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Thread: Tuner Recommendations

  1. #1

    Default Tuner Recommendations

    I am looking for a tuner that shows the octave, not just the h.z. Do y'all have any recommendations?
    Thanks!
    (I am learning to read music notation and want to more easily translate octave notation on the fretboard)

  2. #2
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Peterson makes good tuners. You might browse their site to see if anything fills the bill: Peterson tuners
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Em Tee View Post
    I am looking for a tuner that shows the octave, not just the h.z. Do y'all have any recommendations?
    Thanks!
    (I am learning to read music notation and want to more easily translate octave notation on the fretboard)
    A tuner that tells witch octave the note is in? From low to high, through all the octaves? Probably not available for a clip on tuner. But Charlie on post No. 2 has found some great tuners for sale at Peterson. Tuners where they have a clip on strobe tuner which may suit your needs. Thanks for the tip Charlie.

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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I come from the heady days of the tuning fork and don’t think I’ve ever seen one. You could buy a piano ...... but you’ll need to get it tuned!

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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Peterson are fantastic when it comes to tuners. Highly recommended. The stroboclip does not show the octave however.


    Not sure how one would use a tuna' fork to tune a mandolin, but I hear banjo players find them quite handy for the job. You'll risk getting a nasty fishy smell all over your beloved mando though.


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    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I have an app on my Android phone which has all sorts of facilities, including indicating the octave as well as the note. It has strobe tuning, manual tuning and lots of different instrument settings. Does a lot more than I need and is free or there is a pro version. Called Guitar and Violin Tuner and I think it comes from A4tune Labs.
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Roman Kuznetsov View Post
    Peterson are fantastic when it comes to tuners. Highly recommended. The stroboclip does not show the octave however.


    Not sure how one would use a tuna' fork to tune a mandolin, but I hear banjo players find them quite handy for the job. You'll risk getting a nasty fishy smell all over your beloved mando though.

    “Tuning” - tuna comes from the fishmongers in these parts although I was sad to find that the fishmongers and adjoining eat-in/take-away in Kirkcudbright has now closed down.

  12. #8
    Registered User amowry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I use the Peterson iStobosoft app for all my tuning needs-- it shows the octave.

  13. #9

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by amowry View Post
    I use the Peterson iStobosoft app for all my tuning needs-- it shows the octave.
    I use the same app.
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Peterson gives me great accuracy. I had to get used to it because it doesn't get close and give you the green light. I do use the quick Snark tuners too, which gets it close enough. You have to do a bit more ear correction with the Snark, but it is plenty in itself. With mandolin having the high tension, doubled courses, it makes sense to have the Peterson's ability to fine-tune without guessing. Great plus-- it is set up to tune to the type of instrument-- i.e., a guitar's pitches are a bit different due to fret location, construction difference, where the mandolin setting is in the sweet spot for it. More learning but now I wouldn't change it. For performing, the Snark is arguably a better way to go. For restringing, intonating your bridge, and practice, the Peterson is my preference.
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  15. #11

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    For restringing, intonating your bridge, and practice, the Peterson is my preference.
    I am either blessed or cursed, depending on how you want to look at it, with acute hearing. I don't have perfect pitch or anything like that but I really notice when tuning is "off" sounding. And I am always playing alone at home so I notice every little thing with no distractions.

    Unfortunately I am not blessed with good playing technique so even an perfectly in-tune mandolin usually doesn't sound too great. But I use the iStrobosoft app to at least give me a starting point that sounds good...before I screw it up with my fingers of stone!

    Sometimes I'll be plugging along on one of my slow fiddle tunes and won't realize my wife is listening from the next room. I'll stop for about the third time and tweak a tuning knob a hair and she'll yell, "It sounds fine just keep playing". Having a spouse with less than perfect hearing is a good thing, I suppose.
    The first man who whistled
    thought he had a wren in his mouth.
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    “Tuning” - tuna comes from the fishmongers in these parts although I was sad to find that the fishmongers and adjoining eat-in/take-away in Kirkcudbright has now closed down.
    Hmmm. That might explain why them banjos never sound quite right.

  17. #13
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Roman Kuznetsov View Post
    Peterson are fantastic when it comes to tuners. Highly recommended. The stroboclip does not show the octave however.


    Not sure how one would use a tuna' fork to tune a mandolin, but I hear banjo players find them quite handy for the job. You'll risk getting a nasty fishy smell all over your beloved mando though.

    U. Utah Phillips said he almost bought a Mercury once, but it had fish in it.
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  18. #14
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    He also invested all his money in toilet paper and revolving doors, but was wiped out before he could turn around.
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  20. #15

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Useful if you have Albacore strings.

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  22. #16
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Received my Stroboclip two days ago and I really am impressed with it and the sweeteners that it offers. This tuner is much more precise than what I have been using. Watching the strobe move makes tuning seem more intuitive and for the guitar the GTR sweetener makes a positive difference. There is also a mandolin sweetener which results in perfectly tuned and voiced string pairs. I've known for a long time that the Snark tuner needed additional tuning assistance by ear to really dial in the tuning but the strobe is far and away more sensitive and accurate. It does not tell the octave you are in but for mandolin this is of no consequence.

  23. #17

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I have the new Stroboplus HDC en route to me. I’ll post my impression of it after I receive it, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

  24. #18
    Registered User kymandolin29's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I like and use the vintage Seiko tuners (900) from the 90s with a needle indicator...and I will also use the smaller Seiko digital tuners (501 )...and the 800 series with the rubber corners ..all very accurate...the seiko 767 tuners are to sensitive for me ....but a very good tuner.....I also use a wire clip with all of them when possible....yeah old school

  25. #19

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    You do impressions of tuners ?

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  26. #20
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Bottom line: 100% reliable A440 tuning fork ... touch the bridge after you get it ringing..
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  27. #21

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    For those new to the thread and not reading the original post, I'm looking for tuners that show the octave. Thank you.

  28. #22
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    Bottom line: 100% reliable A440 tuning fork ... touch the bridge after you get it ringing..
    Bottom line: not at all as quick or convenient as an electronic tuner.
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  29. #23
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Tuner Recommendations

    8va? that's 12th fret .. .. may I recommend tuning to an electronic Piano . Many Octaves there,,
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  30. #24
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    Another vote for the Peterson iStroboSoft app. Does a nice job showing which octave it is picking up.

    To not add anything Korg Sledgehammer Pro tuner comes packaged in what is known as a "can of tuner".

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    It does not show octaves but does have both strobe and half strobe settings.
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  31. #25

    Default Re: Tuner Recommendations

    I have the new Peterson HDC tuner. I don’t know if this is answers your question, but I get a different number when I play the low string and it’s octave counterpart on my 12-string Taylor guitar. See pics.





    However, even the Peterson app can be set to display Hz.
    Last edited by GChris; Oct-06-2021 at 5:41pm.

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