Guest MoJo Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 (edited) I’ve always used pedal type tuners in the past (Boss TU3, Korg Pitchblack) but I’m trying to clear the floor space around me and keep my signal path to a minimum so was thinking of investing in a clip-on tuner. How accurate are they for bass and which are the best ones to go for? Edited June 3, 2019 by MoJo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b7l4s Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Clip-on tuners are ok - although I've only tried one type: https://www.korg.com/uk/products/tuners/pitchcrow_g/ A few things I have found are that it is sensitive to where on the headstock you place it, and it doesn't work too well if there is a lot of noise (as in, I get a few moments rest mid-song but everyone else is playing, it can be hard to get a clear reading)... Lastly, compared to something in the signal chain it seems more sensitive to interference from sympathtic vibrations from other strings - so I find best results from positively muting all other strings, which you should probably do anyway, but I'm somehow more aware of it with that tuner. None of these stop me from using it though. Very useful for cramped venues or tuning before plugging in etc. I did a straight comparison with my pitchblack pedal when I forst got it, and would say it's equally as accurate but takes slightly longer to settle to a steady indication of sharp/flat/in tune. Battery life is long though, and it's never fallen/flown off. For what they cost I wouldn't be without one in my gig-bag! Just don't forget it's there when you put your bass away - our guitarist has managed break/lose a couple of them that way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 TC Polytune is amazing. They now do some without the ‘poly’ called the Unitune. Perfect for bass 👍🏼 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I'm very new to the party with clip-on tuners - recently bought a Korg Pitchclip (okay, but a bit 'plasticky'), and a Fender 'bullet' (pretty good, feels quality). The best I've ever tried was @Frank Blank's TC Polytune, which he very kindly lent me at the Midlands BassBash this year. (Cheers Frank 👍 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnyman Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I've used Snark ones of various sorts (very good and accurate but they go through batteries a bit quick and they can be a bit.....plasticky. Two of mine are held together by sticking plaster, like Jack Duckworth's glasses). I then got the TC polytune (which I've only ever used in single-string mode). Brilliant. Unobtrusive, battery lasts for ages, nice and clear display. If mine breaks I'm getting another. It also seems less sensitive to positioning than the snarks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 A lot of love for the Polytune/Unitune so far. Will have to check them out. Has anyone tried the D'Addario clip-free tuner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 2 hours ago, ped said: TC Polytune is amazing. They now do some without the ‘poly’ called the Unitune. Perfect for bass 👍🏼 +1. It’s all I use these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Thanks for the heads up re the TC. I use the Korg clip-on, but it's not ideal - a bit erratic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danuman Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 For accurately adjusting intonation I went with a Peterson strobe clip. I have to say, intonation is now an absolute doddle. Very happy to own it - it’s a terrific tool - but I admit I very nearly decided it was too expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 The ‘Poly’ bit of the TC Polytune is erratic and inaccurate at best, so get a Unitune which is cheaper and just as good in single string mode. I swear by them. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Only one I've every found that's even remotely close to the TU3 in its responsiveness was a cheap Fender one for about £9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I bought one on a Reverb offer a couple of years ago, I think it's perfectly adequate and fit for purpose...it was under a fiver and it's still going strong. That said, I wouldn't use it if I was doing a bit of a set up (ie intonation work), just need something that I can plug into rather than relying on vibration if the body. I'd concur with an earlier comment that it's essential to mute the other strings when you're tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I borrowed a clip on tuner and found that, on a noisy stage in a noisy club, it picked up too many vibrations from the room and couldn't identify the bass notes clearly enough. I don't know if that is common situation with all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soledad Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Just sold my TC BH250 and I really miss the onboard tuner (and the toneprint chorus for my fretless). The Unitune sounds a good bet to me. But what I'd really like is a small device that can sit discreetly by the head for when I need to check. The only options (apart from clip-on) seem to be pedal or rack. Going to a clip-on mid set seems a hassle. And the pedal tuners that get recommended cost more than I sold my BH250 for... ??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Another vote for the TC Electronic UniTune and PolyTune. The PolyTune is great for the guitar, works fine on the bass, but can drop into "six string mode", which is just annoying. The UniTune works fantastic on bass, it's very accurate, and is cheaper than the PolyTune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derreybass Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Just bought another Peterson Strobo-clip, very accurate and works well even in noisy environments. As Danuman says very good for intonation. Quite pricey but I think worth it. About £50 ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mangotango Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Originally, I bought a Snark. I liked the concept, but wasn't desperately impressed with the quality. So I went the TC route, because I have a Polytune pedal on my guitar effects board. Really like it, easy enough to use; struggles a little occasionally with the low B on the 5'ers, but not unhappy with it, at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 On 03/06/2019 at 11:38, Danuman said: For accurately adjusting intonation I went with a Peterson strobe clip. I have to say, intonation is now an absolute doddle. Very happy to own it - it’s a terrific tool - but I admit I very nearly decided it was too expensive. I've got one of these too, works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 7 hours ago, chris_b said: I borrowed a clip on tuner and found that, on a noisy stage in a noisy club, it picked up too many vibrations from the room and couldn't identify the bass notes clearly enough. I don't know if that is common situation with all of them. I've found this too, so for gigs I use a cheap Korg tuner plugged into the tuner output of my amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soledad Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 4 hours ago, pineweasel said: I've found this too, so for gigs I use a cheap Korg tuner plugged into the tuner output of my amp. That might be what I need. Like this one? https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Korg-GA-50-Guitar-Tuner/2PQD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 The problem with leaving a clip on tuner in place is everyone thinks you are a poseur with a Go-Pro 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 4 hours ago, Soledad said: That might be what I need. Like this one? https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Korg-GA-50-Guitar-Tuner/2PQD Yes, that would work. Mine is a GA-1. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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