Every pedalboard needs a tuner, and on a huge number of them that tuner is a BOSS TU-3. BOSS calls it the world's best-selling stage tuner, and you will spot its bright LED meter on stages from local bars to arenas. It is not exciting, but it might be the most important pedal you own.
Here is what the BOSS TU-3 is, why it became the standard and where to buy one.
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What it is
The BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner puts a stage tuner inside the classic BOSS compact pedal housing. Step on it and your signal is muted while a 21-segment LED meter shows how close you are to pitch. BOSS rates it as accurate to plus or minus one cent, a hundredth of a semitone, and it has a brightness control plus a High Brightness mode for playing outdoors in daylight.
When you hit the note dead on, the Accu-Pitch Sign function gives you a visual confirmation that tuning is complete. You can tune chromatically to any pitch, or switch to Guitar and Bass modes that tune by string number. Those modes support 7-string guitars and 5- and 6-string basses.
Where it came from
BOSS introduced the TU-2 in 1998, which the company describes as the world's first pedal-based chromatic tuner. It made stage tuning far easier than fiddling with a separate tuner box, and it quickly became a fixture. The TU-3 followed in 2009, with increased tuning precision, an enhanced LED meter and expanded modes. The basic idea has not changed: a tough stompbox that does one job fast and reliably.
Why it is still worth buying
- Silent tuning. The output mutes automatically when the tuner is engaged, so you can tune between songs without the audience hearing every string.
- It is readable. The 21-segment meter and High Brightness mode make it easy to see on a dark stage or in direct sun.
- Drop tuning support. Flat tuning options cover down tuning up to six semitones below standard pitch in Guitar mode and three semitones in Bass mode, which is handy for heavier music.
- It protects your tone. The TU-3 includes a buffer, which helps keep your signal strong when you run long cables or lots of pedals.
- It can power your board. A DC output jack lets you send power to other pedals. That requires an optional BOSS PSA-series adapter and PCS-20A parallel cable.
- It is built like a BOSS. The compact pedal housing is famously durable, and BOSS backs it with a five-year warranty.
Where to put it on your board
Most players put the tuner first in the signal chain, right after the guitar. That way it gets the cleanest possible signal, and because it mutes the output, it silences everything after it when you tune. Some players put it after a wah or volume pedal so they can also use it as a mute switch with the volume rolled off. Either way, it belongs near the front.
Planning a first pedalboard? The TU-3 lives happily next to other BOSS compacts like the BOSS DS-1, and next to classics such as the MXR Phase 90 and the Big Muff Pi. For a more modern drive, look at the EarthQuaker Devices Plumes.
TU-3 vs TU-3W
BOSS also makes the TU-3W, a Waza Craft version of the tuner. Waza Craft is the BOSS line of premium versions of its compact pedals. For most players, the standard TU-3 does everything they need. The TU-3W is worth a look if you want the Waza Craft version on your board.
Tuning tips
Tune up to the note rather than down to it, since that helps the string settle and stay in pitch. Let the note ring a moment before reading the meter, because the first instant of a picked note runs slightly sharp. And tune with the same picking strength you use when you play, which gives a more accurate reading.
Where to buy
The TU-3 is sold through BOSS dealers worldwide and from most music retailers.
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