So, you are now looking for a good chromatic tuner, aren’t you? There are many guitar tuners available on the market, but not all guitar tuners are the same. The cheap tuners often only have six notes, which are E, A, D, G, B, E. Thus, for example, if you have to tune an F, you will have to do some thinking. Chromatic tuners, on the other hand, despite being slightly more expensive, are completely worth the money because they come with all the twelve notes of the scale, making tuning much easier and more flexible.
Boss TU 3 and TC Electronic PolyTune 2 are currently the hot items of the market. Many people seem to be confused in choosing between the two. Both are excellent chromatic tuners that have received many positive reviews. So, how do the two compare against each other? Should you get Boss TU 3 or TC Electronic PolyTune 2? Find the answer below.
Boss TU 3 vs. TC Electronic PolyTune 2: Design
As always, let us start by comparing the two devices’ designs and dimensions. Typically, a chromatic tuner does not have to be all bulky and heavy. It is not an incredibly complex device, after all, if we compare it to, say, guitar multi-effects pedals.
Between the two options, TC Electronic PolyTune 2 is definitely the lighter one. Compared to Boss TU 3, it is slightly smaller, as it measures 72 mm wide, 122 mm deep, and 50 mm tall. It is quite considerably lighter. Hence, it is a very portable and practical device to be brought along for live performances. On the device, you can find a very nice color LED display screen that shows information very clearly, indicators that show the input and output jacks, and of course the true bypass switch. It actually feels quite solid and sturdy.
Boss TU 3, on the other hand, is just a little bit bigger than TC Electronic PolyTune 2, measuring 73 mm wide, 129 mm deep, and 59 mm tall, but it is significantly heavier. Well, it is not that heavy, as it simply weighs about 390 grams, but you can really notice the difference if compared to TC Electronic PolyTune 2. Thus, Boss TU 3 may be slightly more cumbersome to be brought along to places. Still, the extra weight is a good thing in a way; the extra weight comes from the metal housing, which is very rugged and durable. Certainly, the device is able to withstand any usage abuse, which often happens in live performances. The LED meter is equipped with a seven-segment display to show the current note. Also on the device there are indicators that show the input, output, and bypass jacks.
Boss TU 3 vs. TC Electronic PolyTune 2: Features
Here, we are going to see the notable distinctive features of the two models. Of course, some people think that a tuner is just a tuner; but the high-quality models are often equipped with nice features that you may not want to miss.
First of all, what we can notice about TC Electronic PolyTune 2 is the very bright display that can be read easily in any lighting condition. That’s a cool, practical feature. Some other models can only be seen clearly in a not-so-bright environment due to not being backlit, while some others can only be read under the sun; TC Electronic PolyTune 2’s display screen is visible in any situation, thanks to the high-performance LEDs. It is actually equipped with an ambient light sensor to automatically and dynamically adjust the brightness level.
Boss TU 3’s display, on the other hand, is very good for indoor use, and there is the High Brightness mode for outdoor use, but just not as nice as TC Electronic PolyTune 2. You still have to switch the mode manually, after all.
Additionally, TC Electronic PolyTune 2 has a true bypass mode, which is very useful for silent tuning. Boss TU 3 has a bypass mode, but that is not a true bypass, and hence may affect your tone when running out of batteries even when disengaged.
TC Electronic PolyTune 2 comes with the PolyTune function, which allows the device to automatically detect which strings need tuning whenever you strum all strings of your guitar or bass at once. Meanwhile, Boss TU 3 comes with several modes, such as Chromatic and Guitar/Bass modes, and it supports flat tuning with the Guitar Flat mode which allows for drop tunings.
Boss TU 3 vs. TC Electronic PolyTune 2: Performance
The PolyTune function on TC Electronic PolyTune 2can be very practical by minimizing the time you need for tuning. And it also somehow makes the chromatic tuner to be very accurate. However, this function also makes the device rather slow when detecting open notes; it often makes the device go through the PolyTune function first before landing on the single string. In addition, the battery operation is a little weird. When the battery loses life, it will go completely off. You will have to remove the battery and plug the power adapter to make it work again. Overall, TC Electronic PolyTune 2 is a very accurate device, but it is a little finicky that it is mostly suitable as a home tuner rather than a stage tuner.
Boss TU 3 does just one thing, but it does the thing very well without unnecessary weirdness. Compared to TC Electronic PolyTune 2, it seems to be slightly less accurate, probably because it uses an LED meter. Indeed, the documentation says that it is accurate to plus-minus one cent, so there is a small tolerance range. But, don’t worry; it is highly usable. But the best thing about Boss TU 3 is that it detects very quickly. It is super-fast in tracking notes, making it suitable for on-stage uses.
| Boss TU3 | TC Electronic PolyTune 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BOSS Audio | TC Electronic |
| Key features | - Guitar and Bass Tuner Pedal with High-Brightness Mode for Outdoor Visibility, 21-segment LED Meter, Drop Tuning Support, and Guitar/Bass Mode | - New super fast precise strobe mode with +/- 0.1 cent accuracy - New retina-scorchingly bright diplay - Improved analog circuit |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.5 out of 5 stars | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Decision
Actually, both Boss TU 3 and TC Electronic PolyTune 2 are awesome devices. They are both high-quality models. TC Electronic PolyTune 2 can make tuning much easier with the PolyTune function, it is true bypass, and the display is definitely very nice. It is very accurate, but somewhat slow and a little finicky. Thus, it is mostly suitable for home uses. Boss TU 3 would be the way to go for on-stage uses due to the super-fast tracking, indestructible housing, and no-fuss operation.