Though I received this for free to review, I have purchased 14(!) of the same model with a different clip (
D'Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner
.) Obviously, I really like this tuner. I used Snarks for years until I found this one and here's why I switched allegiance:
-The D'Addario is faster and seems slightly more accurate
-It's low-profile and discreet
-It doesn't have a Sesame Street color scheme on the display
When I got my first D'Addario tuner and put both it and my Snark on my guitar and compared them. The D'Addario caught the vibration of the string faster and held it better with less fluctuation. The several Snarks that I had always seemed to bounce around a lot when they were trying to "hear" the note. Once the string was properly tuned, both tuners showed similar readings, though the Snark was always a little flat, but that can be fixed with calibration. (I knew it was the Snark that was flat rather than the D'Addario reading sharp because I tested them both against my Peterson Strobe Tuner app. The D'Addario and the Strobe Tuner were pretty close - though the Strobe has a much finer level of detail.)
Aside from that, everything else that separates the Snark and the D'Addario is just personal taste. I wear glasses (+1.75) to read and I find the D'Addario plenty big enough to read. The Snark screen is HUGE comparatively and it uses bright primary colors (red, yellow, and green) to help you zero in on the tuning. This is a great way to help engage a child in the process of tuning, but as an adult I find it a little remedial. The D'Addario also uses red, yellow and green as an aid, but the colors are muted so they are helpful without looking like something on a children's toy.
Instead of a large, animated "speedometer" effect like the Snark, the D'Addario uses small lines on either side of the note. The more lines on the left, the more flat the note is. The more lines on the right, the more sharp it is. When the string is in tune there should be a single line on either side of the letter. It's the same concept as the Snark, but it's more subtle... once again, the D'Addario seems as though it's designed for adults rather than kids.
The D'Addario model that I have been using has a small, locking clip that keeps the tuner against the headstock. It's super low-profile so no one knows it's there except me. The only problem with that model is that it's designed to stay on one instrument. When I'm playing with other people and someone needs a tuner it's kind of awkward to get off and on. And since it has a sliding lock rather than a spring-mount, if you don't cinch it down tightly it will fall off. It's not particularly heavy-duty so it can break if it falls. This spring lock on this model is far more secure and it's almost as discreet. The goose-neck on this tuner allows you to pop it up like a periscope when you are using it and tuck it flat when it's not in use. And because you can flip the display 180 degrees you can mount it either in front or behind the headstock and it's never upside-down. This is a great feature.
Obviously, I really like these D'Addario tuners. The reason that I've purchased so many of them is because I keep one on each of my instruments and, also, I keep giving them away to people in my ukulele class. One broke when I dropped it - that sucked. When I perform I still use the model with the lower-profile clip, but I've put this spring-loaded clip version on the uke I take to class so I can take it off and pass it around more easily if I need to.
This is probably much more than needs to be written about a tuner, but I really like it and people are always asking me about (because it looks so different than the Snark) and so I find myself talking about it's features a lot. I write reviews as a hobby for fun and it always makes my day when I find out that my reviews have helped someone, so leave a comment if you'd like, feel free to ask a question, or just say "Hi."
D'Addario Accessories Guitar Tuner - Micro Headstock Tuner - Tuner for Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Mandoli
4.5
| 17,862 ratingsPrice: 19.99
Last update: 07-31-2024
About this item
THE STEALTH TUNER - Your audience will never know there is a tuner on your instrument with the highly precise Micro Clip-On Tuner. The lightweight, discrete, compact tuner hides behind the headstock practically blending into the instrument and is small enough to be kept on your instrument while stored in its case. At 1.25", you will want one for each stringed instrument you own.
EXTREME ACCURACY - The NS Micro features an extremely accurate piezo transducer that picks up an instrument's vibration rather than sound. A wide calibration range (410-480Hz) guarantees precise performance.
EASY TO READ - The easy-to-read, tri-color backlit screen displays the note in red when out of tune, yellow when close, and green when in tune. Powered by a readily available (and included) CR2032 battery, you will enjoy maximum battery life thanks to the tuner's auto-off function.
VERSATILE - Featuring a 360-degree swivel mechanism and adjustable padded clamp, the NS Mini offers optimal viewing angles and maximum positioning flexibility. For left or right-handed instruments with small or large headstocks, it is the ideal choice for acoustic and electric guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos and ukuleles.
D’ADDARIO ACCESSORIES - For over 20 years, D’Addario Accessories (formerly Planet Waves) has been leading the industry in innovative and problem-solving products that serve musicians worldwide. D’Addario Accessories are proudly made in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.
EXTREME ACCURACY - The NS Micro features an extremely accurate piezo transducer that picks up an instrument's vibration rather than sound. A wide calibration range (410-480Hz) guarantees precise performance.
EASY TO READ - The easy-to-read, tri-color backlit screen displays the note in red when out of tune, yellow when close, and green when in tune. Powered by a readily available (and included) CR2032 battery, you will enjoy maximum battery life thanks to the tuner's auto-off function.
VERSATILE - Featuring a 360-degree swivel mechanism and adjustable padded clamp, the NS Mini offers optimal viewing angles and maximum positioning flexibility. For left or right-handed instruments with small or large headstocks, it is the ideal choice for acoustic and electric guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos and ukuleles.
D’ADDARIO ACCESSORIES - For over 20 years, D’Addario Accessories (formerly Planet Waves) has been leading the industry in innovative and problem-solving products that serve musicians worldwide. D’Addario Accessories are proudly made in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to the most stringent quality controls in the industry.
Product information
Item Weight | 0.32 ounces |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 1 x 0.07 x 1 inches |
Country of Origin | China |
ASIN | B005FKF1PY |
Item model number | PW-CT-12 |
Batteries | 1 CR123A batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars
17,766 ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #84 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #4 in Music Tuning Accessories |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | September 1, 2011 |
Color Name | Black |
Material Type | Synthetic |
Size | Single Pack |
Battery type | Lithium Ion |