Help! Best tuner to tune up my Music Man string lenght?

[bkrumme]

Guys, you've taken what sickindian was asking for and changed it all around. He was asking which of the tuners would be best for intonation, not live use. In that case, I wouldn't care how fast the tuner is, just how accurate. My reasoning is that I would be manually selecting the note for each string. Whether you guys do that or not is a matter of preference, but that way the tuner isn't jumping all around trying to figure out the right note.

For this, the Peterson would be the best of the options he gave us. The StroboRack, StroboStomp, iStroboSoft, StroboSoft, and V-Sam all use the same algorithms in their software. They're accurate to .1 cent. Plus, Peterson has been in the business a really long time.

Also, I’m skeptical about the Turbo Tuner. I don't doubt that the electronics are as accurate as they say, but the display isn't. It leaves a LOT of room for human error when it comes to intonation. I feel the same about the PitchBlack. Both are superb tuners, but the display isn't nearly as accurate as the Peterson.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Guys, you've taken what sickindian was asking for and changed it all around. He was asking which of the tuners would be best for intonation, not live use. In that case, I wouldn't care how fast the tuner is, just how accurate. My reasoning is that I would be manually selecting the note for each string. Whether you guys do that or not is a matter of preference, but that way the tuner isn't jumping all around trying to figure out the right note.

For this, the Peterson would be the best of the options he gave us. The StroboRack, StroboStomp, iStroboSoft, StroboSoft, and V-Sam all use the same algorithms in their software. They're accurate to .1 cent. Plus, Peterson has been in the business a really long time.

Also, I’m skeptical about the Turbo Tuner. I don't doubt that the electronics are as accurate as they say, but the display isn't. It leaves a LOT of room for human error when it comes to intonation. I feel the same about the PitchBlack. Both are superb tuners, but the display isn't nearly as accurate as the Peterson.

Yes you are right.

I only know one guitar builder and he uses a Peterson unit for his guitar set ups.
They seem to be "industry standard". He doesn't use it live.
I use my Pitchblack for set ups and it doubles as a live tuner, so it meets my two requirements.

The pitchblack has many display modes - some busier than others.

It's a lot cheaper too - but their CS leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[bkrumme]

Yes you are right.

I only know one guitar builder and he uses a Peterson unit for his guitar set ups.
They seem to be "industry standard". He doesn't use it live.
I use my Pitchblack for set ups and it doubles as a live tuner, so it meets my two requirements.

How does the Pitchblack do with intonation? I've heard good things about it, but never tried it for anything other than a quick tune-up.

 

[jamminjim]

Frank Zappa used a Conn strobe tuner. Just throwing that out there for you folks. The Sonic Research ST-200 works very well for intonation. Very precise with extreme accuracy: ±.02 cents guaranteed. More than capable for relaxed all day long tuning of a single string... as well as a live scenario.
Like spud alluded to.............to each his own.

BKrumm - with all due respect - what does being around for umpteen thousand years have to do with anything. Who cares? Everyone has to start somewhere. The term "resting on laurels" comes to mind. Take EBMM for example; the other two biggie names have been around for ever it seems, but what guitars are we knucks playing? Let's give the little guy some credit when it's due.

I sense there's alot of legacy-type bias here concerning this subject. And it hasn't a thing to do with actual real-world inspection and operation. All these tuners are good, no doubt. But one has to be unbiased to report accurately.

I'm going to mention one more thing about the Sonic Research. It's Made In USA. Sonic Research Inc.

 

[Spudmurphy]

How does the Pitchblack do with intonation? I've heard good things about it, but never tried it for anything other than a quick tune-up.

It's fine - I can't get on with the "busy" Peterson read out - that may be just me though?
You can select a "busy" setting on the Pitchblack too which has a "strobing" read out above the main readouts. Basically the name of the note, plus an indicator that reads flat or sharp plus a strobe type read out over head. If I get a chance I'll do a video clip and post it sometime.
I also have to say that I was very tempted by the sonic research unit, but the price of getting one in the UK put me off.
I had to have one that coped with live work AND had a large read out,and preferably as accurate as a Peterson(and wasn't going to cost a lot) - and the Pitchblack certainly has a fantastic read out.

 

[spkirby]

I too have a turbo tuner that I picked up on a trip to the US... very good product and clear display too for those onstage mid set tune ups!

 

[beej]

It's easy for these kind of threads to get heated, but at the end of the day, it's really just a tuner.

Many of them work well, and everybody likes something different. Which is great because there are quite a few on the market. There are pros and cons to each of them.

For intonation, just get one that has accuracy well under a cent. For live use get one you like. If they happen to be the same thing, so much the better.

 

[bkrumme]

BKrumm - with all due respect - what does being around for umpteen thousand years have to do with anything. Who cares? Everyone has to start somewhere. The term "resting on laurels" comes to mind. Take EBMM for example; the other two biggie names have been around for ever it seems, but what guitars are we knucks playing? Let's give the little guy some credit when it's due.

You make a valid point. Time doesn't represent quality. And please don't take what I was saying out of context. I simply meant that of the options given in the original post, the Peterson is the most accurate option. This doesn't mean there's not another product which could do as well or better.

And I don't think the Turbo Tuner is a bad product. Like I said, the display is the only thing I think needs some work for ME to use one for intonation. It's just not as granular as the Peterson. For some, this is probably much more desirable than the multi-tiered strobe disc emulation the Peterson software tuners use. I happen to like the granularity of the Peterson display.

Beej, you're right, too. At the end of the day, it's just a tuner and there are tons to choose from.

 

[Colin]

the Peterson also has a DI please heaps of extra tunings.

 

[projectapollo]

Peterson Tuner Modes?

I am using a Peterson VS-II, which I like very much. Just got a MusicMan Stingray. If anyone is familiar with the Peterson, it provides a variety of temperment settings. The "bass" temperment provides some sort of proprietary tuning. But the Music Man comes with the compensated nut (or whatever its called). Should I just use equal temperment on the Peterson when tuning a Stingray -- or stick with the bass temperment? Anyone know?
Projectapollo - 30th Ann Stingray.

 

[MrMusashi]

id tune with the bass preset, but intonate with equal temperament
the bas preset was actually made for playing together with stretch tuned instruments like pianos, but i find it works very well even if youre not in a piano trio

oh btw: welcome to the forum!
the 30th is a very nice bass, eh?

MrM