? The TU-15 is the latest addition to the famous TU series line of tuners, very affordable between $80-$90. ?These are considered to be the industry standard second only to the Peterson strobe tuners. I would start off by saying this tuner has a BUNCH of new features to really modernize the TU series. To cover every feature would be a daunting task to say the least so I will give the features and specs then review on how well the features work and how accurate the tuner is.

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?O.k. here’s some specs: Tuning range 430Hz to 449 Hz- ?easy to adjust. Tuning accuracy and this is BIG is +/- 1 cent!! You can tune down flat up to 2 and a half steps or 5 semitones. You can also tune in open E/A/D/G, Drop D or DADGAD. 7 string guitars and 6 string basses also no problem!! Yeah! There is also a “accu-pitch” reference tone that sounds when you get to within +/- 3 cents to the note, COOL! Of course the tuner is Chromatic and has a Auto/Manual mode. Backlit lights on the display, built in Mic and a Killer octave adjust mode.

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Features:

Tuning range 430Hz-449Hz

Open tuning functions E/A/D/G, Drop D, DADGAD

Flat tuning to 2 ? steps down or 5 semitones

7 string guitars and 6 string basses

Backlit meter

Accu-Pitch reference tone

Octave adjust for setting intonation.

Accuracy +/- 1 cent

Built in Mic for Acoustics

Chromatic in Auto or Manual Mode

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?Alright here we go! I’ll start off with this statement. ALL- yes All the features mentioned above work splendid with no problems in tuning whatsoever and they are all accurate. No problems in any of the altered tuning modes, the built in Mic works great for acoustics, just don’t get too far away and the lighted displays are easy to read on a dark stage or in outside lighting conditions.

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? So how does she tune? Well if you are far out from proper tuning there is a lot of wabble in the needle, but once you hone in within about 5cents it becomes much less jumpy. There is some movement almost all the time but that’s GOOD, you just realize how accurate the tuner is and how well it “locks” into and follows the string changing pitch, very very slight adjustments on the tuners and you’ll see the needle move, this is EXCELLENT! I noticed immediately how much more accurate and consistent the tuning is than say the TU-2, the TU-15 is much better in accuracy! You’ll also realize that most times when we tune we turn our tuners too much and the very slightest movement sometimes is all we need. ?Killer! +/- 1 cent in accuracy and the lighted display is marked more accurately to see just how many cents sharp or flat you are. This is important to the “Temper Tuning” guys because you can see the marks in your ?+/- cents!! This is the best tuner I have used for “Temper Tuning” next to a Peterson strobe but for much less money.

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?My Favorite Features: O.k. the tuner works splendid and all the additional tuning methods work great with 7 string guitars and 6 string basses but here’s my favorite features.

1.“Accu-pitch” reference tone is cool, you can NOT look at the display and get it in tune almost exactly by hitting the reference tone, it’s just cool to hear the tone. If you don’t like it you can turn it off.

?2. The octave adjust feature really helps set the guitars intonation. Hit the open string then the same string fretted at the 12^th fret and adjust, they even tell you how to do this in the manual!

3. Very Very accurate tuning, Great for the “Temper Tuning” guys, I have a previous article for more info on this tuning method if you want to learn more about it.

4. The Manual, yep the Owners Manual explains EVERY function Perfectly! Much more than I can cover here.

5. Modern tuning features that cover the Open tunings to the real LOW tunings no other tuners can handle. THIS IS THE BEST TUNER FOR THE MODERN ROCK PLAYERS FOR SURE! NOT THE BEST STAGE TUNER BUT GREAT IN MANY OTHER WAYS. You could use a cheap A/B box on stage to engage or disengaged the tuner and it would be fine.

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?What I don’t like:

1. I wish the tuner was a bit heavier, It’s very lightweight so I wouldn’t set it on top of a amp, the floor would be better or it might go “flying” off.
2. They claim it has less “tone sucking” when used in line. It’s fine if it’s OFF but once it’s ON you can hear the negative difference for sure and there’s no way to “mute” it, when it’s on it’s in line and you can hear your tuning thru the amp.
3. I wish it used the universally used 9 volts but it doesn’t it uses 2 AA’s.
4. Note to Boss, Find a way to mute this baby live with the addition of a remote footswitch, it would be killer and you could sell another item!

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Overall all would give this a 9 mark on a scale to 10. The tuning accuracy and the additional features just kill and can’t be beat. The best tuner for setting intonation other than a Peterson. I would only deduct for non muting and the battery supply.

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Guitar Guru