Peterson Strobostomp HD Tuner... Awful

[omahaaudio]

Just received one of these from Thomann and it's going right back. It may well be an incredibly accurate tuner pedal but the setup system and menus were designed by an idiot. Using the manual and YouTube videos I tried for a solid hour to do some simple changes (global color to green, set it to an Open E Minor tuning) and it proved impossible. I've been using/programming computers and computer-related electronics since 1970 and this thing is just not ready for prime time.
I'm ordering a Boss TU-3W (because it looks cooler than the normal TU-3 and looks are important...), like I should have done earlier.

 

[Si G X]

You can't go wrong with a Boss. I've been tempted with others... that started when the polytune first came out, but I've ended up back with a TU3.

 

[joebloggs13]

I have the Polytune 3 pedal and the mini. Never had an issue, but I just want something simple when it comes to tuning.

 

[Edgar Allan Presley]

Just received one of these from Thomann and it's going right back. It may well be an incredibly accurate tuner pedal but the setup system and menus were designed by an idiot. Using the manual and YouTube videos I tried for a solid hour to do some simple changes (global color to green, set it to an Open E Minor tuning) and it proved impossible. I've been using/programming computers and computer-related electronics since 1970 and this thing is just not ready for prime time.
I'm ordering a Boss TU-3W (because it looks cooler than the normal TU-3 and looks are important...), like I should have done earlier.

Are you hoping to change the Boss tuner's color and set it to open E minor tuning? If not, is there a reason you can live with standard options on Boss but not on Peterson? The price difference?

 

[bricksnbeatles]

Are you hoping to change the Boss tuner's color and set it to open E minor tuning? If not, is there a reason you can live with standard options on Boss but not on Peterson? The price difference?

I’d hope it’s not the price difference, since the strobostomp HD is $15 cheaper than the TU-3w

 

[Skyhook]

Just received one of these from Thomann and it's going right back. It may well be an incredibly accurate tuner pedal but the setup system and menus were designed by an idiot. Using the manual and YouTube videos I tried for a solid hour to do some simple changes (global color to green, set it to an Open E Minor tuning) and it proved impossible. I've been using/programming computers and computer-related electronics since 1970 and this thing is just not ready for prime time.
I'm ordering a Boss TU-3W (because it looks cooler than the normal TU-3 and looks are important...), like I should have done earlier.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: The Boss TU-3W uses the modern Blue Death Ray™ LED:s whereas the TU-3 doesn't. Just so you can make an informed decision.

 

[WalthamMoosical]

I'm ordering a Boss TU-3W (because it looks cooler than the normal TU-3 and looks are important...)

We might need a poll and thread about this.

 

[PCollen]

You can't go wrong with a Boss. I've been tempted with others... that started when the polytune first came out, but I've ended up back with a TU3.

I'm still using my Boss TU-2.

 

[lefty73]

Get a clip-on tuner! Use that open spot on your board for another noisemaker.

 

[MilwMark]

The instructions for "Changing the Preset Display Color" and for "Changing the Global Display Color" seem clearly written and pretty straightforward. https://www.petersontuners.com/media/pdf/StroboStomp_HD_Manual_v1.1_EN.pdf

Are you saying they don't work?

At least for me, I often find I'm missing or misreading something simple because I'm frustrated and imposing and artificial rush on myself. If I set it down for a bit usually it works or I see what I was skipping over/misreading/doing wrong. YMMV

I don't really understand a programmable tuner. I just tune everything in standard concert chromatic on my Tu2. I figure I need to know what the tunings are and which strings are going up v down, and by how much, to implement the tuning right anyway. Easy enough said for me as I really only use standard guitar tuning, half step flat, or open E on my lap steel.

 

[Seasicksailor]

I'm still using my Boss TU-2.

Disgusting!

 

[omahaaudio]

Are you hoping to change the Boss tuner's color and set it to open E minor tuning?

Not at all. My criticism (as indicated in the subject header) is aimed at the Peterson Strobostomp HD tuner, not the Boss.

 

[omahaaudio]

The instructions for "Changing the Preset Display Color" and for "Changing the Global Display Color" seem clearly written and pretty straightforward.

Far from it. The instructions are poorly written and the videos incomplete. They both, in a word, suck.

 

[clingin_on]

Disgusting!

I liked this for the humor factor, but each to their own

 

[arlum]

Yep. Back to running a Boss TU-3 on three of my pedal boards. I still have a Korg Pitchblack on one board but if / when it ever breaks I'll replace it with a 4th Boss Tuner.

 

[MilwMark]

Far from it. The instructions are poorly written and the videos incomplete. They both, in a word, suck.

Ok. I read the instructions. They appear very clear to me (a luddite). I also watched a couple of their videos out of curiosity. The seem extremely clear to me. YMMV.

 

[schoolie]

I've been happy with the polytune mini. The strobe tuner mode works well.

 

[Seasicksailor]

I liked this for the humor factor, but each to their own

It wasn't meant as anything other than humour (well... attempted )

 

[JustPlayItLoud]

Counterpoint: I found it easy to use to get the settings I wanted. More importantly the ability to have a large display in a color that doesn’t murder my eyes makes it worth its weight in gold.

 

[tele_pathic]

I loved my Strobostomp. I thought it was easy to use and a pleasure to look at. Ultimately though, it is just too big and heavy and my trusty TC EL mini tuner replaced it.