 25 2011, 07:59 AM']I did have to pay import duty when I bought mine direct from the USA which added another ~£10 to the cost, but a great tuner.[/quote]

How come only £10? Did parcelforce forget to thieve their £13.50 'handling fee'?

[Happy Jack]

+1 on the True Bypass / Mute issue, which is a valuable feature for me.

Also, I almost never tune using open strings precisely because so few pedals or clip-ons can handle the E or B strings. I always use the 12th-fret harmonic.

The only exception is when I am using my rackmounted Korg DTR2000.

I'd be interested to see a re-visit of this review using 12th-fret harmonics, and see what that does to the scorecard.

[topo morto]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1315590' date='Jul 25 2011, 12:02 PM']Also, I almost never tune using open strings precisely because so few pedals or clip-ons can handle the E or B strings.[/quote]

I said it before but I find it weird that people have issues with this! My main squeeze is a pitchblack plus but I just as often use whatever plastic pocket tuner is lying around, or the one built in to an fx unit... never any problems. Haven't tried clip-ons.

I wonder if the bass makes a big difference? Mine are really cheap, maybe that helps somehow...

At the end of the day a tuner that can't handle E or B isn't a bass tuner.

[ROConnell]

Should test a Boss TU-1000 next.
Nice thread with a healthy debate!

[pn_day]

[quote name='topo morto' post='1315390' date='Jul 25 2011, 08:27 AM']How come only £10? Did parcelforce forget to thieve their £13.50 'handling fee'?[/quote]

Quite correct. I couldn't remember the exact amount.
Still a great pedal, despite having to pay parcelforce

An interesting comment on use of harmonic for tuning as well. I must admit I rarely bother - if the tuner can't cope, get another tuner is also my opinion.

[lemmywinks]

[quote name='topo morto' post='1315617' date='Jul 25 2011, 12:29 PM']I said it before but I find it weird that people have issues with this! My main squeeze is a pitchblack plus but I just as often use whatever plastic pocket tuner is lying around, or the one built in to an fx unit... never any problems. Haven't tried clip-ons.

I wonder if the bass makes a big difference? Mine are really cheap, maybe that helps somehow...

At the end of the day a tuner that can't handle E or B isn't a bass tuner.[/quote]


Massive +1

I have a Korg DT10 and used to own a Sabine NexFX pedal tuner, both handled an E, D and B no problem.
Even the Danelectro tuner i briefly had (emergency buy when my Sabine was nicked) was problem free for a low E.

The only problems i've had are with cheapo clip-on tuners.
FWIW i think the Korg DT10 beats the Boss pedal hands down. Not tried the Pitchblack but loads of folk on here use them every week with no problems.


One last thng - with some tuners it takes a bit of time to get used to how sensitive they are. My old Sabine seemed a bit jumpy at first and left me a bit miffed as it took longer than expected to get in tune. After a bit of time with it however i got used to the way it worked and it was a breeze to use along with being very accurate. Maybe that's something that shouyld be factored in?

[topo morto]

[quote name='pn_day' post='1316652' date='Jul 26 2011, 09:26 AM']Quite correct. I couldn't remember the exact amount.
Still a great pedal, despite having to pay parcelforce [/quote]

Still sounds like you got off lightly... For items over a certain threshold (£46? ish) I think you pay VAT, VAT on the postage (!) and £13.50 parcelforce tax, so it would usually come to at least £20 on top of the cost of the item... Could make the difference for a lot of people.

[topo morto]

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1316780' date='Jul 26 2011, 11:03 AM']One last thng - with some tuners it takes a bit of time to get used to how sensitive they are. My old Sabine seemed a bit jumpy at first and left me a bit miffed as it took longer than expected to get in tune. After a bit of time with it however i got used to the way it worked and it was a breeze to use along with being very accurate. Maybe that's something that shouyld be factored in?[/quote]

I guess I do try to make the tuner's job easy a couple of ways -

most importantly, make sure I mute the other strings as I would when playing - otherwise when you hit a heavy B string, the vibrations get transmitted through the body and pretty soon all the strings are singing along... and of course the tuner won't know which pitch it's supposed to be tuning to! You don't get this effect so much on guitar or on the higher strings of the bass but you definitely do on the lower bass strings.

Also by not plucking the string too hard (in the first part of a string's envelope when plucked hard there's all sorts of extra harmonics, plus the pitch is varying a lot anyway) you give a steadier tone to lock on to.

Edited August 2, 2011 by topo morto

[Ghost_Bass]

I don´t know what Pitchblack did you tested... you said if could break on you? It's buildt like a tank! Would easily fall down a stairs and keep working (i can't say the same thing about Boss pedals, the switch can be a pain after some use in many of them...)! As for accuracy, i tune all my basses with my PB and it never let me down, very accurate right down to the B string (and it still copes if you want to downstep it)... and of course, it's True Bypass!

I'll leave you with some videos to demostrate how good the PB is (for it's price), pick it up again and look at it from another perspective. I think you didn't payed too much attention to it because you didn't think it was any good for start (you said you weren't going to test it, a friend convinced you to do it).

Cheers

[TheRockinRoadie]

I've never had a problem with my Pitchblack, and would recommend it over the Boss and Ashdown anyday!

[Truckstop]

[quote name='Evil Undead' post='1309885' date='Jul 20 2011, 01:08 AM']I use an Artec Big Dots tuner. Very easy to read on stage and gets low B with no problem. But I've never heard of anyone else using these, and don't recall every seeing them mentioned on these forums. Are there any other users out there?[/quote]

Yeah I use one of those!
Works great, nice and quick and very visible. Looks uber cool too

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[JimBobTTD]

[quote name='TheRockinRoadie' post='1324049' date='Aug 2 2011, 12:52 PM']I've never had a problem with my Pitchblack, and would recommend it over the Boss and Ashdown anyday![/quote]

Me too, and I'm amazed that there were problems tuning the E and B strings. I searched for a tuner which would handle the B and ideally lower. My PitchBlack handles the B tuned down to A, whereas my previous tuners would freeze on A - very infuriating when tuning to B if you were very flat.

And mine seems to be made of metal and would likely survive a fire.

[Truckstop]

Well, Bankai did suggest that the Epiphone he used for the shootout has a lower frequency response than others. So maybe that's why he had trouble tuning the B?

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