Korg Tuner Lcd Display

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 14 Aug 2002 3:12 am

I've read a lot of threads on tuners here and have come to the conclusion that the KORG TU-12 or CA-20 are pretty good choices. It appears that the TU-12 is the only reasonably priced unit (If $79 is reasonable) that still has a REAL analog meter as opposed to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) needle. I have not tried one yet, but was wondering if the LCD display is as smooth as the analog? At first glance, it appears jerky.
Is the LCD unit easy enough to see? I would think on dark stages it would be difficult to see even with a built in light, which it doesn't have. I am going to buy a new one, so any suggestions would be appreciated. - Roger

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Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 14 Aug 2002 2:58 pm

I use the CA-20 and for the price it is great. But each of your questions is indeed an issue. Visibility in the semi-dark is not impossible but not great (there are three bright LEDs too--flat, center, and sharp). And yes, if you have a string (such as an unwound 6th string) with unstable overtones then the 'needle' is kind of twitchy. I had an old Korg WT1 (cassette tape sized) that gave you a choice of fast or slow response and that helped smooth out the twitches--something I'd love to see on the CA-20. BTW--the TU-12 is Boss, not Korg. Korg does make a similar tuner, the GT-12. And also, BTW, the CA-20 is now slightly upgraded to the CA-30.

If I were better with my small gear I would get the TU-12 or GT-12. But I'm kinda rough on the small stuff and tend to throw them around a bit. This makes the cheap tuners a great option.

edit----that old tuner was a Korg DT-1,not a WT-1.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jon Light on 14 August 2002 at 04:01 PM.]</p></FONT>

BobG · Post by **BobG** » 15 Aug 2002 2:47 am

I have a Boss TU12 taped to the front of my
rack. I power it using the Boss 9V adapter eliminating the need for a battery.
I got around the "lighting" problem by taking
my 9 year olds "glow worm" and placing the bulb into the battery compartment on the TU12. I filed the battery cover on the TU12 to fit tightly around the "glow worm".
By the way a "glow worm" is a small light on a flexible arm which kids can use to read under the covers after you put them to bed.
It might not look pretty but it has completely eliminated my tuning problems on a dark stage.

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Bob Grado, Williams D10 (lefty), Peavey 1000,
Profex ll.

Fred Martin · Post by **Fred Martin** » 15 Aug 2002 4:48 am

Picked up a Korg CA-30 last week. The needle
moves pretty quickly for me. Overtones seem to give a second reading before Ive got the first one down. Still a great little tuner at a good price.

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 15 Aug 2002 5:28 am

Thanks for the replies. I realized I made the KORG/BOSS mistake, but neglected to edit the question. It sounds like either the CA-30 or the TU12 are my best bets - I thank you all for taking the time to write. - Roger

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 19 Aug 2002 8:43 pm

I've owned several of the tuners you mentioned, the Boss and the new Korgs (I have 2 of those). My favorite is still the old WT-12 Korg. Not that older is always better but in this case it's true. The WT-12 had a switch for 5 different octaves, depending on what instrument you were tuning up. This feature always allowed me to "dial in" the correct setting so the analog needle would stay very still and point to the note. It was the easiest to read. Also it was a fairly large meter. I haven't found that on any new tuners.

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 19 Aug 2002 8:44 pm

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. The WT-12 is dead now but I keep it in hopes of finding a tech somewhere who can fix it. Any suggestions?

Patrick Ickes · Post by **Patrick Ickes** » 19 Aug 2002 9:45 pm

Roger,
If you're going to get the Boss, get the TU-12H, not the TU-12.
I just got the Peterson VS-1 and it is the only tuner I would recomend to anyone. I always tuned exactly to my tuner and would end up not real happy with my tuning but figured it must be correct because the tuner says so. Well, my TU-12H finally gave up the ghost, so I bought the VS-1. I'll never buy another pointer type tuner again. I notice alot of the guys here on the forum tend to have several tuners, so my bottom line is probably less than what they have spent.
Here's their website http://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm
They ain't cheap, but worth every penny!

Patrick

Sam White R.I.P. · Post by **Sam White R.I.P.** » 26 Aug 2002 4:17 pm

I have a Korg chromatic dial tuner model
WT -10A.Afreind of mine told me about it in ahock shop in Conn. so I went up and it was still there and I bought it for $20.00 about two years ago and still has the same four AA Energizers batterys in it. I also have a BossTU-12H I got new for $90.00 in Florida when I lived there for a short time.I tune with either and thet are both right on the money with each other.
SAm White

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 27 Aug 2002 12:37 pm

Thanks very much for the replies! I looked at the VS-1 and can see by the manual alone it would be out of my price range. I think the KORG AT-12H will suit my purposes. - Roger

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 27 Aug 2002 1:24 pm

None of these tuners will ever take the place of an "ear" and I have several of them....they are just a "short-cut" on the stage before a job.... www.genejones.com

Patrick Ickes · Post by **Patrick Ickes** » 27 Aug 2002 7:30 pm

Gene's right,
And the VS-1 is the only tuner I have used that makes my ears happy. Now if the whole band uses it, what a relief it will be.
Pat

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 27 Aug 2002 7:59 pm

The Peterson VS1 (virtual strobe tuner) is amazingly accurate. about $200. Takes the guesswork out, especially when time is important. Many times there is too much noise to listen for the strings beating.
Most digital tuners are not accurate. Try comparing tuners sometime. Usually off 2 to 4 cents.
My second choice is the Boss TU 12H.

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 28 Aug 2002 3:34 am

Since we're talking about ears and Gene having several of them...

I have used tuners in the past and have never been able to get the timbre quite right on the 3rd G# string with just the tuner. I was told that this is because of a slight difference between the math and the way the ear hears that tone when combined with harminizing notes. (Has to do with the resulting beat frequencies...) Do the newer tuners today make up for that in some way? I have always had to tune the 3rd string by ear. - Roger

erik · Post by **erik** » 28 Aug 2002 4:52 am

I have a Qwik Tune chromatic LCD for my 6-string. It has problems distinguishing tones. Overtones will give false readings. Can't recommend it. I use the fully adjustable chromatic tuner in my ZOOM PS-02 recorder which is very sensitive and accurate. A pleasure to use. An unexpected bonus.