Tuners for a repair shop?

[DarrylC.]

Am I wrong in thinking that a professional repair shop should use a little bit higher caliber tuner than cheap clip-ons and stomp box tuners?

[Soapbarstrat]

If they're charging for setting intonation, yes. My damn Peterson Vs-2 kept going all over the place when I tried to intonate a guitar with direct mounted high output buckers that I couldn't lower. So, I didn't charge anything for setting the intonation, because I didn't trust how accurate I got it. I tried everything. Lowering the volume, etc.
Turbo tuner makes a led strobe stomp box. I think that might be fine. Never tried one, but I think I'd rather have that than the fussy peterson.

[bullfrogblues]

I use a Turbo Tuner on the bench, it works great!

[KokoTele]

You shouldn't judge the craftsman by his tools, only by the quality of his work. Some people are able to work magic with tools the rest of us would sneer at.

A strobe tuner is generally considered the top of the line tool for tuning and intonation, but like Soapbarstrat said, sometimes they're too sensitive to be practical.

So, the question is, did this shop work on your guitar, and if so did it play in tune?

[dadder]

I use a Peterson Strobe in the workshop,

On a gig, I just use my ears.

[Nick JD]

Using a strobe tuner for intonation is like using a micrometer while cutting french fries.

You have perfectly measured something inaccurate. On the neck below each note has the correct temperament - note that the 12th fret is straight.

Check the G string, and picture a guitar with straight frets: being slightly wrong when intonating that string will mean you have more accurate notes down the fretboard ... or in other words: shutup and play your guitar!

[trev333]

what did Leo use?..... ;)

[dadder]

Not quite sure what Nick JD is saying here. A bit like saying, why use the correct allen key when a pair of pliers will do.
As a guitar tech. I am paid to set peoples instruments up. I therefore feel obliged to use the best tools available for the job.
I have seen a couple of "True Temperament/squiggly fret" guitars, suffice to say I wouldn't want one as a gift, and what happens when the frets need re-crowned or replaced?
Us ordinary folk can maybe only afford ordinary guitars, on which some great music has been played on for ever.

[Lunchie]

I do not care how much of a perfectionist you are, there is not such thing as a perfect intonation. I was initially sold on my TU-2 because I saw a local shop using one and was impressed with it. They work just fine...

[Nick JD]

Originally Posted by dadder

A bit like saying, why use the correct allen key when a pair of pliers will do.

It's also a bit like saying, why use a guitar tech, when they're just using an allen key to match the 12th fret note to the open...

[GigsbyBoyUK]

I tend to use the same Sabine tuner for intonation adjustments. I feel that it's more accurate than my other three tuners, but it could just be that I've had it the longest and so I'm familiar with it.

Bear in mind that some people have great ears and tuners are not as important to them as they are to some of us. If a luthier does a great job with a cheap tuner, there's no problem.

[SackvilleDan]

I use a Petersen Strobo Stomp for intonation... it is a little fussy, yes, but you can't argue with the results. At least I don't!

[Rob DiStefano]

screw the digital/strobe/whatever tuner nonsense - all ya really need is an A440 tuning fork and your ears. nothing more than a simple digital idiot light tuner is all that's needed for speeding things up. i have and rarely use strobe tuners - for the most part, not a requirement.

tuning comes in three parts: open notes, fretted octave intonation, and - because we hafta live with all those fret speed bumps - compromise.

[bullfrogblues]

I agree that a good tech can make due with lesser tools.
I bought a Turbo Tuner to have on my bench so I wouldn't have to drag out my pedalboard every time to use the TU 2. And, I can't afford a nice Peterson strobe.
Of course my disclaimer, I never said I was a tech!

[Rob DiStefano]

no one needs a strobe tuner in order to accomplish precise tuning and intonation. in most cases, it will be more of a hinderance than asset.

better off with a fast and stable tuner such as the analog/digital boss tu15 (my workhorse, even though i have 2 strobes).

know how to best combine/use a tuner and an electric guitar for optimum results.

[SamBooka]

ok.. my 2 cents... what good is the tool if you dont know how to use it.

That said.. I use the peterson tuner on my iphone but when I was doing setups at the store I worked at I would usually use a tuning fork and play the guitar. The up side of that is you can actually memorize A440 within a few cents. You hear it in your head.
When you dont have a fork handy you can get very very close (close enough in an emergency situation)

[Guitarz]

Use a dial tone. A with F# in the bass.

[SPUDCASTER]

Originally Posted by trev333

what did Leo use?..... ;)

The strobe tuner was invented in the late 1930's. Petersen made their first commercially available tuner in 1948.

Leo could have used a strobe tuner. But, being somewhat frugal, I suspect he used a tuning fork and those two tuners hanging off either side of his head.

[dadder]

Right, I'm off to get a ticket to Australia.

Methinks there's a lot of out of tune guitars down there. $$$$$$

[Colt W. Knight]

I use a Peterson Strobe to setup my guitars.