Recommendation for decent tuner for guitar setups?

[Bourbon Burst]

As I am about to embark on a journey of learning on how to do my own setups including intonation adjustments, I was wondering what would be a good tuner to use. I have a Boss tuner but I know that a lot of techs use Petersen strobe units. I don't want to pay $800 for one of their rack units but they also sell pedal forms. Should I get one of those or something else?

 

[JDB2]

If you are OK with using a headstock tuner I'd recommend the Peterson Stroboclip. I use one for applications where accuracy is critical, such as for setting intonation and tuning my 12 string. The simulated strobe display really works well.

 

[Killing Floor]

Peterson Strobostomp gets you closer than you’ll ever detect with your ears.

 

[Bourbon Burst]

Peterson Strobostomp gets you closer than you’ll ever detect with your ears.

That is what I was considering. Do you have one?

Peterson StroboStomp HD Guitar Tuner (403884) https://a.co/d/gXZBZeJ

 

[Bourbon Burst]

If you are OK with using a headstock tuner I'd recommend the Peterson Stroboclip. I use one for applications where accuracy is critical, such as for setting intonation and tuning my 12 string. The simulated strobe display really works well.
[/QUOTE

I have had a few clip-on tuners and had one break. I would rather have one using electronic input although it does look like that the clip- on one is just as accurate.

 

[ChXpensiveVintage]

If you are OK with using a headstock tuner I'd recommend the Peterson Stroboclip. I use one for applications where accuracy is critical, such as for setting intonation and tuning my 12 string. The simulated strobe display really works well.

My recommendation for best all-rounder too, since it works so well on any stringed instrument.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner for electric instruments.

 

[Killing Floor]

That is what I was considering. Do you have one?

Peterson StroboStomp HD Guitar Tuner (403884) https://a.co/d/gXZBZeJ

Yes. The regular pedal one. Not the desktop scope. I’m definitely no luthier. But I can do a decent setup.
I like it. It displays differently from other pedal tuners but that’s ok. And it’s within the price range of pedals. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[telemnemonics]

That is what I was considering. Do you have one?

Peterson StroboStomp HD Guitar Tuner (403884) https://a.co/d/gXZBZeJ

When my old Conn Strobotuner (built like a refrigerator) stopped spinning I replaced it with the Peterson stomp. Great piece of kit.

BTW when we buy guitar gear from Amazon we help put guitar shops out of business and gain nothing.

 

[TimTam]

If you want it to double as a pedal and only need to work on electric guitars, get either the Peterson StroboStomp HD or Sonic Research Turbo Tuner strobe tuners. If you're happy for it to live on the work bench (or would work in a studio too), get the Peterson StroboPlus HDC (also includes microphone for acoustics). Or if you have an iPhone or iPad, the iStroboSoft app.

 

[Bourbon Burst]

When my old Conn Strobotuner (built like a refrigerator) stopped spinning I replaced it with the Peterson stomp. Great piece of kit.

BTW when we buy guitar gear from Amazon we help put guitar shops out of business and gain nothing.

I hear you. I usually buy from Sweetwater because of their 2 year warranty. I just pulled Amazon up from a Google search. Sometimes though, Amazon is using a music store like Stew-Mac. The advantage their is that I don't have to pay shipping through Prime vs Stew-Mac. That is about the only time I use Amazon.

BTW, who is that in your Avatar?

 

[telemnemonics]

I hear you. I usually buy from Sweetwater because of their 2 year warranty. I just pulled Amazon up from a Google search. Sometimes though, Amazon is using a music store like Stew-Mac. The advantage their is that I don't have to pay shipping through Prime vs Stew-Mac. That is about the only time I use Amazon.

BTW, who is that in your Avatar?

I was looking for the nobody-but-Stew-Mac-makes-them fret kisser spot leveling tool and a google search showed Stew Mac has an ebay store cheaper than Stew Mac or Amazon AND free shipping!

Amazon "helps" small retailers they choked out in a company story style, while their prices are just not consistently the best if ever.

Amanda Gorman, proof the kids are all right!
Or have a chance if they try...

 

[Maguchi]

A coupla months ago I snagged a coupla Sonic Research ST-300 Turbo Tuners, both a Mini (doesn't use batteries), and a regular size ST-300 (with battery). Either of these 2 tuners will fit on a pedalboard nicely. They are very stable and accurate. I use to use a rackmount Peterson strobe for intonation, but the Sonic Research ST300s are so good that I'm using those ones now for intonating my guitars.

I seen people selling used ones at inflated prices on Reverb, eBay and other sites. But no need, Sonic Research will sell you a new one for $139 (not affiliated). Here's the link to the Sonic Research site if anyone wants to buy a new ST-300 Turbo Tuner that hasn't been marked up by flippers.

P.S. Hard to get the display to photograph clearly, but hopefully you get the idea.

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

 

[jvin248]

.

Peterson has an app for that. Some fee or subscription.

Boss has a phone tuner app as well. It's free. If starting out, this works.

Phone sensors are pretty high tech these days and can probably get all the accuracy...

Make sure to set intonation in playing position not flat on the guitars' back or on a neck jack.

Future hint, research fret leveling: Vinson jig, katana, sam deeks banana. These level the frets with the neck under tension.

.

 

[Nicko_Lps]

Should I get one of those or something else?

Get one of those Seiko tuners used or NOS:

Been using that since 2000, can auto detect guitar or bass. 8 octaves you can safely tune your grand piano with it.


search for: Seiko ST767

 

[telemnemonics]

I was pretty heartbroken when this died several years back, used this and others as a tech going back decades.
Really an inconvenient tool since you dial each note but you get used to it.
One day I may find a replacement motor.
Neil Young used to have five of them in his stage rig.

 

[SRHmusic]

I still use an old Boss TU-12H I bought new back in the day. On the pedal board I have the chromatic tuner pedal TU-3w. But I like the idea of a strobe tuner for detailed work.

Since phone apps were mentioned, I'll mention this, but I agree a plug-in tuner is better:
A nice phone app is G-strings, at least for Android. It's free, easy to use and has a nice display with an analog needle and digital readout, plus options for different instruments and guitar tunings, frequency centering, and different temperaments(!).
The Boss one is good, too.

 

[Hey_you]

Peterson Strobostomp gets you closer than you’ll ever detect with your ears.

Sweetened mode!!

 

[Hey_you]

I have the Strobostomp for set-ups. Nice screen. Has many different instrument settings, many! I use Polytune for regular tuning. But when things start sounding nice, it gets nicer tuned to the Stomp. You can change the colors too.

 

[beep.click]

I use a Snark. Close enough is good enough.