The Best Tuner Ever

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grock
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The Best Tuner Ever

Unread post by grock » Tue Apr 15, 2003 10:40 am

Hey All, I've read several posts about tuning guitars and alternative tunings and not having the perfect ear to do it and so on. So I thought i'd post a link to the AP Guitar Tuner. It is perfect for altenative tunings and I hope you all like it. I've been using it for years and couldn't imagine not having this thing.

http://www.bigrockeng.com/apgt.html

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Unread post by jsgksu » Tue Apr 15, 2003 11:44 am

Wow, thanks a lot man, that things cool as hell. I cant believe its free, you guys should check this thing out. Ive been looking for tuners in guitar mags that have all these features and the cheapest ones I found were like 60 bucks. Thanks again.
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Unread post by 4mbi3nt » Tue Apr 15, 2003 12:20 pm

That is pretty awesome can even add your own custom tunings. Since i can't try this right now, do you just use your mic? Thanks for the linkage.
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Unread post by Pickles » Tue Apr 15, 2003 12:40 pm

wow... that looks cool.. i need to get a new mic lol.
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Unread post by grock » Tue Apr 15, 2003 3:35 pm

i think if more people knew about this it would be everywhere. i have honestly considered bringing a laptop on stage with me and just using this program instead of my pedal tuner. i honestly looked for months and found this and try to share with everyone i meet.

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Unread post by 4mbi3nt » Wed Apr 16, 2003 12:06 pm

grock wrote:i think if more people knew about this it would be everywhere. i have honestly considered bringing a laptop on stage with me and just using this program instead of my pedal tuner. i honestly looked for months and found this and try to share with everyone i meet.
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Unread post by jkanter » Wed Apr 16, 2003 1:27 pm

You guys never knew about the AP Guitar tuner??? Man...I probably add that to a link somewhere on the site. I've been using that since 1999. It's the most amaizng app ever. Only way I tune my guitars :) Peace all
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Unread post by hd28v » Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:20 pm

Just tried that tuner and I broke my high E sting. Brand new EXP16. I was pissed to say the least. Luckly I had backup string. Anyway, I have used a real simple tuner forever and both were not reading the same. For example, with the computer tuner, when it indicated the pitch was perfect I would test it on my old tuner and it would register way to high. I liked how the computer tuned strings sounded but is there anyway or secret techique to tighten a string (mainly the high E) without breaking it? Thanks
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Unread post by gravedigger » Wed Apr 16, 2003 6:30 pm

I don't use a tuner but I might start now :) I normally would just put on some Dave or some other songs in which I know what chords and/or notes are being played and tune by ear.

very cool program.
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Unread post by madtadder » Wed Apr 16, 2003 7:16 pm

yeah, i've probably been using that program for about a year now, it's a life saver. every once in a while, when i need to tune my guitar, i just plug in the mic cable that runs from my amp to my line in on my sound card and presto, perfect tuning.
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Unread post by grock » Thu Apr 17, 2003 2:42 pm

see, madtadder, you know what i am talking about when i say that i may just bring a laptop with me on stage.

as far as tuning the high E. if you are trying to tune the guitar by taking all the strings off and putting new ones on one at a time, this is bad. i do always take off all the strings and clean my guitar but when i go to put new strings on i tighten them all at the same rate. normally i get it to about a full string below (like low E at B, low A at E, and D at A, etc.) and then bring them all up about a full step at a time. this seems to work well and have yet to break a string while tuning like this. i use elixirs bluegrass gauge strings (light unwound, medium wound).

the other reason may be that the tuner might be picking up a harmonic while being tuned too high. so if the string was tuned past E up to B the fifth fret harmonic is an E so it could be reading that. this tension will break that string.

the final solution i have is that maybe there is a burr on the saddle or the nut or the tuning machine. does this happen often or just this once? if it has happened before, does the string usually break in the same place? if so it may just be a burr and you can sand this down with some fine sand paper or a fine jewelers file.

as far as the discrepensies of the tuners, i assure you, the AP tuner is correct. Unless you have a very crappy Microphone, or the mic is turned up too high so there is distortion in the line.

hope that helps a bit as far as tuning is concerned. let me know hd28v if it doesn't and we can discuss some other ideas i have. word

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Unread post by hd28v » Thu Apr 17, 2003 6:57 pm

First, let me thank you Grock for your thought out response to my question. I appreciate it.

I think I possibly tuned past E and caught a harmonic like you stated. I must have "fell asleep" and not been paying attention. I am poistive it is not a burr or anything b/c the guitar is brand new and I have no visible signs of wear. The sting broke by the head of the guitar/tuner. This is the second time in about 3 years I have broke a string, first on this guitar.
Also, I have a 6 dollar Kmart mic so that could be another problem. I have an instant mount pickup but the jack is to big for my soundcard hole. I will have to find an adaptor if they make them. Anyway, thanks again for you raised some overlooked reasons as to why I broke a sting.
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Unread post by two steps too many » Fri Apr 18, 2003 12:12 am

hasen't anyone heard of KORG? They make great tuners....I picked up my CA-20 for 20bucks canadian, i can tune from 430Hz to 449Hz, it has manual note select, or auto. It's small, cheap, dropped it many many times and it still tunes perfect. Best thing musical wise I ever spent 20$ on

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=CA20

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Unread post by grock » Fri Apr 18, 2003 8:15 am

i have a korg too. i use that one when i am just out with friends or whatever. and i have a boss pedal tuner for the stage and i really recommend that. it was like 60 bucks used and has all the features of the korg in a pedal form.

the reason the AP rocks is it's ability to tell you the exact note and where it is in relation to the other notes. i also find it good for practicing slide (which is still practice cuz shit that is hard) cuz it can use the computer processor to quickly find the note much better than a stand alone tuner.

and hd28v, the fact that the guitar is new makes me wonder about the burr more. i mean the guitar hasn't had time to wear down any irregularities in the tuning machines or the nut. so that is still a possibility. if it happens again up there, it would make me start to to really consider this. just be careful with that high E cuz he used to give me trouble before too.

now i have trouble with the B string. i can never "hear" if it is in tune. it drives me crazy. i can tune all the other strings to themselves with out the aid of a tuner, but that B string.....

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