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Quick Hit: Boss TU-03 Review

Quick Hit: Boss TU-03 Review

A sleek clip-on tuner that will tune up more than just your instrument.

 
 

Ratings

Pros:
Two vital functions in one unit, user-friendly, and nice display. Priced nice.

Cons:
Additional pivoting range for desired angle would be welcomed.

Street:
$25

Boss TU-03
boss.us


Ease of Use:


Build/Design:


Value:
 

Playing out of tune or not playing in time are two surefire ways to invite sneers from bandmates and listeners. The TU-03 tuner/metronome from Boss wants to help players with both. Like the company’s industry staple pedalboard tuners, the sleek TU-03 delivers highly accurate tuning (rated at +/- one cent) and an easy to read, straightforward display that’s void of multiple colors and busyness. It has five different modes—chromatic, guitar, bass, violin, and uke—and offers flat tuning one or two semitones down. Though the display doesn’t seem to have as much pivoting maneuverability as some others in its class, it has a sturdy clamp jaw, is simple to use, and doesn’t feel chintzy in the least.

What makes the TU-03 stand out from many others of the clip-on variety is that it also functions as a metronome—something we all need. I think just having that functionality at the ready, rather than the oh-so-difficult task of retrieving your metronome (if you have one) from whatever drawer it’s stashed in, makes a huge difference. The TU-03 has a variety of patterns and beat variations, an adjustable BPM from 30 to 250, and is impressively loud when the sound is engaged. At $25 to tune up both your guitar and your timing, I’d say that’s money pretty well spent.

Test gear: Larrivée P-01, Dell’Arte Dark Eyes, Les Stansell tenor uke, Fender Precision