Most other types of electronic tuners are similar to a double bass tuner. It “listens” to the note you play on your bass and provides tuning feedback. Determine your priorities, whether they are a hands-free design, accuracy, or some other feature, in order to find the best double bass tuner for you. A double bass tuner, or a similar electronic tuner, can be found in music stores and online retailers.
Tuners are divided into two categories: sweep and strobe. The tuning of the note played is represented by a physical or digital gauge on a sweep double bass tuner. The note should be in the middle of the gauge, and if it falls to the left, the note will be flat. The note is sharp if it falls to the right. The tension on the string is adjusted until the gauge centers to tune the bass.
Instead of using an average of sound waves, a strobe tuner uses an ideal pitch. The strobe has the appearance of a spinning dial, and the faster it spins, the more out of tune the note becomes. The strobe slows as the note is brought into tune. The strobe stops spinning completely when the note reaches ideal pitch.
The most common and least expensive tuners are sweep tuners. Even so, they lack the strobe’s precision. They actually compare the sound waves produced by the note played. As the ideal note, the average wavelength is used. In noisy areas, this can be a problem. Although a strobe tuner is more expensive, it is more accurate, particularly in noisy environments. However, extreme precision is rarely required.
Whether or not you can afford a strobe double bass tuner depends on your budget. There is no room for tuning inaccuracies for some studio musicians who play against electronic and computerized instruments. A high-quality sweep tuner will likely be a better choice for other musicians who play live gigs or simply for their own enjoyment.
Both clip-on and block styles of sweep and strobe double bass tuners are available. A clip-on tuner has the advantage of attaching to your instrument and leaving your hands free while tuning. It also keeps the tuner in an easily visible location. The lack of a jack on most clip-on tuners is a disadvantage. An input is usually required for fast and accurate tuning if you use a pick up on your double bass or if you use an electric double bass.