What tuner are you using

[donepearce]

The majority of members here are rather handy, including working on their own guitars. This thread leads me to wonder what everyone is using to intonate if you are being economical about your tuner selection. Do you feel that an economical tuner is sufficient for intonaring or do you use another method?

The free tuner app in my phone (DaTuner) is way more than good enough to intonate and tune a guitar - it just isn't quite as convenient as an inline tuner.

 

[RVA]

The free tuner app in my phone (DaTuner) is way more than good enough to intonate and tune a guitar - it just isn't quite as convenient as an inline tuner.

Really? Isn't your phone mic a bit unreliable, especially with a bit of volume which may cause over modulation? What about ambient noise? You have pointied out the need for quiet when tuning with such devices a few times recently.

 

[donepearce]

Really? Isn't your phone mic a bit unreliable, especially with a bit of volume which may cause over modulation? What about ambient noise? You have pointied out the need for quiet when tuning with such devices a few times recently.

That was my point about an inline tuner. I will use the phone at home, or sometimes for setting intonation if I'm away from home and helping a friend get set up.

 

[RVA]

That was my point about an inline tuner. I will use the phone at home, or sometimes for setting intonation if I'm away from home and helping a friend get set up.

So it is just as good in theory, but not necessarity practically. What about the mic?

In any event, i respectfully disagree. I do not think it is very accurate at all, although I admit, we are venturing into the subjective when we begin to discuss "accurate enough"

 

[donepearce]

So it is just as good in theory, but not necessarity practically. What about the mic?

In any event, i respectfully disagree. I do not think it is very accurate at all, although I admit, we are venturing into the subjective when we begin to discuss "accurate enough"

Can you explain what you mean? What mic are you talking about? And what is not very accurate? There is nothing subjective about using the tuner in the phone to tune a guitar - I've checked it against several stomp box tuners, and the agreement is perfect.

 

[RVA]

Can you explain what you mean? What mic are you talking about? And what is not very accurate? There is nothing subjective about using the tuner in the phone to tune a guitar - I've checked it against several stomp box tuners, and the agreement is perfect.

The mic on your phone. Does it not over-modulate easily, especially when tuning from large speakers with ample force, like a tube amp.

Sorry if my terminology is inaccurate. I am no scientist, just inquisitive.

 

[donepearce]

Oh I see. I wouldn't use the phone at high volume from a tube amp - if I was in that situation I would be using an inline tuner. I use the phone for convenience at home in setting up. It is ideal for acoustic guitars.

As for the mic overmodulating. Phone mics don't do that to any great degree - people record concerts on mobile phones without the sound being overmodulated. And even if it did, the waveform would change shape - it would square off - but the frequency wouldn't change. It would still return the correct note.

 

[syscokid]

The majority of members here are rather handy, including working on their own guitars. This thread leads me to wonder what everyone is using to intonate if you are being economical about your tuner selection. Do you feel that an economical tuner is sufficient for intonaring or do you use another method?

Petersons:

View attachment 22099

Expensive ($200), but a lot of useful features. In a practical world, the Peterson has more features than my limited skills and lack of other sources really need. But, I like to spoil myself...

 

[Raiyn]

I've got a Korg Pitchclip in the case and a PlayOn. Mostly I've been using the Rocksmith 2014 tuner screen when I dink around.

 

[CosmicSG]

TC Electronic Polytune Mini 2

 

[Tony M]

One pedalboard has a Boss TU-2 on it.
The other one has a TC Polytune 2.

If I don't bring a board I use a Snark.

 

[DrBGood]

... intonaring ...
Humm ...

 

[Hector]

I'm using a Casio hand-held that came with my first ever guitar, it's about 10 years old now...

 

[DrBGood]

I'm using a Casio hand-held that came with my first ever guitar, it's about 10 years old now...

Yep, those work great too. Plugged in or not.

 

[bjunior]

Boss TU-3, a solid pedal with a buffer.

 

[AngelDeVille]

I had some snark clip-ons that I like because they were chromatic, but they were flimsy and broke, I won't buy another product of theirs.

I have some $2 reverb clip-ons that work well enough but they aren't chromatic.

 

[Kep]

TC Polytune - also doubles as a mute while I dork around i.e. turn up while the drummer isn't looking ;-)

 

[Scootermuppet]

G-force on the Gibson SG - I know, but it's close enough for the way I play!

But if I'm re-stringing and intonating (that's a word, right?) etc then I have Istrobosoft on the iPad Pro, pretty sure the mic is up to the task too...

 

[cerebral gasket]

Peterson iStroboSoft on phone.
Excellent for setting intonation.

Set tone pot on guitar to zero when using chromatic tuners.
Filters overtones, keeps tuner readings from jumping around.

Connect guitar to TRRS jack on phone using cable adaptor.
One end 1/4" TS jack, other end 1/8" TRRS plug.

 

[Scootermuppet]

hadn't even thought about using a cable, that would make the readings / display much more stable! D'oh!

Will solder one up asap...