Official Luthiers Forum!

Guys,

So, what do you use?

A current thread has reminded me again that I need to break down and buy a good tuner so I can set intonation. True, I build classicals, where this is less of an issue, but I would still like to have the tools available for more precise adjustment, should it be warranted.

I'm personally familiar with the old Conn Strobotuners -- used to tune up with one in a band I played in quite a few years ago. I'm less familiar with the new Peterson tuners, though. I'm tempted to bid on one of the clean old Conns that appear pretty regularly on eBay, but I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and buy a new Peterson VS-II? Or is there another make out there that is just as good, and competitively priced?

Thanks,

Michael

_________________
Live to Play, Play to Live

I use the Peterson VSII It is great

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I bought the Peterson VSII for myself for X-mas I can't believe I lived without it for so many years.
Evan

_________________
http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

I have the Peterson VSAM and am very happy with it, but to be honest
when set intonation with my Korg TU-12 and check it against my VSAM it
is always on to the cent.

If you have a capable computer in your shop the Virtual Strobe is quite
inexpensive as well.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I've had the Peterson for a while now and love it !
I have the older VS-I.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Peterson 490 all the way.....

i have to use it for Buzz feiten installs anyway.

paddy

If you got the money and bench buy a Peterson 490 if you want one that will fit in small tool box then get the VSII I love mine

My wife's ears. She has perfect pitch (ex-professional orchestra violinist) and if it sounds right to her it's fine by me. Mind you she is probably the most expensive tuner you could find. Very high maintenance .

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

My Peterson VS-11 seems to do the trick. It seems to be the way to go.

Tim

The actual strobes like the 490 offer the advantage of allowing a glimpse of harmonics and overtones which is wonderful for things like a piano. For most people working on fretted instruments however, I don't think they would offer any distinct advantage. In my opinion the smaller digital strobes are not only as good, but better for most folks (durability, small size, no need to regularly recalibrate, and very convenient controls and adjustments).

I do use my VSAM for some things, but to be quite honest it's on my bench mostly for customer peace of mind. I still prefer to do final tweaking by ear and feel I get better results doing it this way. This takes a bit more practice and different techniques rather than just measuring the 12th fret against it's harmonic, but it is a discipline worth learning in my opinion.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

worth having a look at the campbell strobe tuner.

I picked up a used Peterson 400 Strobe tuner with the old astatic mic. Took me a little researchin' on how to read the derned thing, but it works like a charm. Be careful buying the old versions (like mine) on eBay, though. From what people say on the Peterson tuner forum, a lot of them are in need of calibration or are just broken.