The GTA one is also rebranded as a Harley Benton version. Thinking of order it today at thomann. Glad you're positive about it. I don't like my (more expensive) Boss TU-03 at all which is badly readable and has nervous tuning, so i'm replacing it.
Thank you for sharing your insight and experience with this topic. I've been mulling this over in my brain. I'm finding headstock tuners I own or have tried don't have the accuracy or sensitivity of other style of tuners. I'm still looking and trying to find one that compares.
You're welcome and thank you for watching. I think they work a bit better playing the 12th fret harmonic, but it's true, none seem to be as accurate as some pedal tuners (which I do prefer for playing gigs, for several reasons.) But I do like how the On-Stage gives you a percentage as well a visual tuning indicator.
Enjoyed the comparison. Like you, I have a pedal board tuner, but if I'm playing acoustic or noodling on an electric without an amp I use a clip-on. My Snark lasted about 2 years before the case split (superglue!) but a year later the spring clip went "Sproing!" I'm going with the On Stage GTA. For $19 I'll get a couple and no more batteries!
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Peterson strobe tuners. I have a strobe tuner built into my Kemper Profiler which is fantastic for setting intonation. I should add the line “under $30” to my video 😜
@@HardwiredMusicMaker it's currently on it's way to my house. your video was very good at helping me choose the best headstock tuner. I have had a couple Snark's but they would end up not showing anything on the screen when I plucked a string. it would randomly work here and there but working here and there just isn't going to work. thank you for your great video!
@@williamedney4332 That's great. One thing I've noticed is occasionally the low E string doesn't get tuners to work (although I've had no issue with the On Stage) but if you play the harmonic at the 12th fret it seems to work better for the low E
@@HardwiredMusicMaker I definitely know what you mean about the harmonics. at first, I would occasionally have problems getting a reading on the screen of the Snark but playing the harmonic would usually work just fine. but now nothing works. I have a good feeling about the on stage.
A candidate for best tuner would incorporate two things: a quick disconnect mount that does not rely on a clamp that swivels with the tiniest nudge, and an indication of which octave of a piano you have tuned to. Not just G, G3.
I ended up here because I was looking for a mando neck tuner. topic... okay. Presentation? Beyond some of the best on UA-cam. My Snark tuner(s) are... I don't know. I guess I am looking for a tuner that tells me I am always in tune, even I am not LOL Not really. The battery stuff is an issue. Thanks for bringing up the OnStage one. I'll check that out so I can add to my stack of tuners LOL. One day I have more neck tuners than you have LOL LOL LOL
They certainly seem to multiply 🤣 Thanks for watching and commenting. If your mandolin has a pickup you could get a pedal tuner and a splitter cable or box so it can constantly show tuning
@@HardwiredMusicMaker My mandolin is 250% acoustic. I ended up buying a Korg. Do I believe it rocks. No. I guess I just want to see an A presented in a NO Snarky way LOL
Great info. I have tried many and the 2 that I still use: Snark SN-8 ( 2015 ) and the TC Polytune 3 on the Pedalboard. Both work incredible on: electric, acoustic or bass. I even bought a hard-case for the Snark. oNe LoVe from NYC
The On Stage tuner looks to be a Chinese generic brand that On Stage puts its name on. It's cheap at $18.95 but there seems to be the exact same one with a different Chinese name on it for $14.95. I just ordered that one, it's called a Ssllretu. (I know, the Chinese really should consult with an American before naming their brands!).
@@neildspeers they are 10.00 on temu these days...sensitivity can be bad at times but tunes well when it's working....as good as a strobe tuner with the cents mode.
On-stage gta4500 could be wonderful if they made them more sensitive....I've had problems with them in noisy environments. They do tune as well as a strobe tuner when the sensitivity is working. They are cheap. 10.00 on temu.
Hi thanks for watching and replying. I don't find them any less sensitive than Snarks etc. Of course headstock tuners aren't the best for critical tuning - and unless you get one of those guitars with weirdly bent frets, it's never in tune anyways 🤫 If fact, I can't think of any instrument that is 100% in tune unless tuned for one key and one key only. Even pianos have compromises in tuning to be "mostly" in tune for all keys. But if you're looking for the best tuner, a Peterson strobe tuner is what you really need.
In all the years of using rechargeable batteries and rechargeable devices - I've only had leaky batteries once, several decades ago. And I have indeed had button batteries leak and make a mess - so there is that. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Just bought batteries for the GTA4500....got them from ebay...chinese batteries. The batteries are starting to degrade after about a year....You can use a razor blade to pop it open and the battery has two wires to soldier in...I'll just cut the old battery wires and soldier the wires together.....easier then putting the wires on the board. They are rechargeable batteries....they don't last forever folks....obviously they are not using top quality batteries in these tuners. I'll probably get another year out of them but I have the batteries waiting to be replaced. I still like 'em better then the Cr2032 crap.
I can appreciate what you're saying and in large part agree, which is why when I'm performing I use a good pedal tuner. The purpose for the majority of users is to get a guitar in tune with itself because even good pedal tunes can vary. But 99.99% of people can't hear those differences. But of course all that's assuming the guitar is ever in tune once you go off the open string - which it's not. Intonation is never perfect, except for those really weird guitars with bent frets. Tuning a guitar is about getting it "close enough." But for critical times like recording with a band everyone should use the same tuner. Even pianos are never "perfectly" in tune because then you could only play one key, it would sound off for any other key. FYI: www.cmuse.org/well-tempered-vs-equal-tempered/
The GTA one is also rebranded as a Harley Benton version. Thinking of order it today at thomann. Glad you're positive about it. I don't like my (more expensive) Boss TU-03 at all which is badly readable and has nervous tuning, so i'm replacing it.
Thanks for watching - and good to know about the Harley Benton version, they seem to be doing a lot of great instruments and such.
Thank you for sharing your insight and experience with this topic. I've been mulling this over in my brain. I'm finding headstock tuners I own or have tried don't have the accuracy or sensitivity of other style of tuners. I'm still looking and trying to find one that compares.
You're welcome and thank you for watching. I think they work a bit better playing the 12th fret harmonic, but it's true, none seem to be as accurate as some pedal tuners (which I do prefer for playing gigs, for several reasons.) But I do like how the On-Stage gives you a percentage as well a visual tuning indicator.
Bro by any chance do you work in a music store ?
Enjoyed the comparison. Like you, I have a pedal board tuner, but if I'm playing acoustic or noodling on an electric without an amp I use a clip-on. My Snark lasted about 2 years before the case split (superglue!) but a year later the spring clip went "Sproing!" I'm going with the On Stage GTA. For $19 I'll get a couple and no more batteries!
Thanks for watching and for the comment
Did you ever have a look at Peterson strobe tuners? If you used them once there is no alternative anymore ....
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Peterson strobe tuners. I have a strobe tuner built into my Kemper Profiler which is fantastic for setting intonation. I should add the line “under $30” to my video 😜
Hey man! I noticed the border crossing lol....I used to frequent that jam a lot! Lot's of great friends in Calgary :) All the best to you my friend
Thanks! You too!
Good review! I also enjoyed the intro music! 🙂
Thank you Rob
great video Sir. I'm going to purchase the on-stage tuner right now.
Thank you for watching - great choice
@@HardwiredMusicMaker it's currently on it's way to my house. your video was very good at helping me choose the best headstock tuner. I have had a couple Snark's but they would end up not showing anything on the screen when I plucked a string. it would randomly work here and there but working here and there just isn't going to work. thank you for your great video!
@@williamedney4332 That's great. One thing I've noticed is occasionally the low E string doesn't get tuners to work (although I've had no issue with the On Stage) but if you play the harmonic at the 12th fret it seems to work better for the low E
@@HardwiredMusicMaker I definitely know what you mean about the harmonics. at first, I would occasionally have problems getting a reading on the screen of the Snark but playing the harmonic would usually work just fine. but now nothing works. I have a good feeling about the on stage.
can the Gta4500 tune to 432khz? I could use the cents meter I guess just more of a hassle, hoping it has a 432 setting
As a matter of fact yes you can detune to alternate like 432 with the button on the side below the power button. Thanks for watching.
A candidate for best tuner would incorporate two things: a quick disconnect mount that does not rely on a clamp that swivels with the tiniest nudge, and an indication of which octave of a piano you have tuned to. Not just G, G3.
Good points. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Buy a pitch clip 2+ New and fast and very accurate !
Would love to see one of those, thanks for sharing
I wish they would say E flat not D sharp!!!
Nice one. BTW I used to describe the key I sing in as "Be Flat Demolished" lol. Thanks for watching
Have you found one that shows flats? This is a deal breaker for me since I only play in flat tunings
Not that I’ve found, but you could always just hold your finger on the first fret and tune that to standard and voila your guitar is reliably flat.
I ended up here because I was looking for a mando neck tuner. topic... okay. Presentation? Beyond some of the best on UA-cam. My Snark tuner(s) are... I don't know. I guess I am looking for a tuner that tells me I am always in tune, even I am not LOL Not really. The battery stuff is an issue. Thanks for bringing up the OnStage one. I'll check that out so I can add to my stack of tuners LOL. One day I have more neck tuners than you have LOL LOL LOL
They certainly seem to multiply 🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting. If your mandolin has a pickup you could get a pedal tuner and a splitter cable or box so it can constantly show tuning
@@HardwiredMusicMaker My mandolin is 250% acoustic. I ended up buying a Korg. Do I believe it rocks. No. I guess I just want to see an A presented in a NO Snarky way LOL
Great info. I have tried many and the 2 that I still use: Snark SN-8 ( 2015 ) and the TC Polytune 3 on the Pedalboard. Both work incredible on: electric, acoustic or bass. I even bought a hard-case for the Snark. oNe LoVe from NYC
Thanks for the comment. I love my Polytune - I’ve had several different pedal tuners and it’s the best.
@@HardwiredMusicMaker Agree. Love it ( plus it has the proper buffer ) - easy on the eyes. I may try that clip-on you recommended?
Thanks
You're welcome, and thank you for watching
The On Stage tuner looks to be a Chinese generic brand that On Stage puts its name on. It's cheap at $18.95 but there seems to be the exact same one with a different Chinese name on it for $14.95. I just ordered that one, it's called a Ssllretu. (I know, the Chinese really should consult with an American before naming their brands!).
It could easily be a white label (put your own brand on an existing product) tuner for sure. Thanks for watching and the comment
@@neildspeers they are 10.00 on temu these days...sensitivity can be bad at times but tunes well when it's working....as good as a strobe tuner with the cents mode.
that name sounds like an over the counter drug name
@@jo61nor Maybe they wanted that name association? LOL!
On-stage gta4500 could be wonderful if they made them more sensitive....I've had problems with them in noisy environments. They do tune as well as a strobe tuner when the sensitivity is working. They are cheap. 10.00 on temu.
Hi thanks for watching and replying. I don't find them any less sensitive than Snarks etc. Of course headstock tuners aren't the best for critical tuning - and unless you get one of those guitars with weirdly bent frets, it's never in tune anyways 🤫 If fact, I can't think of any instrument that is 100% in tune unless tuned for one key and one key only. Even pianos have compromises in tuning to be "mostly" in tune for all keys. But if you're looking for the best tuner, a Peterson strobe tuner is what you really need.
Super Snark SS-3 and Boss TU-80😅😅
Having both is handy for different places for sure. Thanks for watching.
Button batteries never leak though!
In all the years of using rechargeable batteries and rechargeable devices - I've only had leaky batteries once, several decades ago. And I have indeed had button batteries leak and make a mess - so there is that. Thank you for watching and commenting.
Just bought batteries for the GTA4500....got them from ebay...chinese batteries. The batteries are starting to degrade after about a year....You can use a razor blade to pop it open and the battery has two wires to soldier in...I'll just cut the old battery wires and soldier the wires together.....easier then putting the wires on the board. They are rechargeable batteries....they don't last forever folks....obviously they are not using top quality batteries in these tuners. I'll probably get another year out of them but I have the batteries waiting to be replaced. I still like 'em better then the Cr2032 crap.
Thanks for the heads up, I haven’t popped mine open to see what’s happening but that’s good to know
How can you determine whats best without even testing the tuning accuracy? I mean against a legit accurate tuner. This "review" is useless.
I can appreciate what you're saying and in large part agree, which is why when I'm performing I use a good pedal tuner. The purpose for the majority of users is to get a guitar in tune with itself because even good pedal tunes can vary. But 99.99% of people can't hear those differences.
But of course all that's assuming the guitar is ever in tune once you go off the open string - which it's not. Intonation is never perfect, except for those really weird guitars with bent frets. Tuning a guitar is about getting it "close enough." But for critical times like recording with a band everyone should use the same tuner.
Even pianos are never "perfectly" in tune because then you could only play one key, it would sound off for any other key.
FYI: www.cmuse.org/well-tempered-vs-equal-tempered/