Boss TU-12H tunner HELP!

Josh Welch · Post by **Josh Welch** » 14 Jul 2014 11:43 am

I just started trying to use this tuner, would someone please explain how to use this tuner to tune a steel guitar.

Thanks,

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 14 Jul 2014 2:03 pm

You'll have to do it the old-fashioned way, but that's not hard.

Play a note, and it will figure out which note it is and display it.
I'd not looked at it closely, even though I have one (but it hasn't worked in years). I was surprised to see it has those stupid Hertz markings on it. Because they're stupid (Sorry, there's no such thing as an E at 440, E is 330), I've disregarded it from the first day.

The lower set of markings are cents deviation from the ET (standard tuning value).

If you want to use some of the standard steel guitar temperaments, you'll have to write down (or memorize) the values. Because that's how I did it from 1981 through 2012, I have my numbers memorized.

F# +4 (G-7, G# -8)
D# +4 (E 0, D -8, C# -17)
G# -8 (A -4)
E 0 (D# -4, E# -22, F# +4)
B +4 (C# -17, A# 0)
G# -8 (A -4, F# +4)
F# +4
E 0 (E# -22, D# +4)
D -8 (C# -17)
B +4 (C# -17 A# 0)

When the needle points to those marks on the lower dial, you're in tune.

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 14 Jul 2014 2:12 pm

I'd suggest using these charts first:
http://www.jeffran.com/tuning.php
even though the numbers are in hertz. If you already understand the physical mechanics of tuning your particular guitar, adjust it to these settings.

Dan Klotz · Post by **Dan Klotz** » 14 Jul 2014 2:25 pm

I still don't get the conversion. I understand + 4 cents, or whatever. But how do you find 438.5, etc?

I know that's a dumb question, but don't worry, there's more where that came from:-O

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 14 Jul 2014 2:32 pm

On the 12H, the top dial is demarcated in Hertz. 438.5 will be a bit to the left of 0, roughly 10 cents flat.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 15 Jul 2014 3:03 am

Hey Lane -
Could you please explain why A = 330 & not 440 ?
I've never heard of that?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 15 Jul 2014 3:33 am

A is 440, at least the 3rd string open with B pedal is. E is 330, 4th string open.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 15 Jul 2014 3:43 am

See
http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 15 Jul 2014 4:55 am

So it's an octave thing.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 15 Jul 2014 5:45 am

It's a frequency thing. If it's 440, it's an A. Es are 330 and 165. Well, JI Es are. I just looked at the chart I just linked to, and ET Es are at 329.25 and 164.81. A bit flat of JI, like you'd expect.

WHICH numbers you use don't matter a lot, since they don't vary a lot. The method is still the same.

Josh Welch · Post by **Josh Welch** » 16 Jul 2014 7:56 am

Thanks for the help and information I appreciate it.

Josh Welch · Post by **Josh Welch** » 16 Jul 2014 7:57 am

Thanks for the help and information I appreciate it.

Josh Welch · Post by **Josh Welch** » 16 Jul 2014 7:57 am

Thanks for the help and information I appreciate it.