Best Tuners?

Nate Hofer · Post by **Nate Hofer** » 6 Jun 2021 2:30 pm

What do we like today for tuners? I'm in the market and there's several great and affordable options. And even clip-ons which I'm wary of (saw the other post.)

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 6 Jun 2021 3:31 pm

I use a free phone app to tune my E to 330Hz and do the rest by ear. That may not be the answer you're looking for. If you want every note on the instrument to be visible on a display, then you'll want something programmable. Not sure clip-ons are much use for steel.

Nate Hofer · Post by **Nate Hofer** » 6 Jun 2021 6:30 pm

I used to do that but leaning toward the new Peterson Strobo Stomp. I used to use one but it gave up the ghost and the new stuff just looks way better and more affordable.

Just curious to hear what you all use.

Steve Sycamore · Post by **Steve Sycamore** » 7 Jun 2021 3:24 am

If you are looking for the no compromise "best" which can be used for tuning any Western instrument, including any type of piano this is the one.

https://www.petersontuners.com/products ... robe490st/

P.S. I was figuring on freelancing as a piano tuner since there never seems to be enough around and the pay is very good. But the first piano I attempted to tune had some bad tuning pegs making it impossible to tune it properly. It sounded better but not nearly what I wanted. That left a bad taste in my mouth for that type of work.

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 10 Jun 2021 8:17 am

I still use a Boss TU 12H , and lately just a Snark clip on tuner , but I am not as fussy as a lot of other steelers.
Thought maybe you had fallen off the edge of the world Nate .
Jerry

Steven Paris · Post by **Steven Paris** » 13 Jun 2021 10:06 pm

"I use a free phone app to tune my E to 330Hz and do the rest by ear."

I guess that's your 2 cents worth!
(2Â¢=diff between A=440 and E=330)

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 14 Jun 2021 6:10 am

If you are on a budget, the standard for many years was the Korg DT-1. Very small and very accurate.
You just have to learn the offsets, of which Jeff Newman did a chart.

I have a couple for sale on the forum right now, cheap if you are interested.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 Jun 2021 6:55 am

I like the Boss TU-12 tuners also (not sure what the most current model is). I like the real needle method (not simulated needle).
I am not a fan of the spinning Strobe type for some reason.
I use Snarks for other instruments (Dobro/Banjo/Guitar) but not for Pedal Steel.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Jun 2021 6:58 am

You'd have to go a long ways to beat the Peterson StroboPlus HD.

Erv

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 14 Jun 2021 7:08 am

I agree with Erv, unless you are on a tight budget

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 14 Jun 2021 10:09 am

J Fletcher wrote:I still use a Boss TU 12H

I still do.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 14 Jun 2021 2:26 pm

Anything by Peterson, including the phone app, is pretty hard to beat for excellence and accuracy !

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 18 Jun 2021 3:32 pm

Will the StroboStomp HD tune the E9th 4th string usually pedal 3 E-F# which is a different offset than the open F# and also the 6th string G# to F# split to a G note which is not the same offset as the 1st and 7th string F#-G if you have that change. I easily programed those changes into my VS II because they have a P1 and a P2 setting you can use to store those changes while in the edit mode without connecting to a computer. The StroboStomp HD looks good if it has that capability or some other way to tune the 6th string G# to F# split.

Asa Brosius · Post by **Asa Brosius** » 18 Jun 2021 6:12 pm

If you'll ever be tuning on a stage, get something visible and silent-tuner out options on VP's are also handy. If you're into custom tunings, the new Peterson pedal is great with a big display- if you don't need it that big, I'd recommend the small sonic research turbo-tuner pedal- doesn't have the Peterson presets, but those are based on the quirks of someone else's guitar anyway. Both read extremely quick and accurate.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Jun 2021 2:19 am

Morton Kellas wrote:Will the StroboStomp HD tune the E9th 4th string usually pedal 3 E-F# which is a different offset than the open F# and also the 6th string G# to F# split to a G note which is not the same offset as the 1st and 7th string F#-G if you have that change. I easily programed those changes into my VS II because they have a P1 and a P2 setting you can use to store those changes while in the edit mode without connecting to a computer. The StroboStomp HD looks good if it has that capability or some other way to tune the 6th string G# to F# split.

The Peterson StroboPlus HD and StrboClip HD (and maybe StroboStomp HD) will allow separate offsets. But, they have to be in different programs. For example, I have my own combined Newman Sweetened tunings for E9th and C6th that combine opens/pedals/knees into one program. That is one program minus the E9th 4th String F# raise and 4th string D# lowers which have to be in a separate program as the offsets are different for same note. Not a big deal as these rarely need adjustments. Same way with the 3rd string lower to B on the C6th, it is in a separate tuning because of the offset and again not a big deal as it rarely needs adjustment.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 19 Jun 2021 6:25 pm

Pete Burak wrote:I like the Boss TU-12 tuners also (not sure what the most current model is). I like the real needle method (not simulated needle).
I am not a fan of the spinning Strobe type for some reason.
I use Snarks for other instruments (Dobro/Banjo/Guitar) but not for Pedal Steel.

What Pete said, and I use the BOSS TU-15 update, which has a backlight, and Auto Off to keep from burning up batteries by accident. Real needle for me!

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 20 Jun 2021 9:49 am

Jack Stoner wrote:
Morton Kellas wrote:Will the StroboStomp HD tune the E9th 4th string usually pedal 3 E-F# which is a different offset than the open F# and also the 6th string G# to F# split to a G note which is not the same offset as the 1st and 7th string F#-G if you have that change. I easily programed those changes into my VS II because they have a P1 and a P2 setting you can use to store those changes while in the edit mode without connecting to a computer. The StroboStomp HD looks good if it has that capability or some other way to tune the 6th string G# to F# split.
The Peterson StroboPlus HD and StrboClip HD (and maybe StroboStomp HD) will allow separate offsets. But, they have to be in different programs.

That's not correct, they can be in the same program.
You can have as many instances of the same note in the same or different octave with different offsets as you wish in the same program.
So, you can have as many F# notes with different offsets as you like, you don't have to have separate Sweeteners for that purpose.

That goes for the Stomp Classic, StroboPLUS HD, StroboStomp HD or StroboPLUS HD-C, they are the only tuners on the market which allow that.

Because of this, the StroboPLUS HD-C will be the first tuner with xenharmonic features and presets (and the first metronome with polyrhythmic functions).

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 20 Jun 2021 10:57 am

It would be nice if Peterson would have the standard offsets programmed in the tuner already so the end user wouldn't have to. Peterson should include them as these changes have been standard on the pedal steel for several years, so why are they omitted? Peterson makes a great product, I have 4 of their tuners, but for some of us ( like me), it can be challenging.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 20 Jun 2021 12:52 pm

John Norris wrote:
Jack Stoner wrote:
Morton Kellas wrote:Will the StroboStomp HD tune the E9th 4th string usually pedal 3 E-F# which is a different offset than the open F# and also the 6th string G# to F# split to a G note which is not the same offset as the 1st and 7th string F#-G if you have that change. I easily programed those changes into my VS II because they have a P1 and a P2 setting you can use to store those changes while in the edit mode without connecting to a computer. The StroboStomp HD looks good if it has that capability or some other way to tune the 6th string G# to F# split.
The Peterson StroboPlus HD and StrboClip HD (and maybe StroboStomp HD) will allow separate offsets. But, they have to be in different programs.
That's not correct, they can be in the same program.
You can have as many instances of the same note in the same or different octave with different offsets as you wish in the same program.
So, you can have as many F# notes with different offsets as you like, you don't have to have separate Sweeteners for that purpose.

That goes for the Stomp Classic, StroboPLUS HD, StroboStomp HD or StroboPLUS HD-C, they are the only tuners on the market which allow that.

Because of this, the StroboPLUS HD-C will be the first tuner with xenharmonic features and presets (and the first metronome with polyrhythmic functions).

I have a program with everything in one for E9th but I have tuning problems. With my separate there are no tuning issues. Its "JS9" in my custom design list. Tell me how the tuner automatically knows which, for example F#4 string that I'm tuning.

Butch Pytko · Post by **Butch Pytko** » 20 Jun 2021 4:48 pm

John, I'm wondering when you are in PETERSON CONNECT, and creating a CUSTOM PRESET--and wanting to create different F# values--do you assign some sort of code to identify each different F# value? For example, I'd think an easy one would be, say--P3 or PC--standing for pedal 3, the E to F#?--and so on. Creating your own code, so YOU would know which is which?

I've never been on PETERSON CONNECT to make a CUSTOM PRESET, but I'm going to get a new tuner soon, so I need to know. Thanks.

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 21 Jun 2021 7:01 am

Morton Kellas wrote:It would be nice if Peterson would have the standard offsets programmed in the tuner already so the end user wouldn't have to. Peterson should include them as these changes have been standard on the pedal steel for several years, so why are they omitted? Peterson makes a great product, I have 4 of their tuners, but for some of us ( like me), it can be challenging.

Hi Morton,

The standard offsets are included, what omitted settings are you referring to?

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 21 Jun 2021 7:54 am

Butch Pytko wrote:John, I'm wondering when you are in PETERSON CONNECT, and creating a CUSTOM PRESET--and wanting to create different F# values--do you assign some sort of code to identify each different F# value? For example, I'd think an easy one would be, say--P3 or PC--standing for pedal 3, the E to F#?--and so on. Creating your own code, so YOU would know which is which?

I've never been on PETERSON CONNECT to make a CUSTOM PRESET, but I'm going to get a new tuner soon, so I need to know. Thanks.

Yes, that's all possible in Peterson Connect.
You can create a Sweetener to include as many pitches as you like of any type, even duplicates of the same note note in the same octave.
Then you can give those duplicate notes (same note in the same octave) a custom name to make it easy to tell which is which.
For example, if you have two or three F# settings, you can re-name them to display F#, F#L & F#P or even change the note name itself into any number from 0-9).

The reason we keep duplicates apart in the Factory Sweeteners is threefold:

1. Consistency with older Peterson tuners which had the same Sweeteners but not the ability to display duplicates.

2. Easier for a beginner to digest when open strings are in one Sweetener and pedals & levers in another.

3. Some duplicate notes can have offsets which are very close together pitch-wise so it may take some time to get used to.

If anyone wants to try it out, there is a Sweetener called PE9 which has all the settings (SE9 -open strings combined with SP9 - pedals and levers) in one Sweetener, it's listed on our Shared page (scroll down to Steel Guitar - it's the second Sweetener listed):

https://www.petersontuners.com/sweeteners/shared/

In PE9, open string notes have the suffix "O" (e.g. E0), pedal notes have the suffix P (e.g. C#P) and lever notes have the suffix "L" (e.g. D#L).

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 4 Jul 2021 11:15 am

With Jeff Newman's E9 sweetener do you tune A & B pedals both engaged or pedal A first and then pedal B ? Same question with B & C. Same question with F lever (with or without pedal A engaged ?) Thanks.

Helmut Gragger · Post by **Helmut Gragger** » 17 Jul 2021 10:57 am

May I throw in my years of experience.

The usual ancient Korg needle tuners were phased out right from the start.

I wrote a user review for a Sabine AX-800 Tuner (credit card size) in the nineties, when I was staff writer for SGWR&E and they deemed this worth to send me one for free.

It had a pseudo-strobe display, meaning a linear array of LEDs that would blink slower the closer you were to pitch. This was a huge improvement. I never checked however how they compete with todayÂ´s strobe tuners.

Edit: I now did. It has 1.0 cent accurracy, which is at least by a factor of 10 worse than current strobe tuners.

I had several instances of Digitech multi-FX devices that have built in tuners - all lousy to the extreme. A disgrace for two high-blown DSPÂ´s working in unison. Clearly a half hearted approach of a company eager to sell you the next model. A DSP should be able to do this with one hand tied to the back. There is no excuse.

Later got a Sonic Research strobe tuner, very high quality and probably more true accuracy than the Peterson. But at the same time, maybe thatÂ´s over the top anyways, given the inherent flaws of a PSG like cabinet drop and non-true returns.

My friend is a music teacher and claimed that he can tune his guitars with the ear like no tuner can. He claimed that until he borrowed my tuner over night. He ordered one the next day and one for each of his students too...

The Sonic Research works very well in the chromatic mode, but I guess it will become fumbly if you want to program cents deviations. I contemplated that for a while but gave up on that. Too many imponderabilities...

For tricks like that the dedicated Peterson might shine.

I wanted something for the mobile phone, and I decided upon the Peterson app. It is really cheap and does its thing. It has a lot under the hood but they want $$$ for everything additional. But this is vastly unneeded. The app showes the note it is locked to and displays the cents you deviate from. If you want that.

If you have a PC running nearby (like a DAW) then get TBstrobetuner, a small program that does exactly what it says. Its huge advantage is that you can enter lists for your "sweeteners" with a text editor. It then locks only to the notes specified.

Example for a E13 just tuning:

;Lap Steel 8 string - E13 just
E4 0
C#4 -15.6
B3 2
G#3 -13.7
E3 0
D3 17.6
B2 2
G#2 -13.7

This list shows deviations from ET in cents.

or an adjusted just tuning: (compensated E)

;Lap Steel 8 string - E13 adj
E4 4
C#4 0
B3 2
G#3 -7.9
E3 4
D3 15.7
B2 0
G#2 4

this list is similar but has the E note corrected upwards to have the chord "center" more towards the real note, like some folks do it.

(side note: this gave me beat-less open chords but howling wolves on slants

)

This is very handy if you want to experiment.
All it needs is hardware you probably have: a PC with built in mic. You can create endless lists if you want. Very accurate.

You can run it for free with a nag screen or pay a few dollars and have peace.

Have fun,
Helmut

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 18 Jul 2021 1:32 am

I'm a pretty basic person, I have been using a LOW BUDGET tuner for the Steel forever. The last one died, it only lasted about 10 years . I think I paid $8 or $10 for it.

I'm not and never have been one to sit and tune every string , every raise, every lower with the tuner . I tune the root notes and then my ear takes over. If my Steel is that far off at gig time then I didn't prep for the gig ahead of time.

I've watched players sit and tune for 45 min with premium tuners. Thats not me.

So I bought this KORG CA-2 to replace the tuner that died. On the gigs I keep it plugged into the extra OUT on the V Pedal.

Yep, its not fancy and its about as lo budget as you can get. It takes up NO room in the seat. I hope this one last's 10 years . $10 I hope I last 10 more years