Tuner Problem with Single Coils

NotScott · October 10, 2021 at 1:16 AM

I have a toaster running the latest OS and have had a problem with the tuner for some time now. With single coil guitars, using the strobe function, the high E string bounces all over the place, whether I try to tune to the attack or the steady state of the string and whether I use the open string, fretted at 12th fret or harmonic. All other strings work fine. It works fine with humbuckers and quiet pickups. Any ideas or suggestions? Thank you.

paults · October 10, 2021 at 1:27 AM

Do your single coil pickups buzz when the guitar is turned up, and you are not playing? Single coil buzz/hum can interfere with a tuner's ability to analyze the note that is being played.

NotScott · October 10, 2021 at 1:34 AM

Quote from paults

Do your single coil pickups buzz when the guitar is turned up, and you are not playing? Single coil buzz/hum can interfere with a tuner's ability to analyze the note that is being played.

I get single coil buzz but my Peterson strobe tuner has no issues neither does my Helix FX nor my Shure wireless tuner.

MuddySludge · October 10, 2021 at 1:40 AM

Roll the tone all the way off on the guitar, that worked for me.

NotScott · October 10, 2021 at 1:42 AM

Quote from MuddySludge

Roll the tone all the way off on the guitar, that worked for me.

I have tried that and it doesn't work.

I bought my unit new several years ago and I don't recall this ever being an issue until about 6-8 months ago.

Wheresthedug · October 10, 2021 at 9:08 AM

sounds like you might have at least one of the pickups too high on treble side and the magnetic field is affecting the string’s vibration. However, that wouldn’t explain why the Peteresen and Helix work properly ?

Joptunes · October 10, 2021 at 2:55 PM

does it tune ok in positions 2 or 4? Assuming you have a 5 way switch, or can select more than one single coil at a time. That stabilizes it for me when tuning.

NotScott · October 10, 2021 at 3:29 PM

Quote from Joptunes

does it tune ok in positions 2 or 4? Assuming you have a 5 way switch, or can select more than one single coil at a time. That stabilizes it for me when tuning.

I use vintage spec pickups so no RWRP for me with my Strats. But it also does the same thing with my Teles, P90 guitars and my Dynasonic guitars.

BayouTexan · October 11, 2021 at 4:56 PM

Practice using a floyd rose and you will be able to get the bubble to be less bouncy.

NotScott · October 12, 2021 at 3:47 AM

Quote from BayouTexan

Practice using a floyd rose and you will be able to get the bubble to be less bouncy.

My Floyd guitars all have buckers so no issues with noise on the high E. Once you learn how to tune a Floyd, they are pretty simple though.

The problem is definitely EMI. If I move the guitar to minimize the buzz, the tuning stabilizes. I just find it odd that my old, analog Peterson strobe isn't affected by the noise and neither is my Helix FX nor Shure GLXD16.