"Guitarists spend half of their time tuning, and the other half playing out of tune."
What is the very first thing that all string instrumentalists should do every single time that they pick up their instrument? TUNE! No one likes listening to an out of tune instrument, and neglecting to tune up is one of the easiest mistakes that you can avoid. In the world of instrumental music, having a reliable tuner is essential to producing the best sound possible. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or a seasoned pro, having a tuner that you can rely on can make all the difference. In this blog post, we will be discussing our 4 favorite guitar tuners that you can buy. These tuners have been carefully selected based on their accuracy, ease of use, and overall performance. Whether you're looking for a tuner that you can take with you on the go, or one that you can use in the studio, we've got you covered. So without further ado, let's dive in and take a look at our pick for the top 4 guitar tuners on the market!
1- D’addario Micro Head Tuner
The D’addario Micro Head Tuner is one of our absolute favorite tuners out there for several reasons. This tuner offers an incredibly accurate, streamlined and convenient tuning experience. Because of it's extreme low-profile, you can leave this tuner clipped on the head of your instrument and be ready to tune the second you pick up your guitar - and most people won't even notice that you have a tuner on. The Micro Head Tuner allows you to precisely and quickly tune your instrument with an extremely responsive and accurate display. It is capable of displaying notes and flats in both standard and open tunings and features a multi-color display for easy reference. The display can also be rotated a full 360 degrees making it useful for both right hand and left hand players. As mentioned, the unit is very small and lightweight, allowing it to easily fit in most cases or cramped gig bags without having to worry about it protruding out like many other tuners.
One thing to note on this tuner is that it is built specifically for the headstock of a guitar, meaning that, unlike the other tuners on this list, it is almost impossible to take off and use on other stringed instruments such as a violin or cello.
Overall, we give this tuner a full 5/5 stars for its low-profile and convenience.
2- D’addario nexxus 360 rechargeable guitar tuner
This tuner solves one of the most annoying problems that almost all tuners have in common - changing batteries. You never want to be stuck backstage, minutes before a gig with dead batteries in your tuner. Being a musician who travels frequently and often finds himself in noisy environments, the D’addario nexxus 360 has come in clutch more than a few times. It combines two of the most important things any touring musician looks for in a tuner - accuracy and reliability. The non-slip rubber clip also gives a secure and reliable grip every single time.
The 360 degree no-drill mounting system keeps the tuner firmly in place, and the 360 degree, high contrast LED display is readable from all angles. This means I can quickly sight read my tuning even when I’m outdoors. The built-in rechargeable battery gives me the freedom to stay on the move without needing to hunt down those elusive CR2032 batteries, and a full charge lasts for up to 24 hours.
This tuner gets a 4.5/5 stars because every blue moon you do need to charge it.
3-TC Electronic POLYTUNE Clip
The TC Electronic Polytune clip is one of the most popular go-to tuners, especially among electric guitar players, and I have to say, I'm extremely impressed with its performance. This tuner has quickly become my go-to tuner due to its accuracy and ease of use.
This tuner is able to pick up very low vibrations making it super useful for electric guitars, especially when you are on stage. Another one of the standout features of this tuner is its ability to listen to all the strings played at once and quickly identify if any of them are out of tune rather than having to tune each string individually. This saves a lot of time and makes the tuning process much more efficient in between songs. The clip-on design is also extremely convenient, as I can easily attach it to the headstock of my guitar and have it fold down out of the way while I play.
In terms of accuracy, the Polytune clip is top-notch. It consistently produces precise and accurate tunings, ensuring that my guitar is always in perfect pitch. The display is easy to read and the tuner responds quickly to changes in pitch.
Overall, I highly recommend the TC Electronic POLYTUNE CLIP to any guitar player in need of a reliable and efficient tuner. It has quickly become an indispensable part of my setup and I have no doubt that it will serve me well for years to come.
This is definitely one of the most expensive tuners you can buy, but they are definitely worth it. Because of the higher price mark, we give this tuner a 4.5/5 stars.
4- Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner
The Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner is a great tuner for beginner guitar players because it is incredibly simple to use and it offers excellent value for its cost. While it is not the cheapest tuner on the market, it offers a level of performance that is well worth the price. I have never had a problem with the accuracy of the tuner and the display is very easy to read and even includes which octave a note is in, something that beginner players might find incredibly useful.
In addition to its performance, the FCT-2 is also built to last. It has a durable design and seems like it will hold up well over time. This is important, as a tuner is something that you will be using frequently and it is important to have one that is built to last.
Overall, I feel that the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner offers excellent value for its cost. It is a reliable and accurate tuner that is a really great choice for beginner players, or for more experienced players that might be looking for a good backup tuner. We give this tuner a 4/5 star rating.
