The Steel Guitar Forum

Ok,,, I a newbie to pedal,,, been playing my lapsteel for some time but aware this is a different animal,, question about tuners,, are the phone tuners ok ??
Thanks,
Drew

Hi Drew,
I recently migrated to the Peterson iStrobo tuner, and love it.
It is on my iPhone and works like a charm.
I added the 'sweetener' pack for pedal steel and it is SO much easier than eyeballing my old Boss TU-12H.
It's not free, but is worth buying, imho.
There are other great software tuners too, like Cleartune.
Lee

Drew, tuners (any kind - phone, simple or fancy ones) will get you reasonably close. They aren't exact because guitars are different, tunings are different, and players are different. It would be nice if there was something that would get you exactly on pitch, but you'll find that any system or device needs tweaking to work for you. So, in the end, even with a tuner, you'll have to develop your ears to hear what's in or out. Tuning is a skill, just like playing, and Peterson probably makes the best and most elaborate tuners out there, some even designed just for pedal steel. Nevertheless, even they realize that there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to tuning. This is right from their website:

As it happens, there is no one temperament that allows for truly in-tune musical intervals over multiple key signatures.

(Peterson Electro-musical instruments)

Peterson strobe will tune open and their is a setting for pedals and knee's also. I use 0E9 for open and 0P9 for pedals and knee's. Also will tune C6.

If you get the Peterson iStrobo app, order the adapter too. It is nearly useless without it, and plugging in makes it gold.

PitchLab Pro is free and you can create your own temperaments, I've got it on my Android phone, my Kindle and my iPad. I set up a Jeffran temperament and it works fine, I also purchased a Gotune Appclip Tuning Clip (Pickup for Use with Smartphones) from elderly instruments. Works like a charm.
Bruce

Use a cheap tuner or 6 string guitar tuner from your phone with a really 'w i d e' vibrato. LOL

"A really wide vibrato" For Sure!!!!!!!! I remember years ago, before the super tuners I used a "Banana" guitar tuner to tune my "E" strings and the rest was all done by ear. Ears are not so great anymore. I love the Peterson.

good stuff to consider, glad I am on here,, feel like i am learning Chinese and Greek in the same semester,,