Rack tuner recommendations

[Freddy-G.]

With a new Aguilar amp on the way, I'm getting ready to buy my first ever rack tuner. So I'm coming to you guys for some recommendations. It needs to be able to tune a 5 string bass. Make that a 6 string, just in case. The little Boss tuner I have doesn't tune a low B. A quick look at eBay, and it looks like Sabine and Korg own the market. What are you guys using?

 

[Tony Renaud SR5]

In my semi-retired rack, I have a Korg DT1000. It's a chromatic tuner that does a good job. Hard to see the lights on outdoor gigs, though.

I haven't had experience with an electronic tuner that doesn't get squirelly with a low B string. I've heard positive comments from intonation and tuning nuts like myself that the new line of Peterson tuners are excellent, but the only rack tuners they make now are around 5 bills.

I'm morbidly curious about the new Behringer tuner that's just coming out. $69.00, give or take.

 

[Mobay45]

Same here with the tuners getting a little squirrelly on the low B. I usually tune it fretted to E or at the octave.

I had a Korg rack mount that I eventually got rid of. I now use the Boss TU-2. If you are dead set on a rack mount, the Korg or the Sabine are both good choices. I've found that when playing a live gig, I like keeping my tuner out front so I don't have to turn my back to the crowd every time I want to check my tuning. Plus I can mute my sound with the tap of a foot. The Peterson strobe tuner is a good choice also, but for the money, the Boss fits my needs just fine.

 

[maddog]

Freddy,

Went on a similar search except wasn't looking for rack mount. Wound up with the Boss TU-12H and tune the B string either by the low C, fifth fret E or the octave B. I was warned on every tuner I suggested that they didn't do the open B well, even the Peterson's.

 

[Brim]

+1 on tuning the B string with the harmonic at the 12th fret. That's actually how I tune all the strings.

 

[Mobay45]

I'm morbidly curious about the new Behringer tuner that's just coming out. $69.00, give or take.

Pretty interesting.

Behringer rack mount tuner.

 

[Freddy-G.]

That Beringer looks nice at $60. Larry, I guess I'm not dead set on a rack mount tuner. It just seems convenient to have it in the rack with the amp. Is your Boss TU-2 a footswitch type of tuner? I'll look it up, as well as the TU-12H.

Thanks guys.

 

[xring]

I've got both the DTR-1000 and the RT 7000. I'd say the Sabine is easier to use, just because it's not quite as accurate as the Korg, but certainly good enough and better than most can do by ear. The Korg is a little better at grabbing the low B, but the Sabine does fine if you turn up the gain on your bass a little more.

 

[Mobay45]

That Beringer looks nice at $60. Larry, I guess I'm not dead set on a rack mount tuner. It just seems convenient to have it in the rack with the amp. Is your Boss TU-2 a footswitch type of tuner? I'll look it up, as well as the TU-12H.

Thanks guys.

Yes, it's a stomp pedal tuner. I'll take a pic of my pedal board tonight at the gig or tomorrow and let you see the set up. I'm taking my camera so I can get some pics of the BC Bongo in action and some pics of the new GK rig.

I just found my Korg to be a little touchy and it made it hard to tune on the fly. I think the model of Korg rack mount tuner I had was a DTR-2.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

You want the best?? Not cheap though!

http://www.petersontuners.com/products/modelr590/index.cfm

 

[maddog]

You want the best?? Not cheap though!

http://www.petersontuners.com/products/modelr590/index.cfm

You could live a little more dangerously and take a laptop to each gig with
this loaded.

 

[Dr Stankface]

My Boss TU-2 pedal tuner does the job for me.

Andrew

 

[strummer]

Imho rack tuners are way overrated and not convenient at all. I have had two different Korg (cannot remember the numbers) and while they were ok for quick tuning, having to go to my rack sucked. Turning your back to the audience is never cool.
Also, they're not very accurate.
Now I am extremely satisfied with the peterson StroboStomp. You see it in total darkness as well as sunlight, it's accurate enough even for precision intonation work, It tracks so fast it's scary, the tuning is very quick when you get used to the device, and it's got a built in DI that does not mess up your sound too much.
I leave my compressor kicked in and turn down the volume on the Bongo about 1/3, and it tracks the B very nicely. Even quicker on 12th fret harmonics.

My 2c

/magnus

 

[tommyindelaware]

i've used rack tuners for15 years or so.......until i found the peterson strobostomp pedal tuner.
i LOVE it !!!!

now i can..
tune w/out turning around to my amp.......
use the sweet mode.....
& have a direct box right there ( i wish it as phantom powered though).
it's really worth considering.
& VERY accurate too.......

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've got a Korg DTR-1000 because I wanted to fill a space in my rack, plus it means I don't have to worry about forgetting to put a tuner in my gig bag. If I'm using FX, my Boss ME-50B has a tuner inbuilt as well.