Tools for checking intonation?

[Dennis Duross]

What do any of you use to get a decent read on intonation?

So far, I've only tried the Peterson app for iPhone, but those numbers just swim all over the place. I have to believe there are better tools out there.

[Mario Proulx]

Petersen Stroboflip, with a pickup(if none on the instrument, use a clip-on pickup).

[Dennis Duross]

Thanks Mario. I guess the pickup eliminates extraneous noise from the equation. That makes sense. And it's common for the readouts of cents on these things to be somewhat "fluid"---sort of flipping around an 8 or 10 cent range, then pausing for a microsecond (assuming the cat doesn't meow and throws it off again) on the true number? And in that split second of time you know you're in tune?

[Mario Proulx]

What you need to do is "pluck" the string lightly, and try plucking it at different places(near half the string's length is typically best), in order to minimize overtones. I also mute the other strings with my other hand if I can't get the readout to settle down. When checking fretted notes, I'll check many of them, not only the 12th fret, as they can and will vary, and some will give good, solid readings more readily.

It's the Strobe's uber-sensitivity that makes it "chase" overtones and anything another string may be adding, so eliminate those, and you'll get a good, steady read.

And definitely, a pickup. The machine is way too sensitive(and incredibly precise) to use the mic.

Oh, and hold the instrument in playing position; if you have the neck resting on a bench rest, when you fret a note, you'll press down with enough force to cause most necks to 'give' just a little, but more than enough to cause the string to read flatter than it truly is. If you can't hold the instrument in playing position, place the neck rest directly under your fretting finger.

[Dennis Duross]

Yes I guess sensitive is the word for what they are. Those are all great tips, thanks. I'll give it another go.

[Bob Hammond]

I had a look at the Peterson website for the tuners and the phone app, and they are excellent instruments. But because I have a Samsung Galaxy S2, I had a look at the Android apps, and I ran across the PitchLab app. For the price (i.e. free), it's very impressive, but any of these apps will be limited by the quality of the phone's mic. Are there such things as bluetooth pickups or mics that are better than the phone mics?

[Greg Robinson]

Bob, most of those apps will be programmed to use only the internal microphone, they won't accept input from an external source, unfortunately. Just the way the architecture is designed.

[David Bingham]

In looking at the Peterson page it appears that the StroboFlip may have been discontinued.

[Mario Proulx]

That would be a shame.... Did they replace it with another "bench" model, perhaps?

[David Bingham]

It looks like the replacement is the StroboPlus HD.

http://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm?category=197

[Mario Proulx]

Yup, seems to have the right features, plus is smaller and more affordable.

[Bob Hammond]

After putzing around with the Android PitchLab app, I've decided that the app and the Samsung phone's mic are not so bad. It would be nice to have a way to calibrate the phone's mic, but I'd say give it a try. If somebody can compare the Peterson instrument against the phone and app, then I'd be interested to hear about it.

[Andrew Mowry]

My Ipod Touch doesn't have an internal mic, so I plug a cheap mic into it. I'm pretty sure you could do that with an Iphone too. I use the Peterson app, and it works pretty well. I do have to turn on the noise reduction, otherwise the Bb of my fluorescent shop lights dominates.