If you play bass guitar, you may have questions about the best bass guitar tuners on the market. Thankfully, there’s a wide range of tuners that you can use for your bass guitar. Here are some of the best ones to try.
Quick Look: Best Bass Guitar Tuners
★ #1 Best Bass Guitar Tuner Overall: BOSS TU-3 ★
- Best Cheap Bass Guitar Tuner: Snark SN5X
- Best Bass Guitar Tuner Under $20: Fender FT-2
- Best Bass Guitar Tuner App: Guitar Tuna
- Best Clip-on Bass Guitar Tuner: BOSS TU-10 BK
There are several different types of tuners, so you’ll have to experiment until you find one that works for your needs. I’ve listed several different types, so you’ll have a few choices for your bass guitar.
What Is a Bass Guitar Tuner?
A bass guitar tuner works like any other tuner. In fact, you can use a regular acoustic or electric guitar tuner to tune your bass guitar. There’s no real difference between tuners.
It’s a device that helps you get your instrument in tune. You can tune your bass to regular standard tuning or use an alternate tuning. It all depends on what you want to do with your bass.
Types of Bass Guitar Tuners
There are several different types of bass guitar tuners. Here’s what you need to know before you make your purchase.
Standard Tuner
A standard tuner is a basic tuner that you can hold on your lap. They’re usually chromatic, so you can tune your bass strings to whatever you want.
Clip-On Tuner
A clip-on tuner is a handy type of tuner to have. The reason for this is that you can attach it to the headstock of the bass. You can angle it towards you, and it’s ready to use whenever you need to get your strings back into the proper pitch.
Pedal Tuner
A pedal tuner is a little bit more advanced. It attaches to guitar cables, and you use it as a regular stompbox. They’re usually part of a pedalboard along with all of your other effects, or you can use it by itself.
Tuner/Metronome
Some tuners come with a metronome and tuner combination. This allows you to not only tune your guitar, but also practice after you’ve gone into the right tuning.
Polytune Tuner
This type of tuner allows you to strum all of your strings and then pick out the ones that need tuning. It’s a fast and easy way to tune your guitar. Some players prefer the new polytune style tuners.
Tuner App
You’ll also find a wide range of tuner apps that you can use for Android and iPhone devices. These make it easy to tune your bass guitar by using your smartphone.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bass Guitar Tuner
You need to consider a few different things before you purchase the best bass guitar tuner to meet your needs. Here’s what you need to know.
Size
There are a few different sizes when it comes to tuners. For example, a clip-on tuner is nice and small, so it’ll fit inside your guitar case. If you’re performing live, you might want a larger pedal tuner for your pedalboard.
Display
The display of your tuner is important. You want something that’s bright and easy to read. If you’re playing live in a dark club, you want to be able to see your tuner. Make sure it lights up well so you can quickly tune up.
Clip-on vs Pedal vs Standard
A clip-on tuner is easy to use because it’s small and out of the way. A pedal tuner is larger, and you need to hook it up to your guitar cables to use with your pedalboard.
A standard tuner is also small, and it’ll easily fit inside your guitar case. Some people prefer it to a clip-on tuner, but it’s all a matter of preference. You can also use app-based tuners for your smartphone, but they can contain ads.
Price
Most tuners don’t cost a whole lot of money. You can get a basic tuner between $10 and $20. When you get into pedal-based tuners, the price goes up by a wide margin. You can expect to pay from $75 to $150 for one of these.
Features
In general, you’ll want a chromatic tuner. Most tuners have this feature. You may also want a metronome built into your tuner so you can practice once you’re in tune. Make sure your tuner has a decent battery life.
7 Best Bass Guitar Tuners
Here’s a list of some of the best bass guitar tuners that you can buy. These are all my personal selections. You may have something different that you like, and that’s fine too. These tuners will help you get your bass in perfect tuning.
1. BOSS TU-3 Pedal Tuner
- Type: Pedal
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that play live
The BOSS TU-3 is one of the better pedals to use whether you’re playing bass, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar. It has a rugged design and fits well on your pedalboard, or you can use it on its own. It gives you accurate tuning.
✅ Easy to read
✅ Perfect for a pedalboard
✅ Chromatic
✅ Supports all bass types
❌ Expensive
❌ Not for beginners
Why I Recommend It
I feel that the BOSS TU-3 is one of the better pedal tuners on the market. I used one of these before, and I was happy with the results. It’s easy to set up, and you can use it on its own or with your pedalboard.
You always get an accurate tuning with this product. It does cost a lot more compared to other tuners, but you’re paying for quality. It has a rugged design, so it’ll last a long time.
2. Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner
- Type: Clip-on
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that need a simple tuner
The Snark SN5X is a quality, basic clip-on tuner. It’s perfect for anyone that wants a simple tuner for their bass guitar. It doesn’t offer many bells and whistles, but it’ll help you tune your bass whenever you need accurate tuning.
✅ Bright display
✅ Easy to use
✅ Solid clip
✅ Adjustable
❌ A bit plain for some players
❌ Could mark nitro finishes
Why I Recommend It
I like this Snark tuner because it features easy operation, which is ideal for beginners. It’s simple to set up on the headstock of your bass, and you can adjust it to the right angle for easy viewing.
This is a simple, low-cost tuner that any bass player can use. The display is nice and bright, which is perfect for a dark environment such as a club. This is one of the best bass clip-on guitar tuners.
3. KLIQ Metropitch Tuner
- Type: Standard
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that need a tuner/metronome combination
The KLIQ Metropitch is a tuner and a metronome combination. This makes it easy to tune your bass guitar and then get down to some serious practicing. You don’t need a separate metronome to do this.
✅ Tuner/metronome combo
✅ Bright display
✅ Accurate
✅ Easy operation
❌ Expensive
❌ May confuse beginners
Why I Recommend It
KLIQ tuners are ideal for practicing musicians. I used one of these in the past and was always happy with the product. It’s not ideal for beginners as it can be confusing, especially if you’ve never used a metronome before.
It has a nice bright display, so you’ll always see the note for accurate tuning. It also includes a wide range of metronome beats and comes with a handy carrying case.
4. Fender FT-2 Tuner
- Type: Clip-on
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that need a simple tuner
The Fender FT-2 is a simple clip-on tuner. It’s easy to adjust on the headstock of your bass. The display is nice and bright, so you can see it even in a dark environment. You’ll get an accurate tuning every time you use it.
✅ Easy to use
✅ Low cost
✅ Bright display
✅ Adjustable
❌ The clip could be better
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
You won’t spend a lot of money on the Fender FT-2. It’s a decent tuner that will help you get your bass into the proper tuning. I like the fact that it has a simple operation, so it’s an easy tuner for a beginner to get used to.
This tuner is adjustable, so it’s easy to set at an angle that you prefer. It has a dual-hinge, so you can put it on either side of the headstock to match your individual preference.
5. Korg TM60 BK Tuner
- Type: Standard
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that need a simple tuner
The Korg TM60 BK is a great tuner and metronome combination. It has an easy-to-read display for accurate tuning. You can use the included metronome to practice playing your bass guitar.
✅ Easy to read
✅ Simple operation
✅ Accurate
✅ Works with multiple instruments
❌ Expensive
❌ May confuse beginners
Why I Recommend It
I’m a big fan of tuner and metronome combination accessories. This Korg tuner gives you the option of using a metronome while you’re practicing. It has a clear digital display, so you’ll always get an accurate tuning.
The device does have a few extra buttons, so it might not be ideal for beginners. If you already know how to use a metronome, you shouldn’t have a problem with this device.
6. D’Addario Eclipse Tuner
- Type: Clip-on
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Digital
- Best for: Bass players that want an easy to use clip-on tuner
The D’Addario Eclipse clip-on is an easy-to-use device for your bass guitar. It has a bright display, so you’ll always get the tuning that you want without any hassle. It clips onto your headstock for easy viewing.
✅ Big display
✅ Easy to use
✅ Adjustable
✅ Quick tuning
❌ No added features
❌ Needs better battery life
Why I Recommend It
I like this D’Addario tuner because it’s so simple to use. There aren’t a lot of extra buttons, so it’s the perfect choice for any beginner bass guitar player. You won’t have to fiddle around or try to figure out your new tuner.
It attaches to the headstock of your bass, so it’s always ready to go whenever you need to tune a string. You can adjust it to multiple angles, so you can find a place for it on your headstock that works for you.
7. Guitar Tuna App
- Type: Smartphone app
- Chromatic: Yes
- Display: Graphical
- Best for: Smartphone users
Unlike the previous tuners on this list, this isn’t a physical tuner, but a smartphone app.
✅Easy to use
✅ Low cost
✅ Great features
✅ Saves time
❌ May crash
❌ No iPhone version
Why I Recommend It
The Guitar Tuna App is an excellent application for your smartphone if you want to use your Android device to tune your guitar. It’s easy to use, and you’ll have accurate tuning.
It has an easy-to-read interface, so you won’t be confused if you’re a beginner. It also has an included chord library, so you can learn about chords while you tune.
Best Bass Guitar Tuner Brands
There are several different manufacturers of bass guitar tuners. Here are the major brands that you might want to consider purchasing from.
Korg
I like Korg tuners and have used them in the past. The reason for this is many of their products also include a metronome. You can get your bass in tune and then start practicing right away.
D’Addario
D’Addario is known for their guitar strings, but they also make high-quality accessories such as guitar tuners. Their products are easy to use, and they have a wide selection, including simple clip-on tuners with bright displays.
KLIQ
KLIQ is another manufacturer that you might want to buy your tuner from. Many of their products also have a built-in metronome. If you’re intermediate or advanced on bass, this is a good choice.
Snark
Snark is a good company to work with if you like clip-on style tuners. They have a wide range of this type of tuner. They’re simple to install and get you accurate tuning whenever you need it.
BOSS
If you need a professional tuner for your pedalboard, look to BOSS. They have some excellent tuner products that are set up and ready to go for any pedalboard.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to the best bass guitar tuners. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
How Much Do Bass Guitar Tuners Cost?
On average, a bass guitar tuner costs between $10 and $25. If you go towards a pedal style tuner, it’ll probably cost from $75 to $150.
What Are the Best Bass Guitar Tuners?
Here are my top three bass guitar tuners. All of these devices would make excellent choices for your bass guitar. They’ll help you get in tune quickly, so you can begin playing again.
BOSS TU-3: Best for Playing Live
The BOSS TU-3 is one of the better tuners on the market. This pedal tuner comes in a solid metal casing, so it’ll last a long time. You can use it on its own or with your pedalboard for accurate and reliable tuning every time.
Fender FT-2: Best for Those That Want a Clip-On Tuner
The Fender FT-2 tuner is easy-to-use and comes in at a low price tag. It’s adjustable on either side of your headstock, so you can view it at the angle you want. It has a nice bright display, so you’ll always get an accurate tuning.
Snark SN5X: Best for Average Users
The Snark SN5x tuner has a simple operation, which makes it best for average players. It has an easy-to-read display, so you can always get an accurate tuning. It’s simple to attach to your headstock for easy viewing while tuning.
What Is the Best Bass Guitar Tuner App?
Guitar Tuna is an app for Android devices. This will help you tune your bass guitar easily. If you have an iPhone, you can use the Fender Guitar Tuner app assist, which works with both Android and iPhone.
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In Conclusion
Thank you for reading this guide to the best bass guitar tuners. You should ensure that you have a tuner inside your guitar case, so your instrument is always in perfect tuning.
Please share, like, and comment on this article. I like hearing from you, so drop me a line anytime. Now, go pick up your bass and play some solid bass lines once you have it in perfect tune.
