ThomBassmonkey Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 (edited) Sorry, I'm sure this has been done before but I thought I'd start up a new thread specific to me! I've been without a decent tuner for far too long, my DTR is in a rack with the head I very rarely use any more and the clip on ones aren't reliable enough in loud environments on a B (and often the E) string. I'm looking for a pedal tuner, rugged as it WILL get thrown about at some point, as accurate as possible as I do setups sometimes, something that can be seen on as many stages as possible (both dark and sunny), chromatic and true bypass. The ones that have caught my eye (and I've seen recommended a lot) are the TC Polytune, SR Turbo Tuner and Korg Pitch Black. Has anyone used all, any or any others and have any recommendations? Thanks very much! Edited January 5, 2013 by ThomBassmonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Boss TU2 or 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1357401384' post='1922141'] Boss TU2 or 3. [/quote] I don't like the Boss tuners. In my experience they've been horribly inaccurate (my bass has been more out of tune after using the tuner than before on more than one occasion) and difficult to tune with. The guitarist in my band has one and I never like using it. The previous ones I've used have all been the same. I don't know if the TU3 is better, but the TU2 has put me right off them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1357401950' post='1922157'] I don't like the Boss tuners. In my experience they've been horribly inaccurate (my bass has been more out of tune after using the tuner than before on more than one occasion) and difficult to tune with. The guitarist in my band has one and I never like using it. The previous ones I've used have all been the same. I don't know if the TU3 is better, but the TU2 has put me right off them. [/quote] I'd have said a TU-3. Whilst I've not used any of the ones that have caught your eye and fully expect the SR to be technically better for accuracy, I've done setups with my TU-3 which have been checked against a Peterson afterwards and found to be basically dead-on. For live use it's much quicker to 'lock on' to a note than the TU-2 was (as-fast if not faster than the DTR) and has an extra bright setting for the LEDs so you can usually see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I've had my Pitch Black since they came out, no muss, no fuss. I do keep it stuck down on my pedal board so it is quite protected, therefore I can't speak as to its chuckability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I really like the Sonic Research Turbo. Accurate and quick and really easy to read. A little pricey but they can be picked up second hand now and then. PS Let me me know if you're thinking of shifting the DTR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Sorry, I won't be selling the DTR. That'll stay in the rack for the odd occasion I bring the whole thing out. I'm kinda leaning towards the Polytune at the moment. Mainly due to price and reputation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I've got a TC polytune mini and think its absolutely fantastic. Though, these days it rarely gets used as my TC head has a built in tuner too. In regards to the setups, it's amazing, I've used on my and when installing bass xtenders and it does the job a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonEdward Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1357430302' post='1922697'] I've got a TC polytune mini and think its absolutely fantastic. Though, these days it rarely gets used as my TC head has a built in tuner too. In regards to the setups, it's amazing, I've used on my and when installing bass xtenders and it does the job a treat. [/quote] Hi! +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 TC Polytune does it all for me - with spot on accuracy & easy to see/great display + robust metal case. Highly recommended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcblum Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Boss TU-2 is well established and fixed on my pedalboard. Added a Korg Pitchblack to my stash bag, just to have a good tuner always at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Jeez the Boss pedal is an antique these days! I like a bit of retro and have an Atari 2600 with 100 games but seriously get a TC Polytune Thom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1357466575' post='1922861'] TC Polytune does it all for me - with spot on accuracy & easy to see/great display + robust metal case. Highly recommended [/quote] Polytune great for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I tried a tu2 a while ago and didn't get on with it, so a big +1 for the polytune, I got mine as a Christmas present in 2011 and it's a great tuner. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 I just bought a Polytune! I opened it and the screen was glued on lop-sided so it went straight back, the new one seems ok. I've just tuned my bass with it. I'll put it through it's paces properly on Weds and Fri at a rehearsal and gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have just bought a power supply for mine (£9.99 Maplins) as it is going to live next to my head rather than on the floor, also I use it for helping me pitch on the DB so I am running it for hours on end. I like it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I'm happy with the TU-3. Or why not save money on the tuner and simply join a jazz or punk band instead? :-) CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendingrequests Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have had my TU-2 with the Boss power adapter for 7 years. Used in every scenario and never has failed. That's why on nearly every touring musicians board, you will see this pedal. When it eventually collapses, I'll get the TU-3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) Quick update on this: I used the Polytune at a gig last night and couldn't be happier. I can see the polytune mode without my glasses on (my sight isn't terrible, but it's bad enough that I can't easily read things on the floor) and the two dots make up for the fact it's a bit blurry (if anything's out, the wider size makes it more obvious what). In single string mode (which it changes to automatically) it's perfectly clear. Polytune mode is great for clicking on then spending 5 seconds checking that you're all in tune (it's not as accurate as single string mode but it's more accurate than other tuners I've used anyway). Otherwise there's nothing really exceptional, it just seemed solid. I was in tune, it muted when I pressed it, the bypass worked, definitely no complaints. As for Boss tuners, just because they're the standard, it doesn't make them the best. On [url=http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=1046]their own product page[/url] it says they're accurate to +/- 1 cent.the polytune (in single string mode) is accurate to +/- 0.5 cent. A brief look at the prices on google shows them at about the same, it's a no-brainer to go for the more accurate tuner that has a polyphonic mode and true bypass over the one that has no benefits IMO. Edited January 12, 2013 by ThomBassmonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonEdward Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1358033052' post='1932264'] As for Boss tuners, just because they're the standard, it doesn't make them the best. On [url="http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=1046"]their own product page[/url] it says they're accurate to +/- 1 cent.the polytune (in single string mode) is accurate to +/- 0.5 cent. A brief look at the prices on google shows them at about the same, it's a no-brainer to go for the more accurate tuner that has a polyphonic mode and true bypass over the one that has no benefits IMO. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shobaleader One Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Was it the regular Polytune or the Polytune Mini you went for? I'm just weighing up my options for this as my Boss TU-3 is acting strangely at the minute, and may well end up destroyed by my rage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 I got the normal Polytune. 2 reasons, the mini doesn't support polytune for bass (i'm sure it'd work but it might not be as accurate) and it doesn't use batteries, you have to use mains power for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julietgreen Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Love the Korg. Not too pricey and saves so much frustration for quick tuning while the guitarists are doing their incessant widdling. As a sax player, I downloaded the gStrings app for android and I'm very impressed. It picks up the tuning notes from the instrument or the amp and isn't phased by all the extraneous noise going on around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 (edited) I have a tu2, pitchblack, and polytune mini The only thing the poly mini doesn't support with regard to bass is the polyphonic tuning. Single string stuff is still perfect. I use this one for my function and pub bands For one of my bands I use the pitchblack, as it has a courtesy 9v out, and I can use that for an extra pedal The tu2 is my back up. Still a great tuner though Edited March 16, 2013 by dudewheresmybass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 How long does the battery last on the Polytune? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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