the Snark Killer is Here! ... and it's the Snark.

[@francesmckevitt]

After nearly 50 years of guitar playing, I've tried just about every type of clip-on guitar tuner, be it on the headstock or in the sound hole. Aside from a pedal tuner (always for live gigs), the best clip-on tuner I have ever used has to be the Polytune. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.

[@twistedreality380]

After my third broken Snark, I bought a Peterson Stroboclip. It also uses a micro USB charger. The charge seems to last a very, very, long time. I love the accuracy and sweetened tunings. I'll never use anything else.

[@BrianDalton-w1p]

I've been tuning string instruments by ear for 50 years. when I got a clipon tuner a few months ago I could immediately hear how inaccurate they are. I got s stroboclip and it's the only tuner I can trust.

[@TeleCaster66]

100%

[@odelljl]

This. Stop buying snark after snark. Get one quality Peterson strobe clip-on. Enjoy the rest of your tuning life

[@pieromancer208]

I’ve gone through 4 or 5 snarks over the years. The quality is god awful. I have used the polytune for about 7 years and haven’t looked back.

[@Bredaxe]

The ball join in the back always cracks away and rots on the 3 i went through. I ended up getting the fender clip on ones

[@TeleCaster66]

Try the Peterson, I love mine.

[@Okgreat-p5z]

I’m proud to say this man is my best friend.. although we’ve never met, this is the guy i wanna have a beer with and strum guitars and listen to him giving me good, friendly advice, and a wealth of knowledge… kind, and gentle and yet big enough to pull someone off of me as I’m getting my butt kicked in a bar fight.. yes, this is my best friend

[@kennethskaggs2832]

I was never a big Snark fan. Bad engineering from out the gate. I love my Peterson Clip on Strobe !

[@dannyturner7967]

I got a peterson clip on. Gave my snark to my niece

[@alan4sure]

Me too, best of all tuners.

[@StringTension]

I’ve been using a Korg GA-2 since like 1996 over here. You can drop that thing 100 times, and it still holds, try that with the Snark.

[@tzd]

My original Snark ST-8 lasted me about 6 years. I changed the CR2032 battery probably 2 times. By the 2nd time I changed it, the rubber was becoming sticky and peeling off. I removed it with alcohol. By the time I had to change the battery the 3rd time, the plastic socket had become brittle and broke off, and no longer usable. So the point is, they are now making Snark rechargeable tuners with the same plastic material, and it is not going to last you more than 5-6 years because the plastic will disintegrate, even if you are able to continue recharging it. So it is kind of pointless and just additional expense and inconvenience to buy a rechargeable tuner. I also tried their new Snark Air, it is less accurate than the original ST-8. When I tune bass strings, the Snark Air will read the low 'E' as 'B', and it also takes a longer time to register the note.

[@markbaum9615]

The only thing good about the Air.... My grandson enjoys the blue plane button.....You're ri right...the ST8 is more accurate

[@odelljl]

I wasted my money on a snark air also

[@casesimmons2645]

Thanks for the heads up

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

I just replaced the battery in my snark

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

I'm old enough that the Snark tuners didn't exist when I started playing I use a BOSS TU-2 & an acoustic handheld chromatic tuner. The TU-2 tuner pedal is the best piece of guitar accessories I've ever bought!

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I bought a snark, was disappointed, and started using my boss tuner again. The snark is so slow and not very accurate. It’s just a backup now I haven’t had any reliability problems, but I use the boss tuner when it matters

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

@@honkytonkinson9787 I've never used a snark, but 3 of the people I've taught or am teaching didn't have tuner. I asked them to get one for when they're practicing. They're more than welcome to use BOSS pedal or other tuner when they're here. It's $9-$20 & they'll use it every time they play a guitar. A guitar company should make a deal with a tuner company. New players aren't aware that a tuner is a necessity for any instrument, might as well include it with the guitar?

[@ronj9448]

I still have my TU-12 with the needle. You needed a snark when tuning in an ensemble setting and there was noise all around. It really helped.

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

The 2 tuners I bought in 2001 have never failed. I've never used a Snark tuner or wanted to since I've never had an issue with the 2 I have

[@adrianparker2849]

Hi guys, I went through different types of clip on tuner, but the one that came out best for me was the TC Unitune. Absolutely fantastic, and doesn't get effected by ambient noise, so is great for band practice or gigging. 😁

[@stuco]

I was an early adopter to the snark. I loved it. I've been using daddario small headstock and soundhole tuners for a few years.

[@creatorTWin]

Snarks less than a full meal at McDonalds, I like the display so I’ll stay with it!

[@craighamley3669]

D'Addario's little tuner is stealthier, recharges on USB-C, and lasts about three days without a recharge. So compact I even put one on every electric guitar for when I'm away from my pedalboard. They could be cheaper, but they're not THAT bad!

[@ModularMemories]

Generally, I've used tuner pedals over the years, with the exception of an old Sabine. The only clip on tuner I've ever purchased was a TC Electronic clip on and it either ate batteries too quick or was defective. I got rid of it. I'd go to use it and even if I'd put in a new battery recently, it would be dead! Recently, I acquired a Snark and it works pretty good - better than I'd expected. but the tuner I use the most is the TC Electronic tuner app which was only $5. The drawback to it is that it's using the mic, so if there's any external sounds, (like a bandmate playing), it's going to try to pick up those notes instead of the one's on my instrument. The Snark works fine in that instance.

[@lonesomelenny7606]

Use a toothbrush and 70% alcohol on the sticky plastic on the Snark then use a cloth to wipe off. Also, I use a small zip tie on the Snark pivot points to reinforce the swivel. Hope this helps.

[@jeffreyRfike]

Wow! Good to know! Another great and informative video, thanks Mark. Most rechargeable items I've gotten in the past few years come with at least a short (6 inch - 1 foot) cable. The new Snark does not? Too bad. I really like the Fender and D'Addario tuners as well, just got the D'Addario rechargeable, don't know if has small cord because have been putting off opening it. Always just change the batteries once a 2 years whether needed or not along with car key fobs - the batts are like under $0.25 each!

[@docjeffry]

Tanks for the heads up. Fender make a decent tuner for less than half the price. I prefer it over my battery powered Snark.

[@MrTabasham1990]

I liked my Snark. But the head recently broke off. It also didn't fit nicely in my gig bag.

[@MasterFushigi-m4e]

I have so many micro-usb cables that barely get used, I don't think I would ever have trouble finding one. Currently I use a D'addario tuner (the rectangular one with a color screen in "portrait" orientation.) It takes a CR2032 battery....The problem is that the screen is so big and bright that the battery only works at full-brightness and full-responsiveness for 1 or 2 days. After that it gives weeks or months of dim, sluggish performance.

[@BryanBrett-q4d]

I use a chromatic pitch pipe. No batteries needed!

[@RoadRunnerRiffs]

Another great video! Say, what is that guitar hanging up in the very corner that has a B.C. Rich pointiness to it? I’ve seen it in a couple of videos but can’t tell what it is.

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

It's the Charles Fox Dreamcaster. A handmade guitar from the early 80s.

[@clicks59]

Thanks Mark. Another no nonsense video. I use D'Addario Planet Waves on my electric basses and their Eclipse tuners for my upright basses. Good tuners. I wish they had an automatic shut off feature and they were bright enough to see when playing outdoors in sunny conditions. I'm sure somebody makes a good one that works in those conditions.

[@brandonbutler8808]

Worst case scenario if you need a tuner you can download a tuner app to your phone such as the boss version

[@cajunqueen5125]

What I;ve done: the Snark tuners (or any other similar headstock tuners) were cheap enough that I could keep two in my gigbag; if the battery is dead in one, then grab the other one.

[@jasongoad1084]

I recently bought a fender tuner instead for this very reason. Didnt want to have to charge it.

[@rustyshackleford9557]

My Snarks even when turned off seem to eat batteries. I use rechargeable tuners now made by multiple manufacturers.

[@houseofshred3725]

That sucks. The battery life was the Achilles heel of the Snark imo, and a rechargeable option would be great, but the USB port they chose sucks. I guess I'll stick to the Korg unit I bought that runs on a AAA.

[@arman6119]

FYI: wasn't the dial tone on land lines "Bb"....hard to find nowadays tho.....

[@rickclark4714]

I’ve got a Fender one that takes the dime size battery. Works good.

[@lostlandmarks8305]

Really enjoying your insights 👋🏻

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Gone through several of the snarks due to breaking at the pivot point on the readout part. I bought a back up, never opened it, and left it the gig bag just in case I ever needed it. When I did, it broke in the pivot point almost immediately. Was not sure if it was just me or if other people have had the same issue. It was a very frustrating experience. I ended up going with the Snark Air due to low profile and lack of the previous pivot points. Have picked it up twice and it was dead and had to be recharged. It is not critical for me but it is still kinda a kinda bummer having to wait for it to charge. Sometime in not so distant future I plan on getting a Peterson Strobotuner. Until then I suppose will just keep using the Snark Air.

[@rickroy1353]

Totally agree!

[@marcgreene6343]

Clip on tuners are great, but people still need to learn how to tune by ear.

[@moyhennabuchanan1076]

👍 thank you

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

☝️🔭🙄 man youve got some great looking guitars on the wall up there 🙏 in the store

[@ronj9448]

Dude it seems like you're confused. I looked this up (I don't have the recharge type) but the USB-Micro is on the SNARK. And the other side is just a standard "Type A" which a majority of wall warts or even PC ports support. They could have any connector on the Snark as long as they give you the cable.

[@MarbsMusic]

I was gifted one of the rechargeable ones... used it once but it has pretty much sat uncharged because while I probably have the cable or one of those cables somewhere, it's just not used for anything. I have a clip on polytune that works great so I really didn't need it anyway. At home I'm usually using the polytune pedal anyway... I'm with ya on this.

[@iancurrie8844]

Micro usb is cheaper to implement than usb-c because C has twice as many pins and has to be reversible. It was purely a cost decision.

[@bretspangler8717]

Snark has great customer service, I had a bad clip and they sent me the full assembly, no questions asked. I bought a bunch of replacement batteries, so I will be good for a while. Rechargeable batteries go bad too, I have a really nice set of Edifier in-ears that are dead on one side, so useless junk now.

[@duaneulman9915]

No I love my Snark's even if its rechargeable I'll have 4 or 5 Snark's ❤😊

[@rodneykroetsch2924]

I enjoy your common sense shop talk!

[@tatersalad573]

I bought my son a clip on tuner, rechargeable, D Addario nexus I think. & it’s a micro as well. I agree needs to be changed to a C as well. God bless

[@michaelbaynham5107]

I've used a Snark for several years. If I need a backup I use an app on my phone.

[@deanallen927]

I threw a Snark in the garbage once. And a Korg, and a D'Addario. I'm done with headstock tuners. How long before they replace the USB c anyway?

[@radman1136]

I've still got 3 replace the battery Snarks, and 5 broken ones to use as parts. Own one rechargeable, it stays home.

[@chewyfingers1288]

I like the ddario sound hole tuners. I don’t mind batteries.

[@khrys_maxwell]

the new Ernie Ball Pro Tune uses USB-C

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

gotta check that out, not much the EB makes that I don't end up liking.

[@archieguitarz4700]

Watching this with my trusty old snark clipped to the top of my computer monitor. I always know where to find it, my picks not so much lol

[@DanLeRoy]

I still have a tuning fork, guess that would be a backup

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

My my first Snark went goofy years ago I actually used my ancient pitch pipe.

[@olearywu]

So, Snark has 'jumped the snark.' 😂

[@kekejones9185]

From what I understood it was legislation in some states forced them to change. But I thought new legislation also meant it had to be usb C? So im confused, as usual.

[@RudySaldivarGuitar]

The reason they use Micro USB instead of USB-C is cost. The same reason Amazon still uses Micro USB on their Fire Sticks. They could do it, but it would cost more, and you're already saying the D'addario is cheaper.

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

So they saved 20 cents per unit, and it only cost them their market dominance.

[@BenBreard]

100% This is the exact thought I had. It would be more than $0.20 per unit to implement the USB C spec for charging. I don't know how much but it's non-trivial, and I guarantee they ran the numbers and decided their market wouldn't pay the higher price.

[@a_dubs_]

@@GarysGuitarsUSA beancounters aren’t paid to think about market share.

[@sunnohh]

Usb micro?!? What is this a vape pen from 10 years ago?

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

Haha

[@kingcormack8004]

I use the TC Electronics PolyTune. Big display. But it's not as accurate as the pedal.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I have a snark but I prefer my boss pedal tuner; the pedal is faster and more accurate. I haven’t had any issues with the snark working. The battery seems to have a reasonable amount of life. It just takes too long to tune between songs, and I think it picks up too much sympathetic vibrations. And, it’s slow! I like the convenience but it doesn’t deliver what I need so I just use it at home

[@jakeyoung1066]

Snarks have NEVER been accurate enough. Since day one I wouldn't use one.

[@HazeAnderson]

They get NO RESPECT I tell you!

[@kendrolet3558]

When I play guitars with my fiends, I tell them to keep their Snarks out of arms reach. I threaten to grab it and smash it on the floor so they will have to buy a better tuner. I got tired of tuning my guitar by ear after using a Snark. The Peterson Strobo clip is accurate

[@rgorde]

Especially on harmonically rich instruments.

[@oaeoeaoRust]

Currently enjoying a rechargeable Snark, no issues, also have a TC Electronic PolyTune clip. All good, and I don't think Snark owned the market for tuners. Also, Gary's, the best guitarists use Sonic Research Inc. stuff. They are top notch.

[@jameswhiteford9419]

You can download a tuner of your IPHONE

[@odelljl]

Try that in a loud bar though. ...

[@B.Schmidt-c9v]

The problem is see is that eventually the "permanent" battery will go bad. At that point you will have to toss the Snark in the garbage can and BUY a new one. This makes it a lot like those newfangled electric lawnmowers that you have to throw out once the battery goes bad because it is too expensive or impractical to change/replace the battery.

[@rebeccadanziger5210]

I have a Taylor one. It is the same story with the charging cable, but otherwise it works well.

[@zoltanztoth]

Do yourself a favor and get the daddario micro. It small enough that you wouldn’t even notice it from the front, if you clip it in the back of your headstock. I have it on all of my guitars.

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

Or you can tune your instrument the good old way... by ear !

[@georgelugo872]

And out of tune!

[@stuco]

I'm not smart enough to do that.

[@frankybebop2913]

😱😱😱😂

[@f33fifofum]

They went rechargeable because a lot of countries around the world banned the introduction of new products that use watch batteries

[@cvanhetkaar96]

Challenge with 97% of other tuners is that they do not work for a bass B-string, where Snarks works well …

[@baroque9983]

Sorry, but I'm not even a fan of the old Snark. To each their own; a cool gadget that just didn't deliver consistently for me. (1) they crap out after a few months of use, and adding a new battery doesn't fix this issue - something about using the cheapest electronic components, (2) finicky about location on the headstock and sensitive to other noises, (3) the plastic head is made of self-disintegrating plastic that gets sticky after a while - then it interacts with something in guitar cases and get sticky on your fingers when you need them clean to play, and (4) they can't do bass frequencies sufficiently well to trust for a bass guitar. Maybe they fixed some these issues over the years, maybe not - but I lost faith in them ten years ago.

[@fragslap5229]

For some reason, the rubber of my "snark" deteriorated and became "sticky." Threw it away after less than a year.

[@DBMorris]

Ive had a few of them. They never last more than a week. I honestly dont know how they stay in business.

[@williammouri1096]

Buy a tuning fork.😊 Or to your pain in the butt keyboard player.😊😊

[@gibusgamer93]

It amazes me how many companies stubbornly stick to mini USB and micro USB over USB-C. Some distributors must be offering absolute blowout deals to get rid of what's left of them, because it's a headache every time I see it now that C is the near-universal standard.

[@jankypox]

It’s not that recharging or battery waste is an issue. It’s that devices with a rechargeable battery become useless when (not if) the Tony rechargeable battery dies or can’t recharge anymore. This is a problem with ALL rechargeable devices. What do you do when your iPhone or iPad doesn’t hold a charge anymore? New iPhone. What do you do when your Bluetooth earbuds don’t recharge anymore? New earbuds. Mark my words. There is NOTHING about this design choice that is about saving the environment from battery waste, it’s all about selling you a whole new device a few years later. In short, it’s about repeat business.

[@jasonjayalap]

Whenever a company puts in an order for a million usb micro ports, the "to catch a predator" guy should show up at their office and ask them if they know why he's there.

[@Nugmania1]

Easy fix, buy a couple of usb mini cables, if the next gen cones out with usb c, buy the new one, these are not expensive

[@jamespowers8826]

First world problem. I just treat tuners as disposable. I've gone through several Snarks, but so be it. No doubt they will switch to USB C soon. Now, if you want to talk about dumb decisions, Apple uses USB C to charge their Magic Mouse, but put it on the bottom of the mouse. Now, that's a dumb decision that they refuse to correct.

[@allstopblue5717]

I had to throw all my snark tuners away once they got that sticky thing going on like you mentioned.

[@scottkidwell3601]

I lrarned to tune using a tuning fork... not great for live or noisy gigs. I have 3 battery-powered Snark tuners that I've had for several years. Probably won't upgrade to the new generation. Might look at the Peterson Strobe...

[@madeofnapalm]

This 'batteries are bad for environment' stuff is hilarious. Cause the rechargeable battery will ALSO die. And you will have to throw out not just the battery but the whole tuner. Oh well...

[@cajunqueen5125]

👍👍👍

[@LockRocker]

In a related incident the tuning fork industry is seeing a post covid uptick in total units sales volume. That combined with the latest drop C and D variations is gonna turn the market on it's head. Buy stock now boys, buy buy, bye...

[@kennethhoneycutt4513]

I have a TC Electronics clip on tuner it takes 2032 flay batteries

[@GreenpointRemembers]

I ended up getting some super cheap knockoff tuner called Real Tuner LA-1 and it’s the only one I use now

[@manysnakes]

The choice of Micro USB is bizarre since, as of 2024, all new rechargeable devices sold in the EU are required to be USB-C (this is the reason why Apple finally switched). So are Snark not available in Europe? Micro USB is, for all intends and purposes, a dead standard.

[@thrasher3222]

I'm not buying any tuner with a rechargeable battery, it's just gonna die eventually. I like the Korg SH-CS100, it's super accurate and takes a AA battery, not one of those lame coin cells. I do have 2 older snarks with removable batteries but I found they're not as accurate as I'd like.

[@HarryK-HK]

Snarks are fine. They should come out with a good cheap pedal.

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

They did have a good cheap pedal, we used to sell them. But they've stopped selling them

[@hughmanetti1908]

Snark should be spelled P.O.S. I can see the display in bright light. I got the D’Addario Pro. USB recharge and plenty bright in sunlight.

[@claudiajay8291]

USB c would have been better, but don’t more people use a tuner pedal on stage? Peterson strobe tuners?

[@frankyoung8787]

I bought a rechargeable snark. It's useless, doesn't hold a charge. Every time I go to use it, it's dead.

[@jasonthemason1971]

Who doesn’t have one million usb mini cables………. I have absolutely NO problems with the rechargeable Snark. You don’t have to recharge it daily either. So shut up already…………. 😮

[@halcooper3070]

Snark turns itself off

[@jorgeleyton1474]

I keep spare batteries in my guitar case just in case.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👍 good thinking ..also sometimes those active pick ups can drain a battery after soundcheck.. 😳 and things like that.. we should go with what works .. solid , no surprises at the last minute. in front of a live studio audience 😬 could be very embarrassing.

[@Guitarooster52]

Bought the original it was great until it got gross, then bought the rechargeable and it’s not great so found another of the old style and yes they work great. I do hate micro usb because I ve got to figure which of the million fricken cables is the right one. Also it SUCKS at sensing the 6th string.

[@stevegardiner8473]

I have a new Lekato wireless system, USB micro also. Doesn't make sense.

[@maco34576]

lmao usb micro is a joke

[@brianmascarin3875]

Im no fan of micro usb, but you dont need a different charger, just a different cable. Devices that use micro typically come with a cable however they tend to be only about a foot long. Also you can get a female c to male micro adaptor. Goofy idea to make any device with a micro, but youre making it sound like a bigger problem than it actually is. Plus snarks are so cheap you could keep one on your guitar, another fully charged in your case, and a third at home on the charger. Hmmm....maybe thats exactly what they were thinking at Snark HQ.😀😀

[@stillpist]

Next gen rechargable snark will use FireWire. Problem solved.

[@Barbarapape]

These should have renamed it the Snag, which planet are these people on.? Another tuner to avoid, perhaps a drop in sales will make them rethink and update it to usb C. The original battery Snarks will become collectors items.

[@flatpickom]

I want a snark like tuner that goes somewhere where you don’t see it from the audience. I just hate the look of a snark on a headstock.

[@GarysGuitarsUSA]

It does look ridiculous. I feel bad when I see a photo of me playing and I forgot to take it off my headstock.

[@stuco]

Check out the d'addario ones. They make a soundhole tuner for acoustics and a low profile tuner for headstocks.

[@andrewwalsh531]

go woke go broke!