The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello all
MY pedal steel guitar. Justice pro-lite will be here Friday . I was waiting for my
Peterson StroboFlip VS-F Virtual Strobe Tuner .the music shop called today and said they don't make them any longer. So what type tuner do you guys use .I am new to this so I need a tuner for E 9 . electric strobe I think.Thanks for all your help. Lost and out of tune. Jerry

Jerry , looks like you are in Virginia .. It would be in your interest to call down to Billy Coopers steel guitar shop in orange Va for the help you need . I am not sure you are getting the correct info that the tuner isn't made anymore . Even if that is the case Billy will have one or something comparable in stock. Billy & Wanda Copper great folks and always ready to help the steel guitar player.. Billy gives lessons too !!!
www.billycoopersmusic.com
I hope this helps
Boo Miller

all you need is a chromatic tuner, the cheapest one you can find will do. Start by using the Jeff Newman tuning chart,you will be fine. http://www.jeffran.com/tuning.php

Jerry, here's what I use and it works great. Small, light and accurate. Around $30 - inexpensive NOT cheap.

The cheapest ones won't recalibrate in half-cycle increments.
But I agree, you don't need a three-figure tuner

I agree with the opinions above: to start, you do not need a high-$ tuner. I understand why the pros use them: they can save their presets and then tune silently on stage if need be.

Also, most will tell you to tune to a "just tempered" tuning, such as Jeff Newman's. Unless you are an experienced musician with a well-trained ear, you are not likely to hear the difference, particularly with inaccurate bar placement of a beginner (believe me, I know: I'm a newbie!). You can simplify the tuning by tuning everything straight up 440 in the open position. I then push the A+B together, and see how much the OTHER strings change, (typically a smidge below 440) and tune the A+B pedals the same (the same amount below 440). Then push the B+C pedals together and tune the C to match the B.

If at some point this "straight up" tuning bothers you, well, then you have progressed to the point you may try a just temper. My main point is, as a beginner, you don't want to spend hours tweaking the tuning (and having to manually reset the tuner for each string and pull is time consuming....that's what the Petersen lets you avoid).

Cheers,

Doug

Jerry, if you have a smartphone, and don't mind having to tune out loud, I have found two android tuners: GStrings was free, and not bad, and I've switched to the three dollar Cleartune.
Peterson, I believe, has apps for the iPhone.

what Bill Moore said (or just get an E from the guitar player)