Guitar Tuners

[rosewoodsteel]

My old Boss TU12 has been acting up lately and is about to be retired.
I need a great "stand alone" guitar tuner for my electrics (one with a condenser mic for tuning acoustics, as well).
Any ideas would be welcome.

[JMintzer]

The Peterson Virtual Strobe is excellent (although a bit pricey...)

http://elderly.com/images/accessories/ELA/VSAM_sm_.jpg


Jamie

[rosewoodsteel]

The Peterson Virtual Strobe is excellent (although a bit pricey...)

http://elderly.com/images/accessories/ELA/VSAM_sm_.jpg
JamieAbout how much are they, Jamie?

[bleujazz3]

Consider the Peterson Stobo-Stomp floor model. Appr $199, does most everything the virtual Peterson does, but much like the virtual, is sensitive.

To use the Peterson correctly, switch to your neck pup, roll back the tone control to zero, and pluck your individual strings one at a time as you tune with your finger at the 12th fret. This insures the best use of the Peterson.

You won't sweat it if the actual sensitivity wavers a lot as the strobe settles. Make sure you're close to the tuning you want before using the Peterson by doing a normal relative-pitch ear-check tuning. Otherwise the Peterson Strobe screen blanks until you get close to the actual tuning.

Our band uses different methods when they tune, seeing it is a live performance, and the need for accurate tuning isn't necessary. When you want consistently good tuning, though, the Peterson is one of the only recommended tuners that doesn't need much maintainance, and is true-bypass.

Just be sure you plug the power source for the Peterson into the correct jack. (there are two) Wrong connection shorts the unit, and you're not covered by warranty if you get it wrong. Other than that minor problem, you're safe.

[Jo]

My old Boss TU12 has been acting up lately and is about to be retired.
I need a great "stand alone" guitar tuner for my electrics (one with a condenser mic for tuning acoustics, as well).
Any ideas would be welcome.
I just yesterday retired my TU12 which was over 10 years old. I ended up picking up another TU12 after I did a load of reading. It was either the TU12 or TU12H or a Peterson. In the end the price/quality of the TU12 won again.

[JMintzer]

About how much are they, Jamie?
Around $230-240...

Plus, I think that they do more than the Peterson Sompbox. IIRC, the stompbox does not have a mic to use w/acoustics...


Jamie

[rosewoodsteel]

I just yesterday retired my TU12 which was over 10 years old. I ended up picking up another TU12 after I did a load of reading. It was either the TU12 or TU12H or a Peterson. In the end the price/quality of the TU12 won again.Jo,
How much are they asking for TU12's now a days?

[rosewoodsteel]

Around $230-240...
JamieOuch ! :eek:

Maybe I'll check into one of those robotic tuners
:) (I understand they tie your shoes, as well...)

[JMintzer]

Ouch ! :eek:
I said they were pricey! ;)

But... They're really great if you do your own set-ups...


Jamie

[Jo]

Jo,
How much are they asking for TU12's now a days?I picked mine up from Guitar Center in Glen Burnie for $69 out the door. (Musicians Friend price match) I paid more than that years ago.

[Chiba]

To use the Peterson correctly, switch to your neck pup, roll back the tone control to zero, and pluck your individual strings one at a time as you tune with your finger at the 12th fret. This insures the best use of the Peterson.
Interesting... the instructions that came with my Peterson say to use the bridge pickup with the volume rolled back to about 3-4 or so, and nothing at all about the tone control.

--chiba

[Aldwyn]

I used a TU12 for when I was gigging... it was part of my pedal board setup. Still is, though I dont think my pedal board has been out of the closet in over a year.

But in the house next to the DAW is my Peterson Virtual Strobe II.

I also use it for setups and such.

Got it for a steel, too! Someone here on BaM (or was it TGP?) sold it as non-working for like $25.

I sent it to Peterson for a repair estimate... they fixed it and sent it back for free! Complete with new power supply!

So that sold me on Peterson customer service.

Peace,
Aldwyn

[bleujazz3]

Interesting... the instructions that came with my Peterson say to use the bridge pickup with the volume rolled back to about 3-4 or so, and nothing at all about the tone control.

--chiba


Hmm. I'll take a look at the instructions that came with my Strobo-Stomp. The Peterson online forum I checked with when I first bought the Strobo, suggested what I had said in my previous post. I'll take a look at the instructions just to confirm.

[Chiba]

Now that I go back & actually read the manual, I can't find any instructions on volume or tone settings at all.

Now that I think about it, a friend showed me how to use his before I bought mine, and I've done it ever since then like he showed me - bridge pickup, volume rolled off below halfway.

Hm.

The instructions for the VS-I (I have the VS-II) say the VS-1 will respond to any electrical signal (approx +/- 10mV to 5V) presented to the EXT IN 1/4" jack ... including hand-held microphones, electric guitars, or line-leves audio sources.So it would appear that we're both right - and what either of us do doesn't matter one whit to the Peterson tuners :)

--chiba

[BlueCrunch]

I have both the Boss TU-12H and the Peterson StroboFlip VS-F. I far prefer the Peterson. It is quite sensitive and extremely accurate. I actually find it easier to tune with the Peterson. Once you understand that your attack is always sharp and then the string vibrations settle flat a few cents, tuning is easy. I prefer to tune to the attack. That way strums are precise and lead lines are pushed (bent) slightly post attack to be spot on.

[bleujazz3]

Interesting... the instructions that came with my Peterson say to use the bridge pickup with the volume rolled back to about 3-4 or so, and nothing at all about the tone control.

--chiba
Chiba

To follow through with the instructions, I downloaded a copy of th VS-S Strobo-Stomp specs and owner's manual for my records.

From the section of Strobe Newbie? the instructions read,

"If you are new to strobe tuners, you will find that they are much more sensitive and accurate than your previous tuner. This may mean that you'll need to adjust your "touch" when you pluck a string to tune....Instead of a plectrum, use your finger or thumb to gently pluck the string...You can also use this short cut -- simply reduce the volume of your instrument until you become accustomed to tuning accurately."

Since the tuner I particularly own is the VS-S, what model do you own, and how do your instructions read?

You are right when you say there is nothing said about the tone control in the instructions regarding tuning. The suggestion about the tone control I offered was given to me on the Peterson forum by others who have found it works better with their instruments.

Plucking the string with the finger or thumb is a given, and doing so at approximately the 12th fret avoids unnecessary sub-harmonics from being generated. Hope this helps with your Strobo.

[rosewoodsteel]

Thanks for the info.
-Sounds like the Peterson is the way to go for doing setups.

[Dancing Frog]

Well, you guys just convinced me to order a Peterson Strobo Flip and I wasn't even looking for a new tuner. Thanks again.;) I have gotta stop reading this board.

[JMintzer]

Well, you guys just convinced me to order a Peterson Strobo Flip and I wasn't even looking for a new tuner. Thanks again.;) I have gotta stop reading this board.
The Masked Enabler strikes again! :p


Jamie

[bleujazz3]

Well, you guys just convinced me to order a Peterson Strobo Flip and I wasn't even looking for a new tuner. Thanks again.;) I have gotta stop reading this board.
Forget being the Masked Enabler, if outstanding tuning quality is what you want, the Peterson VS-S or Flip is the way to go.

[rosewoodsteel]

Forget being the Masked Enabler, if outstanding tuning quality is what you want, the Peterson VS-S or Flip is the way to go.And to think, I'd been doing this by ear all these years. :eek:

[rosewoodsteel]

I have both the Boss TU-12H and the Peterson StroboFlip VS-F. I far prefer the Peterson. It is quite sensitive and extremely accurate. I actually find it easier to tune with the Peterson. Once you understand that your attack is always sharp and then the string vibrations settle flat a few cents, tuning is easy. I prefer to tune to the attack. That way strums are precise and lead lines are pushed (bent) slightly post attack to be spot on.Thanks everyone

I just ordered a Peterson Strobo Flip VS-F.
Until recently, my old TU12 worked fine for me, but, the thought of doing my own setups (accurately) sealed the deal. I checked out eBay, but the prices there didn't impress me at all (-Could do better new and get a warranty). So, I made my first Musician's Friend purchase.
$149.00 for one of their "Scratch and Dent" deals. No fee for shipping.
(They give you a 40 day trial period, so if the thing doesn't work, I'll send it back.) The regular price was $199, so I thought it would be worth the gamble. Hey, if the thing just has a scratch on it, it really doesn't matter to me. (Hopefully, this will be the only type of issue.)

Thank you everyone for your help. :dude: