Staying in tune while onstage or just rehearsing at home is key to a good performance. Unless you’re gifted with perfect pitch and can tune by ear — let’s face it, most of us aren’t — relying on an external form of tuning is critical. In this article, we’ll take a look at the two most common types of external tuners, clip-on and pedal, and give an overview of five brands of each type to help you make an informed decision on which type and brand suits your needs.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
Clip-on Tuners
Peterson StroboClip HD LCD Strobe Tuner
First up, the Peterson StroboClip HD LCD strobe tuner. The StroboClip has legions of dedicated fans for its incredible accuracy and reliability. The StroboClip boasts an accuracy rating of one-thousandth of a semitone (0.1 cent), making it one of the more accurate tuners on the market. The HD, high-visibility backlit display is incredibly easy to read no matter what level of lighting you are playing under. And this amazing tuner also comes with over 50 Sweetened Tunings that have been customized for specific instruments!
Fender FT-1 Pro Chromatic Clip-on Headstock Tuner
The Fender FT-1 may be the ultimate clip-on tuner. It is easy to use, unobtrusive, and has a great-looking design. Using a built-in vibration sensor, the FT-1 relies on the vibration of your guitar so it’s unaffected by surrounding sounds. With a super easy-to-read LCD display, you can find the sweet spot even in the darkest of rooms. The FT-1 has a dual-hinge design which means you can mount this tuner on either side of your instrument’s headstock — acoustic, mandolin, even banjo — the FT-1 can be put on just about any instrument. Multi-instrumentalists here at Sweetwater love the design and ease-of-use of the FT-1.
Taylor Digital Clip-on Tuner
When you need a tuning solution that is as reliable as your favorite acoustic guitar, the Taylor digital clip-on tuner delivers with effortless precision. Designed to provide a discreet profile while maintaining a firm grip on your headstock, this tuner utilizes a highly sensitive vibration sensor that ignores ambient room noise, making it perfect for tuning up in crowded green rooms or backstage. The bright, easy-to-read display changes color to give you instant visual feedback when you’ve hit the sweet spot. Its simple, sleek design makes it a must-have accessory for any gig bag where speed and portability are top priorities.
D’Addario Eclipse Rechargeable Clip-on Tuner
The D’Addario Eclipse Rechargeable Clip-on Tuner is a game-changer for players tired of remembering to charge or hunting for batteries mid-gig. This sleek, low-profile tuner offers lightning-fast note recognition and a vibrant, full-color display that remains visible even under the blinding wash of stage lights or in direct sunlight. What truly sets it apart is its versatile multi-swivel action, allowing you to mount it on the front or back of the headstock at virtually any angle for a perfect line of sight. With its built-in rechargeable battery providing hours of continuous tuning on a single charge via the included USB cable, the Eclipse offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution that doesn’t compromise on the precision or speed today’s guitarists demand.
Pedal Tuners
Peterson StroboStomp HD Pedal Tuner
For a pedal tuner that you can read from a mile away, the Peterson StroboStomp HD features the largest display Peterson has ever offered. The HD LCD screen shows you the note you are tuning in big letters with a variable color LED backlight. Because the lighting on stages can vary, you can choose from a wide range of colors for the display so that it is easier to read — and you can save these settings for one-touch recall to make it even more convenient! The StroboStomp also features over 100 Sweetened Tunings along with a large set of drop-tuning presets, making it ideal for 6-, 7-, 8-, and even 9-string guitars.
BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal with Bypass
A bit of a legend in the world of pedal tuners, the BOSS TU-3 has been stomped on by some of the biggest names in the music industry. The TU-3 earned its rep not only by delivering reliable, accurate tuning but also, in large part, for its incredible durability. This stompbox-style tuner was designed to take a beating, being housed in an all-metal chassis that just won’t quit. The 21-segment LED meter features brightness control for adjusting to any stage-lighting situation for easy readings as you tune. The TU-3 even has a high-brightness mode for enhanced visibility when performing outdoors. A Guitar Flat mode lets you tune up to 6 semitones below standard pitch for all kinds of drop tunings. The TU-3 also automatically mutes when the tuner is activated, so no worries your audience will hear you while you tune!
And, if you are looking for a smaller version of the TU-3, BOSS now offers the TU-3S — same tuner but without the footpedal so it takes up less room onstage.
TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal with Buffer
The PolyTune 3 from TC Electronic is a feature-packed, innovative pedal tuner that does everything but the dishes! With 0.1 cents’ accuracy, the PolyTune 3 also offers users a really cool polyphonic tuning mode that lets you strum all the strings of your instrument at once to give you an immediate indication of which strings need tuning! No more fumbling along one string at a time. This amazing pedal also features Bona Fide Buffer circuitry that provides improved treble transient response on longer cable runs. The PolyTune 3 also features an auto-dimming function that adjusts the brightness on the LCD for you in both indoor and outdoor lighting. The PolyTune 3 also has plenty of alternate tuning modes for open tunings for slide.
TC Electronic also offers the PolyTune 3 Mini, a smaller version of the regular 3, with all the same amazing features.
Fender Strobo-Sonic Pro Tuner Pedal
For the player who demands surgical levels of accuracy, the Fender Strobo-Sonic Pro tuner pedal stands as a pinnacle of professional intonation. This pedal utilizes a true strobe display, providing 0.1-cent accuracy that is essential for any guitarist. The high-contrast display is remarkably easy to track, even during fast-paced performances, while the rugged metal chassis ensures it can handle the rigors of heavy touring. Beyond its tuning prowess, the Strobo-Sonic Pro includes several presets for various tunings and instruments, making it a versatile powerhouse for multi-instrumentalists who need a reliable, rock-solid anchor at the start of their signal chain.
Walrus Audio Canvas Tuner Pedal
The Walrus Audio Canvas Tuner Pedal is far more than just a utility tool. Centered around a stunning 2.8-inch LCD display, this tuner offers unparalleled visibility in any lighting condition, whether you’re under blinding stage lights or in a dim studio. It’s compact size makes it perfect for those focusing on pedalboard real estate and includes a built-in clean buffer to ensure your signal remains pristine over long cable runs. With its lightning-fast tracking and a selectable strobe, needle mode, combo, the Canvas Tuner provides the professional-grade accuracy modern players demand while allowing for custom background uploads to truly make the pedal your own.
If you’re looking for a clip-on tuner, a pedal tuner, or both, we’d love to hear which of these caught your eye! Our Sweetwater Sales Engineers are happy to answer any questions you might have as you’re deciding which tuner is right for you! Give us a call today at (800) 222-4700 and get in tune!
