View Full Version : Electronic tuners
Mike Baker
Apr-03-2016, 7:06am
I use a clip-on Planet Waves tuner on my Deering Goodtime. It works pretty well considering how much electronic tuners seem to hate banjos (or at least tend to get very confused and overstimulated by them), but I'm wondering, has anyone found a tuner they think is particularly good for banjos?
Longblackveil
Apr-03-2016, 9:31am
I use daddario NS micros for all my instruments and they just came out with a really cool one specifically for banjos
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-PW-CT-16-Micro-Banjo/dp/B018K9K0AW
Mike Baker
Apr-03-2016, 10:00am
I love that it clips to the brackets. Can't stand having one on the headstock. Thanks for the tip Lbv!
Unclelevi
Apr-03-2016, 10:13am
I own 3 Snark tuners and really like them for banjo, guitar and mandolin. Not expensive, but they sure do work well.
Longblackveil
Apr-03-2016, 10:14am
I love that it clips to the brackets. Can't stand having one on the headstock. Thanks for the tip Lbv!
Yes it's good for people like me who have bum eyes too. On the headstock it looks like it's a mile away.
snark also makes an adapter for their tuners to clip on the brackets. I just think the daddarios are better tuners and when you add the adapter in the price, the daddario is cheaper
this is actually the cheapest I've found one. It's on sale here. Quite a bit cheaper than the snark+adapter
https://www.stringsbymail.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15988&CAWELAID=120229430000027801&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=120229430000025877&cadevice=m&gclid=CjwKEAjw_oK4BRDym-SDq-aczicSJAC7UVRtIYfhmdsiGCu1vEXYvOm6vJZuMnDbAgaSUy94 Q43bvxoCYPPw_wcB
Banjo Cafe
Apr-03-2016, 8:43pm
Here's a little about the new D'Addario Tuner (http://www.banjocafe.net/forum/content.php?162-D-Addario-Releases-NS-Micro-Banjo-Tuner). Ya'll would have read about that here first if we hadn't been blocking this big old site with some passwords back on January 25. We promise to not hide this information any further.
:)
dmiller
Apr-03-2016, 10:01pm
Snark Sn-8. I put them on the peg head of the banjo/ guitar/ fiddle/ or mandolin when I need to use them to tune up, and take them off IMMEDIATELY after. I don't care how PROFESSIONAL a picker is - - he (or she) look like a complete amateur doofus standing there on stage behind a mic with a tuner hanging off of their instruments peg head while they are performing. Just my (humble) opinion.
Banjoman56
Apr-03-2016, 10:28pm
I use the Snark tuners also. They do a great job!
darylcrisp
Apr-03-2016, 11:18pm
I have Snark, Daddario Micro, and Sabine Zoid.
Out of the 3 I prefer the Zoid.
Recently I picked up a Polytune-this is hands down, the best tuner I've ever used, and appears to be extremely well made. I just ordered 3 more. It registers immediate, and on mandolin will easily register the E course harmonic at the 12th.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PolyTuneClip
once my other 3 Polytune arrive, the other brands I own will be donated to a school program.
d
Snark Sn-8. I put them on the peg head of the banjo/ guitar/ fiddle/ or mandolin when I need to use them to tune up, and take them off IMMEDIATELY after. I don't care how PROFESSIONAL a picker is - - he (or she) look like a complete amateur doofus standing there on stage behind a mic with a tuner hanging off of their instruments peg head while they are performing. Just my (humble) opinion.
Same here. The Snark SN-8 seems to work fine for me on mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and banjo. I put it on, tune up, and take it off. The display is large enough that it's still easy to see at the end of a banjo peghead. Since I play an open-back and the case padding fits pretty closely all the way around the rim, I don't think a rim-mounted tuner would work for me. And I don't think I'd want it on there anyway.
Banjo Cafe
Apr-04-2016, 8:50am
Because we can...
Over the weekend we pinged our contact at D'Addario about this discussion and they said we could give away 5 of their new NS Micro Banjo Tuners (http://www.banjocafe.net/forum/content.php?162-D-Addario-Releases-NS-Micro-Banjo-Tuner) in whatever fashion we wanted, and they'd appreciate the recipients providing a short review here. So....
First five folks that post in this thread following this post, one of the tuners is yours! Simply PM (private message) us your mailing address if you're in that group of 5 and we'll pass them on to D'Addario so they can mail them to you.
This can't be a bad way to start a Monday can it?
http://www.banjocafe.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=139&d=1456189037 (http://www.banjocafe.net/forum/content.php?162-D-Addario-Releases-NS-Micro-Banjo-Tuner)
Oh, what the heck, I'll give it a shot! Maybe it will be something I end up liking. No way to know other than to try one, and free works for me. :)
DonnieD
Apr-04-2016, 8:59am
I'd sure love to try one. Sounds like a great idea!
Banjo Cafe
Apr-04-2016, 9:05am
There are two winners. Hey, I'll take one too! Oh wait, that doesn't look right,
:))
Longblackveil
Apr-04-2016, 10:02am
Heck yeah! I'm in
i actually dont own the banjo version yet, but I know they're good tuners and I was planning on getting one soon
dmiller
Apr-04-2016, 10:03am
I like my snark, but I'll gladly give that one there a try. Thanks for the offer. 279
derbex
Apr-04-2016, 10:35am
If they'll send one to the UK I'll try it out.
Banjo Cafe
Apr-04-2016, 10:40am
If they'll send one to the UK I'll try it out.
They may not be willing but we will if they send it to us.
So that's the five we're giving away. Still need addresses from folks!
dhergert
Apr-04-2016, 10:55am
I've got NS Micro "Headstock" Tuners on all three of my main playing banjos. I love the compact functional bodies of these tuners, they are great. I hate the mounts, they are weak and likely to be accidentally released. I have so badly wanted to get them off my headstocks and on the body of the banjos...
BTW, the compact functional bodies of these tuners are interchangeable with other mounts, which is very nice.
Soooo...
After reviewing the mount design of the older NS Micro "Headstock" Tuner and of the brand new NS Micro "Banjo" Tuner in pictures, I've made a prototype of a simpler but similar mount out of scrap ~1/16" thick sheet Mylar. The mount is approximately the same length and width as the mount on the new NS Micro "Banjo" Tuner but is a simpler, single flat piece that is keyed-holed so that the key-head on the compact functional body of the tuner locks tightly right on it just as it would on a stock mount.
This single flat piece mounts under the banjo's hook shafts just as the mount of the new NS Micro "Banjo" Tuner would, but with this mount the tuner fits even more compactly against the rim than the new NS Micro "Banjo" Tuner does, so it makes a very clean install.
I've mounted all three of my NS Micro "Headstock" Tuners on my main playing banjos using three copies of this prototype. They work great with all the normal functionality of the NS Micro Tuner bodies, and are very compact and convenient. Aside from polishing up the mounts, the one other thing I will change in making the final three mounts for my main playing banjos is that I'll find some black ~1/16" sheet Mylar so color is less prominent.
See pics below...
LarryS
Apr-04-2016, 11:38am
I just stumbled on this thread.. Am I too late to the party for the tuner give away ?
I could probably do the math and decipher the string.. but it is Monday
alprice
Apr-04-2016, 11:58am
Those new banjo tuners look great... Anyone tried one on a Nechville Heli-mount frame?
Al
Banjo Cafe
Apr-04-2016, 12:47pm
I just stumbled on this thread.. Am I too late to the party for the tuner give away ?
I could probably do the math and decipher the string.. but it is Monday
Sorry, LarryS, you were just a little late.
LarryS
Apr-05-2016, 12:07pm
Sorry, LarryS, you were just a little late.
Hmmm story of my life ;), thanks for letting me know. Now I have marked my calendar for the 15th ! Yahoo.
DonnieD
Apr-05-2016, 2:51pm
Hey Al,
I will let you know very soon. I'm hoping it will fit right out of the box but looking at the pictures, the bracket may need a slight alteration.
dhergert
Apr-05-2016, 9:30pm
So, this alternative mount that I've been working on for the NS Micro "Headstock" Tuners has evolved a bit...
I've found that the Mylar material that I've made the mount from is flexible enough that I can place it all under hooks on the rim and still be able to remove the tuner for battery changes, so the tuner body itself can have a lower profile against the rim. If the banjo has hooks that are far enough apart that the tuner body fits between them, it's even better.
I've also found that I can custom trim the mount material for the banjo, and that it doesn't have to be as long of a mount as I had originally set it up. Trimming the mount material is to get it as close to the neck as possible, while still leaving enough that there is plenty of stability.
Below are pics that show how it is looking now...
-- Don
dhergert
Apr-07-2016, 10:40pm
And here (below) is the final version of this. I found some nice flat black sheet Mylar to make the mounts with...
-- Don
303304305
dmiller
Apr-12-2016, 11:41pm
Okey-dokey. The NS Micro Banjo Tuner showed up here at my front porch mailbox two days ago. My sincere compliments and kudos to D'Addario for EXTREMELY FAST customer service. I was impressed! :cool: So - - - I've used the tuner for these past two days and here's what I think of it.
First of all - - Here's an answer for Alprice:
Hi there Al. No. It will NOT work (effectively) on the Helimount system. When the tuner arrived, I tried it first on that '94 Nechvil Nuvo you talked me into buying back about 5 or 6 years ago. It will work on a Nechville when you put the tuner there on the flange, but since the Helimount "brackets" are integral and not round (or spaced like all other non-Nechville banjos are) this tuner cannot be securely mounted to the banjo. It will register the notes picked, and will also give you an accurate reading for you to tune to. But not being securely mounted on the flange means that it is a "loose cannon on deck" and could easily fall off the banjo at any time if it was just left there. You can use it on the Nechville but it would (IMO) need to be taken off the flange after each use. This tuner seems to work best on the traditional (Gibson style) banjos that have the tension hoop and hooks.
Then I tried the tuner on the ODE D, and the Gibson RB-250. It fit well (securely) on both of them since they have the traditional hooks and a tension hoop like all banjos (except Nechville) have. When tuning, I got an accurate reading of the strings and the tuner itself was (as advertised) unobtrusive and out of sight to any audience or onlookers, but easily accessible/ and readable to the person playing. The bottom section under the tuner itself (the "anchors" that fit under the tension hooks) are a bit stiff, but once you get them in place the tuner is held there securely and right where you need it. This is a good tuner that would be a benefit to any picker.
That's the good news. Now here's the "rest of the story":
As much as I like this tuner, it's not for me. The digital readout is too small for me to see with the tuner down on the flange. Plus - - wearing bifocals doesn't help me see it any better since I have to hold my head at an odd angle to see this tuner's readout. These past couple of days, I switched back and forth between this new NS Micro tuner and my SN8 snark tuner and I've come to the conclusion that I need the larger "readout screen" that the snark has.
I guess tuner use/ appreciation is "subjective" - - - kind of like tone rings are (flat-head vs. arch-top)/ or fingerboards (flat vs. radiused)/ or bridges (straight vs. compensated)/ or origin of manufacture (USA vs. Chinese)/ that sort of thing. I'm glad I got a chance to look at and try this tuner, but I won't be using it anymore so I'm going to give it away. If there is anyone here who NEEDS or could use an electronic tuner like this, PM me through the site here. Like I said - - I got it for free, so I'm letting it go for free. Postage won't be much, so I'll pick that up too.
Longblackveil
Apr-13-2016, 7:41am
And here (below) is the final version of this. I found some nice flat black sheet Mylar to make the mounts with...
-- Don
303304305
nice work! I imagine that's about as invisible as it's going to get
ddawson2017
Apr-13-2016, 11:35am
Don from D'Addario here - wanted to thank everyone for their insight on this. With the many iterations of banjo and banjo construction, it's good to hear what's working and almost more importantly, what's not. We'll share this feedback with our brand team. Thanks for taking the time! Roll on!
Don Dawson
D'Addario
Banjo Cafe
Apr-13-2016, 1:05pm
Don from D'Addario sent us a few of the new NS tuners for our own use. We were already using them so why not pass on the good fortune? Anyone that wants the one extra we aren't keeping post below and then private message us your address and we'll send it to you with some Banjo Cafe case stickers. We only have one so first post gets it.
LeonEvans
Apr-13-2016, 5:35pm
I'd like to get it please.
Thanks,
Leon
dhergert
Apr-13-2016, 6:02pm
Just wanted to repeat how much I like the functionality and compactness of these tuners. I'm not sold on the mounts (as you've seen by my efforts to replace them), but I really like the tuners themselves.
For me they are worth the extra work to fabricate a mount.
-- Don
I got the yellow slip in my PO Box today that tells me I have a package to retrieve from the counter. When I do get it, I'll post a review.
OK, so I got the D'Addario micro-tuner yesterday and used it last night. Pics below.
It was easy to mount on the sides of the J-hooks and snapped right in place. Rather clever idea there. The center of the bracket, just under the tuner body, has a round notch that locks it on the center J-hook. And once installed, it's not really touching the rim at all - just pushing down on the center J-hook and pulling up on the adjacent ones.
The end of the bracket closest to the neck, though, is just touching the side of the neck. I'd rather that it not rub the finish there, so I'll end up filing it down to provide some clearance.
The tuner works OK. I had hoped it would pick up the notes more quickly and more consistently, being mounted on the rim instead of at the peg head. But it did have some trouble reading the notes during tuning unless I plucked the string pretty loudly. Accuracy-wise, it is decent.
The location takes some getting used to, since I'm used to looking at the peg head where I usually clip on a tuner. Despite its small size, it was easy for me to read. And it was unobtrusive while playing. I do like that about it. Retuning was a breeze, since I didn't have to reach for my usual clip-on tuner every time.
But the biggest down-side for me is that it won't fit in my case, just as I feared. As you can see in the photo below, the padding in the case just doesn't have the clearance for the tuner. So if I continue to use this, I'll have to take it off every time I put my banjo away and then put it back on when I get it out of the case. It's no biggie, though, since I can at least leave it on while playing. That's an improvement over my peg head clip-on tuner which I refuse to leave on while playing.
Overall, I like this tuner. I wouldn't call it the be-all, end-all of tuners, but it's a decent tool that was fairly well thought out for banjos.
DonnieD
Apr-15-2016, 8:52am
I received my complimentary D'Addario NS Micro Banjo Tuner on Tuesday. Thanks so much to Greg and Don at D'Addario and to Charlie at Banjo Cafe for the opportunity to try this little tuner. Right out of the box I put it on a conventional hook and nut, mastertone style banjo and it fit well, seemed very stable and did a good job tuning. So far so good! However, my two gigging banjos are both Nechville banjos with the Heli-Mount frames so I had to put it on a Nechville, even after reading dmiller's review above, and found the same thing about the fit to be true. It did fit but it was obviously not very stable. Centering the 1/8" hook notch on the frame post, the hoop arms of the tuner fit under the frame posts, but not nearly enough. Any lateral movement and the tuner would likely become a missle. To solve this problem, I wrapped a strip of black electrical tape several times around each side if the 1/8" notch, creating two shoulders 3/8" apart for the post to set in. That eliminated the possibility of any lateral movement and adequately stabilized the tuner. I used it for a three hour gig Wednesday evening and had no issues with it whatsoever. The tuning function works very well, even in a noisy restaurant style, poorly lit setting and it seems to be more accurate than the snarks I have been using. I wear no-line bifocals but had no problem reading the tuner at this new angle and location. In closing, I really like the tuner, I just wish the bracket was more Heli-Mount friendly. If the notch in the bracket was 3/8" wide and each arm about 1/4" longer, it would be very Heli-Mount friendly. As it is, I still plan on using it because I like the functionality of it and maybe the folks at D'Addario will, at some point, come up with an after-market bracket for it that will fit my Nechvilles.
dhergert
Apr-15-2016, 10:30am
Tobin and DonnieD, if you'd like me to make one of my fabricated mounts for you to try with your banjos, I'd be willing to do so (free).
Tobin, I suspect the accuracy and case-fitting issues would both be solved by this fabricated mount.
DonnieD, if you're interested, I'd like to see 2 pics of the side of your Nechville's rim near the neck, one without anything there and the other with the tuner mounted the way you did to make it work there.
Just let me know if either or both of you guys are interested. In my personal testing, the functionality of these tuners is worth the extra effort with the mount.
-- Don
333
DonnieD
Apr-15-2016, 12:16pm
Don - That would be very cool and much appreciated! I fully agree that it's well worth the effort. Here's a photo without the tuner. I'll take one with the tuner installed (the way I have it mounted....sits farther out than yours) this evening and let you see that. Thanks!334
--Donnie
Tobin
Apr-15-2016, 12:40pm
Tobin and DonnieD, if you'd like me to make one of my fabricated mounts for you to try with your banjos, I'd be willing to do so (free).
Tobin, I suspect the accuracy and case-fitting issues would both be solved by this fabricated mount.
Thanks for the offer! I might take you up on that, but I want to play with it a little more and see if I can make it work. It might be that if I rotate the head the other way (pointing toward the neck), it could squeeze into my case without breaking.
dhergert
Apr-15-2016, 1:37pm
Excellent...
I'll start working the materials tonight, Donnie. Tonight's picture will undoubtedly give me more info to work with.
Tobin, just let me know, the offer does still stand if you decide you would like it.
The mount I have on my Mastertone fits like a glove with no movement, it's just the right length and width... But that is on my Mastertone and there are some significant model variations even just within that brand...
I could just copy that mount for you guys, but one of the benefits of using such a simple mount out of sheet Mylar is the ease of customizing it for each banjo, so I'm thinking I'll just make the mounts with dimensions that are both longer and wider, and let you cut them as works best for your banjos for fit, stability and esthetics.
As we get closer to having these fabricated mounts in your hands I can provide some suggestions from what I've recently learned about cutting for a good custom fit.
Fun!
-- Don
DonnieD
Apr-15-2016, 6:47pm
Don - As promised, here's a couple of pics from two different angles with the tuner in place. I apologize for the quality but, because everything is black, I had to use the flash. That created some reflections but you should be able to see what's going on better. The posts are spaced on 1 13/16" centers and are about 3/8" wide. The space between the bottom of the head ring (hoop) and top of the flange is right at 9/16". Making it large and trimming to suit will certainly work......probably a good idea. Keep in mind that on a Nechville, the heel of the neck stops at the frame and does not reach the pot as in hook and nut type banjos. That leaves a through tunnel between the neck heel and the tone ring so the neck side of the mount would not necessarily have to stop at the neck (if that makes sense). Thanks for the help! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Donnie
335336
dhergert
Apr-15-2016, 10:23pm
Those do help a lot, thanks Donnie...
I have three initial questions for you:
(1) You've very helpfully indicated that the space between the bottom of the head ring (aka flesh hoop) and top of the flange is ~9/16"... The flat black Mylar material that I'm using is fairly stiff and about 1/16" thick. If one of us cuts the width of this material at 9/16", will it fit fairly snugly under the posts? I'm thinking I may cut the width for you and then I can center the keyhole for the tuner mounting post more nicely, plus that way all you have to worry about is cutting the rearward and forward lengths.
(2) Will the tuner body fit between the first post (next to the neck) and the second post?
(3) If it does fit there between the first and second posts, when seated against the rim in that location, can you still read the tuner display (meaning, does the second post block the ability to read the tuner display)?
With my three main playing banjos I have mounted the tuner body as close to the neck as possible and also right against the rim, so it is sort of discrete, so it is also out of the way in the banjo's case and so it gets more concentrated vibration for tuning accuracy. On my Mastertone and on my CEB-5 the tuner actually fits between the first and second hooks and the hooks are small enough that the display is still easily readable. On my SS Stewart the hook spacing is closer so the rear of the tuner body rests against the first hook and the front of the tuner body rests on the second hook. This works out well too, but the tuner is not quite as discrete in it's location there since the front of the tuner is actually resting on the second hook. It's not a major difference, being only a difference in the location of the front of the tuner of about 1/8".
Because the Nechville's posts are so sutstantial, I suspect that if the tuner's body fits between them, the display is going to be hard to see because the second post will probably block the view...
Soooo, I'm thinking we'll run some length of the mount under the first post and possibly under the neck heel as you've suggested, with the rear of the tuner resting against that post. Then the mount will continue over the second post so the tuner display can be easily seen. Then the mount will continue and run under the third post, and maybe further, for anchoring. This will be sort of similar to how the stock mount would have worked; the big difference is that the tuner body will rest against the first post, so it will be much closer to the neck heel, more discrete and out of the way, and receiving more vibrations there.
I hope I'm expressing this clearly, if not, let me know and I'll try to word it better... (I would include some more pictures but my camera isn't attaching to my PC at the moment.)
Anyway, please consider this concept for the mount and let me know what you think. If it sounds reasonable for the Nechville, I'll proceed with preparing it.
Also, I'm thinking I'll prepare some similar blue Mylar material for you to use as a prototype for cutting the lengths and to experiment a little bit, then you can use that prototype as a model to cut the lengths of the black finished mount...
Sooo, some more questions: Since you have two Nechville banjos, are you intending to get another D'Addario NS Mini tuner for the second Nechville? Is the other Nechville's rim design the same as the one we've been talking about? If so, would you like to have two of these black finished mounts?
-- Don
P.S. Looking more closely at your pics, I can see that the "first post" is actually part of Nechville's innovative neck mounting system... Very nice. That said, I think the concept I'm suggesting still applies, even though the "first post" I refer to is actually part of the neck mount.
DonnieD
Apr-16-2016, 7:40am
Don - I understand what you are saying and I'll try to answer your questions:
1) A 9/16" band width will fit perfectly. The actual space is probably closer to 5/8".
2) Posts are indeed substantial. Theoretically, it should fit. The first space is 1 3/8"L and the tuner body is 1 1/4"L.
3) No. It looks like it would pivot up enough to clear.
I believe this concept will work, my only concern would be that there's not much space for installation and removal at that location unless the mylar is extremely flexible. That first space is slightly smaller that the rest (by about 1/8").
Yes, at some point I will likely get another micro tuner for the Nechville Vintage. The two Heli-Mount frames are dimensionally identical, just the finishes are different (Vintage frame is nickel plated, Phantom is black).
You are correct in that the first post is actually part of the neck mount.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Donnie
dhergert
Apr-16-2016, 10:58am
Thank you for the replies Donnie...
<< ... my only concern would be that there's not much space for installation and removal at that location unless the mylar is extremely flexible. That first space is slightly smaller that the rest (by about 1/8"). >>
Yes, the Mylar at this thickness is not extremely flexible, so if we do mount the tuner body flush against the rim between the first and second posts with the mount running under both of these posts, I agree, the fit is probably going to be so tight it would be difficult to change batteries, etc... We could probably get it to install, but the mount would just barely extend under the first post, which would also mean it could more easily slip out unexpectedly. So with the mount extending under both the first and second posts, it wouldn't be as solid as I'd like to see there.
So, just to be clear, what I'm suggesting is that we make the mount material longer so that it extends significantly under the first post and maybe also under the neck heel for some length. The tuner body would be attached to the mount so that the rear of the tuner body actually rests against the first post. Then the mount material will rest over the second post, and extend significantly under the third post, wedging itself into a stable position there.
With that configuration, the tuner could be fairly easily slid forward, partially over the second post to remove it for battery changes, etc., and then reinstallation would be pretty easy also. And also with this configuration, the tuner display will always be unobstructed and easily seen.
Since I can't get my camera connection working lately, I've pulled out paint and crudely drawn what I think we're talking about... Sorry to drag this detail out more, but if we get it right from the start, the mount will work better.
The first image is with the mount material under both the first and second posts, with the tuner body between both posts and flush against the rim, and this is probably going to be too tight
The second image is with the mount material under the first post, the rear of the tuner body resting against the first post and the mount material running over the second post, to eventually wedge under the third post. This is the solution I'm suggesting.
What do you think? :)
-- Don
DonnieD
Apr-17-2016, 12:54pm
Don,
Your suggestion works for me....I like it! When the tuner is centered over the second post, it is still very visible, which is fine for the playing/tuning position. To store the banjo in the case, it would be helpful to be able to slide it back toward the neck into that first space. It would be great if you could allow enough length to do that.
Thanks again,
Donnie
Longblackveil
Apr-17-2016, 1:18pm
Just got home from the festival and was greeted by the daddario box. (Wow big box for such a small item!)
haven't used it yet just wanted to let yall know I will share my thoughts on it soon as requested by daddario. I already know I love the tuner itself since I use it on my other instruments, so I'll mostly talk about the mounting
I managed to make mine work in the case by rotating it the other way and angling it with the padding. As long as I compress the foam with many finger before laying the banjo down, it fits, abeit with pressure on the tuner.
I played a public gig with it today, and still had some issues getting it to read the notes while tuning. But it is indeed handy having it there, out of the way and not too visible.
dhergert
Apr-17-2016, 9:07pm
Tobin << still had some issues getting it to read the notes while tuning. >>
One thing I usually have to do with more powerful banjos is tune to the harmonic instead of tuning to the open note. My main playing Mastertone is a cannon and when any tuner I've worked with is mounted on the rim, the volume overpowers it. So I've gotten in the habit of always tuning to the harmonics instead of to the open notes.
Tuning to the harmonic is also quieter and I've been told that it is not so annoying to listen to.
My band and I just also finished 2 sets for a gig today, and I was having trouble reading my tuner outside. Then I changed the battery... All is well.
-- Don
dhergert
Apr-17-2016, 9:09pm
Donnie << ... It would be great if you could allow enough length to do that. >>
Great, I'll move forward with this then. And I'll give you as much length as I can cut out of the material... At this point I don't think it will be any problem.
I'll be in contact...
-- Don
Longblackveil
Apr-18-2016, 7:33am
I'm suprised you're having trouble picking up notes Tobin, I've had no such problem with mine so far. I wonder if there's something wrong with your tuner or maybe your battery? I've even tested out intonating up the neck and it works good for me.
I really like it, I see no glaring need for change, but the problems fitting in the case I can imagine are a hassle. I have a gig bag so no problem there for me. I guess that's the benefit of dhergert's design, shouldn't be any trouble fitting cases with that one.
i did notice that the tuner itself has a one difference from all my other daddario ns tuners. It has a wider range for the green "in tune" light. Whereas my other tuners would only show green when I'm right on the note or maybe a cent sharp or flat, this one will show green before that. Not sure I like that because i can no longer just say "green, ok I'm in tune" but not a huge deal, and I can swap the tuners out of the bracket if it bothers me too much.
overall I like it. Thanks daddario and banjocafe I really appreciate it!
DonnieD
Apr-18-2016, 7:47am
Thanks Don, I really appreciate it......when you get close, please send me a PM and I'll give you my address.
--Donnie
I'm suprised you're having trouble picking up notes Tobin, I've had no such problem with mine so far. I wonder if there's something wrong with your tuner or maybe your battery? I've even tested out intonating up the neck and it works good for me.
Well, when it does pick up the note, it reads it just fine. The problem seems to be getting a lock in the first place. When I turn it on and pick an open string, sometimes it will read it, and sometimes it will just give me a dash as if it doesn't recognize what it is. I dunno what's causing it, but the tuner seems to be fully functional otherwise, and it's a brand new battery.
i did notice that the tuner itself has a one difference from all my other daddario ns tuners. It has a wider range for the green "in tune" light. Whereas my other tuners would only show green when I'm right on the note or maybe a cent sharp or flat, this one will show green before that. Not sure I like that because i can no longer just say "green, ok I'm in tune" but not a huge deal, and I can swap the tuners out of the bracket if it bothers me too much.
When it's green, it will flash on the first bar on either side of the note letter to tell you that you're slightly sharp or flat. I guess the idea is that if you're in the green, you're probably close enough for casual tuning, but you can still dial it in a bit more accurately by fine-tuning until neither bar is flashing.
dhergert
Apr-18-2016, 5:39pm
Donnie << Thanks Don, I really appreciate it......when you get close, please send me a PM and I'll give you my address. >>
Will do...
I finally got my camera talking to my PC. Below is a pic of my SS Stewart configured with the front of the tuner sitting on the 2nd hook now... (And keep in mind, as we've discussed this mount configuration on my SS Stewart isn't how we'll be doing your mounts on your Nechville banjos. Your mount material will run under the neck, under the tuner, over the top of your 2nd post and then forward and under the 3rd post; but the position of the tuner close to the neck heel is similar to how yours can be depending on where you want to position it when in use.)
-- Don
Longblackveil
Apr-19-2016, 6:29pm
When it's green, it will flash on the first bar on either side of the note letter to tell you that you're slightly sharp or flat. I guess the idea is that if you're in the green, you're probably close enough for casual tuning, but you can still dial it in a bit more accurately by fine-tuning until neither bar is flashing.
Yeah it's weird that's all my other ones work, but this one turns green a full 3 bars to either side of the note. So I guess it's just mine, because the way you're describing yours sounds how it should be
At three bars from true, mine turns yellow. Actually, it's more like a pale green. Then a true green when it's one bar from true.
dhergert
Apr-21-2016, 3:19am
Hmmm, there may be different versions of the firmware in this tuner.
Could be different models also, I know the earlier HS Mini "Headstock" version from Planet Waves last year had a completely different physical design, completely different features but used the exact same keyed connector for the mount. That version was not as compact, and it didn't have the ability to change the view perspective and also didn't have the metronome feature.
-- Don
dhergert
Apr-21-2016, 11:41am
I had an interesting discovery yesterday.
I changed heads on two of my banjos that I have the newer NS Mini tuners on, using the mounts I made... In changing the heads, I went from flesh-hoop skin head type of a heads to Remo heads.
For those who haven't mounted skin heads, the flesh hoop (or mounting ring) for these heads are typically wire or hex-rod that is not very thick, probably 1/3 or 1/2 the size of the mounting ring on most manufactured banjo heads, including Remo's.
While changing the heads on these banjos I found that the difference in the size of the flesh-hoop between these two head-types was enough to prevent my mounts (as-is) and the stock NS Mini "Banjo" mount from working. There's not enough space the under hooks between the flesh hoop and the rim-shoes (or whatever mechanism is being used) for these mount technologies to fit on these two particular banjos.
For my mounts, this basically means trimming, so they become a custom-fit for whatever banjo they are on. That's not a big problem, but it does take some thinking about mount dimensions for each individual banjo as the material is cut.
For the actual D'Addario NS Mini tuner's stock "Banjo" mount, I have to wonder if it would work at all... I think it's too big to fit between the flesh hoop and the rim-shoes.
Donnie, this doesn't change the mounts I'm working on for your Nechvilles, since we've already basically custom designed them for your banjos.
-- Don
Longblackveil
Apr-21-2016, 1:07pm
At three bars from true, mine turns yellow. Actually, it's more like a pale green. Then a true green when it's one bar from true.
Ah you're right. It is a slightly more yellow color. Still different from my other tuners.
no gripe here, but I just expected the tuner part to be the same as the others. I still really like it and it hasn't come off my banjo yet. My ns mini fiddle tuner never comes off my fiddle. All in all these are my favorite tuners and I'm glad they worked up something for the banjos
derbex
Apr-22-2016, 12:13pm
Here's my review of the NS Micro Banjo tuner that D'addario were kind enough to ship over the pond to me. Firstly a note about the banjo -it's an old Vega style F tenor from the early 1920s with friction pegs, I'm not sure how much is original or how much 'settling' there has been, shall we just say it's idiosyncratic.
I wanted to mount the tuner by the neck heel, as others have, but I can only get one leg through the hooks there, the clearances under the hooks vary from hook to hook and I found that I can mount the tuner as in the image.
351
This does work, although it's a bit more obtrusive than I'd like it doesn't get in the way of my right arm. When I came to write this review I found that the battery was dead, the banjo leans up against a wall and I wonder if it was leaning on the tuner power button.
As a tuner it works well -much better than the tuners it is tuning :) The display is big enough and I like the traffic light system, I haven't had any problems with it locking onto a note.
Will I keep using it? The tuner yes, not sure about the mount, I may be better off with blu-tac, if I did use that I would probably stick it by the neck heel, to get the tuner more out of the way.
dhergert
Apr-25-2016, 5:00am
Hey Donnie,
I need one more measurement, just to make sure I've got the right length for the mount material...
Can you make a paper or cardboard mock-up of the 9/16" wide mount material and slide it into place just like the Mylar material that I'll be sending you would fit, extending under the first post and under the neck as far as you envision would be helpful, then over the second post and under the third post, all as we've described in determining how this should fit. Allow enough length under the neck with this mock-up so that you can slide it forward as we've talked about, and either cut or mark this mock up at the desired length. Keep in mind that the tuner body will rest against the first post at least when not in use.
That length measurement will tell me whether I need to go get some more material in order to produce the right length for you.
Btw, it's not a problem if I do need to get more material, I use it for odds and ends all over the house, so don't be worried about the length. We want the length to be right so that the mounts will work properly.
The attached pic is just as a reminder of how we want the mock-up (and the final product) to work on your Nechvilles.
Thanks!
-- Don
DonnieD
Apr-25-2016, 7:40am
Hey Don,
Good idea! I don't have either banjo with me at the moment but I can check that for you this evening. That will also confirm that 9/16" is the correct width. I will let you know later.
Thanks,
Donnie
DonnieD
Apr-26-2016, 7:42am
Don,
I checked it out last night and here is what I found. Any width between 1/2" and 5/8" will work, however the 9/16" is probably best. The overall length required to fit behind the neck, over the 2nd post and behind the third is 8", with the mounting hole centered (4" from each end). That will allow enough length for sliding the tuner back for storage and leave just a shade for trimming if necessary. Hopefully, this fits with the material that you have on hand.
Thanks,
Donnie
dhergert
Apr-26-2016, 10:10pm
Ok, good, thanks for the measurement Donnie, I'm glad to know the 8" length.
I will need to pick up some more of the mount material but it's good to do anyway since I use this material for other goodies. I should be able to put these mounts together for you pretty quickly once I have the material in hand. I expect that will probably be within 4 or 5 days from now.
I'll be in contact...
-- Don
Just a follow-up review on the D'Addario Micro NS banjo tuner, now that I've been using it a couple of weeks...
I'm still having the issue of it reading the string I'm trying to tune. My Snark tuner clipped on the peghead, by comparison, seems to read just fine, but this one seems confused and gives me a dash, or flashes different colors on the screen for a while. The issue seems more pronounced on the 3rd and 4th strings. It seems to only pick up the note if I mute all the other strings with my left hand and then pluck the string pretty violently. It'll get the job done eventually, but I'm finding myself increasingly just grabbing the Snark and clipping it on the peghead just to save myself the time and frustration.
The other issue that has cropped up is that this tuner has an annoying rattle when I'm playing. The tuner body doesn't seem loose on the bracket, and I don't think the bracket is rattling in the J-hooks. I think it's the little buttons on top of the tuner that are rattling inside the body of the tuner. I probably wouldn't even notice the rattling if it were clipped at the peghead, but the fact that it's on the body, literally right under my ears, means that I pick up the buzzing sound.