Korg pitchblack or Boss TU-2?

SOTC1987 · 04-02-2009, 03:32 PM

Hey folks, I really need a stompbox tuner for church and I've narrowed it down to these two pedals.

Thoughts on either of these or a better option?

- Nate

**thesteve** · 04-02-2009, 03:38 PM

Considering that the Pitchblack is $10 cheaper, that would be my choice if I were buying new. It's also supposed to respond faster and tune more accurately than the TU-2. On top of that it's true bypass, which eliminates potential tone loss that some TU-2 users say they have experienced.

That being said, there is still a TU-2 on my board...but I'm hoping to be able to afford a second tuner soon (one for my board and one for church) and that second tuner will be a Pitchblack.

mulletman · 04-02-2009, 04:45 PM

Pitchblack. It's loved by the guys over at the Orange forum, and they're notorious gear snobs. Actually, it's second over there to the Peterson Strobostomp.

SOTC1987 · 04-02-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

It's also supposed to respond faster and tune more accurately than the TU-2.

Ah, perfect! I am very meticulous when it comes to tuning. I have used the church's TU-2 on occasion and wasn't too thrilled with it, I wasn't sure if the Pitchblack handled the same way.

Pitchblack it is, thanks!

Edit: I was reading some reviews about people getting a big pop when used with an acoustic, is this a common issue with this tuner?

rfclef · 04-02-2009, 11:09 PM

Love my pitchblack... though I have not used the Boss... The Pitchblack is easy to see, easy to use, true bypass... I am happy with it...

wjrhee · 04-03-2009, 01:57 AM

i've had both and i ended up keeping the pitchblack. i think the true bypass is what got me.

Joseiy · 04-03-2009, 07:35 AM

I love my pitchblack! Never tried the Boss one though.

AdamAPHC · 04-04-2009, 02:27 AM

The problem with the Boss pedal is it's only accurate within 3 cents. Which is pretty horrible if you have a halfway decent ear. I can definitely hear a 3 cent difference between strings. I'm not sure about the Pitchblack, but I have a Korg DT-10, which was Korgs other $100 pedal tuner before they discontinued it... it's accurate to 1 cent, which makes it accurate enough for 99.9% of ears out there, without making it a total pain in the butt to tune.

Of course, if you've got the scratch you should check out the Peterson, which is accurate to .1 cent. Which is pretty amazing but most people won't hear or notice. Most guitarists can't even hold a fret above 4th or 5th and still keep it that accurate.

I love my Korg, and if I had to replace it and couldn't get another DT-10 for whatever reason, I'd buy a Pitchblack in a heartbeat.

**thesteve** · 04-04-2009, 02:44 AM

The Pitchblack is supposed to be +/- 1 cent accuracy. The Pitchblack Plus is +/- .1 cent, like the Strobostomp.

Honestly, I've never had any issues nor received any complaints about the +/- 3 cent accuracy of the TU-2. I don't doubt that there are people that can hear that sort of difference, but I'm not convinced that there are enough of them to make me concerned about whether or not the pedal was accurate enough

SOTC1987 · 04-04-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

Honestly, I've never had any issues nor received any complaints about the +/- 3 cent accuracy of the TU-2. I don't doubt that there are people that can hear that sort of difference, but I'm not convinced that there are enough of them to make me concerned about whether or not the pedal was accurate enough

Plus no guitar's intonation is perfect, once you start fretting you're bound to be off a hair.

Does anyone use this pedal with an acoustic? I heard rumors of a loud "POP" when switching in and out of tuning mode.

SOTC1987 · 04-06-2009, 10:09 AM

I just scored a Pitchblack for $58.80, should have it by Wednesday!

pooleman0 · 04-06-2009, 11:12 AM

I personally like to use a non stompbox tuner. I use an Ibanez LU10 Digital Chromatic Tuner. I run it off my True bypass A/B switch that I built from a schematic on Fulltone.com. It cuts the signal from the amp to the tuner, the tuner runs off of my Voodoo labs pedal power, it keeps the tuner put of my signal chain, and it is cheaper to replace if it breaks. It is also small enough to place anywhere on my pedal board or off to the side if space is an issue. This past Sunday I clamped it to my mic stand so I could tune and still engage the congregation without having to look at my feet to tune. It worked great.

WideAwake · 04-07-2009, 06:55 AM

I am sure the pitchblack is a nice pedal, I've never had the chance to try one.

That said, I've seen the TU-2 on more pro's boards than I can count. Take that as you will, but I think it says something about the TU-2.

Ax · 04-07-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOTC1987

I just scored a Pitchblack for $58.80, should have it by Wednesday!

HOLY CRAP. I paid a good bit more than that for mine. It was worth it though. You will like this one a lot. Between it being built like a tank, super accurate, and visible from space (a bit of an exaggeration, but I used mine in a literally pitch black auditorium and my friend in the audience said it gave off enough light so you could see my shins... ), this is one of the best pedals ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WideAwake

I am sure the pitchblack is a nice pedal, I've never had the chance to try one.

That said, I've seen the TU-2 on more pro's boards than I can count. Take that as you will, but I think it says something about the TU-2.

Not really. The TU-2 has been around forever. That's the only reason.

WideAwake · 04-07-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AX

HOLY CRAP. I paid a good bit more than that for mine. It was worth it though. You will like this one a lot. Between it being built like a tank, super accurate, and visible from space (a bit of an exaggeration, but I used mine in a literally pitch black auditorium and my friend in the audience said it gave off enough light so you could see my shins... ), this is one of the best pedals ever.

Not really. The TU-2 has been around forever. That's the only reason.

Ok.