Have you ever played your guitar and felt like something was off? No matter how much you tune your guitar, it just doesn’t sound right? This could be because your guitar tuners are affecting your sound.
Guitar tuners are an integral part of playing the guitar. They ensure that each string is in tune and that your guitar sounds great. However, not all guitar tuners are created equal. Some are more accurate than others, and some are better suited for intonation. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at guitar tuners, their accuracy, and which tuners are best for intonation.
How Accurate Should Your Guitar Tuner Be?
Accuracy is an important factor to consider when choosing a guitar tuner. The more accurate your tuner is, the better your guitar will sound. But how accurate should your guitar tuner be?
Most guitar tuners are accurate to within +/- one cent. A cent is a unit of measurement that represents one hundredth of a half-step. In other words, a cent is the smallest unit of pitch difference that the human ear can detect. So, if your guitar tuner is accurate to within one cent, it means that it can detect pitch differences as small as 0.01 of a half-step.
While most guitar tuners are accurate to within one cent, some high-end tuners are even more accurate. For example, the Peterson StroboClip HD is accurate to within +/- 0.1 cent. This level of accuracy is not necessary for most guitar players, but it can be useful for professional guitarists who need the most precise tuning possible.
What Are the Best Guitar Tuners for Intonation?
Intonation is the ability of a guitar to play in tune across the entire fretboard. Even if your guitar is perfectly in tune when you tune each string individually, it may still sound out of tune when you play chords or notes higher up the fretboard. This is because the intonation of your guitar may be off.
To ensure that your guitar has good intonation, you need a guitar tuner that can measure the pitch of each string at different frets. There are several types of guitar tuners that can do this, including clip-on tuners, pedal tuners, and smart-phone apps.
Clip-on tuners are the most convenient option for most guitar players. They attach to the headstock of your guitar and measure the pitch of each string through vibrations. Clip-on tuners are easy to use, accurate, and affordable.
One of the best clip-on tuners for intonation is the Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner. This tuner features a built-in metronome, a pitch calibration function, and a bright display that’s easy to see in any lighting conditions.
Pedal tuners are another option for measuring intonation. They are often used by professional guitarists who need to switch between different tunings quickly. Unlike clip-on tuners, pedal tuners require a power source and are more expensive.
One of the best pedal tuners for intonation is the Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner. This pedal tuner features a high-visibility display that’s easy to read on stage, a tuning range of E0 to C8, and a switchable buffer that helps maintain the signal integrity of your guitar.
Smart-phone apps are a third option for measuring intonation. They use the microphone on your phone to measure the pitch of your guitar strings. Smart-phone apps are convenient and often free, but they may not be as accurate as clip-on or pedal tuners.
One of the best smart-phone apps for intonation is the Guitar Tuna app. This app features a simple user interface, a large library of alternate tunings, and a built-in guitar chord library.
Conclusion
Your guitar tuners can have a significant impact on the sound of your guitar. It’s essential to choose a guitar tuner that is accurate and well-suited for intonation. Clip-on tuners are the most convenient option for most guitar players, while pedal tuners are best for professional guitarists who need quick tuning changes. Smart-phone apps are a useful option for guitar players who want a free and convenient tuning solution. Whatever option you choose, make sure that your guitar is accurately tuned for the best possible sound.
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