Clip-on tuners?
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- Steve Lipsey
- Posts: 1900
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- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
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Clip-on tuners?
Never used them, but I think it would work well for my dobro....any recommendation for one? Are they all the same?
It would need to be chromatic, not just guitar notes...
It would need to be chromatic, not just guitar notes...
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
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snark
The snark chromatic works well, is easy to read and inexpensive.
-
- Posts: 50
- Joined: 25 Jan 2010 1:03 pm
- Location: Texas, USA
tuners other than lip ons
Peterspn makes several different strobe tuners, but one is especially suited for Dobro, and steel guitar players.
It is a little pricey, but it has a lot of things going for it, and you should have it for a long time.
The first, and biggest thing that this tuner does, is to give you tempered or sweetened tunings for many instruments, including Dobro, and steel guitar. Many instruments that tune into chord forms, tend to sound out of tune if tuned with mathematically correct intervals.
For Dobro you have two choices, either sweetened tunings with half tempered 3rds, or tunings with pure thirds, for tuning in A, D or G. There are many steel guitar choices also.
You can even program it to hold your personal temperaments if you like.
It is about the size of a "big Mac hamburger", and opens up like aclamshell, with a well lit big screen. It runs on batteries, but it comes with an A/C adapter.
It also comes with a mounting device designed to mount the tuner on a microphone stand. I find the mounting works very well on the leg of my steel guitar. You can plug into the tuner, and then out into your amp, so it is in line, ready for use whenever you need it. This is a digital strobe, not just a needle tuner.
Gene Warner
retired repairman
It is a little pricey, but it has a lot of things going for it, and you should have it for a long time.
The first, and biggest thing that this tuner does, is to give you tempered or sweetened tunings for many instruments, including Dobro, and steel guitar. Many instruments that tune into chord forms, tend to sound out of tune if tuned with mathematically correct intervals.
For Dobro you have two choices, either sweetened tunings with half tempered 3rds, or tunings with pure thirds, for tuning in A, D or G. There are many steel guitar choices also.
You can even program it to hold your personal temperaments if you like.
It is about the size of a "big Mac hamburger", and opens up like aclamshell, with a well lit big screen. It runs on batteries, but it comes with an A/C adapter.
It also comes with a mounting device designed to mount the tuner on a microphone stand. I find the mounting works very well on the leg of my steel guitar. You can plug into the tuner, and then out into your amp, so it is in line, ready for use whenever you need it. This is a digital strobe, not just a needle tuner.
Gene Warner
retired repairman
-
- Posts: 50
- Joined: 25 Jan 2010 1:03 pm
- Location: Texas, USA
tuners other than lip ons
Peterspn makes several different strobe tuners, but one is especially suited for Dobro, and steel guitar players.
It is a little pricey, but it has a lot of things going for it, and you should have it for a long time.
The first, and biggest thing that this tuner does, is to give you tempered or sweetened tunings for many instruments, including Dobro, and steel guitar. Many instruments that tune into chord forms, tend to sound out of tune if tuned with mathematically correct intervals.
For Dobro you have two choices, either sweetened tunings with half tempered 3rds, or tunings with pure thirds, for tuning in A, D or G. There are many steel guitar choices also.
You can even program it to hold your personal temperaments if you like.
It is about the size of a "big Mac hamburger", and opens up like aclamshell, with a well lit big screen. It runs on batteries, but it comes with an A/C adapter.
It also comes with a mounting device designed to mount the tuner on a microphone stand. I find the mounting works very well on the leg of my steel guitar. You can plug into the tuner, and then out into your amp, so it is in line, ready for use whenever you need it. This is a digital strobe, not just a needle tuner.
Gene Warner
retired repairman
It is a little pricey, but it has a lot of things going for it, and you should have it for a long time.
The first, and biggest thing that this tuner does, is to give you tempered or sweetened tunings for many instruments, including Dobro, and steel guitar. Many instruments that tune into chord forms, tend to sound out of tune if tuned with mathematically correct intervals.
For Dobro you have two choices, either sweetened tunings with half tempered 3rds, or tunings with pure thirds, for tuning in A, D or G. There are many steel guitar choices also.
You can even program it to hold your personal temperaments if you like.
It is about the size of a "big Mac hamburger", and opens up like aclamshell, with a well lit big screen. It runs on batteries, but it comes with an A/C adapter.
It also comes with a mounting device designed to mount the tuner on a microphone stand. I find the mounting works very well on the leg of my steel guitar. You can plug into the tuner, and then out into your amp, so it is in line, ready for use whenever you need it. This is a digital strobe, not just a needle tuner.
Gene Warner
retired repairman
- Greg Booth
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- Rick Aiello
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- Location: Windermere, Florida, USA
snark
The snark chromatic works well, is easy to read and inexpensive.
- Steve Lipsey
- Posts: 1900
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- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
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There are many models of Snark....any particular one better than the others?
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
- chris ivey
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- Steve Lipsey
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Chris -
yeah, yeah...but not when the band is playing. And not as quick to check on between tunes...and I don't have perfect pitch, so I do need at least one reference pitch all the time...
yeah, yeah...but not when the band is playing. And not as quick to check on between tunes...and I don't have perfect pitch, so I do need at least one reference pitch all the time...
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
- Dennis Saydak
- Posts: 671
- Joined: 15 Feb 2008 5:05 pm
- Location: Manitoba, Canada
I also use the Stroboclip. In addition to the accuracy it has sweetened tunings for various instruments including Dobro. It's definitely worth the price IMHO. I bought mine when they had a $10.00 off mail in promo.
Dennis
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster.
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race, the rats get faster.
- chris ivey
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- Location: california (deceased)
'snarking the snark' haha
i guess i'm just not sure of the finesse factor of super tuning a dobro with a sweetness setting.
it seems that the type of fairly heavy gauges of dobro strings and the bar placement factor would be hard to dial in perfectly...and not necessary as on a pedal steel with so many factors as pedal/note changes needing to blend. dobro seems more primitive to me (at least the way i play it)
not knocking anyone. just curious. of course i can understand being able to tweek it right up on stage.
i guess i'm just not sure of the finesse factor of super tuning a dobro with a sweetness setting.
it seems that the type of fairly heavy gauges of dobro strings and the bar placement factor would be hard to dial in perfectly...and not necessary as on a pedal steel with so many factors as pedal/note changes needing to blend. dobro seems more primitive to me (at least the way i play it)
not knocking anyone. just curious. of course i can understand being able to tweek it right up on stage.
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Clip on tuners
The chromatic Snark is the SN-2, expect to pay approximately $15. My favorite for this week is the Fender FT-004. It programs for guitar, bass, violin, ukulele (I know everyone needs a ukulele tuner), or chromatic. Expect to pay about $15. I use it on guitar, banjo, dobro and lap steel.
- Mark Eaton
- Posts: 6047
- Joined: 15 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
I have a collection clip-on tuners, if I sold some of them used I could probably have enough money for a Peterson which is pretty much the Cadillac and be done with it until the next generation of cool clip-on tuners arrive.
Speaking of ukulele tuners, this is from the Department of KISS ("keep it simple sally" or "stupid," choose one. ) I was in a local music store awhile back and while I was waiting to pay for some strings, the manager sold the young lady in front of me a KALA clip-on ukelele tuner for her guitar. Of course the immediate comment from both myself and the other customer was "but it's a uke tuner!" It indeed has presets for uke tunings, but it has a chromatic setting and a great display that's really bright with big letters, and really easy to use. The manger said "I've been really liking this one and it's only 19 bucks." So I bought one and I like it.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... Mgod_lcAbQ
I have a couple different Snarks, don't know what they are - a red one and a newer black one. They both seem to work fine.
I also have the tiny Planet Waves Mini-Headstock tuner which I use mostly for my Martin dreadnought, but sometimes I'll use it for the dobro as well. I like how small and unobtrusive it is.
http://www.planetwaves.com/pwTunersandMetronomes.Page
Speaking of ukulele tuners, this is from the Department of KISS ("keep it simple sally" or "stupid," choose one. ) I was in a local music store awhile back and while I was waiting to pay for some strings, the manager sold the young lady in front of me a KALA clip-on ukelele tuner for her guitar. Of course the immediate comment from both myself and the other customer was "but it's a uke tuner!" It indeed has presets for uke tunings, but it has a chromatic setting and a great display that's really bright with big letters, and really easy to use. The manger said "I've been really liking this one and it's only 19 bucks." So I bought one and I like it.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... Mgod_lcAbQ
I have a couple different Snarks, don't know what they are - a red one and a newer black one. They both seem to work fine.
I also have the tiny Planet Waves Mini-Headstock tuner which I use mostly for my Martin dreadnought, but sometimes I'll use it for the dobro as well. I like how small and unobtrusive it is.
http://www.planetwaves.com/pwTunersandMetronomes.Page
Mark
- Michael Maddex
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I use a Snark SN-5. It's chromatic and works with guitars tuned to more than three notes too. Best of all, it has a nice big color screen and I can read it without putting on my cheaters. I got mine from Elderly.
"For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert." -- Arthur C. Clarke
- Steve Lipsey
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: 9 May 2011 8:51 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
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Thanks to all of you....lots to choose from here....I ended up going with the Planet Waves Mini Headstock Tuner (Thanks, Mark!)...it was the lowest profile one, could easily stay attached full time, and just got a software upgrade to be faster....$15. I didn't need sweetened tunings, I do that by ear when I want to...
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
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- Steve Lipsey
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: 9 May 2011 8:51 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
- Contact:
The Snarks seem to be ubiquitous....but the Planet Waves mini is so unobtrusive I'm going to give it a try.....and it is oriented right for a lap-style guitar..
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
- Tom Pettingill
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- Location: California, USA (deceased)
I've got an original Blue Snark and I love the easy reading dial. The original battery did not last that long, but the replacement seems to be doing better. It probably has something to do with the big, bright, and colorful display I like so much.
I also have a Korg Pitchclip a rep gave me and it works very well too. Its claim to fame is a very small and discreet foot print. The screen has a good viewing angle and can be rotated / flipped for easy reading in different mounting positions.
With todays tech its cheap and easy to build a good tuner. Its all about choosing the feature set that fits your needs and budget.
I also have a Korg Pitchclip a rep gave me and it works very well too. Its claim to fame is a very small and discreet foot print. The screen has a good viewing angle and can be rotated / flipped for easy reading in different mounting positions.
With todays tech its cheap and easy to build a good tuner. Its all about choosing the feature set that fits your needs and budget.
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- Location: Over there
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- Location: Tennessee, USA
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Tuner batteries
The short life of batteries was mentioned. Most good batteries last a long time in tuners. Unfortunately, many excellent tuners come from the manufacturers with low coat batteries that don't last. In times past, when a customer bought a tuner in my store and the tuner stopped working a week later, the tuner would be returned for a refund so now I put a new Duracell battery in when I sell a tuner and it stopped the returns.
- John Billings
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- Brian McGaughey
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That's like giving someone a bottle of mouthwash!...and that's a good thing!Stephen Gambrell wrote:I got a bunch of Snarks. They work with anything. You can get 'em for 10 bucks or so on line, and that's cheap enough to give away, and I do.
We have a joke in one of our bands with one 6 stringer in particular. "Check your breath," I'll say when his tuning is out and hand him my tuner.
Good info here. I'm going to try the Peterson.
- Steve Lipsey
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: 9 May 2011 8:51 pm
- Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
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Planet Waves mini headstock tuner (pictured above) works great, is totally unobtrusive, and costs about $15...
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham "CooderNator" archtop parlor electric reso w/Fishman & Lollar string-through
Ben Bonham "ResoBorn" deep parlor acoustic reso with Weissenborn neck and Fishman
Ben Bonham Style 3 Tricone., 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor Squareneck