Let’s talk tuners. I know, I know – not the most exciting topic. But for us guitarists, keeping our guitars in tune is crucial. I’ve used Boss tuners for years, but when it came time to upgrade my ancient TU-2, I was torn. Should I get another TU-2 from eBay and call it a day? Or shell out a bit of extra cash for the shiny new TU-3?
As we’ve come to expect from Boss, both pedals are built like tanks, and neither will let you down. But after running a few A/B tests myself, I realized the TU-3 does have some worthwhile improvements.
In this post, I’ll compare the Boss TU-2 vs Boss TU-3 head-to-head so you can decide which tuner is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Both the Boss TU-2 and TU-3 tuner pedals are well-built and reliable.
- They can both accurately tune electric and bass guitars.
- The TU-3 has improvements, such as a brighter, easier-to-read LED display. It tunes faster and more precisely.
- The TU-3’s buffer circuitry preserves the guitar’s original tone better than the TU-2’s.
- The TU-3 has additional features like an Accu-Pitch mode, flat tuning mode, and drop tuning mode.
- Either tuner will work well for most guitarists. However, the TU-3 is a better choice for those who want maximum precision, visibility, and tone preservation.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Boss TU-2 and TU-3 Tuner Pedals
I’ve been playing guitar for the best part of 25 years now, and I’ve always relied on tuner pedals to keep my guitars in tune (trust me, I need all the help I can get). In recent years, both the Boss TU-2 and TU-3 have been on my pedalboard. I’ve gigged and rehearsed with both.
The TU-2 was one of my first standalone tuner pedals, and it served me well for over a decade. It’s simple, durable, and gets the job done – what more could you ask of a tuner pedal? The TU-3 improves on the TU-2 with a few handy features. It has a larger display, so the note names and tuning meter are easier to see on stage. It also has a power supply jack, so you can plug in an optional power adapter instead of running off a battery.
Both pedals work great for basic tuning. They’re accurate and have a wide detection range to pick up the signal from any electric guitar or bass. I’ve used them with everything from a quiet single-coil Strat to an active 5-string bass with no issues.
If I had to pick just one, I’d go for the TU-3. The larger display and power supply option make it a bit more versatile for live playing. But if you’re on a budget or have simple needs, the TU-2 is still a solid choice. Either way, with a Boss tuner pedal on your board, you’ll have a trusty tuning reference for years to come.
Key Differences Between the TU-2 and TU-3
As an avid pedal enthusiast, I’ve used both the Boss TU-2 and TU-3 tuner pedals over the years. While the TU-2 has served me well for a long time, the TU-3 improves on it in some key ways.
Accuracy and Speed
The TU-3 uses a high-brightness LED display with 21 LED segments, compared to 11 segments on the TU-2 [1]. This display is easier to read on stage, even under poor lighting conditions. It’s also faster, so it tunes more accurately and quickly. When I’m making tuning adjustments on stage, the TU-3’s speed and precision give me the confidence to change or adjust my tunings between songs.
Buffer Circuitry
One of the TU-2’s biggest selling points was its transparent buffer, which didn’t color your tone like some other tuners. The TU-3 actually improves on this, with a high-impedance buffer that maintains your core tone. Although it’s debatable how much difference this makes, when the Pedal Players team ran a blind test on me, I really couldn’t tell the difference between the two pedals.
Added Functionality
Beyond the basics, the TU-3 offers some useful extras. The Accu-Pitch mode tightens the tuning window for extremely precise adjustments. It also has flat tuning and drop tuning modes, which are important for many players.
While the Boss TU-2 is still a perfectly solid tuner pedal, especially for the price, the TU-3 improves on it in terms of accuracy, usability, and functionality. For gigging and recording guitarists who want the best, the TU-3 is worth the upgrade. If I had to choose just one, the TU-3 would be my go-to tuner pedal.
My Experience Using the Boss TU-2
When I first started playing guitar, I would tune by ear and thought my guitar sounded fine. It didn’t. It wasn’t until I got the TU-2 and realized how off I had been! This tuner allowed me to tune each string to the precise frequency I wanted. The TU-2 detects the note you’re playing and indicates whether you’re sharp, flat, or right on the pitch using the built-in LED meter.
One downside I noticed is that the TU-2 can sometimes waver or jump around a bit when you’re close to the target pitch. It takes a steady hand to make fine adjustments. The TU-3, Boss’s updated version, is a bit more stable in my experience. However, the TU-2 gets the job done and for a pedal that’s been around as long as this, it’s still a great, affordable tuner. Although, you’ll have to find one on the second-hand market as it’s discontinued and no longer available in stores.
The TU-2 runs on a 9V battery or power supply, so I would recommend keeping a spare battery in your guitar case in case it dies at a gig or practice session. It’s built like a tank, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking when you stomp on it over and over again. For a simple, dependable tuner at a good price, the Boss TU-2 is hard to beat. While there are more advanced pedal tuners out now, this one will serve any player well.
Overall, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, durable tuner pedal that won’t break the bank, the Boss TU-2 is a very solid choice. It may have a few minor quirks, but for the money, you can’t find a much more solid tuner.
My Experience Using the Boss TU-3
I’ve been using Boss guitar pedals for over 15 years, and the TU-3 tuner is one of my favorites. When my trusty TU-2 finally gave up the ghost after many years of service, I decided to upgrade to the TU-3 based on reviews I had read. I’m glad I did.
Here’s what I noticed about the pedal.
Superior Accuracy
The TU-3 is insanely accurate. It uses a bright LED display that is easy to read, even in direct sunlight or on dark stages. The note indicators make it clear if you’re sharp, flat, or dead-on. Within a few seconds of picking a string, the TU-3 calculates the pitch and displays the note. This speed and precision mean I can tune quickly between songs without keeping the audience waiting.
Reliable Performance
The TU-3 is built like a tank, as you’d expect from Boss. I’ve had mine for quite a few years now, and it still looks and works like new. It’s survived the occasional beer spillage and being stomped on without any issues. The footswitch feels solid, and the pedal responds instantly whenever I activate it. Boss are famous for building pedals that can handle the rigors of stage and studio use.
If you’re looking for an ultra-accurate, road-worthy tuner pedal, the Boss TU-3 is one of the best out there. While the TU-2 served me well for a long time, the TU-3 improved on it in every way.
For me, the TU-3 hits the perfect balance of precision, reliability, and affordability that I want in a tuner pedal.
Boss TU-2 vs TU-3: Which Should You Choose?
When it comes to guitar tuning pedals, Boss is one of the best. Both the TU-2 and TU-3 are excellent choices. I’ve used both over the years, and here are some of the key differences I found between them.
Accuracy
If precision is important to you, the TU-3 is the clear winner. It provides tuning accuracy down to +/-1 cent, which is better than the TU-2’s +/-3 cents. For most guitarists, this difference is pretty negligible, but if you frequently play in alternate tunings or change strings often, the TU-3 will keep you perfectly in tune.
Visibility
The TU-3 also has a “Bright” mode that makes the display much more visible outdoors or on a dark stage. As a gigging musician, I’ve found this feature invaluable. The TU-2’s screen can be hard to see in bright lighting conditions, so if you play outside or in venues with lots of stage lights, the TU-3 is the way to go.
Transparent Buffer
Both pedals have a built-in buffer to prevent signal loss over long cable runs, but the TU-3’s buffer is more transparent. It does a better job of preserving your guitar’s natural tone. The TU-2 can sometimes affect your tone in subtle ways, especially if you have a lot of other pedals in your signal chain.
For most guitarists, either the TU-2 or TU-3 would do the job perfectly. But if maximum precision, visibility, and tone preservation are important to you, the TU-3 is worth the extra cost. You’ll get a tuner pedal that’s built to handle any gigging situation with the utmost accuracy and clarity.
For a workhorse pedal that will last you for years, the TU-3 is my top choice.
FAQs
Who uses the TU-3?
The TU-3 is one of Boss’ most popular tuner pedals, so it’s common to see professional guitarists and bassists using it. I’ve seen it on the pedalboards of Dave Grohl, John Frusciante, Slash, and so many more. It’s certainly a staple in the guitar community.
Does the TU-3 have a buffer?
Yes, the TU-3 features a high-quality buffer circuit. A buffer helps prevent signal loss that can occur when long cable runs are used. The TU-3’s buffer helps keep your tone sounding full and rich, even with a large pedalboard setup. You can also turn the buffer on or off with the push of a button.
How accurate is the TU-2?
The TU-2 is a very accurate chromatic tuner, especially for the price. It can tune to +/- 3 cents, which is perfectly adequate for most guitarists [2]. I used a TU-2 for years before upgrading to the TU-3 and found it worked great for tuning electric and acoustic guitars. The main downside is that the display isn’t as large as the TU-3, so it can be harder to read on stage.
What about the TU-12H?
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any firsthand experience with the TU-12H tuner. From what I’ve read, it’s an affordable option aimed more at home recording and practice use. It likely won’t stand up to the durability or accuracy of the TU-2 and TU-3, but it could work fine as a budget tuner for some. For live and professional use, though, I recommend the TU-3.
When It Comes Down to It
So, in the end, both the TU-2 and TU-3 are awesome tuner pedals that will get your guitar in tune. The TU-3 adds some handy extras, but if you don’t need the bells and whistles, the TU-2 is a solid choice that won’t let you down.
For me, the TU-3 wins out for its brighter display and extras like the high brightness mode and power out. But you really can’t go wrong with either one. Just grab whichever you can find for a good price and start tuning up those strings! At the end of the day, having a high-quality tuner on your board is what really matters.
References
- Corporation, B. (n.d.). BOSS – TU-3 | Chromatic Tuner. BOSS. https://www.boss.info/global/products/tu-3/
- Corporation, B. (n.d.-a). BOSS – TU-2 | Chromatic Tuner. BOSS. https://www.boss.info/global/products/tu-2/
