This is the review I hoped I’d find. I couldn’t decide between these two. I’ve used Peterson in the past (not clip ons) but was intrigued by the TC. I just ordered the Stroboclip thanks to your help and clarity. Thank you for posting!
I have both. I prefer the Peterson. In a noisy room my TC picks up ambient noise and loses accuracy. If you message Peterson on their website they’ll send replacement screws etc. I lost mine and they were brilliant, sent them free of charge and quickly.
The world of tuners! Thanks for the review. I'm still exploring... currently have a Snark by way of recommendation when I first started playing in 2020, and I haven't been happy with tuning because by the time I get to my 4th string, it seems the 1st one isn't right. I don't know if it's me or not. 😆 But I do know that it's not new strings needing to stretch. 🤷🏽♀ Hope you're having a fabulous new week!💜👍🏽
Thanks for the video. I’ve had a polytune which was great but awful angles. I’ve been using the Peterson phone app for ages but my Peterson clip on arrived yesterday. Just to be able to have it at an angle you can actually see is great. Love your channel.
As an experiment I tried a Joyo, Aroma x2, Donner, Snark and three off Brands. All cheap cost wise. There was a noticeable variation amongst them including between the two identical Aromas. For cheap tuners let your ear be the judge as to when the strings are “in tune”. The one that appeared to be the most accurate and consistent was…are you ready…the Rock Jam tuner that came with the Rock Jam tenor, purchased as a package with a decent gig bag for $30 on Amazon. It and my reliable Korg tuner produced the most satisfactory sound results.
In the USA, the UniTune is $29 (from Sweetwater) and the Peterson is $70 (from everywhere). UniTune works great for me. I see Phil Doleman using these as well.
I treated myself a while back to a roadie 3, not because I'm to lazy to turn the tuning pegs, but because I an set it to auto tune each uke different, handy with my 5,6 and 8 string ukes, low g and high D baritone tunings. And great for guitars too.
What's not fun is trying the roadie 3 on friction pegs(although you're warned not to),on the tiki flea bought from a well known reviewer. Most dramatic PING I've ever heard 😱
Thanks for this! These are the reviews that no one else seems to do and are SO helpful. I've been using a cheaper tuner from and never really thought about it to be honest, as my Kai sounded great [to me]. 😬 I'm sure I'm bit the only happy idiot, who buys a good quality Ukulele and doesn't give equal importance to the accessories. Off to order a Unitune immediately. Thanks Baz, REALLY appreciate these reviews. 👍
I have both tuners, and while I like the function of the TC better, I find myself using the Petersen more just because of the adjustable angle! That said, I also have broken the screw on my Petersen, and I think the TC is a much more durable build. Both are far ahead of the Snark tuners in accuracy and quality.
Thanks for sharing. Im gonna order a unitune. I’ve got a Korg sledgehammer tuner, it looks really cool but the ball swivel mechanism to adjust the viewing angle has broken after two years so it just annoyingly dangles there. Two years of constant use wasn’t bad though for $30.
As I mentioned on FB I have one of these after finding I couldn't get my ukulele sounding good with a standard tuner (I always got my son to tweak the tuning by ear). I suspect I hold my ukulele to tune in a way someone who plays guitar never would (on my lap, upright, with the strings facing me). I've been pleased with mine. I also use it to tune my daughter's violin occasionally (I clip it onto the chin rest - I've no idea what violin players usually do!) Thank you for the extra review.
LOL, maybe you were boring yourself, but not me. I didn't know there was so much to know about tuners until recently. Loved seeing you mid-week. See you Sunday.
I always use with Unitune clip the traditional chromatic tuning mode. It is plenty of accurate. To tune the open strings exactly right would not normally be the most accurate way of tuning. Only with perfect nut setting and compensated saddle with some "optimal" strings. So compensation is desired and if not into the instrument then in the tuning :)
@@GotAUkulele Yes I understand that. For myself it is faster to tune say usually G and A strings accurate enough with trad mode. and then compensate some red into the "needle" for the middle strings, if needed. About accuracy: I agree with you about the accuracy and doubt that with the needle mode some 0.05% difference is able to be read. Also with plastic ukulele strings at least neither is that 0.02% in strobe mode, for sure.
@@jarmosalonen2068 It depends on which tuner I was comparing it to. I can categorically state that some clip on tuners I have used are simply lousy for dialling in close and doubt they even get to 1% out - loads of range in the 'green' note. When I first picked up the Peterson I found tuning was night and day better and more accurate. Thats the jump from 1% to 0.1%. Not sure I'd notice much difference between 0.1 and 0.05 though
@@GotAUkulele Even 1 %, if it is really cents in tuning, was not really possible for our guitars in tuning fork time. Anyone can try that and if they have good meter that shows cents, well good luck :) With interference between different strings, maybe. Just not the whole instrument. Some say, can be found in internet that the human perception is not more than about 5 cents for the usual soprano range. That does not mean that our equal tempered (tried to be fretted instruments) should not be more accurately tuned. Some intervals are about 10 cents different what a singer or violinist would play melody. In the equal temperament.
I have, but then I tend to do that by ear anyway - I only ever use a clip to get to the correct frequencies, but then often just nudge them up or down a little to suit my ear
I have the KORG AW-LT100G which has three different meter display modes (Regular, Strobe and Half Strobe) Strobe has a accuracy of plus/minus 0.1% . The display is clear and bright and will tilt in multiple directions. Currently on sale from a large well know store at only £20.00, which I think is a bargain?
Yes - the clips are the first to fail - Snark being the worst examples i've seen. To be fair - the TC Electronic hinge seems to be pretty indestructible - but at the expense of not being articulated. Six and two threes
I do tend to fine tune by ear myself though - but what I like about Peterson including that feature is that it gives people who think it MUST be bang on GCEA (or whatever tuning) to be 'right' that actually, there is a bit of leeway. I'd wager that the vast majority of players wouldn't know that standard tuning is a 'fudge'
Does the TC have firmware update capability? The Peterson does as I've updated mine recently. They will also sell you a case for the Peterson for $11 USD. I bought one also as I didn't want to through a $70 tuner in a case or gear bag. It works nice too.
@@GotAUkulele Yes that's right. I mainly use it for guitar and when you strum across the strings, it shows you which are still needing a tweak. Mine was £35 quite a few years ago.
What's the battery life like? I'm afraid I end up using an app on my phone, because whenever I try to use a tuner it has a flat battery... I don't know whether I switch them off wrong or what. Maybe I should try a pitch-pipe!
I'd say the Unitune - definitely - the Peterson less so - but it's a bit more nuanced - you can still make out what the Peterson is trying to show you even in bright light, but in any light i found the TC a bit confusing at times.
Baz, you may not like the sensitivity or display in strobo mode compared to Petersen with plastic strings. But I strongly recommend you compare the Unitune chromatic mode accuracy with it. You will like it. Also the Polytune is based on the same filtering I guess. Strobe based tuners need have a strong filtering. I remember someone telling that without a wavering needle, a tuner can't be accurate. Far from it. My first elctronic tuner was Korg micro six. It could only tune to EADGBE. But it was a plug in tuner for my electric guitar. And sort of worked also for the acoustics until the mic broke. Lots of wafering in the needle, but an improvement over tuning fork yes. So I guess you mentioned guitar technicians spending big for tuners, They are most likely plug in tuners to set up say electric instruments. I don't have now any plug in tuner, but curious of course how much worse the neck vibration ones are :)
For me your point of not being able to turn the display horizontal is nothing to bother about (got the polytune that has some additional features for guitars). Guess what - you dont have to always read that string letter all the time while tuning. Most people have no problem reading a letter sideways or even upside down and dont have to turn their head to read it. But ok if you need to turn your head to read that letter that is personal. I even find it more logical that the strobe lines move up/down insted of left/right.
Oh Baz. Now you've given me another reason to spend money. I was quite content with my snark until you told me that I shouldn't be. The wife won't be happy... 😆
This is the review I hoped I’d find. I couldn’t decide between these two. I’ve used Peterson in the past (not clip ons) but was intrigued by the TC. I just ordered the Stroboclip thanks to your help and clarity. Thank you for posting!
Glad it was helpful!
I have both. I prefer the Peterson. In a noisy room my TC picks up ambient noise and loses accuracy. If you message Peterson on their website they’ll send replacement screws etc. I lost mine and they were brilliant, sent them free of charge and quickly.
Thanks Mike!
You were right - just raised a support ticket and they responded immediately to say they are posting one!! Good tip Mike
Danke!
Thank you!
A nice Tuesday treat. Thanks.
My pleasure!
The world of tuners! Thanks for the review. I'm still exploring... currently have a Snark by way of recommendation when I first started playing in 2020, and I haven't been happy with tuning because by the time I get to my 4th string, it seems the 1st one isn't right. I don't know if it's me or not. 😆 But I do know that it's not new strings needing to stretch. 🤷🏽♀ Hope you're having a fabulous new week!💜👍🏽
Thanks Eileen!
That’s the strings needing to stretch/issue with tuning gears
Thanks for the video. I’ve had a polytune which was great but awful angles. I’ve been using the Peterson phone app for ages but my Peterson clip on arrived yesterday. Just to be able to have it at an angle you can actually see is great. Love your channel.
Thanks Christian!
Good review. Thanks!
Thanks!
My amazon tuner gave up the ghost after 2 uses. This one is a must get thanks for your midweek review Barry
Thanks Richard
As an experiment I tried a Joyo, Aroma x2, Donner, Snark and three off Brands. All cheap cost wise. There was a noticeable variation amongst them including between the two identical Aromas. For cheap tuners let your ear be the judge as to when the strings are “in tune”. The one that appeared to be the most accurate and consistent was…are you ready…the Rock Jam tuner that came with the Rock Jam tenor, purchased as a package with a decent gig bag for $30 on Amazon. It and my reliable Korg tuner produced the most satisfactory sound results.
Yep - huge variability in the cheaper tuners - particularly those with large needles in the LCD - simply not possible to be accurate on the screen
In the USA, the UniTune is $29 (from Sweetwater) and the Peterson is $70 (from everywhere). UniTune works great for me. I see Phil Doleman using these as well.
I treated myself a while back to a roadie 3, not because I'm to lazy to turn the tuning pegs, but because I an set it to auto tune each uke different, handy with my 5,6 and 8 string ukes, low g and high D baritone tunings. And great for guitars too.
They are fun!
What's not fun is trying the roadie 3 on friction pegs(although you're warned not to),on the tiki flea bought from a well known reviewer. Most dramatic PING I've ever heard 😱
@@uknavynige Ha ha - I can imagine!
Thanks for this! These are the reviews that no one else seems to do and are SO helpful. I've been using a cheaper tuner from and never really thought about it to be honest, as my Kai sounded great [to me]. 😬 I'm sure I'm bit the only happy idiot, who buys a good quality Ukulele and doesn't give equal importance to the accessories. Off to order a Unitune immediately.
Thanks Baz, REALLY appreciate these reviews. 👍
My pleasure - thanks Chris!
I have both tuners, and while I like the function of the TC better, I find myself using the Petersen more just because of the adjustable angle! That said, I also have broken the screw on my Petersen, and I think the TC is a much more durable build. Both are far ahead of the Snark tuners in accuracy and quality.
Thanks for sharing. Im gonna order a unitune. I’ve got a Korg sledgehammer tuner, it looks really cool but the ball swivel mechanism to adjust the viewing angle has broken after two years so it just annoyingly dangles there. Two years of constant use wasn’t bad though for $30.
You'll find this night and day more accurate
As I mentioned on FB I have one of these after finding I couldn't get my ukulele sounding good with a standard tuner (I always got my son to tweak the tuning by ear). I suspect I hold my ukulele to tune in a way someone who plays guitar never would (on my lap, upright, with the strings facing me). I've been pleased with mine. I also use it to tune my daughter's violin occasionally (I clip it onto the chin rest - I've no idea what violin players usually do!) Thank you for the extra review.
Chin rest! At least a friend of mine does!
@@GotAUkulele Thank you 🙂
LOL, maybe you were boring yourself, but not me. I didn't know there was so much to know about tuners until recently. Loved seeing you mid-week. See you Sunday.
Thank you kindly!
I always use with Unitune clip the traditional chromatic tuning mode. It is plenty of accurate.
To tune the open strings exactly right would not normally be the most accurate way of tuning. Only with perfect nut setting and compensated saddle with some "optimal" strings.
So compensation is desired and if not into the instrument then in the tuning :)
I always fine tune a bit by ear after tuning up for that reason. I would say though that a strobe tuner is excellent for checking intonation
@@GotAUkulele Yes I understand that. For myself it is faster to tune say usually G and A strings accurate enough with trad mode. and then compensate some red into the "needle" for the middle strings, if needed. About accuracy:
I agree with you about the accuracy and doubt that with the needle mode some 0.05% difference is able to be read. Also with plastic ukulele strings at least neither is that 0.02% in strobe mode, for sure.
@@jarmosalonen2068 It depends on which tuner I was comparing it to. I can categorically state that some clip on tuners I have used are simply lousy for dialling in close and doubt they even get to 1% out - loads of range in the 'green' note. When I first picked up the Peterson I found tuning was night and day better and more accurate. Thats the jump from 1% to 0.1%. Not sure I'd notice much difference between 0.1 and 0.05 though
@@GotAUkulele Even 1 %, if it is really cents in tuning, was not really possible for our guitars in tuning fork time. Anyone can try that and if they have good meter that shows cents, well good luck :)
With interference between different strings, maybe. Just not the whole instrument. Some say, can be found in internet that the human perception is not more than about 5 cents for the usual soprano range. That does not mean that our equal tempered (tried to be fretted instruments) should not be more accurately tuned. Some intervals are about 10 cents different what a singer or violinist would play melody. In the equal temperament.
@@jarmosalonen2068 every single pro tech for strings I know has a desk strobe for a reason
A man with one tuner knows when his instrument is in tune. A man with two is never sure.
As you see from the video - these read the same when in tune
@@GotAUkulele I stand corrected. A man with two poor tuners is never sure.
@@MarkALong64 Without a doubt!
Have you played around with the "sweetened" tunings on the Peterson? They're kind of interesting
I have, but then I tend to do that by ear anyway - I only ever use a clip to get to the correct frequencies, but then often just nudge them up or down a little to suit my ear
I have the KORG AW-LT100G which has three different meter display modes (Regular, Strobe and Half Strobe) Strobe has a accuracy of plus/minus 0.1% . The display is clear and bright and will tilt in multiple directions. Currently on sale from a large well know store at only £20.00, which I think is a bargain?
Interesting - will look it up
The Achilles heel on clip-ons tends to be the clip and stalk assembly, does it not? For sweetened tunings, I prefer the James Taylor method.
Yes - the clips are the first to fail - Snark being the worst examples i've seen. To be fair - the TC Electronic hinge seems to be pretty indestructible - but at the expense of not being articulated. Six and two threes
I do tend to fine tune by ear myself though - but what I like about Peterson including that feature is that it gives people who think it MUST be bang on GCEA (or whatever tuning) to be 'right' that actually, there is a bit of leeway. I'd wager that the vast majority of players wouldn't know that standard tuning is a 'fudge'
can it tune the bass like C# on the 6th string? (guitar)
It can tune any natural note on an instrument that vibrates
I forgot to ask (and I haven’t look yet :-/) do you have a video about sharp frets and how to cheaply fix them yourself?
Not something i've done - will try to if I get time
What is the Petersen like outdoors on a sunny day?
Fine from memory
Does the TC have firmware update capability? The Peterson does as I've updated mine recently. They will also sell you a case for the Peterson for $11 USD. I bought one also as I didn't want to through a $70 tuner in a case or gear bag. It works nice too.
No update facility - not sure about a case. I do love the update option on the TC - think you can meddle with the sweetened tunings too?
Would be interested to know what you think of tuner apps, whether they're worth installing on my phone or if they're useless
They work - but no good in a noisy room
So are you using a uni tune or a polytune, because only a polytune gives a polyphonic tuning to all the strings at once?
This is the Uni - single strings
I have one. I like it.
Yeah - me too - plusses and minuses with each of them - I'd say it's a dead heat
@@GotAUkulele In fact mine is called a polytune
@@andynew2 I believe the Polytune came first and allows you to tune all strings at once in chromatic mode - more expensive too.
@@GotAUkulele Yes that's right. I mainly use it for guitar and when you strum across the strings, it shows you which are still needing a tweak. Mine was £35 quite a few years ago.
What's the battery life like? I'm afraid I end up using an app on my phone, because whenever I try to use a tuner it has a flat battery... I don't know whether I switch them off wrong or what. Maybe I should try a pitch-pipe!
Can't remember the last time I changed the battery on my tuners to be honest - the TC electronic turns off automatically
@@GotAUkulele Ah! Good to know, thank you.
Sometimes we play at the beach. Question is, can you read them outside in the sun?
I'd say the Unitune - definitely - the Peterson less so - but it's a bit more nuanced - you can still make out what the Peterson is trying to show you even in bright light, but in any light i found the TC a bit confusing at times.
Thanks.
Baz, you may not like the sensitivity or display in strobo mode compared to Petersen with plastic strings. But I strongly recommend you compare the Unitune chromatic mode accuracy with it. You will like it. Also the Polytune is based on the same filtering I guess. Strobe based tuners need have a strong filtering.
I remember someone telling that without a wavering needle, a tuner can't be accurate. Far from it. My first elctronic tuner was Korg micro six. It could only tune to EADGBE. But it was a plug in tuner for my electric guitar. And sort of worked also for the acoustics until the mic broke. Lots of wafering in the needle, but an improvement over tuning fork yes.
So I guess you mentioned guitar technicians spending big for tuners, They are most likely plug in tuners to set up say electric instruments. I don't have now any plug in tuner, but curious of course how much worse the neck vibration ones are :)
Got a Snark, not real happy with it 🤔😬. On the lookout for something better👍
Both of the tuners in this video would be night and day improvement over a Snark!
For me your point of not being able to turn the display horizontal is nothing to bother about (got the polytune that has some additional features for guitars). Guess what - you dont have to always read that string letter all the time while tuning. Most people have no problem reading a letter sideways or even upside down and dont have to turn their head to read it. But ok if you need to turn your head to read that letter that is personal. I even find it more logical that the strobe lines move up/down insted of left/right.
Indeed. It is personal..
Oh Baz. Now you've given me another reason to spend money. I was quite content with my snark until you told me that I shouldn't be. The wife won't be happy... 😆
Sorry Jim!
So in summary the Peterson is more useable although the Unitune is more robust.
And cheaper - by a long way