It’s no secret that stringed instruments need to be tuned regularly – and this is certainly true of the dulcimer. We want to play music that sounds pleasant, and not like a soundtrack to a bad horror film.
Tuners are an essential accessory for all musicians, not just dulcimer players. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best dulcimer tuners available for purchase online.
What are some of the features to look for in a dulcimer tuner? Let’s lake a look.
What to Look for in a Dulcimer Tuner
- Bright Display: You never know when your dulcimer will need a tune, especially if you play in a band. Find a tuner with a bright and easy-to-read display screen. It’s better to not have to worry about leaning all the way over your tuner when reading the screen.
- Quick Reaction Time: A lot of tuners don’t even display the note (or the flatness or sharpness of the note) until a few seconds after you play it. As all musicians know, this is far from ideal. Especially if there are other sounds in the room to contend with.
- Long Battery Life: We find that batteries last longer for simple tuners as opposed to those with extra features. Bright screens can also suck the life out of a battery. The last thing you want is to run out of battery life onstage, so check the power specifications before you buy.
- Rotating Display Screen: With adjustable and rotating screens, you can fix the readability of the tuner by moving the screen towards you. This is preferred over having to move or adjust your entire body and instrument, which can be difficult with a lap dulcimer.
- Slip Resistant Clip: We were skeptical at first, but now we love clip-on tuners. Being able to clip your tuner on the instrument allows for far more accurate readings. Make sure the clip has anti-slip grips to keep the tuner securely in place while protecting it from scratches.
Read More>>> Different Types of Dulcimer Tunings
KLIQ UberTuner – Clip-On Tuner for All Instruments
Starting off our list of the best dulcimer tuners, the KLIQ UberTuner – Clip-On Tuner for All Instruments is an excellent choice that will accommodate all acoustic instruments – even dulcimers.
The screen on this device is unusually bright which is great. It’s perfect for touring musicians who might find themselves in need of a quick tune in a dimly lit backstage area.
The KLIQ UberTuner responds quickly to the vibrations of your instrument for reliable and easy tuning.
The design of this device ensures that it lasts a long time. And the rubber gripping pads on its clip protect your instrument from marks. Just clip it on and trust that it will stay in place and do its job effectively.
The only feature you might find inconvenient about this product is that the on/off button is a bit hard to see at first glance, but find it once and you’re fine for future uses.
Customer Reviews for this Dulcimer Tuner:
- “The UberTuner is built better than the Snark. It has a bigger and brighter display and the clamp is stronger. It just feels more substantial. The arm from the clamp to the tuner is stronger and looks like it will last.”
- “Great tuner and value. Sturdy with a great well lit display! Small enough to be discrete but large enough with a simple easy to read display.”
Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner
Good tuners can be a bit on the pricey side, but the Snark SN-8 Super Tight All Instrument Tuner is of especially good quality for its price. It has all of the features we discussed above, plus a couple more.
This handy little device comes with a metronome and transpose features, meaning you can use it with a capo.
As long as you remember to turn it off when it’s not being used, the battery will last a while. So long, you’ll forget all about it. You can expect to get years of use out of this tuner if you are only using it at home.
This device works great for dulcimers, but can be used for many other instruments as well.
Customer Reviews for this Dulcimer Tuner
- “You can use it for other instruments as well but I only use it for my guitars. The SN-8 is small & unobtrusive. The display is bright and easily readable and can turn any which way you like.”
- “I was told that this tuner would not work for me with my hammered dulcimer. SO WRONG. This tuner has FAR out performed itself in my book!”
Snark SN-2 All Instrument Clip-On Chromatic Tuner
Rounding off our list of the best dulcimer tuners is this tuner from Snark. This tuner uses the vibrations of the instrument to get it in key. It also comes with an internal microphone. The Snark SN-2 All Instrument Clip-On Chromatic Tuner can be used in a room full of ambient noise (and other musicians tuning their strings) and still work quickly and accurately.
The pads on the clip grip tightly and are slip-resistant. Clip it on and know for certain that it will stay there throughout shows, or whatever else you need it for.
The style of the clip is designed to work for many different types of instruments. So if you’re a multitalented musician, this counts in your favor.
Customer Reviews for this Dulcimer Tuner
- “The color dial of the Snark is very easy to read and tuning is quickly accomplished. The Snark is extremely accurate. I confirmed this with a tuning fork. It was dead-on accurate.”
- “I will be honest, I bought it as a gift for a friend, and I do not play any music, but the feedback I got was great. They loved it, and said that it helped them a lot. It is easy to use.”
Dulcimer all tuned up? Great! Check out the best dulcimer stands, best dulcimer cases and more to complete your dulcimer set-up.
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