Guitar Tuners on Guitars...

[Ravens23]

I've been thinking about this a while (having attended a few live shows lately) but does anyone else find it almost distracting (or dare I say "bush league") when guitar players leave the Snark tuners on the end of the guitar when playing? I mean you have these beautiful guitars and to see some $10 plastic tuner at the end of the neck takes away from the beauty of the guitar or the guitar playing.

 

[Kazz]

I think it looks better without, but if someone needs to retune during a set, especially if they need to do it multiple times and they don't have extra guitars in alternate tunings (or if they go out of tune frequently), it's more practical to leave it there. Or they could use a pedal...

Personally I'm not too bothered by it, but I probably wouldn't do it.

 

[toothace]

They should probably just buy a PRS. We know it will stay in tune and there's no need for the headstock tuner.

 

[garrettb]

They should probably just buy a PRS. We know it will stay in tune and there's no need for the headstock tuner.

Totally. I love my Polytune Mini. I just step on the pedal, strum all the strings, see all green, stand around and wait for my band mates to tune their Gibsons.

 

[bodia]

I'm with the OP. I get why, I just don't care for it and find it distracting. I didn't mind the "old days" when you tuned up in between songs while the singer bantered with the crowd. Hang on a sec....

HEY YOU KIDS, GET OFF-A MY LAWN.

where was I? Oh yeah, I don't like those little things.

 

[Lee B.]

Yeah, better to use a pedal tuner (that Polytune is awesome!). I would even extend this aesthetic to quick change capos. If you're gonna clip something onto the headstock of a serious instrument, make sure it looks like it belongs there.

 

[drdoom8793]

Young guy here. I think it's just tacky. Invest in your craft. Tuner pedals aren't even that expensive and can be bought at pretty much any self respecting music store. Besides, Tuner Pedals are typically more accurate than any of the clip op tuners.

 

[László]

Not the best look IMHO, but different folks, different strokes. I call them guitar dongles.

 

[n24re]

I use them....but I clip them to my amp's handle....not my guitar. Works like a champ! I can see it easily and no pedals or anything extra.

 

[WEDGE]

I use them....but I clip them to my amp's handle....not my guitar. Works like a champ! I can see it easily and no pedals or anything extra.

Genius

 

[Huggy Love]

HEY YOU KIDS, GET OFF-A MY LAWN.

ROTFL!!!
Jim, that was precious!!!!

I must be worse than a lot of folks, I just use a tuning fork to get A and tune by ear from there.....................oh wait, I gotta go flip the cassette tape on my HI-FI to side B.

 

[bodia]

ROTFL!!!
Jim, that was precious!!!!

I must be worse than a lot of folks, I just use a tuning fork to get A and tune by ear from there.....................oh wait, I gotta go flip the cassette tape on my HI-FI to side B.

Nice to see you've at least upgraded the 8 track..........

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I prefer to tune at full stage volume with distortion turned on.

 

[bodia]

I prefer to tune at full stage volume with distortion turned on.

and some delay too, correct?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

and some delay too, correct?

Yeah! Just to make it more confusing why not throw some chorus on there too.

 

[gush]

I used to put my cigarette on my headstock back in the day when I smoked. Ibanez RGs were perfect for that.

Nothing goes on the headstock of my PRS(s)

 

[gush]

Yeah! Just to makeore confusing why not throw some chorus on there too.

No need for chorus when you have your other guitarist playing china grove over your tuning!

 

[nigelr]

I don't like them, I prefer one in a pedal board that mutes when you tune.
My bandmate has one on his guitar and when he tunes up I can't resist playing the same open string with a very subtle behind-the-nut-bend. The drummer laughing gave the game away but I still do it sometimes.

 

[coyote]

I've been thinking about this a while (having attended a few live shows lately) but does anyone else find it almost distracting (or dare I say "bush league") when guitar players leave the Snark tuners on the end of the guitar when playing? I mean you have these beautiful guitars and to see some $10 plastic tuner at the end of the neck takes away from the beauty of the guitar or the guitar playing.

I do not like the look of a tuner sitting on a guitar. On that we agree.
But to me, your point is like that of people who suggest a music stand has no place on a stage. They believe the songs should all be memorized, and the 'artists' leaping around the stage like maniacs, for the show to be 'professional'. Which is fine if you are chuck berry, or blink 182, or some other act where the music lacks complexity. And with the 'leaper' bands they change guitars between every song anyway, with roadies tuning for them....

No, if a musician needs to have that tuner there I have no objection.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I bet they're trems.