BOSS TU-3 Tuner (TU3)

3.0 out of 5 stars

By Leo Ray K - Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2019

read this if you bought it.

this pedal is amazing but be very cautious buying it used or with damaged packaging. people like to replace the real items with Chinese replicas and the quality is really off while the appearance is basically undetectable. make sure to check the serial numbers with boss and register the item to find out if it's a fake.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Matthew Clark - Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2018

EXACTLY what I wanted (and needed) in a tuner

First, let me start out by saying that I probably could have bought the original TU-3 (non- Waza Craft version), and been sufficiently pleased. However, anything that promises premium quality and uncolored signal has my attention, whether I can tell a difference or not. And hey, it just looks cool! The top feature I needed in a tuner pedal, aside from accuracy, was speed. I've always used the clip-on style, namely the Snark SN-8 , which promises to be fast and tight. It's a good tuner that has served me well without any complaints, but I felt like I should invest in something of a more professional grade. I narrowed it down to this TU-3w, along with the TC Electronic PolyTune 3 , the Korg Pitchblack Custom , and the ultra-affordable Snark SN-10S . It was tough to choose, as these are all well-regarded tuners. The PolyTune's ability to tune all strings at once was interesting, but a lot of people said they ended up checking each one individually anyway. Plus, since my primary use will be with a bass guitar, I doubt that I'd actually use the polyphonic method. A lot of folks said the display was sometimes more difficult to see in polyphonic mode (since it has to display all strings at the same time). The Korg Pitchblack was a contender simply because it's one of the tried-and-true tuners, and the Custom version just looks cool, but nothing really stood out otherwise. I really like the display on the Snark SN-10S (and so did a ton of other reviewers), and even though most reviewers said it was fast, accurate, and built like a tank, there was just something weird about it being priced at a fraction of the others (and I don't know why that would be a problem!). Since I couldn't make up my mind, I defaulted to this one since the TU-3 seems to be "the" industry standard tuner -- everyone either has one or has used one. I'm really glad I did, and I won't think twice about the others. Of the clip-on tuners and tuner apps I've used, nearly all of them seem to have some level of lag. Worse, many of them give a slightly different reading for the same note that you've just tuned. Speed means nothing when you can't get a consistent measurement. This TU-3w picks up and locks onto a note faster than I can look at it; tracks the tuning smoothly and steadily in absolute real time; never second-guesses itself; and it's so easy to read. If there's a better way to tune, I can't imagine how. Even if I spent more than I really needed to for the Waza Craft edition, I'm extremely pleased with every penny that I invested, making it one of my most prized tools in my gig bag.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By ____ - Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2017

A must have for any pedalboard

There is a reason you see this on so many pedalboards, mine included. I gigged with a Sabine tuner for about 10 years and I got this because it has a narrower profile and I can daisy chain power from it. I love love love the bypass option, letting me keep this on all the time and use my volume pedal as a mute switch. The tuner reacts very quickly and clearly indicates the pitch and when your tuning is on target. Works great on stage or at home. Bottom line: For something as blah as a tuner you will love having this on your board.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By scott37040 - Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020

Thee Industry Standard!

I've tried a variety of guitar tuners including the clip-ons and I keep coming back to the Boss TU-3. I have it on my pedal board for the electric guitar but that didn't help me with my acoustic-electric. After trying several others I finally bit the bullet and bought another TU-3. Glad I did. Extremely accurate. I also like the mute function when tuning. With my electric rig I DON'T have the mute function active. Instead, the tuner is ghosted off of the volume pedal. I can tune anytime. If I want it muted I just adjust the volume pedal. I highly recommend the Boss TU-3.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Joe - Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2017

The Gold Standard of Stage Tuners

There is a reason that this is pretty much the gold standard of live performance tuners. Clip-ons can get lost or be affected by any loud noise affecting your instrument... not this thing. Bright LEDs that can be set to an even brighter mode for outdoor use tell you when you're in tune. You can use the regular output jack to have everything muted while you tune, or use the bypass output to hear yourself while you tune. It even has a built-in power supply, with a DC Out jack that can handle a few more pedals (depending on the pedals, and you'll need a separate cord). It's bypass is buffered, not true bypass, but buffered is good, especially if you have a long signal chain with mostly true bypass effects. If you play bass or guitar, this is the tuner you need.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Wesson357 - Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2018

Dont know why I waited

What can anyone say about the standard of pedal tuners. Found on almost every professional's pedal board. Seams solid and tough and able to withstand the abuse of being stomped on. Every pro from Keith Richards to Joe Perry have used this pedal on stage in their studio and personal studios. And true bypass if needed and also have the option use as a mute pedal while tuning if that what is needed. Order it and use it you will not regret it.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Mark L. - Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2020

If you don’t have a tuner than this is the one to buy.

Simple, accurate and will probably out live me. There’s a reason why so many pro musicians use these. Don’t cheap out, just buy the tu-3.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By E K - Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018

Great, sturdy tuner!

Great tuner, although sometimes I have trouble with my electric violin and sustained pitches, but it’s a lifesaver when the rest of the band is blaring and I can’t hear myself tune. I haven’t had it too long but it seems incredibly durable and 2 other people in my band have the same tuner and also love it.