The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    ....Couldn't resist....anyway, do these tuners have a shelf life ?..I'm on the second battery, but now after a couple months, it lights but doesn't read string sounds all the time.......

    So, do I ' file' this one and get another, or is there a 'next step up' -different brand that I won't be throwing out in another two years ?

    Thx

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  3. #2
    DRS
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    I found the same thing. I went to a little Korg.

  4. #3

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    You got two years out of a 10 dollar tuner? What's the problem?

  5. #4

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    Did you try a third battery? I find that they start to have problems reading when they get near the end of the battery life. Also, they have a rubber gripping surface, and sometimes the pad comes off and it doesn't read as well then, unless you find something the take the place of the rubber pad.

  6. #5

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    I've had one for about a year, no problem. I have no idea how long the battery will last. (I don't know what a new battery would cost...)

  7. #6

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    had a few...
    they seem to start not reading well after a while (maybe after being dropped too much?)
    they work after giving them a good tap tho.
    they are so cheap I just get another.

  8. #7

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    I gave up on Snark two died similar issues. I switched to InteliTouch a couple dollars more, but robust and I think easier to read.

  9. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick2
    You got two years out of a 10 dollar tuner? What's the problem?

    ........absolutely no problem.....I have Korgs that still work, that's all....

    .........hope I didn't inconvenience you.......

  10. #9
    DRS
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    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick2
    You got two years out of a 10 dollar tuner? What's the problem?
    I actually went through 2 bateries in 6 months and I buy Eveready or Energizer.

  11. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis D
    ........absolutely no problem.....I have Korgs that still work, that's all....

    .........hope I didn't inconvenience you.......
    No inconvenience at all. Why would have thought that? I'm just not sure what the issue is or what you were expecting out of a disposable tuner. If you want forever, buy a tuning fork. No batteries and they last forever. If you want the utmost in convenience and ease of use at an extremely low cost . . . you'll not find better than the Snark, and for a little bit more money, the InteliTouch. It's all about trade offs.

  12. #11

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    Incidence based on some specific model? all of them ?
    I got the black model couple months ago I guess I will see...

  13. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by DRS
    I actually went through 2 bateries in 6 months and I buy Eveready or Energizer.
    I've got two Snarks. A black one that's very basic and a red one that does a bit more of stuff that I'll never need or use. Not sure of model names or numbers. Had them both for over 6 months. No issues and no battery changes yet. Left the red one on over night . . forgot to turn it off. Still worked the next day and still working as of 7:00 AM today.

  14. #13

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    [QUOTE=Patrick2;450942]No inconvenience at all. Why would have thought that? I'm just not sure what the issue is or what you were expecting out of a disposable tuner. If you want forever, buy a tuning fork.



    .......thanks a lot again....there is no issue.....I was just trying to get a reading for how long these may last....
    .......and thanks as well for that most helpful response about how long a tuning fork lasts...

  15. #14

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    I love tuning forks, I have four, 2 x E's, an A and a C. The C is really old and dinky (like my Dad) and gets used a lot.

    I have one of those red snarks as well and I use it for speed and convenience at sessions with no issues. Second battery now and digging it. The red one has a switch between microphone and vibration. This can get moved and hamper tuning!

    But the best tuner for tuning up and intonation is my Peterson iphone app. The snark only goes to 5 cent +/- where as the app goes to 0.5 cent +/-.

  16. #15

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    Provided it's quiet around you when you tune, the Pitchlab app (available for both iPhone and Android) is insanely accurate - and free. It also makes it easy to determine the exact A of the piano on hand. With noise around you, you are better off with one of those tuners which can be connected to the electric output signal of the guitar.

  17. #16

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    I find them really hard to use in my big band. There are always so many other instruments tuning, warming up, that the Snark can't discern between them and me.

  18. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Woody Sound
    I find them really hard to use in my big band. There are always so many other instruments tuning, warming up, that the Snark can't discern between them and me.
    When I was playing big bands and similar situation I liked the small handheld tuners so I could go check the piano in the room and see how far off it is. Then I knew how much to adjust my tuning to match the piano, since the piano is was everyone else was going to tune to.

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by oldane
    Provided it's quiet around you when you tune, the Pitchlab app (available for both iPhone and Android) is insanely accurate - and free. It also makes it easy to determine the exact A of the piano on hand. With noise around you, you are better off with one of those tuners which can be connected to the electric output signal of the guitar.
    I agree with Oldane. The Pitchlab app is great if you're in a quiet room. There are other very good apps that you can download for free. I have a Snark but simply don't find it to be that accurate. I also use an Intellitouch which is more accurate but the display isn't as good as the Snark.

  20. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by docbop
    When I was playing big bands and similar situation I liked the small handheld tuners so I could go check the piano in the room and see how far off it is. Then I knew how much to adjust my tuning to match the piano, since the piano is was everyone else was going to tune to.
    The problem is that the reader reacts to the other instruments, so the little meter is constantly going berserk. I can't even register my own note.

  21. #20

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    [QUOTE=Dennis D;450971]
    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick2
    No inconvenience at all. Why would have thought that? I'm just not sure what the issue is or what you were expecting out of a disposable tuner. If you want forever, buy a tuning fork.



    .......thanks a lot again....there is no issue.....I was just trying to get a reading for how long these may last....
    .......and thanks as well for that most helpful response about how long a tuning fork lasts...
    Sounds like you thought I was being snide. Apologies. That was not my intent. I'm just a typical New Jersey guy with few if any manners. ;-)

  22. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by Woody Sound
    The problem is that the reader reacts to the other instruments, so the little meter is constantly going berserk. I can't even register my own note.
    Well then it's no wonder that I have no problems. I'm usually (almost always) playing alone in a very quiet room.

  23. #22

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    Why not get a tuner pedal or one of those small handheld tuners you can jack into?

  24. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by Broyale
    Why not get a tuner pedal or one of those small handheld tuners you can jack into?
    Yea, I have one of those too. I was just pointing out how loud notes/sounds from other sources can skew the Snark. I don't know about the more expensive clip-ons.

  25. #24
    DRS
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    Quote Originally Posted by Broyale
    Why not get a tuner pedal or one of those small handheld tuners you can jack into?
    Pedals can be a PITA. Cable to the tuner. Cable from the tuner to the amp or DI. Battery for the tuner. Power supply for tuner. It's nice just to leave the tuner on the headstock and be done with it especially when it's jazz box into amp.

  26. #25

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    Mine lasted about 3 years. I purchased another.

    One thing I noticed is cheap batteries don't work well (believe they are to thin or built to different tolerances). Use name brand batteries.