Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Review (December 2024)

$99.20

Last updated on December 18, 2024 12:10 am Details

Description

In this review post, we’re going to be discussing the Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, including an overview of its unique features.

Product Description

The world’s top-selling stage tuner, the BOSS TU-2, evolves and improves with the debut of the new TU-3. Housed in a tank-tough BOSS stompbox body, the TU-3 features a smooth 21-segment LED meter with a High-Brightness mode that cuts through the harshest outdoor glare. Choose between Chromatic or Guitar/Bass tuning modes, and enjoy visual pinpoint tuning verification with the Accu-Pitch Sign function. The TU-3 incorporates a convenient Note Name Indicator that can display notes of 7-string guitars and 6-string basses, while the Flat-Tuning mode can support up to six half-steps. It’s the new-standard tuner that no guitarist or bass player should be without!

Product Features

21-segment LED meter with brightness control
High-Brightness mode enhances meter visibility outdoors
Accurate to +/- one cent
Accu-Pitch Sign function provides visual verification when tuning is complete
Chromatic and Guitar/Bass mode (tune by string number, with support for 7-string guitars and 6-string basses)
Flat tuning is supported with Guitar Flat mode, which allows for “drop” tunings up to six semitones below standard pitch
Tuner automatically mutes when the tuner is on
Supplies power for up to seven BOSS compact effect pedals
BOSS five-year warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

High-quality build
Affordably priced
Very reputable
Worth the price
The tuner is swift
Wonderful sound quality
Positive consumer feedback
Brightness allows easily read the display

Cons

Consume a lot of battery and that too very rapidly
It takes almost 15-20 seconds to pick up the tune

Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Demo

Our Verdict

To begin with, the new TU-3’s precision is advertised as +/-1 cent across a 23-segment LED display, implying that it tunes more precisely. When compared to a 10-year-old TU-2 and a TU-12, the TU-3 exceeds its predecessor; this difference is undetectable in most live circumstances, but it does mean that the TU-3 is a better partner for altering your intonation.

Because of the improved accuracy, landing in tune is a little more tricky in real-time; for example, this reviewer doesn’t wait for the extra half-second or so for the ‘AccuPitch’ confirmation display after the single green LED lights up. Drop tunings up to six semitones and bass tuning up to three flats are also available.

Because of the new high brightness mode, the maximum current consumption increases from 55mA (TU-2) to 85mA. Using the specified BOSS supply and a PCS-20A daisy chain, the TU-3 can also deliver 200mA to up to seven other BOSS Compacts.

Boss is avoiding true-bypass switching, which may be an issue for tone-obsessed users, but the customary Boss buffered output comes in handy when employing long leads and many pedals. There’s also no support for sweetened tunings, but the truth is that only a small percentage of players are aware of or interested in them!

Where to Buy

The best place to buy this product has to be Amazon, due to their competitive pricing and fantastic customer service.