new snark tuners
- Thread starter badhabits
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That looks a lot better than the old design. Mine still functions thanks only to a combination of zip-ties and superglue.
Hmmm. Eager to see if this works. I've gone through several for just this very problem. The zip ties worked, if the tab hadn't broken completely off. They would eventually come off, even after gluing.
One of the biggest problems is that they don't fold flat. They don't fit into most ukulele case interior compartments. Trying to move the head and base around just right so the stem partially fits into one of the the socket gaps, you can usually close the lid. Or, you try to pop the head off the ball. Eventually, the tabs are overstressed and break. Of course, at the most inopportune times.
Why do I use a Snark tuner when there are so many alternatives. Mostly because they are ubiquitous. Almost everyone in my uke club, and everyone I jam with, uses them. I've found that when I use a different brand tuner, I am slightly out of tune with everyone else. Especially when I use my Peterson strobe.
SN6X ukulele dedicated tuners, are relatively inexpensive at under $15. But aren't exactly disposable either.
One of the biggest problems is that they don't fold flat. They don't fit into most ukulele case interior compartments. Trying to move the head and base around just right so the stem partially fits into one of the the socket gaps, you can usually close the lid. Or, you try to pop the head off the ball. Eventually, the tabs are overstressed and break. Of course, at the most inopportune times.
Why do I use a Snark tuner when there are so many alternatives. Mostly because they are ubiquitous. Almost everyone in my uke club, and everyone I jam with, uses them. I've found that when I use a different brand tuner, I am slightly out of tune with everyone else. Especially when I use my Peterson strobe.
SN6X ukulele dedicated tuners, are relatively inexpensive at under $15. But aren't exactly disposable either.
man0a
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Several years ago, I heard Phil Doleman (a popular British ukulele teacher) recommend TC tuners. These are much sturdier and much more accurate than Snark. I bought a couple of the TC Unitune tuners Sweetwater for $19 each and they are still serving me well. I see that the price has now gone up to $35, but given how sturdy they are, that may still be cheaper than Snark over the long run. Hopefully the price will go back down when this inflation thing is over. The TC tuners do fold flat for easy storage.
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badhabits
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I did the same thing using shrink tubing... still a ghetto fix
my clip-on tuner of choice is the cheapo oahu from tus, very simple 440 chromatic, one button, easy peasy
ripock
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I don't know what you guys are doing to your snarks. I have had mine since 2017. Perhaps I just got lucky. However, I have had a secret wish that my snark should break because once my snark breaks I am going to splurge on a Peterson tuner.
Wow--I'd never heard of Peterson tuners. Accurate to one-thousandth of a semitone? Really? Which model do you like?
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badhabits
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you totally got lucky... I thought like you in the beginning, I'm careful, it won't break under my watch. Left it on a shelf, not even in a case or bag. A few months later a piece of the ball joint had cracked, not come off, but would eventually. that was the last snark I ever owned. there are lots of old threads about these tuners.
mikelz777
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I read about all the problems with the Snark tuners breaking and babied mine, handling and storing it with the utmost care and trying not to move the joints once I had them set and it still broke on me. It was just a poor design. Hoping this new version works out for its users.
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ripock
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I haven't looked at the Peterson offerings in some time, since my snark is still working. I assume Peterson, like anything else, changes and updates over time. Last time I looked, I was just looking at the clip-on. I focused on Peterson because when I upgrade I upgrade. I don't believe in inching up little by little. So if I ever replace my snark I am going all-out and getting a top shelf tuner
merlin666
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I bought a few unitune and I don't like them. They are fiddly to attach and turn on and off and difficult to get good angle to view. Snark is much nicer to operate. Though my first eventually did not read the sound anymore after about 8 years of use. I think the connections in the joints eventually wear out.
Dohle
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The Peterson StroboClip HD is suitable for ukes or any other instrument with a similar headstock. It's a fairly recent model so I doubt they'll be coming out with a newer model anytime soon. I have one and I love it.
To be honest, I've always wondered if I really need a tuner this accurate. Most of the time, I probably don't but I do have some ukes that are annoyingly touchy when it comes to intonation and accurate tuning can sometimes help with that. I wouldn't recommend Peterson tuners without hesitation as they're fairly expensive but they're undoubtedly excellent quality.
casualmusic
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as mentioned on TUS podcast 22.34, redesigned to be sturdier ("seem to be built a little bit better" but "seems like we would have seen that a lot earlier")
USB Rechargeable Snark:
My new rechargeable Snark looks the same except that it says "Rechargeable" instead of "Snark" at the upper joint. It feels more solid and the tuning locks faster than the older versions.
The data sheet says it's good for 300 charges so to charge only when it's running low. There is a three bar indicator for level of charge. So far this first week I've played 12 hours in 5 sessions and prepared for 5 hours; briefly checking tuning perhaps 25-30 times. The indicator is still showing 2 out of 3 bars remaining, so at one bar a week it might last 600 weeks or 10+ years?
Over five years I've bought a dozen Snarks and a few others (lost a few) to have one per gig bag. No breakages but two have popped joints that were okay when re-inserted.
Each time I lose one or give one away I'll replace with a rechargeable. Fewer #2032 batteries to buy!
Cheers.
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At least since Jan of last year:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/index.php?threads/snark-tuner-improvement.148487/
I'm glad to report that my Snark tuner is still working well.
Haven't replaced a tuner battery yet actually.
For ukulele, I mostly tune by ear; it's faster than using a tuner.
Only 3 strings to tune (against whatever C string is) and most of the time they are already in tune.
BradDonaldson
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Down Up Dick
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I’ve had two Snarks for a long, long time, I got one when I first started playing and liked it, so I bought another one for downstairs. I also have a an old Korg that I use on my instruments with thick heads. I never leave leave them attached when I play.
rustydusty
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My Snark is at least 5 years old and going strong, with maybe two battery changes.
I have had to glue the round pad on the clamp as it kept on coming off.
I also do not leave it on the headstock while playing...
I have had to glue the round pad on the clamp as it kept on coming off.
I also do not leave it on the headstock while playing...
Jerryc41
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Improvement is always nice, although I've never had one come apart. Amazon doesn't seem to have them yet.as mentioned on TUS podcast 22.34, redesigned to be sturdier ("seem to be built a little bit better" but "seems like we would have seen that a lot earlier")
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