Strobe Tuners

November 5, 2009 9:11 AM

I need help buying a strobe tuner for a gift. I know nothing about them.

My husband has suggested that he'd like a strobe tuner for his guitars (he plays bass guitar primarily but also acoustic and electric guitars). From what I can tell, they seem awfully expensive. He even suggested that they were probably too expensive to get as a gift but perhaps there's something used that I can find on eBay or elsewhere? That would be fine. I'm aware that there are software-based tuners but he's a gadget guy and would prefer a device.

So first, are there decent inexpensive (under $150) strobe tuners available for retail? And if not, what should I be looking for in a used one and where? Since I have zero background in this item, I'd like some general tips on what makes a good strobe tuner.

posted by otherwordlyglow to shopping (11 comments total)

I've had great success with the Peterson StroboFlip (gc link) as a guitar tech. $200, very accurate, very fast. My protip: use batteries, because the included AC adapter introduces a hum into the tuner and infuriatingly screws tuning up.

Here is their main website, they have an iphone strobe tuner app that I've wanted to check out, but nowhere has the 1/4" to iphone jack adapter.

Is your husband doing many guitar setups on a regular basis or lots of retuning? A strobe tuner might be overkill for just casual playing and some people just hate them and can't get used to them.
posted by knowles at 9:34 AM on November 5, 2009

I'm sure the strobe tuner is overkill, even according to him. But he does think they're cool. I don't know that he really *needs* one. He has about 10 guitars, one of which he's working on rebuilding and the rest of which range from really nice to decent. He's not a professional musician but has done and continues to do some recording in his free time.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:52 AM on November 5, 2009

The iPhone app is killer for strings. If you have the phone, you don't need a line input; the mic works great unless you are trying to tune in really noisy environments.

There are less-espensive digital strobes which aren't quite as accurate as the old analog ones. This may not be an issue unless exact precision (intonation setup, harmonic stack alignment, etc.) is necessary. I have an old Conn which sold for ~$500 new but was a steal at $75 on eBay.

Good luck - that's an awesome gift idea for a serious musician.
posted by Aquaman at 10:20 AM on November 5, 2009 [1 favorite]

Also Radio Shack has 1/4"-1/8" adapters.
posted by Aquaman at 10:21 AM on November 5, 2009

He doesn't have an iPhone and though I may get the app for *my* phone just for fun, he also would prefer the actual device. And I think digital as opposed to analog would be fine (though admittedly less cool).
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:45 AM on November 5, 2009

The Turbo Tuner is a true strobe tuner, and is highly regarded as one of the best guitar tuners out there, strobe or non. Pretty cheap at $129 new which is inside your price range. It doesn't look like your classic strobe tuner from the 50's but it still is pretty cool.

Is he looking for a stomp box or just a standalone unit? The Turbo Tuner comes both ways, but this may be something to figure out if you don't know already.
posted by relucent at 1:12 PM on November 5, 2009

Is he looking for a stomp box or just a standalone unit?
I'm not sure what that means.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 2:45 PM on November 5, 2009

A stompbox would be something to go between the guitar and the amp, like a distortion or delay pedal, activated by stepping on the switch, which usually mutes the output so the player can tune the instrument. A standalone unit is usually something with an input but not an output, or at least something that can't really be used in a live environment. All vintage strobe tuners were (to my knowledge) standalone units, while the Turbo Tuner is the only "true" strobe tuner that I know of that's a stomp box.

Basically, if he ever wants to use it live then it's probably best to get a stomp box, but if he wants it for the "vintage vibe" and for recording then he probably wouldn't go for the stomp box...
posted by relucent at 4:06 PM on November 5, 2009

Thank you for that explanation. I think he'd prefer the standalone.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:22 PM on November 5, 2009

You got it! Best of luck finding something for him. Old analog gear is so cool.
posted by relucent at 4:46 PM on November 5, 2009

Woo-hoo. I just got a vintage Conn ST-8 for $56 on eBay. I think this will be perfect for him.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 8:30 PM on November 17, 2009