Amped Review: Polytune vs Tru-Strobe

TC Electronics latest and Planet Waves duke it out.   12-Apr-10

No flash plug
8:35 mins

Tuners are getting some serious love from the boffins right now, this NAMM saw the introduction of two new heavyweights - firstly, in the white corner -  the all-new TC Electronic Polytune - a revolutionary new concept, in that it allows you to view and tune all six strings simultaneously, as well as individually. And in the black corner the Planet Waves Tru-Strobe - an extremely accurate strobe tuner - this method is what the pros - those who have guitar techs anyhow,  have been using for years.


Your referee for this bout is Mr Rob Chappers, a highly experienced guitarist with some hot chops and plenty of years of world-class tunage under his belt.


TC Electronic PolyTune main features:

  • Polyphonic Tuner – Tune all strings simultaneously – simply; Strum, Tune, Rock!
  • Chromatic Tuner – Ultra fast and steady response, Needle and Stream display modes with +/- 0.5 cent accuracy
  • True Bypass – Passes the guitar signal unprocessed through the pedal and preserves the integrity of your precious tone
  • Super bright LED Display with ambient light sensor – Ensures ultimate visibility in any situation, even in bright sunlight
  • 9V DC Out for powering other pedals – Connect an optional power supply to power other pedals via PolyTune™'s 9V DC Out
  • Easy Battery Access – No fiddling, simply change the battery in an instant thanks to the singlefinger- screw that gives easy access to the battery compartment
  • Drop-tunings – Dropped tunings from E-flat down to B supported in Polyphonic mode
  • Works with both guitar and bass – Both Polyphonic and Chromatic mode works for both Guitar and 4-, 5- and 6-string Bass

 

 


Pricing and Availability:
Price: £69/€77/$149
Available: February 2010


http://www.tcelectronic.com/polytune.asp


Plenet Waves Tru-Strobe Pedal

  • - Highly accurate to within +/- 0.1 of a cent
  • - True bypass wiring with quiet switching
  • - Buzz Feiten ® and drop tuning presets 
  • - Wide calibration range
  • - Visible in full sunlight and on dark stages
  • - User Calibration Range from A400Hz to A499hz
  • - 9V input/output for daisy-chaining effects

Pricing and Availability:
Price: £89/€85/$128 USD


http://store.daddario.com/category/339146/Tru-Strobe_Pedal_Tuner

 

More From: T. C. ELECTRONIC


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4 Comments...  Post a comment    original story
Hidden Driveways    Said...

Good review, but no mention of built-in microphones for tuning acoustic guitars! That's currently what I'm looking for (as my trusty TU-2 is lacking this).

12-Apr-10 12:16 PM

AndyB    Said...

Great review, Chappers!

I've been thinking of upgrading to the Polytune... so it's interesting to see a proper critical review rather than the usual love-fest that this pedal has been getting.

At the end of the day, it doesn't look like it would give me much more than my current Korg pitchblack - so I'll probably just keep what I have!

13-Apr-10 07:17 AM

Marko    Said...

great review. - But it's TC electronic - Not TC Electronics ;)

05-May-10 10:24 AM

Samuel Spamuel    Said...

Hey Chappers you completely missed the point of why and how the PolyTune works and saves time! Shame on you as your reviews are usually soooo good mate :(

This is what’s wrong with your review and understanding of the product (yes I have one and have done many many gigs with it now). It’s awesome!!!

1. The whole point of poly mode is to show you at a glance if your guitar is in tune or not - not to tune a wildly out instrument like it was at the start of tuning. A normal guitarist would pluck the individual strings first and it will switch to the needle mode automatically).

2. I can see why there is a difference between poly and mono also here watch what you’re doing with your left hand that’s resting and giving so much force onto the machine heads that will knock them out by a cent or two – actually if you let it ring after each strum rather than keep playing and playing you would see the poly mode shows that the bottom E was sharp too.

3. The company name is TC Electronic not TC Electronics! Tip - that’s what shown on the pedal and packaging – this is sloppy…

Sorry to be pedantic but I hate to see poor rubbish like this video knock one of the best products out there!!! I’m convinced that if you took the time to use one at a gig you’d see how fab this is mate. Seriously Sonicstate used to have expert reviews but after seeing this no wonder they never come up in gear talks/boards these days like they used to…

Sam

10-May-10 08:36 AM

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