Scopes/Strobes Used on Pro Intonation Set-Ups

[grsnovi]

A very long time ago, I was someplace and tuned a guitar using a scope.

I'm interested in getting set up to use a scope to tune/set up my guitars with.

Mark, elsewhere you replied that you use a Peterson strobe, can you email me with more info on where I can get such a critter.

[russmanuel]

Here's Peterson's homepage :
http://www.petersontuners.com/
Lots of $$$$$$$
Russ

[grsnovi]

Thank-you sir!

G

[grsnovi]

Over the years I have owned small 9v tuners and they've all been junk. I generally tune to a fork.
Years ago, I recall being at a party where the host had a scope set up to tune to.

Anyway, since I don't "play" on stage, it wouldn't be for stage (and the POD Pro has a tuner function built in, but all of these electronic devices seem to get really sloppy, once you get really close - they aren't linear down to fractions of a cent).

I picked up a book yesterday on oscilliscopes and I realize that getting a $10,000 HP or Tek scope to tune a guitar (you can't tuna fish) is like swatting a fly with a nuclear device. Of course, I suspect that you can now get a VERY nice, small basic HP or Tek scope for a pretty reasonable price.

Russ pointed me to the Peterson website (and Mark mentioned that he actually had two Peterson's) so I was all fired up. It said that my local GC carried them, so I hopped in the jeep and headed over, but they would be special order and the list is something like $750. So, today I purchased a Korg DTR1 rack tuner. I'll fool with it for a while before I "invest" in a Peterson.

I oughta have it Tue/Wed (coming in from another store).

G

[Mark_Pilant]

I checked into a Peterson strobe a couple of
months back. I found a bunch of distributors
through their site link that did mail order. As
I recall, I found several which carried the 490
for under $500.

- Mark

[grsnovi]

After reading your post above Mark, I went back to the Peterson page and looked at dealers in NY, CA and FL - thinking that I'd find somebody with an on-line "presence". I found a company called: "Tour Supply" who seems to deal with the stuff touring bands would need drop shipped to "the next venue". They had the 490 listed for sale at 425 - I should have it on Tuesday.

[grsnovi]

It actually arrived this afternoon (Wed) and appears to work... So, who out there can tell me what PYTHAGOREAN temperament is? OK, I'll tell you... perfect 4ths and 5ths... (I'm sure it all means something to somebody...

[russmanuel]

gsnovi : Now that you have had a couple of months to live with your Peterson 490 ... comments ?
Does the increased sensitivity result in a better sound ?
Thanks,
Russ

[grsnovi]

Russ...

Clearly a Peterson is not what one needs to tune a personal guitar. Obviously there are a ton of gizmos out there which are suited for that purpose, the simplest being a fork.

I like my scope. When I was setting the intonation on my twelve string after installing the twelve saddle bridge, there is no question that the Peterson did what was needed.

The "problem" with all of the LED-based systems (in my personal opinion) is that there is an electronic circuit which "tells" the ystem which LED to light up and it has a discrete decision to make: this one vs that one.

On the Peterson, no such decision is required. The strobe scales are set up such that you will be seeing a good pattern on one of them and the drift left or right will tell you how flat or sharp you are.

There is no point at which the system gets confused over which LED to attempt to light up.

I'm not suggesting that everyone should go out and buy a Peterson, but if you are anal about setting your own intonation and/or a gadget/gizmo freak or planning to do professional set-up on a large number of instruments, it appears to be the way to go.

G

ps - and the BEST news is that I took the Korg DTR1 back to the GC where I got it and got a full credit on the critter!

[russmanuel]

Thanks!Your comments are appreciated.
Russ