Clip-on tuners

LogicalFrank · May 05, 2011, 11:17:24 AM

Anyone use these or have a recommendation for a good one? It seems to me like it'd be easier on stage to turn down the volume on my guitar and clip one of these guys on rather than either have people hear me tuning or use the mute on my pedal tuner which I am always forgetting to turn off.

justinhedrick · May 05, 2011, 12:28:59 PM

i've wanted to try one. it would be easy to pass between me/the bass player. but he might know how to use it!

but then again, sun splitter wouldn't have that problem.

LogicalFrank · May 05, 2011, 12:59:21 PM

I think it'd actually be the guitarist in my other band who'd end up stealing it... I didn't realize quite how cheap they are. I am just gonna check out one of these guys:

http://www.amazon.com/Snark-Instrument-Clip-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B003VWKPHC/ref=lh_ni_t

If I wind up using it, I might upgrade but these seem to get about as good of reviews as anything so far as I can tell.

Volume · May 05, 2011, 01:21:04 PM

Seems very cheap and practical, saves space on the pedalboard and one less pedal in the signal chain (if you have your tuner in the chain). I might have to get one of those. Another plus would be that you can easily tune backstage.

LogicalFrank · May 05, 2011, 01:34:13 PM

One of the biggest for me is my pedal board will then be exactly one pedal which means no short patch cables. I hate short patch cables.

crunkhero · May 05, 2011, 09:37:58 PM

The Snark tuners are the best clip on tuner I've tried. It registers pitch faster than my korg pedal tuner.

hayseed · May 05, 2011, 09:56:33 PM

For some reason i have troubles with tuners and bass guitar. Specifically they don't seem to pick up the bass very well and it takes forever to tune. How are these for bass?

Hemisaurus · May 05, 2011, 10:37:11 PM

I can try and find out for you, a buddy of mine just started using one, we're meant to jam tomorrow so I can mod his amp.

Some people suggest you tune with the 12th fret harmonic on a bass, using a tuner, which is fine if you are sure you are properly intonated.

I have seen a ton of people use them recently, but they're not foolproof Jon Langford sent his flying across the stage, during a particularly frenetic piece of playing

crunkhero · May 06, 2011, 11:30:59 PM

Quote from: hayseed on May 05, 2011, 09:56:33 PM
For some reason i have troubles with tuners and bass guitar. Specifically they don't seem to pick up the bass very well and it takes forever to tune. How are these for bass?

The Snark works down to dropped d with no problems.

If you're having problems with a tuner, try turning the tone knob all the way down while tuning. Sometimes the abundance of harmonic overtones cause the tuner to jump around a bit.

LogicalFrank · May 07, 2011, 06:45:18 PM

Got the Snark yesterday... Seems to work well on everything I've tried it on so far. Actually, seems like it's a little more accurate/sensitive than the Korg tuner I've been using around the house. I'll see how it holds up in a band situation.

mawso · May 08, 2011, 03:22:00 AM

these things clip onto the headstock? are they any good in loud environments, like onstage when other players are soundchecking?

LogicalFrank · May 09, 2011, 10:04:55 AM

I am wondering the same thing myself but probably won't use it in such a situation until Wednesday.... It seems like it should be OK though. You can set it to sense the vibrations in the wood rather than using its microphone.

Burdt · May 16, 2011, 01:22:26 AM

This is actually a great idea. If it cuts out a pedal from the chain, saves you a hundred bucks and works in a live environment, i'm completely sold. Worried about that last point, though.

VOLVO))) · May 16, 2011, 01:28:09 AM

I bought one the other day. I used it to tune a bunch of shit. It's kind of neat, clip it on random shit. Works on cups, light fixtures...

Burdt · May 16, 2011, 02:17:40 AM

Man I've been trying to tune my light fixtures forever. My off-key lighting has caused some real embarrassment in social situations.

LogicalFrank · May 16, 2011, 10:11:18 AM

Mine has been working fine at really loud band practice for what it's worth. I haven't really tried to make it fail or anything but it's not been a problem. The guitar I'm playing stays in tune really well (re-issue Super Swede) so it doesn't matter all that much to be honest. It works well enough that I'm not worried about using it on stage so I will try it at our next show.

RacerX · October 15, 2011, 07:02:23 PM

Resurrecting this thread. I just picked up the Zoid clip-on, and it's the tits. I got it home, clipped it to both solidbody electrics, my Baby Taylor, and my lap steel, and had 'em all in tune in no time, without plugging anything in. Using the sensor rather than the mic is def. the way to go. Using a fingertip instead of a pick helps, too.

justinhedrick · October 17, 2011, 09:15:36 AM

i think i might grab one of these. 1 less thing to plug in.