Steel Guitar Tuners

Steve Epstein · Post by **Steve Epstein** » 14 Sep 2010 8:49 am

When I'm playing in a band setting, I typically try to get to the venue or rehearsal early so I can tune by ear. I do this because it's the most precise method I have found. If I get to the venue/rehearsal late, I'm sunk. My quiet space to tune is gone. Do any of you have a suggestion for an electronic tuner that works visually? Which one do you recommend?
Thanks!

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 14 Sep 2010 8:57 am

Steve,I have a Peterson VSII and I use the E9th pre set to tune to,It's got all of the pedals and levers built into the software and I can tune in a room full of screaming idiots,works for me.

Dustin Cook · Post by **Dustin Cook** » 14 Sep 2010 9:13 am

I use the turbo tuner. It is more precise and has a faster response than the strobo-flip.
http://www.turbo-tuner.com/

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 Sep 2010 9:19 am

Peterson are probably the most popular tuners among steelers Steve
strobo stomp, strobo flip or stroborack

http://www.petersontuners.com/

you can program your tuning into your own presets
that way tuning in a live environment is easy

Carl Williams · Post by **Carl Williams** » 14 Sep 2010 9:58 am

Steve,
Suggest you review the DigiTech Hardwire Tuner. I have mine running out of my Telonics Pedal and it's not as fancy as some others but it works fine for me. Here's a link to one:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... 5wod_SP5Ig

Olie Eshleman · Post by **Olie Eshleman** » 14 Sep 2010 10:53 am

I just ordered a Turbo Tuner due to a friends strong recommendation, not to mention price, size, programmabilty, etc.

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 14 Sep 2010 11:31 am

Olie, Which model did you buy the stompbox or the other one?

Steve Epstein · Post by **Steve Epstein** » 14 Sep 2010 12:35 pm

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.

Olie Eshleman · Post by **Olie Eshleman** » 14 Sep 2010 2:26 pm

Brad,
I got the stompbox model, it has not yet arrived, let you know what I think when it does. This ties back into the many forum topics about tuning the pedal steel guitar, and being able to program your particular tuning. When you finally figure out what that is, having that preset and accurate is the only way to go. I have been using a Boss TU-2 and it doesn't really work for personal tempering of tuning, and I have a weird thing about people hearing me tune live.

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 15 Sep 2010 7:57 am

If you like to tune by ear (like myself) take a set of headphones if your rig will allow it!

Joey Aguilera · Post by **Joey Aguilera** » 15 Sep 2010 8:30 am

Are these idiots in the audience or in your band =)

Stu Schulman wrote:Steve,I have a Peterson VSII and I use the E9th pre set to tune to,It's got all of the pedals and levers built into the software and I can tune in a room full of screaming idiots,works for me.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Sep 2010 8:47 am

Joey,Most of the idiots are in the club,The band members are knuckleheads...there's a fine line between an idiot and a knucklehead!

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 15 Sep 2010 1:55 pm

You can tune just fine with a little Korg CA-1 tuner. They're pretty pricey though, about $20!

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 15 Sep 2010 2:49 pm

Steve -- does this mean you don't tune again during the whole gig? You must not play as many outdoor or air conditioned gigs as I do. I check my tuning two or three times before I start to play, again after a few songs, and then again a couple of times during the rest of the gig. And my Williams stays in tune really well -- I am just fussy and obsessive (for someone who tunes straight up ET with a $25 tuner).

Before electronic tuners were invented, if I had to tune my steel in a noisy roadhouse, I would just crank it up and try to emphasize the harmonious aspects of the tuning process. But I never enjoyed that, and was a really happy camper the first time I plugged my old MSA into a digital tuner...

Don Olson · Post by **Don Olson** » 15 Sep 2010 5:18 pm

What is nice about the Peterson tuner you can tune at home till you get what you like, plug in the tuner write down the numbers then program the tuner with your numbers, then you can tune under any condition.
Don

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 15 Sep 2010 6:08 pm

When tuners came out i bought a cheepy and used it to re tune in a noisy place to a tuning i had decided was an in tune sound as was advised later by the Korg Co. I used the tuning fork i had used for years to make sure i was at 440 then tuned the rest of the strings by ear in a quite place and wrote down what i had come up with then could use this in a noisy place even when the band was playing.
After a short time i could remember the readings i had come up with so could quickly re tune. Some time later i talked to Reece about having to tune the C 6th slightly flat to the E 9th. He understood and said of course you have to tune like that. I don't think many understood at the time about not tuning every string 440.
The strobe tuners were out first and the players that tuned every string to them then spent the first set re tuning by ear. Just coulden't make them understand why tuning every string 440 put them so out of tune.Live and learn. Tracy.

BTW. I had learned this at an early age from my schooled piano teacher.

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