Help! Pedal tuner for 5 string

[guenter]

I'm looking for a chromatic pedal tuner which can handle the B string (of my Bongo 5).

Can't decide between:
* TC Polytune
* Boss TU-3
* Korg Pitchblack

(My current Korg TM-40 has problems with the B string. The only way to tune the B string is to use harmonics and turn down the bass pot and even then it often flickers erratically)

My preferences:
* fast and stable tone detection/tracking (esp. B string)
* real pass through w/o altering the sound

Any recommendations?

 

[syciprider]

Strobe Tuners by Sonic Research - Turbo Tuner Home Page

I have the pedal variant. Tracks my Stingray's B like Rosie O Donnell tracks a buffet line.

 

[keko]

I use Ibanez piezo clip chromatic tuner with back light, ..You can clip it to the head stock and tune the bass when volume pot is muted (or unplugged bass), even at dark stages!

 

[7broccos]

Cant go wrong with the Korg,very good and easy to use

 

[drTStingray]

I have a Boss TU3 - it is great and I swear by it - I take it to all gigs and jam sessions and use it at home as well - built like a tank and works great with my Bongo and Stingray 5s. Even the occassional guitard has used it for a quick check, so works on six or seven strings as well!!

 

[MrMusashi]

being an european id like to recommend the danish product

on the serious side any of the solutions you either suggested yourself or someone else suggested will work.

if you get a peterson, turbotuner or tc those will set you back most money. they do however tend to be more accurate and faster to track.
personally ive also used the ibanez clip on tuner. it works well and can be adjusted very well because it has 2 separate joints allowing you to flip it over so you see it no matter which way you clip it on..

hth!

MrM

 

[MadMatt]

I'm looking for a chromatic pedal tuner which can handle the B string (of my Bongo 5).

What? your Amp does not have one built in?!?

The TC Poly tune has a lot of "Geek" factor... I've used the Polytune iPhone app and it works surprisingly well with no "B" problems even in polytune mode. It's a lot of fun to tune in Polytune mode with the volume turned way up... really puts the skinny stringers in a good mood

 

[guenter]

Thank you all so far for the info.

The turbo-tuner technically sounds very interesting but i am not sure if i can buy it in germany at all. None of the big music online shops here seems to offer it.

Clip tuner: I'm playing the (imho) most gorgeous bass model I can imagine. No, I am not going to put such an ugly wart on my Bongos head stock.

 

[MadMatt]

The turbo-tuner technically sounds very interesting but i am not sure if i can buy it in germany at all. None of the big music online shops here seems to offer it.

Guenter... you can buy it directly from them... click here--> https://www.turbo-tuner.com/secure/secureorderform_intl.html

 

[guenter]

Guenter... you can buy it directly from them... click here--> https://www.turbo-tuner.com/secure/secureorderform_intl.html

Did anybody compare the turbo-tuner with one of the other pedal tuners? Considering shipping, import taxes and VAT it will nearly have twice the price than the other models. So, is it twice as good?

 

[MrMusashi]

unless you are doing tech work my personal opinion is no..

get the tc.. it cheaper since its "local"

MrM

 

[strummer]

Clip tuner: I'm playing the (imho) most gorgeous bass model I can imagine. No, I am not going to put such an ugly wart on my Bongos head stock.

I agree on the above. Looks like a rear view mirror, not rock n roll at all

I vote Peterson StroboStomp if you have the money, and TC Poly if you don't. We play marvellous basses, why use crappy tuners?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've always been a fan of the Boss TU-2, because it is built like a tank. I recently looked at buying a second tuner to take to gigs where I don't need my pedal board, and settled on the Korg Pitchblack. It is fast and very easyto read on stage.

 

[kamakazee]

Boss TU-2 or 3 is all you'll ever need! I use it on my 6 string and it never has a problem finding the notes - even if the volume knob is barely on. Doesn't eat batteries, solid construction, and most importantly you can see it in the pitch dark AND in the bright noon-day sun.

 

[KevinM]

I use the TU-2 and have no problems with my 5's.

 

[keko]

Clip tuner: I'm playing the (imho) most gorgeous bass model I can imagine. No, I am not going to put such an ugly wart on my Bongos head stock.

Well, ...I use it just before gig and than clip it by side somewhere in the reach of my hands, I don't leave it on the head stock during the gig!

Anyway, my piezo clip has no problem with low B, that was my point!

 

[guenter]

I don't leave it on the head stock during the gig!

Ok!

 

[guenter]

@all: Thanks again for your help.

I just ordered... the Korg Pitchblack.

 

[MrMusashi]

excellent

i like it better than the tu2/tu3 because its got a bigger display.. must be getting old here.. hehe

MrM

 

[guenter]

must be getting old here.. hehe

Same here